What Are the Perks for Graduating Early from Medical School?

[sammy123]

Aside from being called "doctor" earlier, what are the perks for getting my MD half a year before residency starts (like the preceding December)? What can I do? Research? Jobs? Anything special (i.e. programs)? Thanks!

[sammy123]

Simply put, with neither a license nor post-graduate training, what can a recent MD grad do?

[flickingoffidioticdrivers]

you can relax before your hectic life of residency starts

[sammy123]

True, but from this post, obviously I am interested in doing something...

[stephew]

you can't do much. If you haven't started med school yet you'll find few actually do complete their MD in <4 years even with programs that will technically allow it. You can do research without an MD degree so sure, you can do that.

[Kronos]

Dude, take the opportunity and travel, visit the world, spend time with your family, learn Spanish, read the books you always wanted to, chase women, take a road trip, volunteer in a shelter... live life, breathe the fresh air and thank God you have some free time to enjoy yourself before the hard slog and stress begins. When it starts it doesn't end for three straight years. If you have half a year off, enjoy yourself - don't spend it in a lab!

[sammy123]

Know of any research programs that are for half year or less?

[jaywalk81]

keep in mind that if you do graduate 6 months early, the grace period of loans will be used up, something to keep in mind

[bookite]

Originally Posted by sammy123

True, but from this post, obviously I am interested in doing something...

You can say "would you like to super size that" for eight hours a day. It's sad but Having the MD without residency training give us few options. Many of my classmates took a few months off throughout our clinical years to try to close the gap between graduating and residency. The other thing you need to consider is financial aid. At our school you have to have eight weeks in a semester to qualify for fin aid. So if you finish early you could be without money for a long time or be forced to find a job at McD's.