Does Courseload Matter?

[solicitous]

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I've been planning out the classes I have to take in the future in order to graduate and fulfill my pre-med requirements(just for fun) and whenever I get to my fourth year of college, I'm hardly even considered a full time student since I would only need to take 12 hours per semester that year(The average course load is about 15 hours and the maximum amount of hours allotted is 18), assuming that I only take the average 15 hours a semester for the previous years. It's even less if I take the full amount of hours available.

Would adding on a minor that I'm interested in be a good idea to add volume to my last year of college to prepare me for the rigidity and intensity of medical school? Do the amount of hours I take in a semester help or hurt me any when applying to medical school?

 

[ZoSo]

If you're genuinely interested in pursuing a minor, then you should go ahead and do so. Otherwise, I think you're okay with having a lighter load during your senior year. The important part is that you take on a course-load that still allows you to attain a good GPA. I had several semester where I only took 12-13 hours, but I felt that's what I needed to do in order to reach my goals (GPA-wise).

 

[NickNaylor]

I believe course load falls into that all-too-ambiguous criterion of "curriculum rigor."

 

[tremulousNeedle]

Course load does matter at some schools, probably the more likely at those that are considered "elite."

Most adcoms want to see you doing valuable things with your time, demonstrating a worthwhile commitment.

Acceptable examples:
NCAA D1 football player with 13 credits / semester.
Mother of 3 with 12 credits / semester.

Personally, I was completely supporting myself throughout college w/o any parental assistance. I presume that I demonstrated that I was doing valuable things with my time - EMT and CPR instructor (~45 hrs/wk) with 12-14 credits / semester -> very successful interview season.

 

[morning]

You don't necessarily have to add on a minor in order to fill the space. I don't think minors really mean anything in the scheme of things - correct me if I'm wrong. I would definitely do 15 credits, and just take a few classes in something that interests me. Remember, once you're out of college, it's a lot harder to do that.

OR you could push through in 3 years with 18 credits a semester and use the 4th year as a gap year while applying to medical school.

 

[Hanzo Hasashi]

I had some mock interviews with professors at my school, and one of them asked why I took it "easy" on certain semesters. I think it may look questionable if you just take 12 credits. 15 sounds good, though.

 

[BeastfromthEast]

what if the 12 credits were all science labs for example (3 classes; 4 credits each)? would that still be considered "light?"

 

[unhappytnt]

Hanzo Hasashi

Another Mortal Kombat fan. 👍

 

[solicitous]

what if the 12 credits were all science labs for example (3 classes; 4 credits each)? would that still be considered "light?"

12 out of 15 of the hours I'm taking will be science classes that have a 3-4 hour lab for that week. I know they're more work than a normal class, but do ADCOM acknowledge and care if most of my classes are science, even if I'd be taking 12-15 hours(plus the 3-4 hour lab sessions per week included with each)?

I thought gap years were looked down upon?

 

[ThaliaNox]

12 out of 15 of the hours I'm taking will be science classes that have a 3-4 hour lab for that week. I know they're more work than a normal class, but do ADCOM acknowledge and care if most of my classes are science, even if I'd be taking 12-15 hours(plus the 3-4 hour lab sessions per week included with each)?

I thought gap years were looked down upon?

This might sound harsh, but consider that most applicants are taking multiple science classes per semester, and that doesn't stop most of them from carrying a full 15-17 credit load each semester. I wouldn't try to use your science classes as an excuse for low credit loads. I have to say that it does look slightly funny to see an applicant taking low credit loads without a compelling time consuming reason like children or a full time job.

On the other hand, they won't ever really analyze your senior year unless you don't get into med school during your first cycle, because applications go in the summer before. Many people have acceptances well before Christmas and never need to update schools with fall grades.

Overall, it isn't something that will make or break you, but it isn't positively seen to take low credit loads. That being said, a lower GPA but with higher credit loads isn't seen well either!

 

[pdxjazz]

I'm in the same situation and decided on taking a lighter load next fall (Senior year) as I plan on interviewing with schools around the country. I am on the west coast so other than my state school every interview is at least a 2 day event. I don't want it be concerned with getting too far behind when I'm out of town. Adcoms can see from my prior 3 years that I can certainly handle a full load.

 

[solicitous]

I'm in the same situation and decided on taking a lighter load next fall (Senior year) as I plan on interviewing with schools around the country. I am on the west coast so other than my state school every interview is at least a 2 day event. I don't want it be concerned with getting too far behind when I'm out of town. Adcoms can see from my prior 3 years that I can certainly handle a full load.

Tell me how it goes and good luck. I'll only be a sophomore in the fall, so I don't really have to worry about it right now. Thank y'all for the answers!

 

[Poliscidoc]

Take some bs classes. Like snowboarding, dodgeball, softball, or some other mindless class.