Course Load?

[anonymousername]

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Accepted DS students, DS students, and any adcoms,


Do adcoms view it negatively if an applicant took 14-15 units of real coursework (not including seminars and PE classes) *almost* each semester and still got a GPA of while working part time for a after school teaching company? Let's assume a DAT of 19+.

 

[almon]

I don't think that will be an issue at all. 14-15 hours is a legit courseload, especially working part-time. Contrary to many, I am a firmly believe courseload has little to no weight in admissions decisions. I took 18-19 every semester and finished my B.S. in 3 years and don't feel like it made a difference. Fact of the matter is they want to see someone take the right courses and do well.

 

[baseballjunkie]

I had one semester of 16 credits. Every other one was 13-15 credits per semester. Had a 3.5GPA, 21AA/20TS/21PAT. Worked 20 hours/week. I got 4 acceptances. (UW, Pitt, Case, Tufts)

However, this was my second app to dental school. I took 2 years off and worked in a dental clinic for a few months and then worked in research for 1+ years.

Schools are looking for well rounded applicants. People with experience in all categories of life...not just academic junkies. Committees know that some people have to work through college. Just do some kinda work in a dental clinic and then some sort of extra curricular (leadership activity) and you'll be good.

 

[vlct0ria]

I thought this was a joke at first...14-15 is a full semester for me, and you're worried that it's insufficient? I feel like a slacker now...I don't have a job, but I am constantly busy with that many credit hours. There is no way that would be viewed "negatively"...

 

[junkemails44]

Well, I was taking 12 units for two consecutive semesters right before the cycle. But, do not let the number of units fool you! I was ONLY taking upper division biology courses, which had lab sections. Needless to say, it did not affect my chances as far as I am concerned.

 

[adizzle87]

Good Grades>>>Course load

e.g. real life scenario
3.67 (A,A,B) with 12 units >>> 3.25 (A,A-,B-,B) with 16 units

Just my 2 cents

 

[junkemails44]

Good Grades>>>Course load

e.g. real life scenario
3.67 (A,A,B) with 12 units >>> 3.25 (A,A-,B-,B) with 16 units

Just my 2 cents

Well said. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have good GPA regardless of the undergraduate institution that an applicant attend.

 

[punkin85]

I took one semester of 10 credit hours due to a medical issue...however none of the schools ever even asked me about this during my interview and it hasn't been a problem.

Don't worry about it. Just keep your gpa up.

 

[anonymousername]

awesome. it seems like no one was even asked about unit load.

 

[sfoksn]

they don't care about the course load?
that's a shame..

i've been taking 25-28 units per quarter... (7 classes) with research (12 hrs a week) and working (20 hrs a week) 🙁

They don't care?

 

[junkemails44]

they don't care about the course load?
that's a shame..

i've been taking 25-28 units per quarter... (7 classes) with research (12 hrs a week) and working (20 hrs a week) 🙁

They don't care?

It doesn't necessarily mean that they do not care. It just means that taking a lighter load and earning better grades will be smarter/wiser thing to do than screwing yourself over with 20+ a unit semester.

 

[sfoksn]

It doesn't necessarily mean that they do not care. It just means that taking a lighter load and earning better grades will be smarter/wiser thing to do than screwing yourself over with 20+ a unit semester.

I have 3.95 cGPA and 3.8 sGPA, so if I have good GPA with heavy load, then it would be seen with an advantage?

 

[anonymousername]

I have 3.95 cGPA and 3.8 sGPA, so if I have good GPA with heavy load, then it would be seen with an advantage?

It would probably add to your application in strength and give you an advantage over people with light loads but it seems like light courseloads aren't viewed as a negative.

 

[anonymousername]

they don't care about the course load?
that's a shame..

i've been taking 25-28 units per quarter... (7 classes) with research (12 hrs a week) and working (20 hrs a week) 🙁

They don't care?

i feel like more of a slacker now....