Delayed Graduation/Delayed Application questions

[fried rice]

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I'm currently a sophomore and I'm a bit behind schedule to graduate with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. I think I'm about a semester (maybe a full academic year) off according to my school catalog and degree audit, mostly due to failing a class my freshman year. I might be able to take on a relatively hefty courseload the next couple years (including summers) and graduate on time, but my GPA is perilous as it is and I am reluctant to take on too much given that I cannot sacrifice my grades. Would graduating in 4.5-5 years be looked down upon to any significant extent?

If I were to graduate in the fall following my fourth year, I assume that I would have some time to work and/or travel during the spring before applying, but if I were to graduate in 4 or 5 years, would it hurt my chances if I were to apply in the following cycle? I am entertaining the idea of taking some time to make a little money and/or see a little more of the world before committing myself to the medical school path (should that entail medical school or a post-bacc in order to increase chances of getting into medical school), not because I am reticent to make such a commitment but because I figure that I probably won't have much of a chance to do so otherwise.

 

[SilentSoldier]

If there's one thing that the doctor's I've worked with keep telling me is that to take my time before applying to medical school, so I will impart that knowledge upon you. You've got so much time on your hands, enjoy college. Join an organization, have fun, study abroad, whatever. Take your time to make sure that you can handle the course work, its better to take your time and do well than to overload yourself and risk hurting your GPA.

 

[236116]

Take your time and do it right.

 

[Stratego]

No, it will not hurt your application to take extra time to graduate. Keeping a high GPA is your more important consideration.

 

[fried rice]

Thanks, guys.