Does medical school care as to what classes you take?

[PullMyFinger]

Just a quick question really...

Not counting the pre-reqs because obviously those matter, but do they care what other classes you take? I'm majoring in Political Science...and we're also supposed to go for upper level and lower level electives. Anyhow, sometimes for the electives...I get easy filler classes to use up that slot ie History of Jazz, Theatre Appreciation, Wildlife Issues, etc. You think they'll care?

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[R.P. McMurphy]

Just a quick question really...

Not counting the pre-reqs because obviously those matter, but do they care what other classes you take? I'm majoring in Political Science...and we're also supposed to go for upper level and lower level electives. Anyhow, sometimes for the electives...I get easy filler classes to use up that slot ie History of Jazz, Theatre Appreciation, Wildlife Issues, etc. You think they'll care?

The do care, but not in the sense that any one major is better than the other. They care to see that you have challenged yourself and that you have taken classes that are meaningful. It is good to take diverse courses, but taking too many easy "filler" classes will only hurt and not help.

 

[Robizzle]

NO

 

[PullMyFinger]

The do care, but not in the sense that any one major is better than the other. They care to see that you have challenged yourself and that you have taken classes that are meaningful. It is good to take diverse courses, but taking too many easy "filler" classes will only hurt and not help.

3 classes is too much though? I've only taken a total of 3 easy filler classes so to speak in my entire college career. Theatre Appreciation, History of Jazz, and Wildlife Issues...is that too much? Not to mention, I'm a musician and History of Jazz really took an interest to me...same with Theatre.

Wildlife is really the only one that I want to take merely b/c it's easy and I need a couple credits to finish up.

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

3 classes is too much though? I've only taken a total of 3 easy filler classes so to speak in my entire college career. Theatre Appreciation, History of Jazz, and Wildlife Issues...is that too much? Not to mention, I'm a musician and History of Jazz really took an interest to me...same with Theatre.

Wildlife is really the only one that I want to take merely b/c it's easy and I need a couple credits to finish up.

no no, you are fine. Nothing to worry about.

I thought you were trying to imply in your original post that your major consists of not much except for easy filler classes.

 

[Puddintame]

filler classes

NNGAAAAH! Who cares whether medical schools care or not? The basic problem is you're wasting your time and (I assume) your parents money by not making a point of choosing classes that matter to you in some positive way, shape or form. If you're interested it the history of jazz, then History of Jazz is a great course for you to take. If you don't think you might be interested in it, then find something else.

 

[DE12MD]

3 classes is too much though? I've only taken a total of 3 easy filler classes so to speak in my entire college career. Theatre Appreciation, History of Jazz, and Wildlife Issues...is that too much? Not to mention, I'm a musician and History of Jazz really took an interest to me...same with Theatre.

Wildlife is really the only one that I want to take merely b/c it's easy and I need a couple credits to finish up.

I think that as long as you can defend the class if they were to ask you about it in an interview then you are set. If the only reason you took it is for an easy A then they will probably not be that impressed, but if it was because you are actually interested in the subject and the easy A was just an additional perk, I think they will let you slide.

 

[MiniNMD]

sweet... I can register for the microbrewery course and gourmet engineering afterall!

 

[110467]

NNGAAAAH! Who cares whether medical schools care or not? The basic problem is you're wasting your time and (I assume) your parents money by not making a point of choosing classes that matter to you in some positive way, shape or form. If you're interested it the history of jazz, then History of Jazz is a great course for you to take. If you don't think you might be interested in it, then find something else.

In a perfect world that might be true, but most people can't take every difficult class they can think of at one time and still manage to get good grades. Many people take "filler classes" because they actually want to graduate on time and they can't handle too many insane classes at once.

Also, PullMyFinger said they were electives for Poli.Sci. So what if he doesn't like any of the classes on the list for that elective? Should he take a difficult course over an easy course then?

 

[Puddintame]

In a perfect world that might be true, but most people can't take every difficult class they can think of at one time and still manage to get good grades. Many people take "filler classes" because they actually want to graduate on time and they can't handle too many insane classes at once.

Also, PullMyFinger said they were electives for Poli.Sci. So what if he doesn't like any of the classes on the list for that elective? Should he take a difficult course over an easy course then?

But I'm not talking about difficulty. It's the lazy, dismissive notion of a "filler course." Even small private schools offer enough of a range of courses to allow someone to choose something because it matters to them at some level deeper than "what will the folks in admissions think?"

 

[TPROrgoTutor]

They dont care what classes you take, per se, but they DO want to see that you can handle a high science load. So at least a couple semesters of 16+ hours of mainly sciences or something along those lines. Thats what I did at least, Ill let you know if it worked...

 

[akademiks1989]

I've read on here many times that any semester less than 15 credits in not competitive. If you want easy classes, try going to ratemyprofessors.com and find an easy professor there. But even though these may seem like filler courses, they are still college courses, and require sufficient time to study and succeed, to ultimately keep that G.P.A. up. If these classes are you passion, go for it, because you won't have much time as a medical student/doctor to look into it.

 

[NewKidin2block]

this is the question I want to asked today. How to they decide between someone who really go out of their way to take challenge courses vs. someone who take 2 tough sciences and 3 easy courses per semester.

maybe a 3.6GPA who never go beyond 2 tough courses per semester (but with 3 relatively easy class). vs. a 3.3 who always overload to 4 sciences courses per semester (plus one easy bs class). assuming their MCATA is the same. My belief is that the one with the 3.6 GPA is going to get more offer.

what do you think??

Just a quick question really...

Not counting the pre-reqs because obviously those matter, but do they care what other classes you take? I'm majoring in Political Science...and we're also supposed to go for upper level and lower level electives. Anyhow, sometimes for the electives...I get easy filler classes to use up that slot ie History of Jazz, Theatre Appreciation, Wildlife Issues, etc. You think they'll care?

 

[NewKidin2block]

It's hard to define high science load, maybe sophomore take organic I and molecular biology, and then take Physics for Poet and biology of reproduction, those fake science class the department offer to humanity major. would adcom really have time to scrutinize and differentiate between the two?

They dont care what classes you take, per se, but they DO want to see that you can handle a high science load. So at least a couple semesters of 16+ hours of mainly sciences or something along those lines. Thats what I did at least, Ill let you know if it worked...

 

[LizzyM]

My favorite was a pre-med who in his final year of college took courses on human sexuality, wine appreciation, and golf . 😱 I'm not kidding.

 

[63768]

i don't think they care either way. i loaded up 21 hrs my final semester and don't think they even notice. they just care about the prereqs and the grades you've received. i doubt they have the time to sit there and look at everything.