Leaving Part-Time Degree Program Without Finishing Before Application Cycle

[paimei42]

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I'm currently working full time at a university and one of the benefits offered is tuition remission. I would very much like to take some courses in statistics, math, and/CS to add a bit of depth to my background and take advantage of this benefit but one of the stipulations of the benefit is that I must be enrolled in a degree granting program.

I've already finished all the prereqs during my undergraduate years and have a solid GPA, and will hopefully have a solid MCAT (test date early september). I am looking to apply in 2 or three cycles. Given that I need to wait a few more months to be eligible for the benefit, it is unlikely that I would be able to finish the degree before the MCAT score expires.

I know that ADCOMS generally don't like it when people are applying in the middle of a program/it is obvious that the person will not finish their program before starting medical school but I was wondering if this specific case might be viewed differently than say someone who is in a full-time MS program. There are only a handful of courses that I am interested in taking anyway and I dont necessarily see how finishing an entire degree program will add significant value to my application beyond that handful.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm currently working full time at a university and one of the benefits offered is tuition remission. I would very much like to take some courses in statistics, math, and/CS to add a bit of depth to my background and take advantage of this benefit but one of the stipulations of the benefit is that I must be enrolled in a degree granting program.

I've already finished all the prereqs during my undergraduate years and have a solid GPA, and will hopefully have a solid MCAT (test date early september). I am looking to apply in 2 or three cycles. Given that I need to wait a few more months to be eligible for the benefit, it is unlikely that I would be able to finish the degree before the MCAT score expires.

I know that ADCOMS generally don't like it when people are applying in the middle of a program/it is obvious that the person will not finish their program before starting medical school but I was wondering if this specific case might be viewed differently than say someone who is in a full-time MS program. There are only a handful of courses that I am interested in taking anyway and I dont necessarily see how finishing an entire degree program will add significant value to my application beyond that handful.

If you become a degree candidate for a second bachelors degree, it would be viewed as a postbac by med schools and you would not be expected to finish the degree.

The grades earned, if course, would be calculated into your overall undergrad GPAs.

 

[LizzyM]

I'm currently working full time at a university and one of the benefits offered is tuition remission. I would very much like to take some courses in statistics, math, and/CS to add a bit of depth to my background and take advantage of this benefit but one of the stipulations of the benefit is that I must be enrolled in a degree granting program.

I've already finished all the prereqs during my undergraduate years and have a solid GPA, and will hopefully have a solid MCAT (test date early september). I am looking to apply in 2 or three cycles. Given that I need to wait a few more months to be eligible for the benefit, it is unlikely that I would be able to finish the degree before the MCAT score expires.

I know that ADCOMS generally don't like it when people are applying in the middle of a program/it is obvious that the person will not finish their program before starting medical school but I was wondering if this specific case might be viewed differently than say someone who is in a full-time MS program. There are only a handful of courses that I am interested in taking anyway and I dont necessarily see how finishing an entire degree program will add significant value to my application beyond that handful.

Schools are punished, in a sense, for having a lower than ideal graduation rate. Therefore, some medical schools will not screw over another school by poaching their degree candidate and hurting their graduation rate.

You have some choices... do the courses on your own dime, or stay long enough to earn the degree using the tuition remission deal.

 

[paimei42]

Schools are punished, in a sense, for having a lower than ideal graduation rate. Therefore, some medical schools will not screw over another school by poaching their degree candidate and hurting their graduation rate.

You have some choices... do the courses on your own dime, or stay long enough to earn the degree using the tuition remission deal.

I understand. Would you agree with Catalystik's assessment below? The courses I am interested in taking could just as easily be taking at the undergraduate level and I don't mind if they are factored into my uGPA.

If you become a degree candidate for a second bachelors degree, it would be viewed as a postbac by med schools and you would not be expected to finish the degree.

 

[LizzyM]

Catalystik's suggestion may be reasonable.