Does rigorous courseload matter?

[AJAAJA]

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Do dental schools take into consideration of how rigorous a students' course load (or lack of perhaps?) is in relation to their grades?

Which student would be looked better?
: A student who took 11 credit hours (orgo and 2 easy elective classes) and got 4.0 and a student who took 15 credit hours (orgo, research, upper level bio, elective) and got 3.8.

 

[Jlm50]

I don't believe there is much weight between a 4.0 and a 3.8 as dental schools move to a more holistic approach.
But in general, a heavier course load should show you can handle dental school, especially if you have a high GPA.

 

[tiper15]

I will say that a heavier courseload with not as easy electives does look better; its a good showing that you will be able to handle the academic rigor of dental school, which is basically taking entirely full science years.

 

[aj30]

Here’s a general rule to keep in mind: numbers/quantifiable data takes precedence to qualitative data. I’d say a higher GPA definitely beats out a “more rigorous” courseload, for GPA is a number that sticks out at you right away, whereas courseload is an abstract, debatable criteria that you need to dig to find.