Graduating Early

I am a first-year in college but I came in as an almost junior. It would be very feasible for me to graduate in three years with a double major, doing 15-16 credit hours each semester. I would do summer courses for the few university specific gen eds I have left but not for any science or math courses. College is a huge financial burden on me and my family (and I am taking out and paying for my own student loans). I currently already volunteer at the hospital several hours a week, work, participate in a club sport, mentor, and will be starting in a research lab this semester. I would like to graduate a year early and use that year to work as an EMT (I am already certified) and continue to gain experience. However, I have read very mixed things about how medical schools view graduating early. Thoughts?

How are your grades so far and when would you plan to take the MCAT’s? And I assume you’ve read the fine print on your loans- can you cover the payments which will start while you’re doing your EMT year and are not in school?

My grades this semester are okay…I did very well with all my classes but struggled with chemistry which I expected. I finished with a 3.2 which I am not happy with. The college courses I took during high school are all very great and would bring up my science GPA and regular GPA significantly. I am planning on showing a strong upward trend now that I feel adjusted to living away from home. Also, yes I would be able to cover the payments working full time. I would like to take the MCAT second semester junior year so April or May of 2022.

Asthma- you sound terrific. But you surely know that EVERYONE plans to bring up their GPA before applying to med school, and some do/some don’t.

Why not put the early graduation on the back burner until you tackle a few more of the med school requirements, and then reevaluate? I’m sensitive to your financial constraints- but you need a solid plan for a strong BS before getting ahead of yourself with an MD.

Haha, yes of course I do hopefully I will be the one that does! Thank you for your advice!

I’d suggest a sit down with both your own adviser and the college’s pre med adviser. Outline your plan and see what they have to say.

@asthmagirl

I think @blossom has given you terrific advice.

You’ve set out a very ambitious plan, but I worry that you may be overloading yourself and will end up burning out.

And before assuming your DE science classes from HS will help raise your sGPA, check the AMCAS guide to make sure those classes actually qualify as BCPM credits.[AMCAS Course Classification Guide](https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net/production/media/filer_public/e5/68/e5687e03-f55e-4ce6-a4e4-892eaab328dc/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf)
Coursework in health sciences and things like environmental science or pre-college level mathematics do not.

If you absolutely, positively have to graduate in 3 years, the best course of action would be to drop the second major and use your summers to work (earn some $$$ toward the next year’s expenses) and get your community service hours in.

RE: EMT. Finding a job as EMT may not be as easy as think. In many areas there is a huge surplus of EMT-Bs. Before assuming you can easily get a job as an EMT, you should check the local job market. In my location, EMT earn only $12/hour and many do not work full time. (Employers don’t have to give you benefits if you work less than 30 hours/week.)

And do go speak with your health profession advising office. They will likely be able to give some advice.

I also suggest you go re-read the advice you got in your previous thread–http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/2147112-first-gen-everything.html#latest

@asthmagirl

Medical schools are not going to view negatively if you graduate in 3 years, especially with your reason. But as others mentioned, more important for medical schools admission is your GPA, MCAT score and all other EC which demonstrate your passion for medicine.

Not clear, when you say, you have done well in 1st semester but college GPA is 3.2.
Anyhow, use the links to see how much your GPA for all the courses you have done in HS with dual enrollment, community college etc., For AP courses, first see if your current 4 year college accepts and the number / name of the course and equivalent grade before putting the details in AMCAS table.

Also plan carefully and complete all critical BPCM courses which are pre-req and evaluate your plans. Don’t compromise GPA when rushing to complete early. Plan to do one higher level science course in 4 year college if you are meeting any BCPM pre-req using AP.

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net/production/media/filer_public/78/1c/781c2478-d685-4f1e-ae78-07a765ad4e61/amcas_grade_conversion_guide_students.pdf

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net/production/media/filer_public/2f/f2/2ff2540b-0e3c-4201-a6c8-c4829c9abcdf/amcas_grade_conversion_chart.pdf

https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/course-classification-guide/