Below-average Course Load

[CuteElectron]

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My university is in quarter system and my past schedules have been as follows:

1st year Fall:
4 courses (14 hours)
GPA: 2.9

1st year Spring:
3 courses (9 hours)
GPA: 3.7

1st year Summer:
3 courses (9 hours)
GPA: 3.8

2nd year Fall:
4 courses (11 hours)
GPA: 3.4

2nd year Spring (Present):
6 courses (16 hours)
expecting a GPA of 3.8-4.0

As you can see, up to last semester, I've been taking between 9-12 (except for the very first semester). This is because 1) at my school a minimum of 9 was need to be considered full-time, 2) I knew nothing wrong with doing this until the end of last semester, 3) I was going to graduate in time anyway even if I took 9-12 per semester so again I never knew taking less than normal is going to hurt me, and 4) I wanted to have a relaxing life.

Now that I realized it's bad to take less than a normal load, I've decided to take at least 15 from this point on.

But even if I start taking at least 15 from now on and at the end of my undergrad career end up having a 3.7+ overall science and non-science GPA, I'm worried if adcoms in top dental schools will take off points for my course loads in first four semesters.
I'm interested in your comments.

Thanks.

 

[elratoncito]

i think youre gonna be fine.
there is a ridiculous amount of worrying on this forum. chillax.
actually, i wish i had worried as much as everyone else does cause id probably be in a better situation now, haha.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

Unfortunately it only takes one lackluster semester to ruin your future career as a dentist. What's done is done though, so stop by the vocation center tomorrow and select a new career path. Preferebly one that doesn't require heavy academic loads each quarter so you can relax somemore. I'm sorry, I can't resist being sarcastic. Keep up what you've been doing the last few quarters and you'll be well on your way.

 

[ummjoey]

my undergraduate was also quarter system and i took almost 3 classes every quarter.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=507915

i posted all the classes i took in this thread.

 

[scuzfly]

not everyone can take a full load. I took a year light to put off my senior thesis and get more financially stable (work more) and prepare for my last year. I'm not scared about a college asking me why I took so long to graduate college. I had a goal of completing college and while I didn't do it in 4 years like some kids I finished college and worked very hard. If I could have changed everything in my life to allow me to go to school and come home and study every day I would have done it. But I couldn't and I'm very happy with the decisions I've made in life.

 

[CuteElectron]

not everyone can take a full load. I took a year light to put off my senior thesis and get more financially stable (work more) and prepare for my last year. I'm not scared about a college asking me why I took so long to graduate college. I had a goal of completing college and while I didn't do it in 4 years like some kids I finished college and worked very hard. If I could have changed everything in my life to allow me to go to school and come home and study every day I would have done it. But I couldn't and I'm very happy with the decisions I've made in life.

As I said, I'm going to take at least a full load from now on, and I'll be able to graduate in 4 years. I didn't take a full course load in my first four semesters not because I couldn't handle it, but because of the reasons I already said above. Currently I'm taking beyond 15 (orgo 2, orgo 2 lab, biochem 2, calc 2, inorgo, and phil) for the first time in my undergrad career, and I can handle it without any problem. My question was if adcoms in top dental schools will take points off for my course loads in first four semesters.

 

[blankguy]

Generally the rule of thumb for lighter course load is that there has to be something else going on outside of schoolwork like a part time job. Just make sure you have a good explanation in case you get asked.

 

[jackbauer!]

Are you sure that your university is on the quarter system? It appears that you're on the semester system. You should take a minimum of 12 hours if you're on the semester system.

Don't get me wrong, I think you'll be fine if you keep your grades up and get a solid DAT score, but a lack of coursework may come up in your interview. It did in mine.

jb!🙂