Looking for Advice on Withdraw

[stickgirl390]

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I'm in a weird situation. I applied last cycle, and am on 2 waitlists but assuming that I'll be a Reapplicant. I decided to take Biochemistry this Summer as most schools are requiring it now-a-days. I already have my degree, I just hadn't ever taken Biochem. I was told by my school's financial aid department that I could register for one class and pay out of pocket, and when my financial aid package was processed they could reimburse me.

Now the same office is emailing me and saying they can't reimburse me unless I am registered for 6 credit hours. Maybe it's my fault for not reading the fine print, but I didn't know this. I can't afford to pay for this one class by myself ($1,400), so I need the financial aid.

And now for the question: If I register for some random summer class, say an english course, and withdraw just so I can get the financial aid, will that look bad to medical schools? So far I only have 1 withdraw from Psychology due to financial issues then as well, and my cGPA is 3.81, sGPA 3.88.

Thanks!

 

[jcorpsmanMD]

I'm in a weird situation. I applied last cycle, and am on 2 waitlists but assuming that I'll be a Reapplicant. I decided to take Biochemistry this Summer as most schools are requiring it now-a-days. I already have my degree, I just hadn't ever taken Biochem. I was told by my school's financial aid department that I could register for one class and pay out of pocket, and when my financial aid package was processed they could reimburse me.

Now the same office is emailing me and saying they can't reimburse me unless I am registered for 6 credit hours. Maybe it's my fault for not reading the fine print, but I didn't know this. I can't afford to pay for this one class by myself ($1,400), so I need the financial aid.

And now for the question: If I register for some random summer class, say an english course, and withdraw just so I can get the financial aid, will that look bad to medical schools? So far I only have 1 withdraw from Psychology due to financial issues then as well, and my cGPA is 3.81, sGPA 3.88.

Thanks!

I don't know about your school but at mine if you withdraw you have to give back the financial aid. You can't really game the system. Maybe take a class you'd be interested in? A language course? A medical anthropology course? Your decision!

 

[Blanky]

Intro to Astronomy sounds nice this time of year. Take the 6 credits and be done.

 

[libertyyne]

Why not take a bunch of classes to pad the old gpa?or work and save up to pay for the class.

 

[stickgirl390]

Intro to Astronomy sounds nice this time of year. Take the 6 credits and be done.

Already took Astronomy 1 and 2

 

[stickgirl390]

Why not take a bunch of classes to pad the old gpa?or work and save up to pay for the class.

I'm trying to retake the MCAT this summer and add to my volunteering hours. Those two areas are where my application needs the most help, not my GPA. As far as working, I'm already doing that.

 

[bbbcccppp]

If you were able to do what you want there's no way a medical school would know your reasoning.


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[wysdoc]

I'm trying to retake the MCAT this summer and add to my volunteering hours. Those two areas are where my application needs the most help, not my GPA. As far as working, I'm already doing that.

Then ask to pay on installments and don't do this shenanigan thing with trying to get the FA and then dropping a class.

 

[libertyyne]

I'm trying to retake the MCAT this summer and add to my volunteering hours. Those two areas are where my application needs the most help, not my GPA. As far as working, I'm already doing that.

Delay taking biochem then. There isn't really a one weird trick where you would be able to circumvent the financial aid requirements of your school. You could take it at a cc which might be cheaper. Or you could take it after you take the MCAT. Schools will still evaluate your app even the ones that require it as long as you have a plan to take it prior to matriculation.

 

[bbbcccppp]

You were given incorrect information and may have acted on that. Not your fault. I can't imagine that a second W in the scope of a total application would matter to a medical school. I can't comment on whether your school might rescind the aid however. Maybe you could Ask them. It's possible that the school doesn't care once you meet the initial 6 requirement.


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[libertyyne]

Withdrawals look bad. Especially in your senior year /post bac. If it is a financial issue, wait till you have the money saved up. Even if you explained that you withdrew due to financial aid considerations I would question your judgement.

 

[stickgirl390]

Delay taking biochem then.

Biochem is already over. It took the entire first section of Summer semester for our financial aid department to process my application.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I don't think I'll be taking the W.

 

[Gilakend]

I had to do the exact same thing. Take a class I didn't need so financial aid would pay for my biochem. Med terms online it was.