Register as a continuing student or defer graduation?

[tyro]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm in my fourth year right now, and my first three years were very poor because I majorly slacked off. This year, I've finally pulled my act together. I hope to use some of the Ontario medical schools cut-off methods to my advantage. However, I need to do a fifth year so that I can meet these cut-offs. So, should I graduate this year, and then do a fifth year as a continuing student? Or should I defer graduation? My best and pretty much only chance would be at Western or Queen's, and maybe NOSM/Ottawa.

 

In addition, does anyone know if most schools look at the most recent MCAT only? Does it matter how many times one writes it? (I've written it only once this August, but my actual score turned out to be about ten points lower than my practice tests. My acutal score: 8PS 9BS 6VR Q, despite scoring 10s and 11s on the practice tests:confused: .)

 

I know my situation seems almost helpless at this point, but I still have a chance at at least two schools if these next two years go well. I'm not going to give up no matter how many people tell me to just go Caribbean (almost everyone:( ).

 

I'd really appreciate any feedback from you all.

 

Tyro

[Starlight]

Hi there,

 

I think that you seem like a motivated person who's looking at his options to tough it out. If you really want it baddly, then I say keep working at it!

 

That being said you should look at those school's you think you might have a shot, and go with their requirements. I dont know how they will look at differing graduation, since they've made the whole 5th year senario for people such as yourself to help them out to get better grades. I think you should ask them first, they might not count that last year prior to grads especially if you take lower level courses!

 

cheers

starlight

[Smurfette]

About MCAT's...I think both Queen's and Western only look at your last MCAT score. Just re-write it.

[tyro]

In case anyone else is wondering about this too, I called Western and Queen's, and they both said they don't care either way. So it really doesn't matter what you decide to do. As long as you don't take first year courses in your fifth year (you were right, Starlight), and at least three full upper year courses during that fifth year, you're good! I didn't check with NOSM or Ottawa yet but will update when I do. (And I stand no chance at Mac or U of T regardless of fifth year so not going to bother with them.)

 

And yeah Smurfette, I'm going to re-write it probably next summer. I'm going to start working on verbal now.

 

It feels so good knowing there is still hope!

[peachy]

So, should I graduate this year, and then do a fifth year as a continuing student? Or should I defer graduation?

Imho, it is almost always better to defer graduation and do the fifth year within your degree. It means less red tape at your own school, and fewer questions when you apply to medical school. It also means that, down the road, when you put together a CV you can just write that you did undergrad for five years (pretty common thing to do for which there are tons of good reasons) vs having to specifically say that you did a four year degree, followed by a fifth year to pull up your grades.

[PHANTOMPHOENIX]

As long as you don't take first year courses in your fifth year (you were right, Starlight), and at least three full upper year courses during that fifth year, you're good!

 

I believe that is a Western requirement. I don't think Queens cares what you do. I am starting to wonder about how strict they are with these rules. I know someone who did a 5th year with a 1st year course and got into Western. I think they might have overlooked his course selection since he added a 2nd major to do his 5th year. For all they know, he could have required that course to graduate with his 2nd major.

 

I think registering as a continuing student is worse because you will encounter red tape to take the courses you want... plus Med Schools might pick apart your course selection since it is apparent the extra year was for GPA boosting. A 5th year within a degree is likely overlooked by most med schools especially if you add a 2nd major or a minor.

 

Registering as a continuing student tells the Med schools...."Hey, look at me...I am doing an extra year to raise my GPA."

[tyro]

Really...no one's ever told me that. I'm really glad I asked you guys.

 

I have to decide in about two weeks what to do, so I really appreciate your advice. But most likely, I will defer graduation.

 

And yes, the no first year courses is supposed to be only a Western requirement.