does research credit on your transcript look bad with only 12 credits?

[sixpence]

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Not sure if my question made sense but here's the story. I'm going to be studying for the mcat this semester so I want to take a light load. I'm planning on taking 4 hours of research credit so I'll be in the lab about 16 hours minimum. Then Ill be taking a couple other classes a bio and english to make a total of around 12-13. Is this too easy? If I add another class it's going to push it to around 16-17 credits which along with volunteering 5hrs a week might be too much for me to handle if I want to some mcat studying (at least 2 a day i think)... What do you all think?

 

[URHere]

I doubt anyone on the med school committees will care.

Just make sure you still count as a full time student - otherwise you may run into issues with your college and student loans...and that is a much bigger problem.

 

[sixpence]

12 is for full time so that's not a problem. I was just wondering if getting 4 hours of research credit looks suspicious or that I'm taking it too easy?

 

[KMFDM]

I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[greatnt249]

12 is for full time so that's not a problem. I was just wondering if getting 4 hours of research credit looks suspicious or that I'm taking it too easy?

I don't think they care what you do with your semesters, as long as you do well.

 

[Narmerguy]

I don't think it'll be a problem. However, I was under the impression (I don't know) that adcoms do look at the rigor of your courseload when reviewing your application...am I off base on this?

 

[tallandshort]

Not sure if my question made sense but here's the story. I'm going to be studying for the mcat this semester so I want to take a light load. I'm planning on taking 4 hours of research credit so I'll be in the lab about 16 hours minimum. Then Ill be taking a couple other classes a bio and english to make a total of around 12-13. Is this too easy? If I add another class it's going to push it to around 16-17 credits which along with volunteering 5hrs a week might be too much for me to handle if I want to some mcat studying (at least 2 a day i think)... What do you all think?

Taking 12-13 credits with 4 being research is no problem. Don't worry at all about it, I know a couple of my friends took about that many credits every semester because they had enough AP credits from high school that they could do that and they got into med school just fine. Do make sure you get A's in all your courses since it will be a little bit of a lighter semester for you, but I think it's a good decision on your part to take a lighter load while studying for your MCAT. I also have known of students that took a regular course load while studying for their MCAT and they weren't able to do well in both (either their grades suffered or their MCAT score did). That would be the situation you want to avoid.

One thing though you might want to check on: at my undergrad 1 credit=3 hours of in class/lab time per week. This may be different for your school, but I've had a lot of students work in my lab for credit and that's what they get according to university policy. So if you work 15 hrs/week you should be getting 5 credits, not 4. Just FYI to make sure you're getting what you work for. Good luck!

 

[AmyB425]

does anyone know how to classify research jobs that give you academic credit? Is it extracurricular?

 

[redlight]

I don't think it'll be a problem. However, I was under the impression (I don't know) that adcoms do look at the rigor of your courseload when reviewing your application...am I off base on this?

grades first, then rigor. a 3.8 will always look better than a 3.4. also, one semester of low credit load doesnt mean your overall record wasnt rigorous.