Course Rigor

[darkhope]

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How important is the course rigor after taking all the premed requirements?
Is it even important to take a rigorous english class or is it fine if we just take the easiest english class avaliable? And how important is the rest of the courseload in terms of rigor? Like how does it look a 3.7 gpa w/ premed requirements and minimum rigor in coursework and a 3.6 gpa w/ maximum rigor? Basically how does the rigor of the classes affect prospects of admission?
-thanks!

 

[Chuckwalla]

Take the class that will get you a better grade. That is all they see, there is no toughness rating to accompany your grade. If I recall engineering majors are given a bit GPA leeway but that's it.

 

[ADeadLois]

Course difficulty/rigor is a very ambiguous. All else being equal, take the easier class. You can't control the difficult of your pre-reqs, so do the best you can and do your best to maximize your GPA.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

How important is the course rigor after taking all the premed requirements?
Is it even important to take a rigorous english class or is it fine if we just take the easiest english class avaliable? And how important is the rest of the courseload in terms of rigor? Like how does it look a 3.7 gpa w/ premed requirements and minimum rigor in coursework and a 3.6 gpa w/ maximum rigor? Basically how does the rigor of the classes affect prospects of admission?
-thanks!

I think if its a liberal arts course, its harder to tell from the name alone if the course is harder or easier (so thus take the easier course if you're looking out for gpa, or ideally, take the course that you want to take bc of your intellectual interest). Schools can tell by the numbering system, however (if the course is a freshman course, middle-difficulty course, grad-level course, etc). So dont take a freshman level course junior year of school, etc.

My premed advisor told me that schools do look to see that you challenged yourself with your courses (outside of premed reqs). So do challenge yourself, but not at the dismay of your gpa.


In terms of importance:
GPA>>>>courses

 

[freelove]

The difficulty of your courseload is considered by at least some adcom members... I'm pretty sure b/c I spoke to one who told me so. But she was talking about science classes. I don't know about English.