Do schools look at course load?

[Johnwickk]

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Hi everyone
I was wondering if schools look at your overall course load? I just finished a masters and in one semester I took 21 credit units which was almost as much as you need to graduate lol (30) and my gpa was around 3.6. However the first semester in which I took like 6 to 8 credits my GPA was lower than a 3.5. So I was wondering if they will look at my course load rather than just a GPA.
Thank you

 

[Firik]

Actually, UMN pays more attention to your course load and your activities during the semester. So, if you had 8 credits course and a job and got 4.0 in that semester they are not impressed, while you had 16 credits and job they will look at you with an advantage because they want to see you can manage many difficult courses and balance other activities.

 

[Hydra92]

My pre-health advisors mentioned a lot of schools want you to take a full quarter/semester's worth of courses (12-15 units). I believe if you're under 12 units, then that indicates you were a part-time student.

 

[IdleKoala]

I wonder the same thing. I only took one class this spring ( 4 credits ) due to family and personal reasons, so I was wondering if that would reflect negatively on me. But so far I have 4 interviews, maybe it is effecting me at other schools that haven’t offered me interviews? Unfortunately there is no way for us to tell. I think it is wise to always have a full semester and be involved in volunteering and showdowing etc. Because schools want to see that you have what it takes to handle the intensity of dental school.

 

[dent_wannabe]

In grad school, 8 credits is full time.

 

[queenki]

Actually, UMN pays more attention to your course load and your activities during the semester. So, if you had 8 credits course and a job and got 4.0 in that semester they are not impressed, while you had 16 credits and job they will look at you with an advantage because they want to see you can manage many difficult courses and balance other activities.

Maybe one of the reason I got interview from UMN ( the only one so far...) ?!? I had a newborn baby while taking 18 credit science classes lol hell times.....

 

[BasicG]

I wonder the same thing. I only took one class this spring ( 4 credits ) due to family and personal reasons, so I was wondering if that would reflect negatively on me. But so far I have 4 interviews, maybe it is effecting me at other schools that haven’t offered me interviews? Unfortunately there is no way for us to tell. I think it is wise to always have a full semester and be involved in volunteering and showdowing etc. Because schools want to see that you have what it takes to handle the intensity of dental school.

I talked to the Minnesota person who oversees completion of undergrad prerequisites because I'm taking less credits this semester. She told me they don't mind how many credits we take as long as we complete our prerequisites! Might just chill out next semester knowing that now, but other schools may be different

 

[queenki]

I talked to the Minnesota person who oversees completion of undergrad prerequisites because I'm taking less credits this semester. She told me they don't mind how many credits we take as long as we complete our prerequisites! Might just chill out next semester knowing that now, but other schools may be different

Oh common. You got like 10+ interviews lol why bother do excessive on the last smester when you are already welcome LOL

Did you choose which interview to not attend?

 

[BasicG]

Oh common. You got like 10+ interviews lol why bother do excessive on the last smester when you are already welcome LOL

Did you choose which interview to not attend?

Haha true. Dropped case western and really want to drop Louisville but the gf is saying no 🙁. Michigan might be next considering 20-50% of interviewees get accepted, which is on the lower end of things

 

[queenki]

Haha true. Dropped case western and really want to drop Louisville but the gf is saying no 🙁. Michigan might be next considering 20-50% of interviewees get accepted, which is on the lower end of things

Haha listen to your gf. It is always best to listen to gf. (Hahahahah no offense)

I remember doing similar 10 years ago when me and then my bf (husband) applying to US graduate schools as international + totally different majors, one in fine art one in mech eng. trying to go to same/ closer school...

We had ONE school in common, and we both got in to it (yay)

If it didn't happen, I am not sure if I am having his two kids now(joke) but at least not this early in time...

Being together is very very important.... my husband deferred one year to different school just to apply again to same school as me.

It all worked out well in the end, but man it was very stressful.

Good luck on you both! Hope you get into same school 🙂