<p>D is in her second year of college, biology major, pre-med. She has taken 18 quarter hours plus every quarter. That along with the AP credits she got means that she could graduate at the end of 'junior' year. She knows the requirements for med school and will have them all done. The 18 hours per quarter so far has not hurt her. She has a 4.0. </p>
<p>I had told her to ease off on the hours, while still taking a full load, while she is studying for the MCAT. The university's pre-med adviser told her it would 'look bad' on her med school applications to cut her quarter hours down to 12 or 14. It would look like she is trying to slack off. I don't know how taking enough hours to qualify as a full time student could be looked at as slacking off, since most students never took the 18 hours every quarter for two years.</p>
<p>She has also done research work and is going to do clinical volunteering next year. </p>
<p>Is studying for the MCATs, doing research, volunteering, taking 18 hours, and oh, she's thinking of doing a senior honors thesis, just too, too much. I think it is. </p>
<p>What do you all think? </p>
<p>IMHO, the worst thing she could do is take too much and ruin her GPA. I think her adviser is off the mark.</p>
<p>The general consensus that unless there is a compelling reason to graduate early (dire financial straits, for example), she shouldn’t. (Possible exception: a research wunderkind who is pursuing a MD/PhD.) One of the things med schools look for in their applicants is emotional maturity, a more worldly viewpoint and the ability to relate to [their mostly older] patients.</p>
<p>The trend in med school admissions is toward accept OLDER candidates who have some real world experience under their belts.</p>
<p>There is both anecdotal and statistical data to show that applicants under 21 are much LESS likely to be accepted into med school than those 21 or older even when stats are comparable.</p>
<p>I think the advisor might have a point if she cuts down below full time, but if she’s ‘only’ dropping from overload to full time…I can’t see how that will hurt her.</p>
<p>IMO, take the 4 years. Back it off to 15-16 hours and add some classes that are enjoyable and/or enlightening (and won’t tax her GPA or schedule). Win/win. </p>
<p>I’d be concerned with dropping as low as 12. Might send the wrong message.</p>
<p>She is going to apply June of next year. She thinks she can get a job in a lab on campus for what would have been her senior year. She is 19 now and will be 21 when entering med school.</p>
<p>I just do not understand the counselor’s advice!</p>
<p>Curm and WOWM give good information and advice. Having the time to explore some other academic area(s) senior year might be worth considering. Finishing in three years and/or being a young applicant doesn’t seem to add value to a med school application. </p>
<p>There is no questioning your daughter’s academic success. Her counselor is probably trying to “package” her in the best possible way.</p>
<p>“There is both anecdotal and statistical data to show that applicants under 21 are much LESS likely to be accepted into med school than those 21 or older even when stats are comparable.”</p>
<p>Is the age of 21 by application or by the start of a medical school? DS1 will turn 21 just before college graduation. Would you have any statistical data to share?</p>
<p>Will look for other supporting data, but first I have to go spray weedkiller on the lawn as soon as I finish my morning coffee. (The joys of home ownership!)</p>
<p>I don’t know why they’d discriminate against those with fall birthdays. D will be 21 in November of 2013 and <em>hopefully</em> start med school the following August. She will just have turned 21 during the fall interviewing process. I don’t see that as a problem.</p>
<p>Her fall birthday would make her under 21 at time of application whether she graduated in three years or not.</p>
<p>Med schools don’t discriminate on the basis of age–that’s illegal!-- but age falls into the fuzzy category of “soft factors” that are considered during the review process.</p>
<p>And it matters more at some schools than at others. Consult the MSAR to see the percentage of non-traditional students admitted at your target schools. (Non-trad=23 or older at matriculation). At some schools, it’s very high: UCSF is 83% non-trad while at others, not so much: Baylor – 12%.</p>
<p>Oh my, I’m sick, I’ve got finals coming and papers due but I can’t let this go without rebuttal. :(</p>
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<p>@WOWMom, you see a “trend” somewhere in that table??!</p>
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<p>OP, I received the same advice from several different sources. They want you to maintain your effort and not to appear to be coasting. I too could have graduated early (I have over 120 semester credits after 2 years), and I toyed with the idea but instead I am now focused on increasing the depth and breadth of my education. This fall (my “junior” year) I will be taking classes like Adv. Organic Chemistry (a graduate class) to extend my knowledge in my major plus classes outside my major such as bio-statistics. I’m also using the extra time as an undergrad to take seminars such as one I’m taking this term which focuses on presentation skills and writing scientific papers. All of the AP credit has also allowed me to continue my study of music, something I love dearly. Once you graduate and move on to professional school, the opportunities to explore other interest will be severely limited. Now is the time to do that. And don’t worry about the GPA. If your D has been doing fine so far, what will change?</p>
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<p>@ace550, don’t worry, there is no problem. Every person I’ve asked (adcoms, admins) about the age thing has told me it’s silly. You are either qualified or you are not. I will be 19 when I apply. </p>
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<p>OP, I agree, it’s not a problem. Your D and I will be applying the same year and <em>will</em> be starting med school the following summer . I can’t wait :)</p>
<p>That is interesting information WOWM. I was just looking at the average age at matriculation at UC Irvine. It’s 24, with the range being from 21 to 33. </p>
<p>Well, it is what it is. As you say, most med school admittees go straight on from college. And with the long haul it takes particularly to do a fellowship and become a specialist, it makes sense not to ‘waste’ any time before going.</p>