are 12 credit hours not enough?

[tms01234]

hi everyone! I've been getting many mixed responses on this matter and it has made me very worried.

I am a second year student and I usually take around 12-15 credits a semester, and this upcoming winter 2013 semester I am only taking 12 credit hours (minimum at my university for being a full time student) (I am taking 3 classes, Gen Chem with lab, Statistical Methods in Psychology and a history class). I talked with some other pre-med students who said that either admissions does look down on this because you are not challenging yourself, but others have said that it does not matter.

I chose to take 12 credits this semester because I have various other obligations outside of class. I work in the Biology department at my university (I am a tutor for the intro to Bio class) and my office hours, discussion and lecture hours did not fit in easily with this schedule. I work 16+ hours a week, all including being a Bio tutor, an English as a Second Language Tutor, Volunteering 4+ hours at a hospital, participating in various organizations, as well as shadowing which I will begin this semester.

This is probably the only semester where I will take the minimum amount of credits, but I was wondering if it is going to be looked down upon by admissions...even if it is for only one semester

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[Doctor Strange]

As long as you're accounting for time not in class with other activities, then you shouldn't be in any hot water. That being said, adcoms do like to see that you're challenging yourself with 15+ credits. Still, that shouldn't deter you from taking what you're comfortable taking and still pulling a decent GPA.

 

[MortellarPreMed]

It really should not matter. Everyone works at their own pace and outside obligations are always a factor. Plus you are still full time. I am only taking 12 myself this semester since I will likely be transferring and am only taking classes that I know will transfer, so there are alot of factors to account for, I wouldn't be worried.

And I would just ignore the comments that neurotic pre meds are gonna post saying that if youre are not taking Calc 2, Organic Chem, Physics, Bio-Chem and Genetics all in one semetser, keeping a 4.0, 40 hours of volunteer work and research a week you will never be a doctor.

 

[Stumpyman]

I don't think you'll necessarily be at a disadvantage, seeing at that you're involved with other activities. 12 is a little low, but it's full-time, and you should be fine if you have other semesters where you take more credits. I always believe that a 3.8+ with 12-16 credits every semester is better than a lower GPA due to over-loading on classes.

 

[Redpancreas]

hi everyone! I've been getting many mixed responses on this matter and it has made me very worried.

I am a second year student and I usually take around 12-15 credits a semester, and this upcoming winter 2013 semester I am only taking 12 credit hours (minimum at my university for being a full time student) (I am taking 3 classes, Gen Chem with lab, Statistical Methods in Psychology and a history class). I talked with some other pre-med students who said that either admissions does look down on this because you are not challenging yourself, but others have said that it does not matter.

I chose to take 12 credits this semester because I have various other obligations outside of class. I work in the Biology department at my university (I am a tutor for the intro to Bio class) and my office hours, discussion and lecture hours did not fit in easily with this schedule. I work 16+ hours a week, all including being a Bio tutor, an English as a Second Language Tutor, Volunteering 4+ hours at a hospital, participating in various organizations, as well as shadowing which I will begin this semester.

This is probably the only semester where I will take the minimum amount of credits, but I was wondering if it is going to be looked down upon by admissions...even if it is for only one semester

You're perfectly fine IMO but I've heard similar "things" (what I'd hope to call rumours) because I'm in the same boat. I've taken 12/sem since my sophomore yr. From my analysis, I think medical schools might raise an eyebrow at:

1.) Not taking a significant amount of your BCPM and prereqa at your university (ex. community college).

2.) Taking a good deal of online courses during the summer.


but that's about it...


IMO

3.8, 12 credits/semester rate >>>>>> 3.7, 16 credits/semester rate.

Also you have plenty of extra work that you've done. IMO and what I think reasonable medical school recruiters would know is undergraduate education also has a lot to do with your experiences outside the classroom.Unless you're just insane there's no way you can do the activities you do consistently (and well) without dropping a course or two per semester. Honestly, I think med schools would rather see an EC that requires responsibility than an additional course on your transcript.


So as long as you have a decent GPA+MCAT (which depends on your standards which in turn depends on the school you'd like to apply to), have completed Bio,Chem, Physics, Orgo, (Biochem some), Math (some), Writing (some) with the necessary labs, have a min. of 3 LORs, have a good personal statement, have meaningful volunteer/job/academic/research/clinical experience you should be PERFECTLY fine.

^The reason I wrote a brief synopsis of the requirements is because I wanted to emphasize how many things come before the credits issue. Basically, IMO it's a non-issue unless you do it every semester and are doing NOTHING ELSE (in which case you're more screwed for not doing anything else)

 

[sliceofbread136]

Taken 3 semesters of 12 hours, don't think it hurt me. Obviously a high gpa with many credit hours will be more impressive, but I dont think it's that big of a deal.