How important is it to take an average number of credits (14-16) per semester?

[YourAveragePremed]

Saying this as someone coming with many dual enrollment credits (31) with no intention of graduating early. I could be taking 12-13 credit hours each semester throughout undergrad because of this, but I learned that many medical schools take rigor of schedule into account. I could throw in an easy minor to fix this but am unsure. Currently a freshman entering 2nd semester, debating whether to go with 13 credit hours (with an easy elective), or to go with 14 credit hours (all prerequisites). Any advice is appreciated.

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[NJDEVILS1997]

Not too important. I took 12 credits each semester barring like 2 and it hasn’t come up once so far. Just take the easiest path possible for you to graduate on time

 

[YourAveragePremed]

Not too important. I took 12 credits each semester barring like 2 and it hasn’t come up once so far. Just take the easiest path possible for you to graduate on time

That's reassuring, thanks for replying. I was a bit concerned that med schools take rigor heavily into account, but I suppose as long as it's conveyed through EC's that you were doing things other than sitting on the couch then it's no problem

 

[wysdoc]

That's reassuring, thanks for replying. I was a bit concerned that med schools take rigor heavily into account, but I suppose as long as it's conveyed through EC's that you were doing things other than sitting on the couch then it's no problem

You could also graduate 1 semester early and use it as dedicated MCAT study time

 

[YourAveragePremed]

You could also graduate 1 semester early and use it as dedicated MCAT study time

I'm actually considering potentially graduating a semester early! By using that as MCAT study time, wouldn't that mean I'd have to take a gap year?

 

[wysdoc]

I'm actually considering potentially graduating a semester early! By using that as MCAT study time, wouldn't that mean I'd have to take a gap year?

Study 2-3 months, take the MCAT when ready (Jan, March April), work on your personal statement essay, line up your recommendation letters, & you'll be ready to work on the app in May as soon as it opens. Once you see how many essays there are to write after turning in the primary app, you'll be glad you have free time. You can look for a job or volunteer gig while waiting for and writing secondary essays over the summer.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Usually one notices if you go part-time for multiple semesters. Usually full time is at least 12 hours depending on the school. But we don't give bonus points for overloading.

 

[Bwesternn]

I averaged 12 hours pretty much every semester. Hasn't come up once in 5 interviews

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Some semesters I took min credits when non-academic things in my life were tough. Others, I took extra courses while maintaining leadership roles and research outside of the classroom. Hasn’t came up in any of my interviews.

 

[KnightDoc]

I'm actually considering potentially graduating a semester early! By using that as MCAT study time, wouldn't that mean I'd have to take a gap year?

Yes. If you don't take the MCAT until after you graduate you will, by definition, be taking a gap year. The vast majority of applicants take at least one, so you will be in good company. But, if you want to go straight through, you need to apply the summer before your last year of UG, which means you need to take the MCAT before then.

 

[Morningnight]

+1 what everyone else said. Only took 12 units per quarter for a majority of college, and it has not come up during interviews. Stay productive, and do what you can!

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

I hear what you're saying but "rigor", in this context, refers to taking notoriously difficult classes rather than known GPA boosters. It accounts for the difference between a 4.0 comp sci electrical engineering double major and a 4.0 communications major. (No offense to communications, I know a lot of very bright, successful folk who studied communications. But they had a lot more free time during undergrad than I did!)

 

[allseasons]

I'm actually considering potentially graduating a semester early! By using that as MCAT study time, wouldn't that mean I'd have to take a gap year?

you can do it a little differently and take a semester off instead of graduating a semester early. For example take Fall of junior year off and then the MCAT in early jan.

 

[PhD_to_DO]

12 credits of A-B grades will be better received than 16 credits of B-C grades. I got bad advice from pre-health advising as an undergrad and tried to take 14+ credits each term even though I worked. I had more semesters with Bs and Cs than As and Bs. No point in overloading or rushing through undergrad. Medical School isn’t going anywhere. Take your time, do well, ENJOY the process.

 

[shrutebeetandb]

Use those extra credits to study something interesting to you, not based on what an adcom wants. It’ll make you a better practitioner and student. Or use those hours and find a semester to study abroad. Many foreign schools offer direct enroll, which is far cheaper than paying US tuition. It was one of my best experiences in college.

 

[jbess]

Usually one notices if you go part-time for multiple semesters. Usually full time is at least 12 hours depending on the school. But we don't give bonus points for overloading.

If the person is a non-traditional student who is working full-time, is that still the expectation? I'm assuming not, but just want to make sure.

 

[CantFindMeNowAdcoms]

If the person is a non-traditional student who is working full-time, is that still the expectation? I'm assuming not, but just want to make sure.

As a non-trad, I took 6 credits each semester while working full-time and received 3 acceptances thus far. I also volunteered a few hours per week and shadowed when I could. N=1.

 

[Bones DO]

I did 18 credits per semester thinking it mattered, it did not.

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

If the person is a non-traditional student who is working full-time, is that still the expectation? I'm assuming not, but just want to make sure.

Second the above. I spent about 7 years going back and forth between part time and full time at school and several jobs. Am currently in DO school and it’s overall easier than balancing act I was doing in UG. I believe what would look bad would be only taking one to two classes at a time and not doing anything else.

 

[jbess]

As a non-trad, I took 6 credits each semester while working full-time and received 3 acceptances thus far. I also volunteered a few hours per week and shadowed when I could. N=1.

Oh my gosh, this is SUPER reassuring, thank you so much for the response. I was dreading taking bio and chem plus labs plus recitation (then physics and orgo together) and working full time for two years while trying to cram some volunteering and shadowing in.