Pre-med & Graduating In 3 Yrs???

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ellestupido

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How do you do it? Do you know of anyone who was pre-med and graduated in 3 yrs? Is this possible? When do you take the MCATs? I need to do this for financial reasons, any advice and suggestions appreciated. Thx. (p.s. i have a lot of AP credit)
 
A friend of mine just did this. He used his AP credits to fill breadth requirements, majored in molecular biology, and took a summer class and some research for credit, and also did a summer semester abroad. He took the MCAT this April and is applying now after graduating in May, and will be working throughout the year. He's in-state, though, so I would assume it was relatively cheap. You've probably got to take at least 16 credits a semester every semester - I would sit down with a pre-med advisor and plan it all out. Good luck! 😀
 
Thanks for your comment! Yeah...everyone's been telling me that to do this I must major in bio - but I want to major in something else (interdisciplinary)! What do you think?
 
You don't have to major in bio, but I think it would be difficult otherwise. Maybe chemistry possibly. I know one guy who did it in chemical engineering, but it just about killed him. Anything that requires you to take Organic pretty much, otherwise that will be coming out of your free elective credits which means you will be staying in school longer. My old roommate graduated in 3 years in bio and then took a year off for research. I wouldn't suggest going straight 3 years undergrad plus 4 years medical school, although it is possible. I took my MCAT after my sophomore year (August), you could do that or take it in april and still apply if you want to go straight through. It really limits your extracurricular activities.
 
woah...the dude who did it with engineering must've been insanely brilliant, insanely tired, or both. that's insane. my major does require a year of chem (orgo!) even tho it's technically a 'humanities' major.

mcat in soph yr...hmmm
 
General science degree is "interdisciplinary," and you should be able to complete all your needed courses as quickly as a bio major would his or hers.
 
I have no clue if this will help you because this sounds really confusing but...I went to Northwestern which is on the quarter system and I graduated in 3 calendar years with a major in psychology. I came in with a half a year's worth of AP...During one summer I took bio and the following summer I took physics. I also took two quarters to go abroad during my second year. I took the MCAT during my 3rd year and am taking this (what would have been my 4th year) off to work and chill. I was able to major in psych and I even had a minor because those classes overlapped with my distribution requirements, and my AP credits took care of some of my other distribution requirements. In fact, if I would have majored in a science it would have been impossible for me to study abroad. This way I got a nice break in the middle of my studies- and all of my classes abroad went toward either my major or my minor.

I have known people who took all their science requirements during their first two years, took their MCAT's during their 2nd year or that summer, and went straight to med school after their 3rd year. It's doable, but it doesn't give you as much time for fun.
 
That actually makes a lot of sense...thank you. I have a year's worth of AP credits, and plan to take physics in the summer. What are the advantages and disadvantages of going straight to med school after the 3rd yr?
 
I completed pre-med and graduated in 3 years. I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry, and I took the MCAT at the end of my 2nd year. My score was not the strongest, but I have been waitlisted at 2 schools. I retook the MCAT this Spring (ending my 3rd year), and will reapply if I do not get accepted. I went through 2 summers, and did a lot of research which counted as applied study. If not accepted, I will continue working on research and as a paramedic. I have faith everything will work out accordingly. Good luck and I hope this helps a little.
 
Going through school in 3 years and straight into med school is possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. I graduated in 3 years and took a year off for research before entering school this fall. Scheduling interviews would be really tough - since your final semester you'd still be taking important/tough classes most likely. The main issue is burnout with people who go straight through. If you plan on taking the MCAT in April or even August of your second year, you can manage to do it. Be sure to be prepared for interviewers asking you why you decided to graduate in 3 years (almost every interviewer I had asked me that question). Good luck.
 
Be careful. I have a friend who graduated in 3 years with a 4.0 in bio and a 30 on his MCAT. He was rejected from every school he applied to. Upon calling the schools, he was told that they don't like people who graduate in 3 years (too immature or something like that). He was also super-involved in things other than school. Just something to think about.
 
Originally posted by mattorama
Be careful. I have a friend who graduated in 3 years with a 4.0 in bio and a 30 on his MCAT. He was rejected from every school he applied to. Upon calling the schools, he was told that they don't like people who graduate in 3 years (too immature or something like that). He was also super-involved in things other than school. Just something to think about.


I just graduated in may after my 3rd year and am starting med school this fall....it is possible but it is a ALOT of work....i only used my AP Calc credit....basically here's what i did if you care to know...i took 17-18 credits every semster 1st and 2nd year..i took off the summer btwn 1st and 2nd yrs...i took teh mcat the august after my 2nd year...i took 15 credits during the summer along with my mcats....that was the summer of HELL......if you can plan it out, it can be done..my 3rd year i was able to relax a lot, took 12 and 18 credits.....the 18 consisted of gen ed courses...lits, philosophies, speech, history...i chose to take all my sciences early......so basically my last year was very relaxing.....it takes a lot of hard work, but it can be done.....i majored in bio.....i shoudl also mention that all my electives were lab based, eitehr advanced chem classes or reserach credits (this helps ALOT).....i think this helped, cause i hate lecture, so i was able to take more credits without sitting in lecture for a lot of hours...

as far as the immatuirty thing, i've heard similar, but nobody in all my interviews even mentioned how i was graduating in 3 years.....i dont hink they look at ur age or the # of years unless you make a point to show that to them........hope this helps.....

nero
 
Originally posted by ellestupido
woah...the dude who did it with engineering must've been insanely brilliant, insanely tired, or both. that's insane. my major does require a year of chem (orgo!) even tho it's technically a 'humanities' major.

mcat in soph yr...hmmm

i agree to do it in engineering must be brillant.....genius.....bio is one thing, but engineering is insane...
 
I'm a psychology major and I can easily graduate in 3 years with my premed concentration and degree, but I realized that it wouldn't be worth it because I'd be losing out on precious scholarship money that I would be losing out that would have been reserved for my senior year. Thus, I only have to take like 12 credits each semester beginning my junior year. :clap:
 
I'm planning to take 4 courses (and a lab) first semester and 5 courses (and a lab) second semester - is this too much? This is the only way 3 yrs seems possible..
 
ellestupido I'm planning to take 4 courses (and a lab) first semester and 5 courses (and a lab) second semester - is this too much? This is the only way 3 yrs seems possible..

Nah...how many credits is that for each semester? 13 credits and then 16 credits? That is not hard at all...try 5 courses with 3 labs! Or, mine from last semester - 6 courses!
 
Thanks for all the advice, encouragement, suggestions, and inspiration! I think I can do it!! 🙂
 
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