Graduating in 3 years vs. 4 for Med School

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>With all of the AP credits I have accumulated from high school, I will be able to graduate from college in 3 years with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Spanish. Were I to stay another year, I would pursue another major (probably in International Affairs) for my own intellectual curiosity. What are the advantages and disadvantages to both of these situations? I figure if I graduate in 3 years I can get in and out of med school and be able to start a career and family that much sooner, which is important to me. But if I were to stay 4 years, I would have two degrees and a minor, and possibly more credentials to get into a good medical school, not to mention more age and experience. Getting into a good medical school is important to me, but I'm not sure how important just yet because going to a good med school will undoubtedly be more expensive..</p>

<p>I just think I should start making these decisions now (I'm a first year student) and am looking for any advice at all. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Med schools would prefer to stay for 4 years. That’s pretty clear.</p>

<p>In order to attend med school after 3 years of college, you would have to apply with only 2 years of college grades on your record (while everyone else has 3 years worth of grades to show). In addition, med schools in general do not like people who rush through college.</p>

<p>Your best course is to either stay for the full 4 years or graduate in 3 years and then do something else for a year before starting med school.</p>

3

<p>I do not believe that Med. School cares about having 10 majors and 20 minors. All they care is your college GPA/MCAT score, Medical EC’s and social skills. They might not like very young applicants, but I do not have personal experience with that. My D. was on a younger side, not because of 3 years, but because she started kindergarten before her 5th birthday. But she was 21 when she started at Med. School, 21 was no problem, younger, I do not know.</p>