starting a masters but not finishing it

[dancingdoctor13]

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I was curious whether or not if i start a graduate program this fall that is 2 years in length whether i will be required to finish the program before entering medical school. I plan on applying to medical school this summer, and if I am fortunate to get in this first time around I was hoping to stop my grad program and enter medical school next after only completing one year of grad school. And if I don't get in this first try, i'll at least have the opportunity to earn a graduate degree by the end of the two years if I need to go through the medical school application cycle twice.

So thus i was wondering, if I do get in to medical school the first time around, will I be required by the medical school to finish my graduate degree before entering or will they even look at it as a negative since I am already in a grad program and tell me just to wait to apply next year? Can I forgo even mentioning that I will be in a grad program? Thanks for the input!

 

[willen101383]

I would think most schools would look down upon something like that. Secondly, we had a few people in my masters program do that and I always personally thought it was a douche thing to do. You are in graduate school, the professors generally treat you more like a peer...and really want to see you succeed...and then you just bail on a program like that? I dont know...just my opinion. If you are going to start a degree...finish it....and then apply. Not saying you would fail academically in med school...but what happens if you get in and then drop out...bet you will wish you had that MS to fall back on...

 

[DrYoda]

My med school offers acceptances contingent on you finishing your current degree program.

 

[TheCellarDoor]

I don't think its a great idea, because some schools require you to finish the degree if you are in a degree program. A friend of mine was in your situation- he decided to take a year of grad classes as a non-degree student. If he hadn't gotten into med school this year after taking the year of classes, he would have applied to the masters program and the program would have let him petition to transfer his credits over to the masters. This way, he wouldn't have left the program for med school, but still had a backup if he didn't get in this year. Worked out for him- maybe you could look into something similar.

 

[bonsaitree1]

I'm pretty sure it's frowned upon by the medical school. Also, as ppl mentioned before, you probably have to finish your degree.

Also, you'll likely need a reference letter from your supervisor, and I'm pretty sure he won't like you ditching half way through your program.

 

[Jasgop]

I highly suggest finishing it. I'm might also go and get my masters degree just because I want to learn more about marine science! I just love those fishes! =D

 

[klmnop]

depends on the school. if your PI knows this is your plan far in advance maybe they will help with a reference letter. regardless you will have to justify wasting the school's time and money to pursue research without result in your med interviews. i know people that are currently planning on doing this. if it works, great, if it doesnt... they can apply again when they're done. important note... finishing something such as a masters degree always always looks better than quitting. especially for med school. it shows dedication and persistence. a med school is not gonna want to take a student they think might leave halfway through.

 

[Parts Unknown]

I was curious whether or not if i start a graduate program this fall that is 2 years in length whether i will be required to finish the program before entering medical school. I plan on applying to medical school this summer, and if I am fortunate to get in this first time around I was hoping to stop my grad program and enter medical school next after only completing one year of grad school. And if I don't get in this first try, i'll at least have the opportunity to earn a graduate degree by the end of the two years if I need to go through the medical school application cycle twice.

So thus i was wondering, if I do get in to medical school the first time around, will I be required by the medical school to finish my graduate degree before entering or will they even look at it as a negative since I am already in a grad program and tell me just to wait to apply next year? Can I forgo even mentioning that I will be in a grad program? Thanks for the input!

Graduate school generally makes a very poor stepping stone into medical school. When evaluating an applicant who is currently enrolled in a graduate program, med schools will fall into one of three categories:

1. Those that want you to completely finish the graduate degree before even applying to med school.
2. Those that will consider your application, but want you to finish your graduate degree prior to matriculation.
3. Those that don't really care what you're enrolled in or if you finish.

Take it from me, schools in 1. and 2. vastly outnumber schools in 3. In fact, if you start a 2 year MS program you shouldn't even bother applying until you're in your second year and have some reasonable assurance of finishing on time. Even then you are limiting the number of schools that will consider your application.

And no, being a reapplicant is not fun.

That said, there are some schools that have a decent track record of accepting MS students from inside their own institutions. You may be able to schmooze your way in by networking during your MS, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

In summary, a Masters program can be a good way to extend college a little bit, build your knowledge base, learn some skills, and perhaps meet some helpful individuals, but it carries some definite drawbacks in the med school admissions game. If you've got to repair a GPA then do a post-bacc or SMP. Otherwise you are usually better off getting a research job - better pay, no coursework, and you can ditch it at the drop of a hat.

 

[klmnop]

OP, why are you doing a grad program? Is it because you are applying after grad (like me) and will have a year off? Is it because you don't feel your grades/scores are competitive? Is it because you don't have the EC's/research to apply?