Does taking on a heavier course load even matter besides finishing UG earlier?

[K223K]

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Hey there guys! I've been meaning to find time to post a question about this but been extremely busy trying to embrace this pre-med roller coaster ride that only gets tougher as time passes!

So, I was wondering, how does taking a heavy course load 16+ credits a semester vs. 12 credits (or less) a semester look to medical school admissions committees? Do they even care?? Pre-med advisor insists I up next semesters course load to 16+ to show admissions committees that I'm capable of handling multiple upper-level science courses at once. Thoughts on this?

 

[Kawi347]

I wouldn't do it. Just take a normal load and get good grades. It took me 5 years to complete my undergrad and it didn't come up once in the interviews.

 

[I'mJustCurious]

I wouldn't do it. Just take a normal load and get good grades. It took me 5 years to complete my undergrad and it didn't come up once in the interviews.

+1 I'd rather get good grades, so stick to what you can handle. Maybe the top schools would like to see it? Regardless having a good GPA will open more doors IMO.

 

[K223K]

Thanks guys! I kinda felt like taking a heavy course load like she suggested would be a little risky/fatal even if there's really no need for taking that many courses! I agree with you both, rather just continue on at a pace I know I can handle and do well.

 

[PapaGuava]

I still don't understand why majority of advisers are telling their students to have a heavy course load which could hinder their performance. For some people it works, but it shouldn't be a rule of thumb for everyone. So like the above users have mentioned @K223K , just do what's best for your grades and finish on top.

 

[Kawi347]

Grades and MCAT will get you an interview. All the other stuff is fluff that can help in the interview.

 

[Peter Pan.]

I haven't talked to an advisor in 3 years. I got all the info I need from my SDN fam.

 

[WoundupKnight]

Getting all A's with a normal course load > getting all A's with a reduced course load >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Getting B's/C's with any course load.

 

[bears1992]

I really don’t think course load is a big thing for DO schools. I ended up taking 3 classes a semester during undergrad and it came up in zero of my 4 DO interviews. My gpa was pretty low at 3.1 too. My GPA actually never came up at all surprisingly.