Senior Year Schedule??

[YungBrev]

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I am a junior applying to med schools this coming summer (taking the MCAT in June I believe). I am planning on graduating a semester early and was wondering when I would know if I was accepted into medical school or not? I am possibly planning a 3 month service trip to South America for the Spring semester and was hoping I would know before I go on/plan the trip. Basically I just need to know when about I will know If I was accepted or if I will need to reapply. Thanks!

 

[allantois]

It depends on how strong of an applicant you are. Some students get admitted as early as October, while others as late as April/May. Graduating a semester early really doesn't do anything for you as well as going on a mission trip in the spring, unless you are going to reapply.

Excuse me for possibly dismissing the humanitarian reasons of your trip.

 

[cactus8910]

It depends on where you apply. If you get your app in early, schools with rolling admissions should get you a decision by around January probably (Oct. 15th at the earliest). Some schools don't release decisions until March. Check MSAR for exact dates for specific schools. Keep in mind that some schools still interview in the spring, so you'll definitely need to submit early and get those early interviews so that you aren't out of the country when you get an invite.

 

[baxt1412]

The mission trip will likely not have a significant impact on your potential acceptance. If you want to do it for the humanitarian aspect, fun aspect (yes mission trips can be fun), etc that's fine - but don't do it because you think it will look good to med schools. If you're doing it for that reason, it'd be much better to spend that money here in the US and get more out of it instead of paying hundreds if not over a grand for the flight alone.

I wouldn't graduate early unless you can take a light to medium course load your first semester senior year and be DONE with all graduation requirements. If graduating early makes you take a tough first semester, spread it out. I took 14 and 13 credit hours respectively each semester my senior year and loved it (it was still difficult based on the professors i had though). IDK how i managed 18 and 17 credit hours freshman year.

 

[YungBrev]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the feedback! I am not doing this trip for application purposes, this is more of just something I have wanted to do because once I am in med school I won't have any time to do things like that! I have 28 credits left after this semester, but 3 of which are being taken care of this winter. I would much rather spend money on traveling during the spring semester rather than staying here for an unneeded semester!