Course Quantity vs. Course Quality

[13132]

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I have heard numerous times that the quality of the courses one takes are weighed more heavily. At what point does too few credit hours become a problem. I am a sophomore and I came in with a considerable amount of credit and I am afraid I may be using that to rest on my laurels a bit.

Freshman Year
Principles of Chemistry and Biochem (5) A-
Honors Course: a bit of a philosophy and literature class (3) A
Religions of the East (3) A
Intermediate Spanish 200 (3) A
International Health and Social Issues (3) A
Total: 17

Biological Mechanisms (Intro Bio) (3) A
Biology Laboratory (3) A-
Organic Chemistry I (3) A
Intermediate Spanish 250 (3) A
Chemical Research (1) No grade assigned
Total:13

Sophomore Year
Organic Chemistry II (3)
Organic Chemistry Lab (2)
Honors: The Bible, Body, and Religious Reformation (3)
Introduction to Islam (3)
Molecular Biology (3)
Total: 14

As you can see I have taken a decent science load and performed well (3.92 GPA) but I am wondering if my last two semester have been too light. When I registered I rationalized by saying that organic chem would be hard (which it was).

What are your suggestions? Increase my load next semester?

 

[Envix]

I'm no expert and am rather new around here, but it's my impression that they do not care how heavy your course load is; just grades. If anything, taking a lesser course load can give you the time to get the leadership positions, clinical experience, research, and volunteering that are looked much more highly upon than a few more credits each term.

 

[TexasHopeful]

Same boat as OP. I averaged 14 hours/semester but I also worked part time to graduate with only four figures of debt.

 

[LizzyM]

I think that you should average at least 30 credits per academic year... many science majors will do 32 or 33... you want to be sure to show that you can handle a heavy workload and do well.

 

[13132]

Thanks. It sounds like I was right on target for my freshman year then. I am sure with Physics and Inorganic both being 5 credit hours I can do 16 or above next semester.

Also, a small question... will interviewers ask why I opted not to continue research? Frankly, it was not something I was interested in at all.

 

[LizzyM]

Thanks. It sounds like I was right on target for my freshman year then. I am sure with Physics and Inorganic both being 5 credit hours I can do 16 or above next semester.

Also, a small question... will interviewers ask why I opted not to continue research? Frankly, it was not something I was interested in at all.

They might ask. Say you discovered you weren't interested in it but you are glad you tried it.

 

[KD1655]

I think it all depends on how motivated you are. During my junior year as a biomedical engineering undergrad, I took 15 credits, worked 39 hours per week as an EMT, and attended the fire academy (150 hours and technically 6 credits worth). I ended up pulling a 3.85 GPA. If there's a will, there's a way my friend.