<p>Hi everyone. I'm an international student in my sophomore year as a Biology major and plan to pursue medicine. By the end of this coming school year, I will have enough credits (via AP courses and college courses I took while at high school) to graduate a year earlier. But I'm not sure if I should. Tuition isn't really an issue since I have a full scholarship at my college for 4 years and as an upcoming RA (Resident Assitant) I don't really need to worry about my room and board fees. But I was thinking that instead of staying in college for another year, I could be spending that year working (maybe in some research institute or lab) and saving money for medical school. But seeing how the economy is going, I don't know how easy it'll be for me to get a job after I graduate next year. </p>
<p>I know it will be pretty cool to save a year off from college and expedite the time I'll have to be in school (med school is another 4 yrs plus residency), but I read in some forums that graduating early from college is actually looked down upon by medical schools becuase they'll see me as "too young" (I'm only 19, by the way) and "not mature enough." Is that really so? Plus, if I do graduate next year, I'd have to take two of my major courses outside my college because I'll be over the maximum 18 credits - and my scholarship won't cover those classes. So that will definitely increase my work load, not to mention I partcipate in so many other activities (tutoring, teacher assistant, volunteering at a hospital, working on-campus).</p>
<p>So really it's more of taking that extra year before going to med school to work and earn money that's pushing me to graduate early. Financial aid for medical school available for international students is so limited. But at the same time, I don't want to miss the opportunities and experiences that that last year in college will offer. What a dilemma. I hope somebody could help me. Thanks!</p>
<p>Our son has the same issue - my recommendation to him is to stay for 3.5 to 4 years to cover some of the subjects that he wants to for fun. He also has a 4.5/5 MS option. If he gets a good job offer, then all bets are off.</p>
<p>If you want to pursue medicine then getting good grades is very important. With money apparently being a non-issue the best route would probably be to stay either 3.5 or 4 years, and spread out your more difficult classes a bit to make sure your grades stay high.</p>
<p>My D faced the same issue (with similar circumstances to yours) last year. We made the same recommendations as did BCEagle did for his S. She elected to use the fourth year to complete a double major. YMMV.</p>
<p>BTW, a substantial proportion of medical school students take time off between UG and med school. Some med schools encourage this. So you might want have a back up plan should you get accepted to med school with the proviso that you take a year or two off before starting your medical studies.</p>
<p>Your timing is actually very good. There is a huge, short-term influx of money into the NIH from the stimulus package. Many research labs will get new short-term funding by the end of this calendar year and they will be looking for people to hire, especially if they are for the short-term.</p>
<p>One option to consider: Take less than a full course load and start working part-time in a lab this fall, as a junior. Then, in your senior year, do even less course-work and spend more time in the lab. That way when you apply to medical school you will be older, you will have been doing research for 2 years, you may have published something, and you might even have some money saved up.</p>
<p>Vicariousparents’s advice is excellent; having research experience will set you apart from many other applicants who will not have that. Speaking of the NIH, they have post-baccalaureate programs that are really great options for bachelor’s holders who want to take some time off before medical school. You will do health-related research in an NIH laboratory for a year or two with an intramural researcher from one of the Institutes. Great opportunity, and good way to “age up” if you’re concerned about your age.</p>
<p>I still recommend the 4 years, since money is not an obstacle and you can space your classes out to get better grades – you don’t really seem to have a pressing reason to hurry up and graduate, especially since you’re only 19.</p>
<p>I graduated from college eons ago in three years. I was anxious to get to work and make money. Now that I am older and wiser, I wish I had taken my time and smelled the roses more.</p>
<p>In your 4th year, maybe you can take some graduate level classes that will help toward Med School. The credits may not transfer, but you may be able to get out of taking intro classes and have room in your schedule to take either more advanced or more diversity of classes.</p>
<p>Another vote for the double major as one possible “solution” and in general making the most you can of the experience a fourth year has to offer. As long as you don’t slack, it’ll be worthwhile imnsvho. See ellemenope’s comment: the one year “saved” now seems enormous, by the time you’re 45, it’s insignificant and you might regret the additional experience. Have you thought of doing an “abroad” program in something that interests you, or finding another off-campus program in D.C. or NYC?</p>
<p>I agree that it is better to spend 4 years in college (speaking as the parent of a student who skipped the last year of high school). There are so many subjects to explore in college, so many courses one could take. As well, being well rounded is a very desirable quality in a physician. This is why medical schools welcome students who majored in subjects such as history or anthropology. And as others have said, once you start working, it will be hard to make time to learn things you would truly enjoy. I’m still chuckling over the colleague of my H who studied computer science and urban planning then discovered rather late that she most enjoyed learning about Mozart operas. When we first knew her, she was firmly in rock music. But she was unemployed for a while. I doubt physicians have the same unanticipated luxury of time.</p>
<p>I’m planning on law school. Staying a 4th year when I can graduate in 3 will likely do me no good. If you’re planning on med school, you’ll probably be in the same place but less so.</p>
<p>I don’t know about you but I like being kept busy. Feels like I’m actually doing something towards my ambitions. :)</p>
<p>We encouraged our S to graduate in 4 years instead of shorter and enjoy taking some courses he might otherwise not fit into his schedule. We also prefer that he not too heavy a load as he is also working part-time doing EE research on campus. He originally argued with us but is now happy and agrees it’s the more prudent (& enjoyable) course of action.</p>
<p>Back in the day, I had the opportunity to graduate a year early but decided to be the 1st in my department to write an honor’s thesis and graduate with honors. I also took some fun courses and got to know the profs in my department very well. I was very active in ECs & my work study job as well. I think these things helped set me apart & got me wonderful merit aid for law school.</p>
<p>My nieces all had the opportunity to graduate early as well but their parents encouraged them to take their time & two of them did a term in UK as well. My brother graduated early from uber-elite & then took grad courses at flagship U to be better prepared for med school. </p>
<p>My dad got his law & MBA degrees in 2 years + 3 summers–he strongly advised all of us against compressing our education into such a short time period–we took his advice.</p>
<p>OH please. Enough with the nonsense about physicians needing to be well-rounded, people suddenly regretting graduating early from college when they reach 45… America is the only country in the world with such asinine notions. Look around. In commonwealth countries doctors take 6 years, some even 5 years, to finish their undergraduate medical degrees. Little or no outside courses. Are mortality rates higher in these countries? I very much doubt so.</p>
<p>I say do 3 years if you can keep your grades high, and if you want to.</p>
<p>Physicians may not need to be well rounded, but that is the preference in the US.
No one is talking about mortality rates being higher or lower as result. Maybe you need to stop and read more carefully and enjoy life. Another year of college might do the trick.</p>
<p>Maybe not for law school. But after you are a successful lawyer, you’ll be trying to fit in with many people who are quite cultured and socially adept. You’ll probably find that knowledge about art, literature, drama, music, etc. would make you a more interesting person.</p>
<p>Physician here. Definitely take the well rounded approach. No need to rush into the grueling years of medicine. My foreign medical grad H often has said I took a course in everything- the US system has merits over others. You go to college to get an education, then get the professional training. There is much more to life than just a career. Enjoy each phase of life. FDAMom is totally wrong.</p>
<p>ellemenope-that’s assuming I actually want to “fit in”, whatever that means.</p>
<p>FDAMom isn’t totally wrong. If you don’t see value in taking a 4th year, then don’t. The US system has its advantages and disadvantages. Other systems have their advantages and disadvantages.</p>
<p>Actually, for a would-be lawyer, it is advantageous to take four years’ worth of college courses. There are many sub-specialties in law where having taken a course or two in some area might be extremely advantageous. Law does not have a predetermined set of requirements as medicine, but a student might become involved in copyright law, or have clients in the entertainment industry, or deal with patent law, be a general counsel in a venture capitalist firm or a corporation, etc… (I know/have known lawyers in all these fields). One high-powered lawyer I know has done very well out of her undergraduate major in East Asian studies coupled with spending one year as an undergraduate in China and one more year there right after law school.</p>