Med school with less than 120 credits without a ba/md program?

[mh2002ny]

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I started college this semester and am breezing through my classes with easy A's. I'm currently taking Chem 1, Physics 1, Calc 1, General Psych, English Comp 1, First Aid, and a required college forum class. By the end of the summer I will have a year of physics, calc, chem, and I will be taking a history class. By the end of next spring I will have my year of organic chem and bio. Right now I can confidently say that I will finish this semester with a 4.0.

On med school websites, many of them say that they will accept students who haven't completed their ba yet if they are doing very well. How many credits would I need by the time I apply, assuming that my prereqs are complete?

 

[Brewster]

I would finish college. While they may accept applications from people that don't have college degrees, I would bet they don't get nearly as much consideration as those from people who have graduated or will graduate before starting med school.

What happens if you start med school and don't like it and don't have a BA/BS? Also, you should use college as an opportunity to learn all sorts of things, not just take the bare minimum premed classes.

Finish college, then go to med school. Don't try to skip steps. In the end, I think you will be sorry that you did.

 

[mh2002ny]

But if I start a year early I could be in by the time I'm 19, instead of 20. Then I'll definitely be the youngest in my class. I also read that applicants 20 and under have a 80%+ acceptance rate and with applicants 21 and over it drops to 55%.

 

[edfig99]

though i guess there are some schools that post this...i can't say i have ever met a student who didn't have a degree. and to just do your bare minimum premed classes and not do a major - even with the 4.0 gpa i doubt a top tier med school would want someone like that. it really isn't about the grades, as much as the ability to boast about a "well rounded student body".

in any case, back to your original questions, I would imagine requirements vary from institution to institution and there are also state medical board requirements for licensure (for example, in NYS, you have to have at least 60 semester hours of college credit, in addition to completing med school before you can apply for a nys medical license).

but why do something half-assed? finish the degree you start. leave yourself options and get the piece of paper.

 

[edfig99]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
But if I start a year early I could be in by the time I'm 19, instead of 20. Then I'll definitely be the youngest in my class. I also read that applicants 20 and under have a 80%+ acceptance rate and with applicants 21 and over it drops to 55%.

that's a pretty... interesting motivation. do you have any stats on med school completion rates for applicants under 20? my sense from meeting with adcommers is that schools are generally staying away from someone...young. they don't want someone who hasn't matured a little, by age and by life experience. they don't want someone who will potentially crack under the med school pressure. (that's probably why most adcoms are loaded with psychiatrists).

if your grades are as good as you say they are, then going 1 yr later is not going to hurt you in the least. again, use college as a time to explore new things that you may not have the chance to do so later on. do extracurriculars, volunteer, research... 3 years of undergrad with nothing else...it's gonna be state school for you.

 

[mh2002ny]

You have a point. Having a degree would probably look better. It's an extra piece of paper for me to put up behind my desk. Anyways, I might be able to complete the 120 credits in 2 more years if I take 20+ credits a semester and do 2 summers. Right now I'm easily handling 19 credits. So the best option for me, I think, is to work my a$$ off for the next 2 years, and then I would still be able to apply when I'm 18 and start when I'm 19, saving me an extra year. I have an uncle who did college in 3 years without summers, so I guess I'll pull it off in 2 1/2 with summers.

And trust me, I do my fair share of partying for one of the youngest dudes on campus. Chicks seem to dig it too .

 

[edfig99]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
You have a point. Having a degree would probably look better. It's an extra piece of paper for me to put up behind my desk. Anyways, I might be able to complete the 120 credits in 2 more years if I take 20+ credits a semester and do 2 summers. Right now I'm easily handling 19 credits. So the best option for me, I think, is to work my a$$ off for the next 2 years, and then I would still be able to apply when I'm 18 and start when I'm 19, saving me an extra year. I have an uncle who did college in 3 years without summers, so I guess I'll pull it off in 2 1/2 with summers.

And trust me, I do my fair share of partying for one of the youngest dudes on campus. Chicks seem to dig it too .

unless you're pressed to finish in 3 b/c of $$ reasons... slow down.

when i screened applicants who looked like they did nothing but school (which is what could potentially happen with 20 cred/sem + semesters) i recommended "no interview", irrespective of grades and MCATs. if you can pull off the 20creds, and summers AND do volunteer or research..or work... or something, than by all means...go to town. but if you only plan on concentrating on the academics thing, schools may find your application.....boring.

party on and just take your time.

 

[mh2002ny]

do extracurriculars, volunteer, research... 3 years of undergrad with nothing else...it's gonna be state school for you. [/B]

I volunteer at the hospital for 3 hours a week and next year I will be working on a small research project.

 

[mh2002ny]

The only thing that I'm worried about that will get in my way with med school is my umm, "high school record"🙄 .

 

[edfig99]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
The only thing that I'm worried about that will get in my way with med school is my umm, "high school record"🙄 .

esplain Lucy. 😉

 

[mh2002ny]

I dropped out because I couldn't stand it🙄 .

 

[mh2002ny]

And my name isn't Lucy, it's Mike .

 

[bw07]

Med schools look for depth in coursework beyond the premed reqs. Applying without coursework comparable to other applicants will be a red flag even with a 4.0 and high MCAT, particularly if you're interested in a "top" school where everyone has a laundry list of impressive achievements.

 

[mh2002ny]

esplain Lucy. 😉 [/B]

Ohhhh I get it now .

 

[Gleevec]

Hey, Im not going to mince words, Im just going tell you straight up what I think because doing otherwise would probably be worse. Then again, remember this is one random persons opinion:

I think it depends on what kind of school you want to goto. Though you have 4.0s in intro classes these are in fact intro classes. I definitely wouldnt rush to apply to med school without at least sampling some of the topic areas you will cover in med school (ie.. immunology, pharmacology, physiology, etc). 20 hour semesters are definitely solid, and it seems you are academically sound. I too have taken 20 hour semesters and know that doing as well as you have is impressive.
Also it sounds like your ECs are pretty weak. 3 hours hospital volunteering is not that much, and I dont know what you mean by small research project. Either way, get involved in some other clubs/orgs you like and can stay with.

Overall, I think you are extremely premature in wanting to apply to med school. There are PLENTY of applicants with near 4.0s and 18-20 credit hour semesters with profiles similar to yours who have taken the MCAT. If you want to goto a top tier school you should stick around undergrad. Otherwise, you might have a chance at mid/low tier school, even though I am completely unsure of how well they would take you not even having a degree.

Undergrad isnt a impediment or a speed bump towards med school. Its pretty fun, and it sounds like you are having fun in it. Why hurry it up when it is probably to the detriment of your applicant?

 

[edfig99]

Originally posted by Gleevec
Hey, Im not going to mince words, Im just going tell you straight up what I think because doing otherwise would probably be worse. Then again, remember this is one random persons opinion:

I think it depends on what kind of school you want to goto. Though you have 4.0s in intro classes these are in fact intro classes. I definitely wouldnt rush to apply to med school without at least sampling some of the topic areas you will cover in med school (ie.. immunology, pharmacology, physiology, etc). 20 hour semesters are definitely solid, and it seems you are academically sound. I too have taken 20 hour semesters and know that doing as well as you have is impressive.
Also it sounds like your ECs are pretty weak. 3 hours hospital volunteering is not that much, and I dont know what you mean by small research project. Either way, get involved in some other clubs/orgs you like and can stay with.

Overall, I think you are extremely premature in wanting to apply to med school. There are PLENTY of applicants with near 4.0s and 18-20 credit hour semesters with profiles similar to yours who have taken the MCAT. If you want to goto a top tier school you should stick around undergrad. Otherwise, you might have a chance at mid/low tier school, even though I am completely unsure of how well they would take you not even having a degree.

Undergrad isnt a impediment or a speed bump towards med school. Its pretty fun, and it sounds like you are having fun in it. Why hurry it up when it is probably to the detriment of your applicant?

word.

 

[Rapid Decomposition]

Dude, Mike, slow down. You're obviously a brilliant guy and eager to get on to med school. But if you come across on your apps like you are on this thread (as kind of an overachiever and braggart...no offense, but when you mention how you're "breezing" through school with all these classes and how you'll be the youngest guy in med school, that's what it seems like) then you're probably going to be getting a lot of skeptical reactions like edfig99 mentioned.

Though I'm sure you'd get in somewhere if you applied after three years of school, you really should get a degree first. A college degree is not just "another piece of paper" behind your desk - it represents that you are very knowledgable in a particular area. It's not meant to just be a decoration for your office or your ego. If you find college boring, then you're doing something wrong. Major in an area that interests you! You can obviously handle the workload - try something different: English, history, art, whatever you're passionate about. It will also make your app stand out much more, because honestly - even if you apply with a 4.0 and a 40, no one is going to give you a second glance if all you have on your resume is 3 hours of volunteering a week and a little research project (and a top 10 school would probably throw your app in the trash if it looked like that). And your age will probably work against you rather than for you... (the reason that younguns have a higher acceptance rate is probably because a) there are fewer of them and b) they are probably young because they are very smart - they skipped a grade or two perhaps - and very smart people tend to get into med school. It's not as if med schools are actively searching for 17 year olds to make into doctors)

Instead, take your time! Rather than jam your summer full of classes, travel somewhere, participate in summer research or service programs, enjoy yourself! Don't be so frantically driven towards med school all the time and just chill. College will be done before you know it and you'll wish you wouldn't have rushed so quickly through it if you stay on the track you're on now. If I were you I would definitely take four years to enjoy college.

 

[uclamendoza]

My advice is to slow down. What's the rush? Medical schools look for well-rounded people who have interests beyond the field of medicine. Take some time to pursue other interests while being dedicated to medical school. Getting straight A's is great but so is balancing your life with social and extracurricular activities.......You don't want to burn out and crash when you're on the right track to med school. Good luck!

 

[Dr. Dodger Dog]

slow down.... or you'll get a ticket!

 

[Flack Pinku]

It's very good to see young people so talanted and eager to start medicine. I think that says something about your committment and motivation (you seem to have a lot of it).

Most people here are nice and want to help you out, but you're the only guy who can make the best decision for yourself. So--do what YOU gotta do.

Now, here's what I think--I think you should follow up on your goal. Obviously, you're very goal-oriented and academically preparing yourself.

Think hard about why you want to apply early. Don't use the "I want to go at 19 years of age" reasoning, because it might seem like you're jumping the gun and immature.

Instead, think about what qualities YOU think ANYONE applying to med school must possess before applying. Then answer to yourself if you'll have those qualities by the time you apply. Obviously you have one quality already--academic ability. What others must you possess? If you have them, then you're ready to apply. If not, consider staying the full course.

Be truthful to yourself. Not everyone will walk into an interview at EVERY school with a 4.0 and own research project. Yes, many students with 4.0 and research APLLY--not all to one school. And if you channel your confidence and reasoning in the proper way, it'll come out as maturity and thoughtfulness.

Again, everyone has critics... take their words and try to improve upon their criticism. Have faith in yourself and do things that tell you more about medicine than just volunteering--like shadowing doctors or something. Just approach 10 random doctors at the hospital you volunteer at and ask them if you can follow them around as you're a pre-med. You'll get at least 1 who says ok.

Shadow doctors widely. Don't just stick with one for a recommendation--shadow many so you can get wide experience on medical field, not for a recommendation. You'll have one less recommendations, but it'll come out when you talk to your interviewer about what you've done and seen that make you so sure. Do research, and have fun the way you're having.

Again, fun is relative--drinking is fun to some, and not even a prospect for others... do what YOU think is fun, and if it is studying and acing your classes to get into med school a year early, then so be it.

You control your destiny and what I or someone else thinks doesn't matter. Again, channel your strengths in a way that comes out as maturity and thoughtfulness, and you'll surely succeed.

I have no studies to support this but I do know that I'd be impressed if I was the interviewer (provided you come across more mature than you have so far). And I believe if you think hard you will definitely be able to communicate better.

Remember, at the end--its just a year's difference. A year's difference in your growth and maturity will be negligible anyway.

Good luck.

 

[jennie 21]

As somebody who myself graduated from high school at 16, I would advise you not to be in such a hurry. After hurrying through high school, I took a year off, started college at 17, and took the full four years to get my degree. It was definitely worth it. There is so much learning and maturing you do in college that is intangible and has nothing to do with academics. You will learn about yourself and about other people. You will probably have your first experience of failure, and that will teach you more than sucess ever can. All these things will help you be a better doctor and there is no way to compress the value of four years' learning and maturation into two. Yeah, I know you probably think you're mature for your age, I thought so too, but you'll be a lot more mature in a few years and have a lot more to offer your future patients. Anyway, what's so great about being the youngest in your med school class? It's not a contest to see who can get through the fastest. Take your time and enjoy the ride.

 

[vixenell]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
But if I start a year early I could be in by the time I'm 19, instead of 20. Then I'll definitely be the youngest in my class. I also read that applicants 20 and under have a 80%+ acceptance rate and with applicants 21 and over it drops to 55%.

My bet would be that those <20 year olds have graduated from college, though. The acceptance rate/age has nothing to do with whether the applicant has or has not completed their undergrad degree. It would only make sense for those who graduate at a younger age from both high school and college would have a better chance of getting in.

Why are you so concerned with being the youngest in your class, anyway?

 

[mh2002ny]

Thanks to everyone who posted for their opinions and valuable advice.

What I will probably do is get my degree(in either biochem or biomed) after I graduate in 3 1/2 years. It's pretty close to 4 and I would be entering med school just after I turn 20. This would be my best bet because if I did the full 4 years I would end up doing nothing for a semester, since I started college this year during the spring. Taking this path would also allow me to take under 20 credits a semester and still have free summers, giving me time for more volunteering, shadowing, research, and just having fun. This way I might be able to achieve some interesting accomplishments to put on my application. It's also a full college experience minus 1 semester(like 1 extra semester would benefit me much anyway).

To answer the question of why I'm so concerned about being the youngest in my class, it's not really about being the youngest, it's more about finishing early. I plan on subspecializing in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery with transplantation. From what I understand, post graduate training for this field can run well over 10 years. I would just like to be able to finish my training and start living a comfortable lifestyle sometime before I'm 35. Even following the route I plan to take, I would still be at least 34 when I finish my training. If I had an interest in primary care(which is also an excellent field), I probably wouldn't be in such a rush. It's just that I had been looking forward to a career in this area for many years, since I've shadowed a relative who is in this field one summer.

Thank you to everyone who put in their input. I'll take all of your advice into consideration.

 

[Neuronix]

Originally posted by mh2002ny
I dropped out because I couldn't stand it🙄 .

I dropped out too. Only partially because I couldn't stand it 🙂

That's not going to matter when you apply. If anything, it will help you because it will make you unique and give you something to talk about. On everything else I agree with everyone else. Take your time, study abroad, do lots of ECs, etc... Don't rush through. If you do this and keep your GPA and MCAT up, you will be a more competitive applicant in the end.

If you want to talk more about HS + Medical school applications, feel free to PM me. But, regardless of what anyone else might tell you, HS performance seems to be forgotten once you are in college.