Question Regarding a DIY-Postbacc

[Melabroma]

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I was suppose to be graduating this semester but since I know I'll have to do some postbacc work, I'm planning on withdrawing my application to graduate and just continuing taking classes for another year. This way I can still use financial aid since chasing a 2nd undergrad degree doesn't get the benefit of grants (which I really need).

What I'm wondering is would medical schools frown upon this in any way? I'm already non-traditional so getting my degree in 4 years isn't on the table, I just don't know if there would be any perceived negatives for voluntarily not graduating and picking up a dual major with one major's requirements already satisfied.

 

[Phoebus Apollo]

I’ll admit I’m not 100% sure about this, but I’d imagine that if you have a strong GPA/MCAT no one’s gonna care.

 

[Melabroma]

I’ll admit I’m not 100% sure about this, but I’d imagine that if you have a strong GPA/MCAT no one’s gonna care.

I'm somewhat of a reinvention (first college: 1.64 gap, second college: 3.93 gpa) but cGPA is at a 2.81 and 36 credits of A's will make it a 3.02. Still studying for the MCAT since I have some more time, though I should do well based off my past 3 years and my study time. I just didn't know if it would be seen as "cheating" since I won't have to do anymore biology work and I'd pick up the chemistry dual major.

 

[Phoebus Apollo]

If your school lets you do that (i.e. keep taking classes as an undergraduate w/ aid even though you’ve fufilled requirements for graduation) then that seems like a sweet deal — I don’t personally see how that’s any different functionally then paying for DIY post-bacc courses elsewhere. The main difference seems to be a financial one here... which is something you could explain to an interviewer if they asked.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

If your current school allows you to continue to take coursework as an UG, then you should do so. You get the benefits of financial aid. You really want to try to boost your overall GPA if you can, and you can be relatively certain that any courses you take will complement and not repeat material in those already taken. If you switch schools now, it may be hard make sure that you are not re-doing too much material that you have already covered. And, you are already on your second school now. Looks better to have 2 UGs and not 3, whenever possible.

 

[Catalystik]

I was suppose to be graduating this semester but since I know I'll have to do some postbacc work, I'm planning on withdrawing my application to graduate and just continuing taking classes for another year. This way I can still use financial aid since chasing a 2nd undergrad degree doesn't get the benefit of grants (which I really need).

What I'm wondering is would medical schools frown upon this in any way? I'm already non-traditional so getting my degree in 4 years isn't on the table, I just don't know if there would be any perceived negatives for voluntarily not graduating and picking up a dual major with one major's requirements already satisfied.

There is no downside to your plan. Go for it!

 

[chemphysicsinstructor]

I was suppose to be graduating this semester but since I know I'll have to do some postbacc work, I'm planning on withdrawing my application to graduate and just continuing taking classes for another year. This way I can still use financial aid since chasing a 2nd undergrad degree doesn't get the benefit of grants (which I really need).

What I'm wondering is would medical schools frown upon this in any way? I'm already non-traditional so getting my degree in 4 years isn't on the table, I just don't know if there would be any perceived negatives for voluntarily not graduating and picking up a dual major with one major's requirements already satisfied.

Taking more classes is not usually a bad idea. With any endeavor, always be sure to be ale to explain why you did it.