.

[SleepingPillow]

---

Members do not see this ad.

.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Hi peeps,

Long story short, I had a bad freshman year (3.07), then picked it up sophomore year (3.70) at a school known for difficult premed curriculum. Sophomore year first semester I took 17 credits (14 for grade) and got a 3.45 with hard classes (orgo 1: B, bio 2: B+). Second semester I took it down a notch (12 credits total for grade) and got a 4.0. I won't go into freshman year specifically, but I had a hard time adjusting to the difficulty (and was crushed by bio 1) and had no solid study skills.

I feel like now that I know I can get a 4.0 here (I thought it would forever be a dream), I should turn it back up with 19 credits next semester since I will be a junior. Sounds like a lot, but the core would be biochem and physics, with the other 11 credits having good reputations as being easier (3 being an evening bio class that is actually easy), compared to this past semester where it included orgo and 2 upper level bio classes. I would do these 19 credits with research (<8 hrs a week), volunteering (4 hrs), clubs (5 hrs).

I was partially inspired by my peers, especially those freshman BMEs that take 21 credits, and I felt like I should give it a shot myself since I'm running out of years to raise my GPA, and I would like to bring it up to a 3.7 so I have a chance at top schools. I can bring my GPA up to a 3.5x by the end of next semester if I get all As/A-s.

On the other hand, I know the risk of not being able to handle it and having my GPA tank again or only raise my GPA by a little bit. If I think that's going to happen, I am planning to just drop a course by the deadline.

Does this sound like a good plan??

I did this 😵 but not while doing volunteer, research, and clubs. Tbh, it was brutal asf and I hated my entire life. I only took 20 credits, but I was commuting to NY from Jersey to EMT school at the same time. The only thing that made it worth it, was the $7 salmon teriyaki entreè across the street. My advice: load up on the credits if you want, but cut down on them EC’s. You’ll most likely burn out otherwise. GL and remember Rome wasn’t built in one day.

 

[rdyotz]

Don't do it. Your GPA will suffer, and a bad semester will hurt you more than lots of credits will help. Don't base your actions on what other kids are doing, many of them lie or exaggerate things. You are doing at least 15 hours of ECs a week as well, that takes up a lot of free time. Ramp up your schedule a bit (16 hours max) and see how it goes. You can always add more credits in future semesters.

 

[Blanky]

Take 15 credits and work hard.