Dude, your program is clearly whacked. I'm really sorry; it sounds like you got supremely unlucky.

I think qualifying early will be good, but I'm still nervous about it. I'm still the youngest person in our class, and to be one of the first to qualify is just... a little intimidating. I was gonna take it easy in grad school! Or at least, start taking my time instead of cramming a 6-year program into 3 years.