<p>I will be graduating in December with a Political Science degree and a minor in Biology. I've been working in a hospital part time for a few years now and have decided that I really want to go to medical school. I currently lack Physics I & II and Organic Chem I & II. Should I postpone graduating to get these prereqs so that I can continue to get financial aid? Or would it be better to find full time work and just try taking a class a semester or something like that? I appreciate any helpful advice you guys can offer.</p>
<p>Certain FA is not available to grads, so you need to visit your FA office FIRST and find out. </p>
<p>You may find out that the only affordable way to do fulfill your plans is to graduate later.</p>
<p>How much longer will it take you to graduate? If you need to go more than 4 full years, that may ALSO be a problem with FA.</p>
<p>How long have you been in school so far?</p>
<p>mom2k’s advice is good. </p>
<p>If you graduate, the only FA available to you will be unsubsidized loans. You will no longer be eligible for Pell or any state grants, or work-study, or subsidized loans.</p>
<p>With 2 semesters each of OChem and physics still to go, it sounds like you will need a full year part-time (8 credits/semester) to complete your pre-reqs. Attending part-time will also impact your FA, even if you haven’t graduated.</p>
<p>And depending on how many credits you currently have, you may also be running up against the credit limit caps that some schools have. (Some schools are especially viligant about enforcing these and you may not be able to stay for another year.)</p>
<p>The take away–check with the FA office at your college before you make any decisions.</p>
<p>My kiddo did her pre-reqs after graduating, going part-time while working. For working individuals, scheduling labs and lectures can be an issue. Not all colleges offer night labs. Not all jobs have flex scheduling or release time for education. Are you willing to juggle your schedule/work odd shifts or hours to get the required classes?</p>
<p>And will your post-graduation job be located near as 4 year college which you can easily commute to?</p>
<p>One last consideration–non-degree students are the ones with the LAST registration slots. (Enrolled degree-seeking students get priority.)</p>
<p>On the plus side–non-traditional applicants may get more slack from adcomms if they have limited ECs than do straight-from-college applicants.</p>
<p>Also on the plus side, by working, you will have a chance to start paying down any loans you already have.</p>
<p>Assuming you are not taking any of those classes now, in fall term, can you take them in spring and summer and still get financial aid? If so, I would stay in the school until next summer and finish those pre-reqs.</p>
<p>Job is always number 1 IMO. Many jobs also pay tuitions. I got my MBA while working, various employers paid for it. If you have a position waiting for you, I would not have a question, go for it.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, study for the MCAT. It makes or breaks applications. It is everything. It will dictate which tier of medical (if any) you get into.</p>
<p>Sub 30: best choice very low MD…more likely DO
30-33: state school
33+: top 40</p>
<p>General rules above, but as you can see you’re investment should be on this test.</p>