Do med schools consider the amount of units you took?

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

Both semesters sophomore year I took 12 units. I got a 4.0 and, for the second semester, took ochem and biochemistry at the same time.

How much will the fact that I took 12 units for a whole year rather than 16 or above hurt me?

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[frosted_flake]

No. It only matters that you did well.

 

[TMC07]

FWIW, I have a friend who took 5.5 years to graduate from college because he only took 12 hours each semester. And it wasn't because he was working his way through school or had so many other activities going on. He just wanted to keep his grades as high as possible and his family could afford to pay our outrageous tuition for eleven semesters.

He graduated with a 4.0 and will be a FOURTH time reapplicant this cycle. Now, I'm not saying only having 12 hours per semester is keeping him out (LORs, essays, etc are more likely ruining him), but I know he has solid ECs and a 33 MCAT.

I personally question his ability to succeed in medical school because he hasn't learned to juggle. He always kept his course load as easy as possible and was still stressed. If I were an Adcom, this trend would make me wonder if the sheer volume of information would be too much for him.

I see the logic in protecting your GPA, but I wouldn't take it as far as this guy. Best learn to juggle now.

But I think you'll be fine for those two semesters.

 

[Strictlydickly]

How much does the opposite hold? I took 24 rather than 16 for 4 semesters and kept a 4.0 would that be looked upon as impressive?

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Simply as a matter of time I imagine it'd be impossible for every adcom to review you academic record that thoroughly. They probably won't notice a high or low coarse load with anything more than a glance.

If you have to take an extra year or get to graduate early then I bet they'll notice much quicker and may care