Any inherent problems with taking a 12 credit semester?

[GregoryMD]

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Reason I ask is because originally I had signed up for a 15 unit (Chem II, Bio II, Polish 102, and a gen ed class about Spartan culture). For one, the Sparta professor is a complete nutcase who legitimately thinks he lives IN historic Sparta. Two, a significant portion of our grade is based on a collective group grade; long story short the entire lecture of 500 is split into "Units" of about 60-80 in a group. Every day attendance plays a part in everyone's group grade (Which is constant), and quizzes are based on the group average (Meaning if you get 100, but your group's average is a 75, your grade is a 75...). Now I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to potentially tank my GPA from some BS gen ed class because the professor is a looney toon.

I still would have two labs so it's not like it's a super light semester, and I took summer classes which even taking a 12 unit would put me ahead of the curve diploma-wise. I took 15 units last semester and my GPA is a 3.8

I figure it would be a good opportunity to get started on my EC's with the extra time. I'm a second semester freshman. Oh and I'm not on any academic scholarships because I know some require 15 units, and I'd still be considered a full time student.

 

[Cytotoxic]

Not at all. Just do something productive with the extra time.

 

[RevMD]

Not at all. Just do something productive with the extra time.

^ This is the key part to the answer that makes it okay. Having demonstrated that you can do well in classes, taking a lower course load for the remaining 2-3 years is not an issue as long as you are able to show the time is spent doing some other EC.

 

[Catalystik]

I agree. When you carry a heavy load, it need not all be academic.

 

[chicubsfan]

just make sure you will still graduate on time

 

[J ROD]

no problem....👍

 

[GregoryMD]

^ This is the key part to the answer that makes it okay. Having demonstrated that you can do well in classes, taking a lower course load for the remaining 2-3 years is not an issue as long as you are able to show the time is spent doing some other EC.

If anything it's only this one semester, not a consistent thing. And even if I take a 12 unit now, I'll graduate in time since I took 10 units over the summer before I started college.

And I was planning to maybe go down to the fire department and see if I can volunteer seeing as I'm an EMT and all.

 

[Snarkalark]

lol i have a friend in that class. says it's awesome. don't worry about the 12 credits - i've got the same load. just find something else to do or you'll be bored out of your mind.

 

[GregoryMD]

lol i have a friend in that class. says it's awesome. don't worry about the 12 credits - i've got the same load. just find something else to do or you'll be bored out of your mind.

Sparta? That may be so, but it just sounded incredibly sketchy to me. The first class was just bizarre, and I showed up to yesterday's lecture for a whole 30 seconds. The unit thing was so stupid I just got up and left. I think I'll enjoy the 12 unit semester though. I still got two labs so it's not entirely easy, but it'll give me time to volunteer at a hospital or the fire department or something.

 

[BlitzSleep]

I figure it would be a good opportunity to get started on my EC's with the extra time.

You're right.

 

[Cleveland]

I did it when I was prepping for the MCAT...like everyone else said, make sure you can volunteer/shadow in your spare time, even if it means still waking up at 7 or 8 in the morning. You could also try to get involved in some research which would look really great on applications for medical school and even for some more competitive summer research programs down the way. Just make sure you land A's in your remaining classes.

 

[nonsciencemajor]

no not really... my personal belief is that when you are applying to med school in your senior year, that first semester of your senior year sign up for like 16-18 credits. When ad coms review your app, they obviously wont have your grades for these courses in your first semester senior year BUT they will see what courses you are doing and your courseload.. so taking 16-18 credits may help then...

but otherwise, all the other semesters, i dont think it really matters

 

[Cytotoxic]

no not really... my personal belief is that when you are applying to med school in your senior year, that first semester of your senior year sign up for like 16-18 credits. When ad coms review your app, they obviously wont have your grades for these courses in your first semester senior year BUT they will see what courses you are doing and your courseload.. so taking 16-18 credits may help then...

but otherwise, all the other semesters, i dont think it really matters

This is terrible advice, as an applicant would be busy interviewing and missing class time in the fall/early winter. Even if the applicant doesn't need to reapply, undergrad. grades may still matter for certain competitive research grants/fellowships in med. school.

 

[nonsciencemajor]

This is terrible advice, as an applicant would be busy interviewing and missing class time in the fall/early winter. Even if the applicant doesn't need to reapply, undergrad. grades may still matter for certain competitive research grants/fellowships in med. school.

16 credits is not a heavy load by any means..... I was taking I believe 21 credits while applying, and yes I had to miss a lot of class time, but it just meant staying up later when I came back from interviews to catch up on the work.... spring semester of senior year is really the time to chill 😎

And its not that bad, if an applicant goes in thinking, this last semester is the last time I am working so hard before med school starts