extra year to finish pre-med pre-requisites? does this look bad?

[tms01234]

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Hi everyone 🙂

I am a pre-med student who is in their second year and I am worried that if I take an extra year to finish all of my pre-med pre-requisites, it will look bad to medical schools that I apply to.

lately I have not been taking many credit hours per semester (around 12-14), my cumulative and science GPAs are low. I am supposed to graduate in 2015 but I have a feeling that I will perform better if I take the new MCAT in 2015 and possibly graduate and apply in 2016.

(by the way, my overall GPA is a 3.72, my BCPM is a 3.36...I screwed up one 2-credit algebra math competency course with a C+ and I've only taken 2 Bio classes and a chem class...Bio 1 and 2 I got A-'s in, Remedial Chemistry I got a B+ in, I am determined to get better grades from here on out and still have a very long way to go)

my initial question is: should I rush and take on the maximum of 18 credits per semester (for my university) to look more competitive, or is it okay to take my time and take an extra year to pace myself?

I have been told different things by other pre-med students and it has started to worry me. If any of you have any advice for me or if you need more information please let me know; thanks 🙂

 

[drdoom12]

Pace yourself. College is a lot different than high school, and a lot of students do not adjust to it right away. With that said, it is apparent that currently even a 12 hour semester is fairly difficult for you. Why would you make the jump straight to 18+ hours? Take it slow and, as you become more comfortable with classes, add on more credits. Also, instead of "taking a year off," you could use that year for not only GPA enhancement but extracurricular activities, research, etc.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi everyone 🙂

I am a pre-med student who is in their second year and I am worried that if I take an extra year to finish all of my pre-med pre-requisites, it will look bad to medical schools that I apply to.

lately I have not been taking many credit hours per semester (around 12-14), my cumulative and science GPAs are low. I am supposed to graduate in 2015 but I have a feeling that I will perform better if I take the new MCAT in 2015 and possibly graduate and apply in 2016.

(by the way, my overall GPA is a 3.72, my BCPM is a 3.36...I screwed up one 2-credit algebra math competency course with a C+ and I've only taken 2 Bio classes and a chem class...Bio 1 and 2 I got A-'s in, Remedial Chemistry I got a B+ in, I am determined to get better grades from here on out and still have a very long way to go)

my initial question is: should I rush and take on the maximum of 18 credits per semester (for my university) to look more competitive, or is it okay to take my time and take an extra year to pace myself?

I have been told different things by other pre-med students and it has started to worry me. If any of you have any advice for me or if you need more information please let me know; thanks 🙂

Heck, you can defer your sciences until after graduation and take them as a postbac for all med schools care. There is no set timetable or schedule you need to comply with. Over intense preallo folks may have the finish by junior year or bust mentality, but med school couldn't care less s long as you took all the prereqs, did well on them and the MCAT, and have a good CV. It might mean you apply a Year or two later, but the average age is over 24 for a reason.

 

[Spinach Dip]

The "five year program" is becoming more and more popular. Don't worry if you take 5 years or more to get your degree.

 

[civic4982]

Heck, you can defer your sciences until after graduation and take them as a postbac for all med schools care. There is no set timetable or schedule you need to comply with. Over intense preallo folks may have the finish by junior year or bust mentality, but med school couldn't care less s long as you took all the prereqs, did well on them and the MCAT, and have a good CV. It might mean you apply a Year or two later, but the average age is over 24 for a reason.

This... 👍

 

[HuskerMed1816]

Take 10 years for all a med school cares... it is more important to show you know what you are working towards, showing a passion for medicine, and being able to effectively communicate this with your application than it is to say "I graduated in four years like a good little student"

 

[Koosalagoosagoo]

DO NOT RUSH, trust me.