Is graduating in three years a disadvantage?

[PhysicsDoc]

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... versus taking the full four?

I'm on course to graduate in three years with a BS in Biochem/Math, and was wondering if the effect of this on my application might be negative.

 

[JunkintheTrunk]

shoooooot, i would think the adcom's would be super impressed! 😀

 

[ManchotPi]

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[Tezzie]

I know of 2 people who did that.

1) A girl i know did 3 years and two summers (9-12 C.H per summer). She is in a great med school now.

2) Another guy student, 2,5 years. For 3 semesters in a row he took 21 C.H per semester !!!!! On top of that he had really good ECs and clinical exposure but no research. Still he got into a great school.

So it can be done and people do get into good schools.

Either way, good luck!

 

[edfig99]

it can be done, and sometimes it's impressive but one of the things that's going to be scrutinized if/when you interview is how "young" you are -- some adcoms really try to assess "development" and if it seems like everything was rushed, it could hurt.... then again, some may decide they want to have someone young who blew through undergrad.


it's a crapshoot.

 

[Spitting Camel]

Also depends on what GPA you graduate with. If you grad with a 3.2 in three years, but could grad with a 3.7 in 4, I say do the 4 year plan!

 

[pika7]

I think you should take into account a lot of things. Some people I know graduate early for financial reasons. Saving $35,000 is a really strong incentive. If is why you are thinking about graduating early, then I'm sure admissions offices would understand.

There is a downside to graduating early, however. Not only do you get fewer classes to count towards your GPA, you get less classes outside of your major. During my interviews, one of the things that interviewers kept commenting on was that I had taken a lot of electives. They want to see well-rounded people who know about the world around them.

Hope this little advice helps.

 

[fierce tiger]

It depends on which med school you want to go to. You should decide where you want to go and then talk to them. I am graduating after my third year but that is because of a program developed by my college and future med school.

 

[Aptamer]

Frick,
I'm sorry to say but with your credentials, you can never get into an MSTP program. Seriously, doing what you're doing now will get you into a top MSTP program. There's no need to worry...and with your resume, a lot of programs including the UC's and Ivy's will look your way when you apply. You might want to look at the MSTP/MDPhD forum for specialized advice especially from kids like Neuronix, Habari, surge, and many other successful MSTP applicants.

Have you ever thought about staying an extra year so that you can have a more relaxed class load and focus on your research? Considering that MSTP lasts for 7-9 years, this is the time to branch out and have fun before med/grad school. Speaking for myself, I could've graduated in May but decided to stay another semester so that I can focus on my research, have a more lax schedule, and do random oddjobs in my spare time. I feel no pressure from school and having the time of my life. It's worth considering.

 

[DMBUGA34]

I figure Harvard/Stanford and the likes aren't even worth applying to because I don't have an Ivy League pedigree.

If what you posted is true, they should be interested...especially if you get a 35+ MCAT score. You should do some community work, volunteering, etc... Show them not only that you care about the average person, but also that you can communicate and understand them. Let them know you also have a social life!

 

[chapinsita]

one thing that they may be concerned about if you only have 3 yrs of undergrad, is that you'll still be immature. Try to seek experiences that demonstrate maturity (going abroad is a good one) so that if this is a concern, you can dispell it immediately. Make sure you are dedicated to your own individual research project. I think that number-wise though, you are in great shape. Keep up the good work!

 

[Bobblehead]

You can definitely get into a "top 10" (whatever your definition of that may be) school on 3 years of solid work. The pros of this would be:

1. One less year of undergraduate tuition aka debt. Combine this with having your med school tuition paid for via the MSTP program and you're looking at "real" money.
2. You get to add one year to your career, which if you're considering an MSTP program could make some difference in the long road towards a career (3.5 years of clinical med school, 3-5 years of PhD work, 3-5 years of residency, 1-3 years of fellowship).

The cons:

1. You're not just going to be a doctor but a person. That last year could be spent exploring completely unrelated classes, fields which you are interested in, could make you a better doctor/person/human being, etc. Take advantage of your college days. The ivory tower does have some benefits.
2. As you get further along in your education taking large blocks of time to do anything will cost you more. Going somewhere for a semester to do something (very specific, I know) will vanish in exchange for hoping for two days off in a row to realizing that your partners would be highly irritated at you for breaking the call cycle, etc.

 

[jeeves3]

I'm applying now and this is my third year (I'm graduating in 3 years with a BS in Biomed Eng). I've gotten interviews at some very good schools and don't think the early graduation will hamper you at all. But, the question of why I want to graduate early does come up at every interview. I mention the money I save and the ease on financial burdens for my family, which the interviewers totally understand.

But if you have a full scholarship, I suggest you have a very good reason for graduating early, since schools will expect it. On a positive note though, they are very appreciate if you still have managed to get a broad education and are finishing everything well in 3 years (which you seem to be doing).

If you are an MD/PhD candidate, you would need to get a lot of research done....that's the main thing. In regards to grades and MCAT, who could ask for better from what you've said in the previous posts?

Hope this helps. Best of luck.