Hey guys, For a back story on me I am home schooled sophomore who turns 16 in a few months. I want to try for Medical School as I feel that it is a good choice and something I would enjoy doing. I have good grades in all subjects but I am a little behind in math (pretty common in home schooling from what I hear) but I learn fast and am willing to put in the work. I’m sure I can pass the GED with a little bit of studying and may be able to use it in conjunction with homeschooling and early college as my hook so that is a non-issue. But here is where I hit a snag, I want to start at community college for easier classes and cheaper tuition then transfer to a 4 year, is this a bad idea? Also I have heard that Med schools do not like to accept people under 22-24 and I will be 20-21 when I graduate, is this true?
So in summary, is early college a good idea for a Medical School hopeful? Is Community College a good idea? And will being younger hurt my chances at Med School?
Not optimal, but not fatal either. Much will depend on your grades at the CC and your grades at your 4 year college.
Be aware that there are a handful of medical schools which will not accept CC coursework for admission purposes.
Not true. Chart for applicants/matriculants by age
https://www.aamc.org/download/321468/data/factstable6.pdf
Although younger than typical applicants may be more closely scrutinized for emotional, academic and personal maturity than older applicants. Younger than typical applicants may also have a hard time matching the achievements/ECs of the older applicants in their cycle’s cohort.
That’s more an issue for someone who graduates early (and thus applies earlier) vs. someone who starts college early and still applies on an otherwise normal timeline - the latter being more applicable to the OP.
Don’t ever say that out loud or in writing to anyone remotely associated with a medical school
This
is ok.
the route of CC is actually more expensive for the top caliber HS students who will be offered full tuition (or close) Merit awards at several 4 year colleges. I am not sure if this idea ever hit you.
@miamiDAP, Do they generally offer scholarships to GED holders with high SAT scores? Because if I can get a good scholarship I would gladly start at University.
I don’t know what it is like in your state but why do you need your GED? In my state a home school graduate is considered a high school graduate. Some schools, like the UW, ask for your transcrip. Which is just a short description of all the classes you take and when you took them and what grade you got. I have gotten into plenty of schools being listed as a home school graduate.