Dropping to 13 Credits

[Starlightembers]

---

Members do not see this ad.

'ello,
I started off this semester taking a full, 17 credit load and functioned fine with that amount of work for the first month or so; however, my mother suddenly died on February 15th, and I have been struggling to keep up since. I have been encouraged -- and, at this point, want to -- drop a four-credit humanities/literature course that I have been taking (it's a requirement for all students; I will eventually end up having to take it) as it has been a considerable time sink and has been the hardest to make up work in. At this point, to salvage my overall GPA for the semester, I feel I need to lighten my load a bit.

That said, I am interested in eventually applying MD/PhD. When it comes time to apply, how would this look/what it hurt my chances?

Thanks.

Star

 

[delirium81]

So sorry to hear about your loss. Dropping one course will not affect your chances, especially given your circumstances. Pretty much any admissions committee would understand why the death of a close family member would cause someone to lighten their course load.

 

[SBR249]

My condolences to you also. Dropping the course should not hurt your chances because this is an extenuating circumstance. And as you pointed out, you'll eventually have to take this course anyway, so you aren't dropping it just because it's hard and you don't want to take it. Adcoms will understand this and may even look positively on the fact that you are proactive about dealing with difficult circumstances to maintain your high standards and not just letting things crash and burn. Best wishes.

 

[Piper9132]

I second the above posts and I am so sorry for your loss. You would be able to mention a circumstance like this in your applications and could somehow work in a one to two sentence comment about it in a personal statement I would imagine. Do whatever is the best for you mentally and academically right now... that is the most important thing.

Does any one remember for sure if AMCAS gives you space somewhere to explain any gaps or unusual circumstances in your education? I have actively tried to repress the whole application...

 

[Neuronix]

That said, I am interested in eventually applying MD/PhD. When it comes time to apply, how would this look/what it hurt my chances?

Is it a W? If it's the only W on you transcript, nobody will notice or care.

 

[justgo]

Yes, AMCAS gives you a few lines to explain certain things like this. I had a similar situation like this where someone I lived with died and I dropped two classes actually. Neither were W's but the school gave me permission to be one unit under the required that semester. No one mentioned it in my interviews. I don't think it hurt me at all.