Non-degree seeking enrolling as degree seeking?

[LegendaryPunk]

After reading some information on this site and talking to other students in similar positions, it seems that enrolling as a non-degree seeking student puts you at the bottom of the list in terms of enrolling in certain classes. I have a couple friends who have said that they have had to beg with some professions to be allowed in their class - sometimes it pans out, other times it does not.

One way people recommend to get around this is to enroll as a degree-seeking student, even though you have no intention of completing the degree. Does this strategy work? Is it frowned upon by colleges? Would med schools even have any way of telling if I enrolled as degree seeking vs. non-degree seeking? Or will they simply see two years of post-bacc classes?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

One way people recommend to get around this is to enroll as a degree-seeking student, even though you have no intention of completing the degree.
1. Does this strategy work?
2. Is it frowned upon by colleges?
3. Would med schools even have any way of telling if I enrolled as degree seeking vs. non-degree seeking?
4. Or will they simply see two years of post-bacc classes?

1. Yes.
2. Who cares. You are paying them tuition to provide you with class opportunities. You don't owe it to them to complete your degree. Is it frowned upon? Possibly, as they like to trump their high-graduation-rate stats. Should that keep you from doing it? No.
3. Most likely not, but they don't care. They want you to have the requisite coursework.
4. Yes.

 

[LifeTake2]

I was actually told to do this by the registrar at our local state Univ.

One, it grants you better access & registration timing; secondly it makes you eligible for financial aid if you need it. You are NOT eligible for ANY federal aid, including loans/grants/work-study if you are not degree seeking.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

actually, it would be better if you could sign up as a degree seeking student, but some colleges have those certain classes that you must take that is really dumb that you may have to take. maybe not, and every college is different. but at least you would get better times to sign up for classes which is awesome. it sucks waiting until a week before the class to find out that someone dropped and you can get in now.

 

[nebratu]

that's how I did it at my state university. Registered as a second degree seeking student. If it's a public school, just make sure you're still able to (can't in CA do to the budget problems).

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Been doing it for 1.5 yrs... don't sweat it, I did it because they'll give me student loans if I say I'm trying to get into the BSN program 😉 JUST DO IT!!! (Peer pressure peer pressure!!!)

 

[debbidala]

I just want to caution you - I'm an MSI, and when I was accepted my medical school said it was conditional on my finishing my 2nd degree (which I was planning on and did, so it wasn't a problem) - not sure if this is standard, but it did happen to me, so be aware it's a possibility. Good luck!

 

[Lefty Doodle]

I enrolled as a second degree seeking student and it was great, I got financial aid, preference for classes, etc. I would do it. I think if you don't put down courses for the degree as "future courses" on your AMCAS you are not likely to be expected to do this. The rest of us who didn't want to shell out for an expensive post-bacc deserve a way to get financial aid too!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I agree with lefty... Debbidala, did you put courses in as being "in process" or "planned for future" because I have no plans to put such a thing down. I can change my status at the school I attend in about a minute from degree to non-degree, so I'm not really concerned about it. Also, I'm pretty doubtful that a med school would make me finish a nursing degree that I haven't started or been accepted to...