3 classes = ouch on application?

[byeh2004]

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I'm a first year premed, and unfortunately this quarter.. I could not get into one class (history), but I am still retaining both my math and my core sciences... which means I only have 3 classes. Will having 3 classes hurt my chances for med school? I will be planning to take some summer school classes to fill in this gap this quarter.

 

[LizzyM]

It looks like a light load (maybe not, considering labs) but it shouldn't hurt if you continue to do well when taking a heavier load in subsequent years. Isn't 3 or 4 classes considered a full load in a quarter system?

 

[masterMood]

is calculus, bio, chem, and english considered a full course load for a freshmen year (looks fine to med. schools)?

and as a sophomore, you would take physics, and organic chemistry (would you take anything else since organic chem requires a lot of time to study?)

 

[superdavykinz]

I think I've heard from other previous applicants that it really does not matter of the load you take, whether its 12 or 22 and it also doesn't matter on what classes you take as long as you take all the pre-reqs,get all the classes completed and do well in them. Bye you neurotic wackos!

 

[Long Dong]

I think I've heard from other previous applicants that it really does not matter of the load you take, whether its 12 or 22 and it also doesn't matter on what classes you take as long as you take all the pre-reqs,get all the classes completed and do well in them. Bye you neurotic wackos!

Agreed, I took only 3 classes every quarter and I got into med school.

 

[doc05]

not a big deal. you college kids should lighten up. every little detail doesn't matter so much as the "big picture" when it comes time to apply to med school.

 

[MizzouDrWannabe]

As many applicants as the admissions people have to look over, I find it hard to believe that they go quite that in-depth in analyzing each applicant. Just get good grades - you're going to be fine.

 

[Haybrant]

yah, i just dont think it makes that much a difference; I was surprised when a student interviewer brought it up; he was like, i would never be able to get away taking just 3 classes in a semester at my undergrad! I just shrugged it off and he didnt seem to really care. I think i mentioned something about how our lab sections are like a class. Just do other things at the same time so it doesnt seem like you are totally slacking; that said, this is only your first year! Have fun, and try to volunteer on the side.

 

[nockamura]

Agreed. No difference between 3 or 4 classes. You're still full time.

 

[UCLAstudent]

If you're on the quarter system, it's fine. I take 3 classes nearly every quarter and I was never asked about it.

 

[Long Dong]

If you're on the quarter system, it's fine. I take 3 classes nearly every quarter and I was never asked about it.

Go bruins.

 

[UCLAstudent]

Go bruins.

Indeed. 😀

 

[strange_love]

Go Cowboys!!

 

[Crete]

I'm a first year premed, and unfortunately this quarter.. I could not get into one class (history), but I am still retaining both my math and my core sciences... which means I only have 3 classes. Will having 3 classes hurt my chances for med school? I will be planning to take some summer school classes to fill in this gap this quarter.

Won't make any diff. at all, and on the quarter system, almost everyone takes only 3 classes.

 

[byeh2004]

phew! thanks guys for the advice

 

[btowngirl]

i took minimum units pretty much every semester. i majored in bio and minored in bioengineering, so my classes were all tough techs though. i was worried before appyling that my courseload was too easy/low, but i got close to 20 interviews. i would definitely recommend going with fewer classes and getting all A's rather than having an additional class and then all of your grades slipping a bit. i really dont think it matters, but this is just my experience.

 

[45408]

It also depends how long you want to be in school. I wanted out in 4 years, so I've been hauling ass.

 

[TheRussian]

I was on a semester system and there were two semesters where I only took 3 full courses plus lab and it didn't matter for me.

Not only did it not come up in the interview process but I was still able to complete 3 majors in four years.

 

[JPINFV]

Just a question...Can the transition to medical school (course load) be achieved even though you don't take as many classes each semester/quarter? As for myself, I have only 3 classes also and I was wondering if I would be able to handle medical school.

 

[fpr85]

it's dependent on the number of credits you're taking. ~12 is considered full-time.

 

[Anastasis]

Does the amount that you volunteer/shadow/research during the same period make a difference on how the Adcoms view course load?

ex. Does 12 hours/semester with 20 -25 hrs a week volunteering look like a full load?

 

[TheRussian]

Just a question...Can the transition to medical school (course load) be achieved even though you don't take as many classes each semester/quarter? As for myself, I have only 3 classes also and I was wondering if I would be able to handle medical school.

I can only speak for myself, but for me the transition to med school was pretty smooth. Then again I only have 4 or 3 courses at a time. The biggest difference about medical school is that there is no homework, you don't have problem sets, papers, or lab reports. Allyou have to do is study so it's a totally different workload then in college.