Course load for a post-bacc?

[nontrad:PP]

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Hello there! I am a 25 y/o currently contemplating applying to medical school. I'm a career changer, so I'm starting completely from scratch. I'm currently still working fulltime at my 9-5. I will probably need to hold onto this job for the next 6 months or so, since I live alone and pay quite a hefty rent payment to do so. My plan so far has been to work fulltime in some capacity while taking prereqs: 2 at a time, and 1 course over the summer semester. I do need to support myself and can't rely on family or a spouse.

I have heard some some people that taking part-time coursework will be frowned upon by admissions. Can anyone speak to whether or not this is true? I assumed that working full-time and also volunteering would be an adequate 'explanation' to admissions about my lower course loads, but would like to hear from others about how this is viewed by admissions. Thanks!

 

[nobadwaves]

Your plan of taking 2 classes at a time works. From all of the adcoms and advisors I've spoken with, part-time coursework as a nontrad is not looked down upon. They understand you need to make a living to keep a roof over your head and put bread on the table...all the meanwhile paying for college classes.

There are several adcom/advisor types that are on this forum that will likely lend some advice as well.

 

[moltmannfanboi]

Hello there! I am a 25 y/o currently contemplating applying to medical school. I'm a career changer, so I'm starting completely from scratch. I'm currently still working fulltime at my 9-5. I will probably need to hold onto this job for the next 6 months or so, since I live alone and pay quite a hefty rent payment to do so. My plan so far has been to work fulltime in some capacity while taking prereqs: 2 at a time, and 1 course over the summer semester. I do need to support myself and can't rely on family or a spouse.

I have heard some some people that taking part-time coursework will be frowned upon by admissions. Can anyone speak to whether or not this is true? I assumed that working full-time and also volunteering would be an adequate 'explanation' to admissions about my lower course loads, but would like to hear from others about how this is viewed by admissions. Thanks!

This is not a problem. I took one class a quarter with a very demanding job for all but one quarter (I took biochem and physics together for one term). I have 4 MD interview invites so far. Now, I'm sure a strong MCAT helps ease some worries as well, but out of all the things you need to worry about I would say raw metrics and meaningful hours >>>>>>> course load.