<p>I am a first year student at a 7 year combined med program and while I am still extremely interested in pursing medicine, I am not enjoying the program and do not feel like I am made for a 7 yr program because I am a very goal-driven person and don’t feel like I have an immediate goal here. I am also having a hard time adjusting to the general laid back atmosphere at the college/ in the program because I have a good amount of free time but I do not feel like I am using that time productively.</p>
<p>I am considering transferring into some of the undergraduate schools that I previously gained admissions to (UChicago, Duke, or UPenn) and was wondering if that is something worth doing. Is it worth giving up my guaranteed admission into a top 30 medical school for a chance at another undergrad institution where I can be pushed/challenged more and get a chance to apply to more prestigious medical schools later on? If I remain in my program I will not be able to transfer to a different medical school without losing my seat.</p>
<p>@kklalal, it very much depends on which 7 year program it is. For example, if it was Northwestern’s 7 year program, I would stay as their med school is prestigious and you’d be taking a huge risk unnecessarily. If you’re having a lot of free time then that’s a good thing. Enjoy it. Or go to the med school and participate in research. You’ll miss your general, laid back atmosphere once you hit med school. The only exception to all this, is if you realize medicine is not a right fit for you. Then leave and never look back.</p>
<p>I would encourage you to stay in your program…the most obvious reason is the risk of transferring out of your program and ending up going to medical school worse than in the program you’re currently in; it’s one thing to consider applying out if your program is with a lower ranked medical school but when you’re talking about the top 30 range, the med school you attend will not hold you back from matching in the specialty/program you want to which is ultimately what matters for your career. Will it be worth putting in much more time and effort to ultimately end up at a similar place or possibly worse?</p>
<p>I also don’t see any major reason to go for another undergrad when you probably have everything you need to succeed as a medical school applicant (research, volunteer opportunities, organizations, etc.) Why don’t you make it your goal to set yourself up so that you could apply out to better schools if you wanted to? Or, use this as an opportunity to explore/major in an area you will never have a chance to explore again - you might not have that opportunity if you are too focused on building an application. If you feel you’re having too much free time, make it your goal to use that time in a productive way by getting involved. If you struggle with that at your current school, I don’t see how it would be better elsewhere. I have my biases going through a combined myself but you should think very carefully about your decision. You might feel some way about your program now but things can change quickly so keep that in mind. </p>