I think special consideration should be given to Darren by the medicine school in relation to delaying further study, however, for the safety of his future patients I think he should have to earn it.
Here is my proposal.
Darren and the Head of Medicine (HoM) go head to head, mano et mano, one on one in an epic game of HORSE. But not on the basketball court, that would be ridiculous, I'm talking about on the operating table. HoM removes an appendix using only his left hand, Darren has to do the same. HoM performs a Cedric Ceballos style blindfolded heart surgery, Darren does likewise. HoM performs a breast augmentation on the left breast, Darren has to replicate it on the right. I think you get the idea.
If a stalemate is reached then the tie breaking event will be a stitching race. Once a suitable candidate comes into ER, ideally shark attack or similar, Darren starts one end, the HoM starts the other and it's a race to stitch up to the middle of the wound. Game on.
Should Darren win these events then he will have proved himself to the medical community and be granted an extension in his studies.
You know it's the right thing to do.