Does it look bad if an applicant only takes the required courses?

[dielsalder34]

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Hi everyone,

I am a non traditional student with a non science degree. I completed all my required coursework in a post-bacc program where I only had time to take one upper level biology course (Microbiology). I will be applying to schools next cycle, so I could potentially take more upper level science courses this year.

However I have quite a busy schedule this year and between full time work and volunteering, I fear that if I also take upper level classes my grades may slip. This would probably wind up hurting me more than helping. I also would appreciate not having to make a tuition payment this year.

So, should I try to take more upper levels or will my completed courses be enough? I have taken Gen Chem I and II, Orgo I and II, Biochemistry, Biological Principles I and II, Statistics, Physics I and II, Pre-Calc, Microbiology, and an introductory pre-Orgo/Biochem course.

Thank you for any feedback.

 

[Hawkenthesky]

As long as you have completed all of your required courses, you should be fine. Schools will understand that your undergraduate degree is not in the sciences and therefore would not expect you to have taken additional science courses beyond what they require.

 

[Goro]

Hi everyone,

I am a non traditional student with a non science degree. I completed all my required coursework in a post-bacc program where I only had time to take one upper level biology course (Microbiology). I will be applying to schools next cycle, so I could potentially take more upper level science courses this year.

However I have quite a busy schedule this year and between full time work and volunteering, I fear that if I also take upper level classes my grades may slip. This would probably wind up hurting me more than helping. I also would appreciate not having to make a tuition payment this year.

So, should I try to take more upper levels or will my completed courses be enough? I have taken Gen Chem I and II, Orgo I and II, Biochemistry, Biological Principles I and II, Statistics, Physics I and II, Pre-Calc, Microbiology, and an introductory pre-Orgo/Biochem course.

Thank you for any feedback.

Nope. You can get into med school on the barebones basics.