Is this even possible or am i crazy?!!?!!?!!?

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PreMedPrincess

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hey guys,

i just finished my first year of undergrad and I wanted to know if it was realistic for me to finish in the next two and enter medschool in my fourth? mathematically, in terms of credits, i am on pace for finishing a degree in bio within 3 yrs with taking classes every summer. I have it all planned out. My premed requirements will be done by next year and shortly thereafter I will give my mcats. my 3rd yr will be upper-division bio stuff and researching.

ive volunteered quite a bit and i have helped my dad at his work quite a bit and i will continue to do so. he is in private practice btw.

what do you guys think? is it realistic? can it be done? as far as numbers, its all working out.

does anyone know the minimum units required to apply to medschool? is there a requirement?

thanks
 
you just need a degree... I guess if you're prepared to take the MCAT after 2nd year you could pull it off, but why would you want to?
 
dude, what is wrong with you? enjoy your college years! what's the rush to start medical school so soon anyways? you have the rest of your life to be a doctor and work. now is the time to work hard in school and just have fun being a student.
 
My school doesn't require a degree, and several students entered without a Bachelor's at all. Nonetheless, I would recommend taking your time.
 
im not in a rush...i just dont see the point in taking 4 yrs when i can finish it all in 3 without too much of a hassle. people only take 4 yrs if they screw around...im taking 4 classes a quarter and 2 classes every summer. its not that bad.

what do you mean some schools dont need bachelors? dont you need a bachelors degree to matriculate into medschool? i want to know if there is a certain amount of units that need to be done before medschools consider you application.
 
So many people on SDN discourage it but it CAN be done. When I brought up the idea of graduating in three and applying in order to matriculate by my fourth year, my friends and even doctors that I worked with told me it was not possible...I sure showed them.

However, you have to realize that starting research (or other ECs) in your third year is NOT a good idea. You need to have started by the beginning of your second year in order to have at least one year of experience. If you cant do this, then dont apply...trust me it will kill you. Also, you need to have EVERYTHING planned. Plan what courses you will take, plan when you will take the MCAT, and make sure that you can get a degree in three.

Good luck with your decision.
 
I'm with neurofreak on this one. Really enjoy your undergrad years and get as much experience as possible.

From my understanding, experience, including non-medical experience, is very attractive to most medical schools.
 
PreMedPrincess said:
im not in a rush...i just dont see the point in taking 4 yrs when i can finish it all in 3 without too much of a hassle. people only take 4 yrs if they screw around...im taking 4 classes a quarter and 2 classes every summer. its not that bad.

what do you mean some schools dont need bachelors? dont you need a bachelors degree to matriculate into medschool? i want to know if there is a certain amount of units that need to be done before medschools consider you application.
Click to expand...

A degree is not required, but on your AMCAS application you have to mention whether you will get a degree from your undergrad institution. It might not look to good if you say no. Just my .02
 
lol...

wow...5 yrs is the avg now? i have all the classes planned out. In fact, ill only have to take 1 class my graduating summer...none if i take 5 classes the preceding spring quarter.

is 4 class per quarter and 2 classes a summer too much?

maybe i am working to hard...hmhm
 
PreMedPrincess said:
hey guys,

i just finished my first year of undergrad and I wanted to know if it was realistic for me to finish in the next two and enter medschool in my fourth? mathematically, in terms of credits, i am on pace for finishing a degree in bio within 3 yrs with taking classes every summer. I have it all planned out. My premed requirements will be done by next year and shortly thereafter I will give my mcats. my 3rd yr will be upper-division bio stuff and researching.

ive volunteered quite a bit and i have helped my dad at his work quite a bit and i will continue to do so. he is in private practice btw.

what do you guys think? is it realistic? can it be done? as far as numbers, its all working out.

does anyone know the minimum units required to apply to medschool? is there a requirement?

thanks
Click to expand...

Can it be done? Yes. Would most people recommend doing it? Not really. You see, plenty of adcoms have told me that they have no reason to pick a person who doesn't have a degree over someone who does. The real problem comes when that person who doesn't have a degree bails out from med school and is in a tight bind. With so many applicants who have completed their degree, they'd rather pick them over you.

Also, this is almost borderline immature. Calling college a "waste" of time is precisely why they want you there for 4 years in the first place, to get that out of your system.
 
instigata,

how did your workload look? having done everything in 3 yrs?
 
TheRealMD,

i did not mean to offend anyone by that comment, but it driven by what i have seen from friends and upper-classmen.

if finished in 4 yrs, i wouldn't have to take summer school(which i want to because i get bored) and ide only have to take an avg. of about 3.5 classes a quarter.
 
Options: Spend a summer (or two) working (at a real internship), spend a summer abroad, pick up a language (unless you're a plastic surgeon, a good chunk of your patient are only going to speak Spainish BTW, also Spain is a great place to learn Spanish), do a sport, join a Sorority (you already have princess in your SN), and finally add a semester to whatever you plan is so that you can reduce your course load and get a 4.0

My $0.02
 
PreMedPrincess said:
instigata,

how did your workload look? having done everything in 3 yrs?
Click to expand...

Workload was 3 classes per quarter. I took 2 courses at my undergrad institution and 2 courses at a local CC my summer after first year. The summer after second year I studied for the MCAT. I should warn you though, my application was sent in late, which could be quite damaging. I feel that it all worked out at the end though, and my strong determination to get in resulted in an acceptance.

The bottom line is this: you can do it, but it wont be fun and it will cause you to rush things a bit. In terms of the adcoms looking down upon you for not having a degree, I dont know. Not once was it brought up during my interviews that I dont have a degree, and not once was it brought up that I will graduate in three, and not once was it brought up that I was 20 years old at time of application.

Personally, I would rather just start medical school now since I know this is what I want to do. Some people need to explore a bit and may regret rushing into medical school. You have to be sure of what you want to do before you set out for this long journey. PM me if you want more info.

P.S. Sorry for the lack of apostraphes, my keyboard sucks.
 
this past year i took these classes:

1 yr od Chem, 1 yr of Calculas,2 quarters of English, 2 Quarters of Latin, 2 quarters of humanities.

this summer im going to take:

Physics series and Art History

Next yr ill take:

1 yr Bio, 1 yr Orgo, finish my last undergrad requirement, and take 1 upperdiv Bio classes.

That summer:

2 of the easier upper-div bio classes

3rd yr+ summer:

Finish all upper division work


is that too much?
 
instigata, wow that is incredible. congrats. UCSD is a very good medschool. I currently attend UCLA. i will definitely shoot you a PM...maybe you could be kind enough to quickly jot down which classes you precisely took when. that way i would be able to compare and contrast with what i am doing and hopefully emulate your success.
 
Hey OP...instead of taking 4 years and "screwing around" as you so tactfully put it, why don't you use the full time to grow up a little? Med school is extremely draining, difficult, and at times dehumanizing. You have to be tough, and you have to be ready. Maturity is a key factor in success. If you enter med school with this "I am going to be the best at everything and I am going to finish everything before everyone else because I never screw around" you will fall apart within the first couple of months. Everyone works hard in medical school, whether they took two years to graduate college, 6 years, or they took 10 years off to be a concert violinist. There is too much at stake once you make it into med school, and you will be competing with dozens of people who are smarter, faster and better at everything. My advice is take your time, make yourself a well rounded applicant, and get your priorities straight.
 
Sure, you can graduate early and start medical school. I knew at least one person who started after three years of undergrad. However, I would not want to do that. I have a better idea. If you want to finish school in 3 years, then do it. Then you could work like 4 months hardcore to make money to travel all over the place with. That would be much more fun than starting med school early.
 
My boyfriend graduated from college in three years. He had gone to one of those high schools that was housed at a college, and thus had a lot of credit that transfered that made it possible, but was limited to a certain major because of it. He did it mainly for financial reasons, which is something I could understand, but in retrospect, he wished that he had spent 4 years there and had been able to take a bunch of different classes that were not just for his major.

I think it's up to you, but I think what you'll realize when you're 23 or 24 that you can't get that time back. I agree with the person that posted above that said instead of spending time during the summer taking classes, you should work at an internship or go abroad or something. You probably won't have time to do those things later and since you obviously have extra time now, you might as well take advantage of it.
 
I think something the OP has not thought about and is one of the reasons that many people take 5 years (including myself) is that it can be hard if not impossible to get all the courses in.

Some courses are only offered at certain times (ie, every other semester), the schedule may conflict with other required courses, etc. My parents gave me heck for not finishing in 4 years but after I showed them the schedule and how many of the courses I needed were offered at the same time, they cooled off a little.

Plans are a great thing, but you might want to check with your undergrad advisor and the schedules (which may change semester to semester) to see if its even possible. Since my day (way back when) colleges have more pressure to make sure they have enough classes, etc. so that students can graduate in 4 years (or perhaps even less), so it may not be that difficult - depends on the school.

Otherwise, I agree with the others...

- there's no rush; you have the rest of your life to work; college really is the best time of your life (or it should be)
- if you drop out of medical school and you don't have a degree, it means going back to school
- some schools do require a degree or at the very least prefer it
- the rush to finish early does make you seem a bit immature and incapable of working hard for the long term; this is not a race
- you will also need time for ECs, medical experience, etc.; admission is not just based on grades
- if you are bored during the summer, find something else productive to do - learn a language, travel, work in an ER, etc.
 
Kimberli Cox said:
I think something the OP has not thought about and is one of the reasons that many people take 5 years (including myself) is that it can be hard if not impossible to get all the courses in.

Some courses are only offered at certain times (ie, every other semester), the schedule may conflict with other required courses, etc. My parents gave me heck for not finishing in 4 years but after I showed them the schedule and how many of the courses I needed were offered at the same time, they cooled off a little.

Plans are a great thing, but you might want to check with your undergrad advisor and the schedules (which may change semester to semester) to see if its even possible. Since my day (way back when) colleges have more pressure to make sure they have enough classes, etc. so that students can graduate in 4 years (or perhaps even less), so it may not be that difficult - depends on the school.

Otherwise, I agree with the others...

- there's no rush; you have the rest of your life to work; college really is the best time of your life (or it should be)
- if you drop out of medical school and you don't have a degree, it means going back to school
- some schools do require a degree or at the very least prefer it
- the rush to finish early does make you seem a bit immature and incapable of working hard for the long term; this is not a race
- you will also need time for ECs, medical experience, etc.; admission is not just based on grades
- if you are bored during the summer, find something else productive to do - learn a language, travel, work in an ER, etc.
Click to expand...
Your saying that but i would prefer to be under 30 before i become a full fledged doctor. If i want to raise a family, i dont want to be 40 before I have kids..
 
Last poster - I won't start til 29, and I am still having kids around 34 or 35 (hopefully). Many people start having kids second year of residency, because maternity leave is included. Blanket statements like that show lack of research, because many nontrads start medical school late, like myself, and we manage just fine.

With maturity, you will find out that you can't always plan your life ten years out. I sure learned that, and you will too. For example, even though I would like to have kids around 34 or 35, they may still come earlier or later. Life isn't a perfect plan, so just because you start med school at a super young age, you are not necessarily entitled to your perfect life plan either.

Enjoy your life, regardless. I think spending the full time in college (for OP) is WONDERFUL. I could have graduated a semester early, but I had an advisor push me to study abroad. I could run up and kiss that advisor square on the mouth, because thanks to her, I had the experience of a lifetime, and I wouldn't change a thing.

College is something you can never experience in quite the same way again. Don't rush through it. Life after college goes on and on and on....
 
I have to agree with everyone on this thread. College is life-time experience. Once it's gone, you can't have it back. If you rush through college, you may regret later. Of course you'll be able to finish college in 3 years, but you probably don't plan to take extra classes that may be interesting to you? Plus med schools are interested in people who can think outside of science nowaday. Moreover, are you very confident that you will not mess up any courses along the way, meaning getting a lower grade than expected and want to make up by taking one more course? Anyway, anything can happen.
 
I totally agree with glamqueen. I will be 27 when I enter med school - I graduated college in 4 years (SAVORED AND ENJOYED every minute of it) and then did other stuff and gained a ton of maturity over the next 3 years. I think back just a few years and I know that I am in a much better place going into medical school. Life perspective means a ton...that's why the average matriculant age into medical school is rising. Being a excellent physician isn't just grades and scores - its being able to relate to your patient's experiences, troubles, happiness, sorrows - not just by telling them you understand, but by truly understanding. That's key to a good doctor, in my opinion.

As for the family thing - doing college in 3 years instead of 4 is not an issue. I'm entering at 27, will be out at 31, and will be done with my residency at 34. If you are entering at 20 vs 21 there is really not much of a concern. Programs are much more forgiving than they used to be and lots of women have children through medical school and residency. Its nice to plan ahead, but you can't get too wrapped up in this stuff - who is to say what life will bring? Who's to say there will even be a person to have children with?? Those are just things you can't force. When people plan their lives so much, they set themselves up for disappointment. Just go with the flow...
 
i think, and this is not based on anything other than personal experience, that finishing in 3 years will hurt you at top-tiers unless you are a Super Genius.

don't do it. it's silly. you'll never have the opportunities you have in college again. why would you go to summer school when you can get funded to do research you love, find funding to travel and learn, try out interesting jobs... do something new.
 
I'm also graduating in three years. I just applied to med school. I must say that you have to PLAN everything beforehand because, if you don't, you're bound to miss one thing or another and that can screw you. I took my MCATs in April with all pre-reqs done.

OP, if you really want to graduate in 3 yrs and think that you're READY to enter med school, go for it. I personally feel that I am ready for the challenges but some people may not be. It depends on what you want from college, your maturity, and your future goals.

Also, start on ECs like research early on ( 1st or 2nd year if possible) so that you will have plenty of time to explore your options and so that you will learn to WANT to go to medical school for whatever reasons it might be.
 
From someone who "screwed around" and finished school on time, do whatever you want. In the grand scheme of things, that year won't make a difference to anyone except you because you'll have missed out on so much. I wish every day I was back in college, and I've only been out since 2004 and have done a postbacc while working full time in some really interesting positions. Nothing is as stimulating and carefree as your years in school. I never thought that way until I realized how lucky I was to be attending a very good school, and how few people have that opportunity. College isn't just about getting a degree; it's about understanding others and growing into your adult self, and there's no schedule on that. It's only gained through experience. You'll enjoy college a lot more if you don't look at it as a series of credits you have to get before they give you a piece of paper, it's far more than that.

And seriously, you get bored in the summer because you can't find anything to do? At UCLA? In the second largest city in the country? I live in a smaller city, albeit a major one, and there's plenty to be done outside of school.
 
I had the same option in undergrad. Instead of graduating early, I decided to study abroad and simply apply in my 4th year of undergrad. Best decision I ever made. Not only was it the best experience of my life, but I had a whole lot more to talk about in my personal essays, at my interviews, and with my fellow interviewees who have also travelled the globe. On top of that, now I'm into my dream school.

My advice, don't rush out of college. You will regret it in the end.
 
not to mention, if someone hasn't already mentioned it because I didnt read everything above...a lot of times, people get rejected from medical school simply for being too young. Average age of a student entering medical school is something liek 25 I think? They tend to go for people who are more mature, and solid in the decision that they are making, they might take rushing into the program as being immature and that you may change your mind.
 
PreMedPrincess said:
hey guys,

i just finished my first year of undergrad and I wanted to know if it was realistic for me to finish in the next two and enter medschool in my fourth? mathematically, in terms of credits, i am on pace for finishing a degree in bio within 3 yrs with taking classes every summer. I have it all planned out. My premed requirements will be done by next year and shortly thereafter I will give my mcats. my 3rd yr will be upper-division bio stuff and researching.

ive volunteered quite a bit and i have helped my dad at his work quite a bit and i will continue to do so. he is in private practice btw.

what do you guys think? is it realistic? can it be done? as far as numbers, its all working out.

does anyone know the minimum units required to apply to medschool? is there a requirement?

thanks
Click to expand...

Finishing undergrad in 3 years is like leaving the party at 9 p.m.
 
So you are going to do a full year sequence of physics (3 quarters!) in one summer as well as take a art history class?

When will you do your EC's like volunteer work, research, internships, etc? Also you plan on having a full load next summer as well. When will you study for the MCAT?
 
PreMedPrincess said:
im not in a rush...i just dont see the point in taking 4 yrs when i can finish it all in 3 without too much of a hassle. people only take 4 yrs if they screw around...im taking 4 classes a quarter and 2 classes every summer. its not that bad.

what do you mean some schools dont need bachelors? dont you need a bachelors degree to matriculate into medschool? i want to know if there is a certain amount of units that need to be done before medschools consider you application.
Click to expand...

Uh no, most degree programs are designed to last 4 years. Plus, what if they don't have the money for housing over a few summers and need to go back home to work to pay for school for the next year? Plus, there's also the possibility that said person didn't decide on a certain major or medical school until late in their academic career.
 
I did 4 years of undergraduate and then went back and did 2 more years to fulfill all my pre-med requirements because I decided late. That's a lot of school - it sure hasn't felt like I was screwing around
 
I believe that undergrad is a total waste of time(academically wise). Other than making a person mature and grow, its really a waste of time. Theirs no reason why one cant grow and mature in 3 years
 
PreMedPrincess said:
im not in a rush...i just dont see the point in taking 4 yrs when i can finish it all in 3 without too much of a hassle. people only take 4 yrs if they screw around...im taking 4 classes a quarter and 2 classes every summer. its not that bad.
Click to expand...

Oh, I thought that I just spent the past four years having a great time, learning a lot, and hanging out with the best friends I've ever had in my life.

Silly rabbit, college is a means to an end! It's not supposed to be enjoyed!



(PS you might want to start shadowing a doctor that isn't your dad, because school's won't take a letter from a family member)
 
WOW!

so the consensus here is that I stay in school and "enjoy life". That wasn't premise of my thread. I wanted to know if it was possible and what the likelyhood of me matriculating was. Instead, most of you started passing judgment like "you don't have a life" or "you aren't enjoying life".

fyi, i enjoy life very much. some things you shoulf know: I graduated HS at age 18 and a half so ide 21 and a half going into med-school. I took 3 summer classes before my first yr at UCLA...i also took a speech class and humanities class@ a CC my last semester of HS. And I know im going to come off as an arogant twit, but, I was born ad raised in Malibu california. My parents are well off and ive enjoyed life quite a bit. I want a change, i want to leave socal.

Studying abroad sounds like fun but i wouldn't do that for a whole yr. Probably do it my last summer before medschool. As for preparing for the MCATs, i have taken 2 courses with kaplan and princeton review...i plan on taking 2-3 more before the test. My EC's are pretty solid, i think. I volunteered for my dad and his partners for over 200 hrs, and ive volunteered in the ER over at LA general. I have yet to get a research position but i think i will accomplish that studying abroad or whatever.

Anyhow, thanks you guys for some of the comments. they were appreciated.
 
Some degrees literally can't be completed in 3 years, due to pre-requisites. There are actually some engineering degrees that are designed to take 5 years (not even combined BS/MS, either) because of this. Chemical Engineering is one such degree that is designed to take 5 years at a few schools, for example.
 
Well it sounds like you have it all figured out, OP. And after only one year of college! And the EC's to boot! My goodness - why even ask us our opinions! Apparently you are all ready for med school. From your last post - I think it's obvious what you need to do. You need to double up your courses and graduate in not three, but two years. You are a slacker if you don't. You and your Malibu culture know it. You'll be a disservice to the medical profession if you don't propose yourself as a candidate for medical school as soon as possible.

(Smirk).
 
thanks glamqueen, let me know how it feels being a 35 yr old pregnant resident.
 
Living life in the Malibu world on your parents dime isn't exactly the kind of life experience people were referring too...
 
LOL!

wow...you guys are harsh!

this thread wasnt made for people to pass judgement on me. i made it to understand the feasibility of what im doing. i wanted to know if others have done what i want to do and 2 people said they have. the rest are just bashing me.
 
I can go ahead and tell you how it is: Having earned a wealth more life experience and experienced marriage with just my husband longer than many people before they have kids....it's - pretty great. 🙂

Or it will be whenever it happens.
 
ok. well, there was no need for the previous condescending remarks.

i clearly dont have everything figured out and am open to suggestions, which is why i am on here seeking help in the first place. i liked the studying abroad idea and i will pursue it, but to talk to me like im an ignorant child is uncalled for.
 
PreMedPrincess said:
ok. well, there was no need for the previous condescending remarks.

i clearly dont have everything figured out and am open to suggestions, which is why i am on here seeking help in the first place. i liked the studying abroad idea and i will pursue it, but to talk to me like im an ignorant child is uncalled for.
Click to expand...

You get treated like that when you make sweeping generalizations about this you obviously are ignorant about. Taking four years to graduate college involves wasting a year, according to you. This is insulting to a lot of people who had to work extremely hard all four years in order to graduate.
 
That wasn't premise of my thread. I wanted to know if it was possible and what the likelyhood of me matriculating was
Click to expand...

If you ask someone about the feasibility of jumping off the empire state building, they're not going to talk about the feasibility of it ('I believe they lock those windows at the top, actually. You should bring a hammer or glass cutters'), they're going to tell you not to freakin' do it. Same premise applies here.
 
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