Course load dilemma..

[Gavanshir]

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Hello,

I'm currently in my second semester of undergrad at a Canadian university and taking 5 courses as I did last semester. I would very much like to take less than the full course load (five 3-credit classes) because I feel that I would learn more, enjoy my learning and get higher grades. As it stands right now, I have a 2.9 GPA from my first semester, that should give you an idea of how I handled my first semester with 5 courses. I see some students taking 3 science courses and planning to do all their electives during the summer and obviously maintaining a 3.5+ GPA.

Now the only reason why I'm hesitating to take 4 courses per semester is because my city's medschool, McGill, requires applicants to have completed a full course load throughout all years of study with no summer courses. Do you think I should keep my McGill option open or just take less courses and complete my degree in perhaps an extra year with better grades and thus improve my chances for other Canadian and US schools?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[lemon2414]

YES! keep your McGill option open. Med schools would rather see you take a full course load then take a small load during the year and the rest during the summer. This shows that you can handle the work. Although it is okay to take only 3 science courses during a semester you should not do that often. Maybe take 3 science and 1 elective.