Fall Load Too Light?

[Alexd0223]

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Hi,

I am a sophomore chemistry major hoping to go to medical school. To preserve my grades, I initially signed up for a light load this fall (because of organic chemistry). I originally signed up for 11 hours, and was going to add research as a few hours of credit. I figured since I took 10 hours worth of classes this summer (including general chemistry 2) and did well, I would be fine taking less hours this fall, but I am skeptical. My premed advisor told me this was too light, and I agree now. I am thinking about bumping it up to 14 hours, with research hours added to that. The issue is, I am only going to be signed up for one science and a math class, but I have a ton of EC's that I believe will keep me busy regardless. I do biochemistry research, have started an on campus organization, and will be tutoring. With all of this in mind, will my fall load still be "too light", considering I took two sciences in the spring?

Also, I have a 3.84 cGPA and 3.94 sGPA going in to this year, if that matters at all.

Thanks,

 

[LunaOri]

How many classes (and labs) is 11 hours? If it’s equivalent to 4 courses, you should be fine. If it’s 2, it’s too light.

 

[KnightDoc]

Hi,

I am a sophomore chemistry major hoping to go to medical school. To preserve my grades, I initially signed up for a light load this fall (because of organic chemistry). I originally signed up for 11 hours, and was going to add research as a few hours of credit. I figured since I took 10 hours worth of classes this summer (including general chemistry 2) and did well, I would be fine taking less hours this fall, but I am skeptical. My premed advisor told me this was too light, and I agree now. I am thinking about bumping it up to 14 hours, with research hours added to that. The issue is, I am only going to be signed up for one science and a math class, but I have a ton of EC's that I believe will keep me busy regardless. I do biochemistry research, have started an on campus organization, and will be tutoring. With all of this in mind, will my fall load still be "too light", considering I took two sciences in the spring?

Also, I have a 3.84 cGPA and 3.94 sGPA going in to this year, if that matters at all.

Thanks,

At 14 hours, with or without research hours for credit, you are totally fine. Yes, 11 would be on the light side, although, even then, one semester would not impact a future application one way or the other.

Nobody is going semester by semester and counting your science hours. PLENTY of non-science majors go into medicine, and they have plenty of semesters with zero science hours. Schools just want to see that you are challenged and busy, and that you do well. You will be fine! 🙂

 

[h23]

I'm going to say, keep it at 11 hours and add that research class tbh. If your goal is GPA preservation then do whatever it takes to do that. Do not listen to your pre med advisor because 90% of the time, they have no idea what they're talking about. Plus, I saw that you mentioned that you're talking organic chemistry and if your organic chemistry was anything like the one I took, you need to devote a lot of time to it. Only you know your capabilities tho, although I highly recommend that you do what is best for you. At the end of the day, GPA isn't the number 1 absolute most important thing to worry about for admission to medical school, but it is still very very very important. Adcoms aren't going to really care if you spent one semester a bit easier than the others, but having a lower GPA because you decided to go all in on some hard classes isn't a good idea

 

[JimKimSlim]

Do not listen to your pre med advisor because 90% of the time, they have no idea what they're talking about.

Underrated comment, and I wished I knew this during my undergrad experience…

 

[Alexd0223]

How many classes (and labs) is 11 hours? If it’s equivalent to 4 courses, you should be fine. If it’s 2, it’s too light.

It's currently only 3 (Two 4 hours classes and one 3 hour)with one lab. Thats why I wanted to add just one more and research hours to "beef up" my schedule a bit.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I don’t think “rigor” is a factor in med school admissions like it is in undergraduate admissions (assuming prerequisites are complete)

 

[KnightDoc]

I don’t think “rigor” is a factor in med school admissions like it is in undergraduate admissions (assuming prerequisites are complete)

Why do you say this? They look at everything, but they don't value bioengineering more than basket weaving???? I'm pretty sure that's not the case.

Granted, it's more difficult to do well in the first than in the second, and you are always better off doing well than not. But, just like HYPSM is better than State U, all else being equal, I'm pretty sure that also applies to challenging transcript versus grade protected one. Why wouldn't it? Because med school is so easy that nothing matters other than getting As in whatever? 🙂

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

That’s true, but I think it is a bit harder to gauge for med schools because in high school there is AP/IB. Obviously they will see biomedical engineering from MIT (or really any school) as being rigorous and an indicator of aptitude, it gets a bit more dicy comparing across schools and classes

 

[LunaOri]

It's currently only 3 (Two 4 hours classes and one 3 hour)with one lab. Thats why I wanted to add just one more and research hours to "beef up" my schedule a bit.

3 classes is light but not terrible, eapecially with research hours. Is there a small elective you could add to boost your hours?

 

[Alexd0223]

3 classes is light but not terrible, eapecially with research hours. Is there a small elective you could add to boost your hours?

I plan on adding a history or other foundation course that I need anyway for my degree when registration opens back up.