Predicament - more classes or work

[Cptn Loko]

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Hi guys, so I am a junior with a ton of dual enrollment credits, so I will be eligible to graduate next semester. However, I'm having a tough time deciding between my two options, and I would appreciate if you guys could give some pros / cons, input.

1. Graduate next semester. Work full-time at my current research lab to help cover application expenses. Should be able to crank out at least 1 more publication during that time as the lab is fairly productive.
2. Stay senior year. Take extra classes to help me prepare for med school and pursue other academic interests. Work part time at the lab.

So, would staying the extra year and taking more classes be helpful - if so, which? For the record, I will have taken Anatomy, Graduate Physiology, Genetics, Histology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and possibly Immunology by next semester. On the other hand, would more publications (I currently have one) help me later on during residency applications?

I plan on applying next cycle regardless of the decision. I appreciate your comments!

 

[Ismet]

Hi guys, so I am a junior with a ton of dual enrollment credits, so I will be eligible to graduate next semester. However, I'm having a tough time deciding between my two options, and I would appreciate if you guys could give some pros / cons, input.

1. Graduate next semester. Work full-time at my current research lab to help cover application expenses. Should be able to crank out at least 1 more publication during that time as the lab is fairly productive.
2. Stay senior year. Take extra classes to help me prepare for med school and pursue other academic interests. Work part time at the lab.

So, would staying the extra year and taking more classes be helpful - if so, which? For the record, I will have taken Anatomy, Graduate Physiology, Genetics, Histology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and possibly Immunology by next semester. On the other hand, would more publications (I currently have one) help me later on during residency applications?

I plan on applying next cycle regardless of the decision. I appreciate your comments!

I don't know what other classes you could take...maybe microbiology or neuroscience, but other than that you've basically prepped for the majority of MS-1 year.

Publications you have in college won't mean much when you're applying to residency in 4+ years.

How are your EC's? Volunteering/shadowing/clubs/hobbies/ etc? If you need to be enrolled in school to improve your EC's, maybe consider staying another semester or two. Otherwise, graduate and continue working in the lab, and maybe take some time off to relax/travel. You'll need the rest before starting med school!

 

[Cptn Loko]

I don't know what other classes you could take...maybe microbiology or neuroscience, but other than that you've basically prepped for the majority of MS-1 year.

How are your EC's? Volunteering/shadowing/clubs/hobbies/ etc? If you need to be enrolled in school to improve your EC's, maybe consider staying another semester or two. Otherwise, graduate and continue working in the lab, and maybe take some time off to relax/travel. You'll need the rest before starting med school!

Already took microbio. Basically I think I would have Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Pathology, and one or two pharmaceutics class, along with finishing a psych and behavior neuroscience minor. I will continue my ECs over the next year as they are not dependent on my school.

I could use some rest haha, really the only thing I'm worried about is forgetting all the things I've learned in the year before med school since I won't be applying them in the lab. Would the classes I have taken / will take help considerably or does med school have different takes on these courses?

 

[Ismet]

Already took microbio. Basically I think I would have Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Pathology, and one or two pharmaceutics class, along with finishing a psych and behavior neuroscience minor. I will continue my ECs over the next year as they are not dependent on my school.

I could use some rest haha, really the only thing I'm worried about is forgetting all the things I've learned in the year before med school since I won't be applying them in the lab. Would the classes I have taken / will take help considerably or does med school have different takes on these courses?

I'm only an MS1 so I've only been through anatomy and biochemistry, but you really shouldn't worry about forgetting the stuff you learned. If you really learned/understood it, you'll be able to recall some of the information. Med school courses (at least the two I've taken so far) are completely different than undergrad courses. Not harder necessarily, but much more fast paced. We're basically doing a semester of biochemistry in 2 weeks, and it's difficult on almost everyone, from people who have never taken biochem before to people who have majored in biochem. Having the classes in undergrad will give you a good intro to the course for med school, so it's not completely new to you when you get there.

That said, don't stress about taking every course in undergrad that might pertain to medical school. I had never taken anatomy before, and while the people who did take anatomy did very well, I also was able to manage the information and do well. On the other hand, I've taken biochemistry before and it's really hard to keep up with how fast it's going. If I were you, I would just graduate and work full time in lab next year, and then take the summer before MS1 off, but that's just my 2 cents.

 

[fabriciusj89]

Keep in mind if you have any loans you have to start repaying after 6 months out of school whereas if you stay in school and go straight to med school they are deferred. Just another thing to think about!