<p>I'm a rising junior at Case and am in Case's integrated med program. As of right now, I have an option to finish up my degree (which is almost complete) a year early and start med school a year early, or finish in four years. Since I'll be finished with my degree by the end of my junior year, is spending another year in undergraduate going to offer any help down the road with a career in medicine? For example, would getting a master's in my fourth year help me down the road, or would I be better off saving some money and getting started with what I really want to do, be a doctor. I'd appreciate any feedback.....</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Only you can assess this. For me, I wish I would have taken at least an extra semester (graduating in 4.5 or 5 years) rather than getting done in 4. An extra year making memories and having fun with my friends, a chance to take some extra classes in subjects I otherwise didn't get to take (wine tasting, philosophy, art to name a few), and an opportunity to continue giving back to my University through the various organizations I was involved with.</p>
<p>Will a master's degree help? Depends on what the degree is in, and what type of medicine you want to go into. Preventative Med and a Masters in Public Health...absolutely. Pathology and an MBA...maybe not so much unless you were interested in getting into the business handlings of the hospital.</p>
<p>Coming from the other angle, the truth of the matter is that med school takes a long time, and being a year younger on the other end is worth something, too. If I could do it again, I'd probably try to move a little bit faster. So it really is just totally up to you.</p>
<p>A doctor I know who finished his residency recently told me to take my time, and take time off after college before going to med school to explore life. If I were in your situation I would probably just go to get out sooner. At the same time it would be kinda of hard/annoying to miss senior year in college.</p>
<p>Again up to you, but one question to ask yourself....</p>
<p>When you retire are you really going to look back and say "Gee, I really wish I had been in practice for 35 years and not 34."? </p>
<p>hmm, I had a better way of phrasing that at one point, but I think you get the idea.</p>