What exactly is considered non-traditional?

[philosonista]

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Hi, sdn!

I know non-traditional usually means you did something other than school for a while, you worked and went to school, something to that effect. But I was wondering if there was a pre-med specific version of non-traditional. I'm just wondering if I'd be considered non-traditional.

Here's my background:

Went to fashion school from high school for a semester, then went for a degree in philosophy at a state school, transferred to a private college, and then transferred back to the State school. I'll be transferring back tot he private college next year. By the end of next summer, I should have a degree in philosophy from the state school and a degree in general science from the private college. I've also been a part-time student one semester due to financial constraints.

I wouldn't exactly call this a normal path for a pre-med, or any undergrad. Is this non-traditional?

 

[Goro]

To me a non-trad is someone who comes to Medicine later, after a different career. You just haven't found your niche yet.

 

[mimelim]

The real question is, why does it matter? Seriously. You are who you are. Your background is your background. You don't get points or get treated differently for being traditional or non-traditional. Tell your story and adcoms will make of it what they will based on their reading of your application. This like virtually every aspect of your application is on a continuous scale and isn't sorted into a binary, "This vs. That".

At the end of the day, we don't like boring people. You can be as traditional as they come, HS -> College (Bio major) -> Medical school, with no breaks and be as interesting as they come. Your major or your track doesn't define you unless you want it to.

 

[philosonista]

Wow! The famous Goro and mimelim replied!

Thanks!

Why does it matter? I haven't done any applications yet, but I thought there was a box you had to check that indicates traditional or nontraditional.

 

[AspiringERMD]

Wow! The famous Goro and mimelim replied!

Thanks!

Why does it matter? I haven't done any applications yet, but I thought there was a box you had to check that indicates traditional or nontraditional.

Oh, no. There isn't. So no worries!