General course load question...

[nontradguy84]

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So, I'm a junior, non-trad student (26), I also have a traumatic brain injury from a sportbike wreck that's slowing me down a little, I'm engaged and I have a part-time job, so I've already got a relatively heavy schedule in addition to taking 13 credits, one of those classes being microbiology.

Honestly, I have yet to shadow and do much with my EC's. I just feel like I need to slow down a little because it's KILLING my GPA to have all of this on my plate, but I can't leave my job because I need the money.

I guess my question is, I keep reading that med schools make sure that you are always full-time, class-wise, but I don't think I can do that with everything else that I need to do, so would it be all that bad if I were to take school a little slower?

Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[Richardh]

I think you shouldn't worry for not being a full-time student if you state your situation in your personal statement or med school applications. I think keeping up a high gpa and also financially sustaining one's-self is much more important than being full-time student. so I think being a part-time student and completing the prereqs slowly by surely and successfully are much better in my opinion 🙂

 

[Lunasly]

I don't think going part-time is a good idea. If I was in your situation, I would continue what you are doing now, and work on EC's during your school breaks and summers. While you won't have as many hours as most applicants, you have a good reason to explain to the medical school.

Good luck.

 

[Catalystik]

I keep reading that med schools make sure that you are always full-time, class-wise, but I don't think I can do that with everything else that I need to do, so would it be all that bad if I were to take school a little slower?

While it's true that adcomms like to see you carry a heavy load and succeed, that load need not be all academic. As long as you are busy with activities that will show up on your application, I wouldn't worry about taking a lower class load. Recovering from a traumatic brain injury is certainly also a good reason to slow down all by itself, but if you bring up this issue, be sure that before you apply you are back to your normal self and are able to manage a full courseload again. Decompressing the learning pace is an option at few med schools.

Right now, protecting your GPA is your first priority. All else can come later if needbe. It's good you haven't lost sight of that considering everything else going on with you.