Course load... can it be extremely negative for an application?

[ethyl]

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I plan to apply for pharmacy school next year with a bachelors in microbiology. Like almost every other applicant, I have my doubts. Mine in particular is my course load for the past 4 years. I have a 3.6 GPA but I've never had a semester more than 13 credits hours. These may be difficult credits like my current semester... but I had semesters a couple years ago of only 8 or 9 credits because I didn't know what I wanted to pursue.

Is past course load as important for an applicant with a bachelors compared to an applicant with only prereqs? I'm hoping not! My next semester is going to be killer and I'll only have 11 credits!

 

[psychpharm]

I plan to apply for pharmacy school next year with a bachelors in microbiology. Like almost every other applicant, I have my doubts. Mine in particular is my course load for the past 4 years. I have a 3.6 GPA but I've never had a semester more than 13 credits hours. These may be difficult credits like my current semester... but I had semesters a couple years ago of only 8 or 9 credits because I didn't know what I wanted to pursue.

Is past course load as important for an applicant with a bachelors compared to an applicant with only prereqs? I'm hoping not! My next semester is going to be killer and I'll only have 11 credits!

I guess it depends on the schools you are applying to, but I don't think it will be held against you that much- as long as you can explain why you took so few credits. You will have your bachelors and your gpa is good, so that will help you out. Also, your PCAT score, letters of recommendation, experience, and personal statement will be taken into consideration. Good luck!

 

[skp]

I guess it depends on the schools you are applying to, but I don't think it will be held against you that much- as long as you can explain why you took so few credits. You will have your bachelors and your gpa is good, so that will help you out. Also, your PCAT score, letters of recommendation, experience, and personal statement will be taken into consideration. Good luck!

I agree with the above comment. If the school is real stingy (i.e. real hard to get into), then it might pose an issue; but otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

btw...some people (myself) typically do worse in semesters with less credit hours...so your transcript shows you don't slack off when your hours are lower (!)

 

[Betty'sBeast]

I plan to apply for pharmacy school next year with a bachelors in microbiology. Like almost every other applicant, I have my doubts. Mine in particular is my course load for the past 4 years. I have a 3.6 GPA but I've never had a semester more than 13 credits hours. These may be difficult credits like my current semester... but I had semesters a couple years ago of only 8 or 9 credits because I didn't know what I wanted to pursue.

Is past course load as important for an applicant with a bachelors compared to an applicant with only prereqs? I'm hoping not! My next semester is going to be killer and I'll only have 11 credits!

I wouldn't worry about it. I've had 18 hour semesters and I've had 3 hour semesters. As long as you get the courses done, I don't think it matters a whole hell of alot.

 

[endlesslove]

btw...some people (myself) typically do worse in semesters with less credit hours...

same here! to the OP, just don't say you took so few units because you couldn't handle it b/c that'll look REALLY bad on your application (since in pharmacy school, they'll expect you to take 18+ units and if you say you couldn't handle 13 or less, well, you get the idea)

best of luck!

 

[DrEaMeRcHiCk]

same here! to the OP, just don't say you took so few units because you couldn't handle it b/c that'll look REALLY bad on your application (since in pharmacy school, they'll expect you to take 18+ units and if you say you couldn't handle 13 or less, well, you get the idea)

best of luck!

What would you tell the interviewers if they asked why you only took 13 units each quarter? Thats what I'm doing now and I also have the same doubts. 🙁

 

[endlesslove]

What would you tell the interviewers if they asked why you only took 13 units each quarter? Thats what I'm doing now and I also have the same doubts. 🙁

some reasons i've heard for why 13 units include (but not limited to) having to work (maybe 10 hours/week. if you take less than 13, you really should be working around, if not more than, 20 hours a week) where work could include volunteering (i.e. unpaid) and not necessarily "i work for an insurance company" for instance, having a disability, having some problems in the family, maybe a death, etc.

Taking 13 units is not a problem unless I guess you do it EVERY quarter--by this, I mean they could ask well, if you're so motivated and so smart, why don't you take more on more units? and you could back it up by mentioning the above. Otherwise, you really don't have an excuse (for those who excel when taking fewer units, "I want to maintain a high GPA" isn't a sufficient answer) 🙂