Graduating Way Early

[Teleologist]

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I checked out my transcript today and noticed that I am on track to graduate by the end of Fall 2015 as long as I keep taking 12-15 credit hours per semester.

The issue is I've only been in college for two semesters.

Is it preferable for me to stretch things out a bit more? I'm thinking that if I just graduate in Fall 2015, I'll be sitting around for a rather long time twiddling my thumbs waiting for med school apps to open and then for med school to actually start.

Also, I'm thinking that if I'm in school longer, I can get involved more and do more stuff - i.e. meet professors and get hooked up with research opportunities. So far my ECs are weak at best I think. I (by nature of not having been here long) only have a bit of hospital volunteering, although next semester, with more hours, I should be able to see more "action" (I'm going to apply for the operating room). Also, I know of at least one professor who would write me a strong rec, but no more. I'm banking on another professor whose course i'll be taking next semester, but that's about it so far. I'm also going to start looking into undergraduate research opportunities and see what I can get hooked up with.

Any advice? I'm thinking stay in school longer, don't race, and aim for the minimum (12-credit hour semesters + plenty of ECs to round things out + develop more relationships with mentors and professors, right)? Also, has anyone in my situation thought of pursing a minor? I mean I'm down with my major but then I have passions for other things as well (i.e. teaching). Would a minor be a worthwhile investment of time? I, after all, have 50% of my tuition paid so I figure I might as well use that tuition subsidy.

 

[Teleologist]

How did earn the vast majority of your credits? Even though they may all be accepted by a college, they may not fulfill requirements at specific medical schools.

All the other items you mention are important as medical schools want to see substantial pattern of motivation, commitment and maturity.

The only med school specific credits I placed out of are introductory biology courses. Everything else I have taken at the university level and I will be taking a 4000 level biochem course later (I think that should be a good indicator of my bio competency or lack thereof). So it's not that I magically placed out all my med school credits; more like got out all my gen eds. Also I checked for my university's med school, AP credits are accepted.

 

[plumazul]

I checked out my transcript today and noticed that I am on track to graduate by the end of Fall 2015 as long as I keep taking 12-15 credit hours per semester.

The issue is I've only been in college for two semesters.

Is it preferable for me to stretch things out a bit more? I'm thinking that if I just graduate in Fall 2015, I'll be sitting around for a rather long time twiddling my thumbs waiting for med school apps to open and then for med school to actually start.

Also, I'm thinking that if I'm in school longer, I can get involved more and do more stuff - i.e. meet professors and get hooked up with research opportunities. So far my ECs are weak at best I think. I (by nature of not having been here long) only have a bit of hospital volunteering, although next semester, with more hours, I should be able to see more "action" (I'm going to apply for the operating room). Also, I know of at least one professor who would write me a strong rec, but no more. I'm banking on another professor whose course i'll be taking next semester, but that's about it so far. I'm also going to start looking into undergraduate research opportunities and see what I can get hooked up with.

Any advice? I'm thinking stay in school longer, don't race, and aim for the minimum (12-credit hour semesters + plenty of ECs to round things out + develop more relationships with mentors and professors, right)? Also, has anyone in my situation thought of pursing a minor? I mean I'm down with my major but then I have passions for other things as well (i.e. teaching). Would a minor be a worthwhile investment of time? I, after all, have 50% of my tuition paid so I figure I might as well use that tuition subsidy.

Yes, do that. Why would you want to apply with a "weak" application? Do you want to graduate early for financial reasons? You do not want to be a re-app.

I also could have graduated in 5 semesters, but why would I have done that? I took grad courses for undergrad credit in my major and also took many upper division courses in related areas. I will now graduate with 180+ semester hours of credit and much better prepared for medical/graduate school.

 

[Teleologist]

Yes, do that. Why would you want to apply with a "weak" application? Do you want to graduate early for financial reasons? You do not want to be a re-app.

I also could have graduated in 5 semesters, but why would I have done that? I took grad courses for undergrad credit in my major and also took many upper division courses in related areas. I will now graduate with 180+ semester hours and much better prepared for medical/graduate school.

The pros would include financial reasons, yes, it would be nice getting out med school a few years earlier. That's really awesome that you were able to take graduate level courses; I'll have to look into that here.

 

[trino]

Stay in school, boost your application so you can kill it during your cycle, take an easy semester to study for the MCAT. Make sure these are the best 4 years of you're life. There's no rush. Money will sort itself out and it's a drop in the bucket compared to med school (although there is the loss of potential earnings).

Now that I'm graduating, I wouldn't trade my college years for a million dollars, or two million if I go into neurosurg

 

[ciestar]

I'm with the rest of these guys. I would stay in school! Enjoy your college years like you're supposed to. Explore other interests and maybe pick up a minor if your desire is to take on a few more than the minimum credits. Don't be cookie cutter! You seem to have the luxury of being able to explore some new things, so go ahead and do it!

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I checked out my transcript today and noticed that I am on track to graduate by the end of Fall 2015 as long as I keep taking 12-15 credit hours per semester.

The issue is I've only been in college for two semesters.

Is it preferable for me to stretch things out a bit more? I'm thinking that if I just graduate in Fall 2015, I'll be sitting around for a rather long time twiddling my thumbs waiting for med school apps to open and then for med school to actually start.

Also, I'm thinking that if I'm in school longer, I can get involved more and do more stuff - i.e. meet professors and get hooked up with research opportunities. So far my ECs are weak at best I think. I (by nature of not having been here long) only have a bit of hospital volunteering, although next semester, with more hours, I should be able to see more "action" (I'm going to apply for the operating room). Also, I know of at least one professor who would write me a strong rec, but no more. I'm banking on another professor whose course i'll be taking next semester, but that's about it so far. I'm also going to start looking into undergraduate research opportunities and see what I can get hooked up with.

Any advice? I'm thinking stay in school longer, don't race, and aim for the minimum (12-credit hour semesters + plenty of ECs to round things out + develop more relationships with mentors and professors, right)? Also, has anyone in my situation thought of pursing a minor? I mean I'm down with my major but then I have passions for other things as well (i.e. teaching). Would a minor be a worthwhile investment of time? I, after all, have 50% of my tuition paid so I figure I might as well use that tuition subsidy.

I just want to piggyback on what everyone has been saying and recommend that, if the only reason you'd graduate early is to start medical school earlier, I would stay in college. Life is not a race; just because you want to go to medical school does not mean everything in your life should be geared towards that.
Also-just consider when you would be starting medical school: lets say you're 19 now, conceivably starting next fall at 20. That's appreciably younger than average and it could make for awkward social interactions early on. For example, many second-look weekends (and from what I heard from the students, many weekends in general) visit a bar, and you wouldn't be old enough to get through the door.
Also, in regards to interviews and whatnot, the question will always be about your maturity. Are you mature enough to handle the rigor, are you mature enough to connect with patients, etc, etc. You could be the most aware and comfortable person to be around, but there will always be doubts, always be questions...

Unless you have a good reason, stay in undergrad and explore your interests and live a little.

 

[youmed]

If money is not an issue, then take grad school courses and keep on expanding your knowledge.

 

[moop]

Just because your school's med program takes AP does not mean you want to only apply based on that school's requirements. Many schools do not accept AP across the board, so look into that as well and adjust accordingly.

Also, branch out. Take the advantages and take some non-science things in-depth. Explore these interests now or never do so again. History, poli sci, econ, whatever. Don't be a STEM junkie and hole yourself up when you don't have to.

 

[FluffyPolishUnicorn]

if you are 19 then i would say stay in school - polish your character and you app

if you are like me 25 and counting - lol; i am getting my associate in 4 semesters earning 67 in two weeks, will take credits over summer and graduate with 120 credits next spring, Bachelor in Biochem in 3 years, but thats bc i think time is a factor in my case and I dont have a year or two to spare - even tho sometimes i wish i had it!

and I would recommend re-taking those BIO courses at Uni - your med school might take it for a credit but you will be rejected by many just for not having it done the right way - and like you said it should be easy since you are already taking higher lever bio 🙂

good luck my friend!

 

[darkjedi]

being young is unfortunately not considered a strength, take your time and build experiences so that you can compete with people who may have had 4+ years of ECs under their belt already by the time they apply.

 

[plumazul]

if you are 19 then i would say stay in school - polish your character and you app

if you are like me 25 and counting - lol; i am getting my associate in 4 semesters earning 67 in two weeks, will take credits over summer and graduate with 120 credits next spring, Bachelor in Biochem in 3 years, but thats bc i think time is a factor in my case and I dont have a year or two to spare - even tho sometimes i wish i had it!

and I would recommend re-taking those BIO courses at Uni - your med school might take it for a credit but you will be rejected by many just for not having it done the right way - and like you said it should be easy since you are already taking higher lever bio 🙂

good luck my friend!

being young is unfortunately not considered a strength, take your time and build experiences so that you can compete with people who may have had 4+ years of ECs under their belt already by the time they apply.

A student should apply to medical school when s/he is ready and can present a strong application. The OP suggested that there would be weaknesses in his/her application if s/he applied early. That is why the OP should wait, not because of age. I just had a very successful app cycle as a 19 yo. My age never came up in any discussions, formal or informal.

btw, retaking classes where you have AP credit/placement with an exam score of 5, is silly.