Going part time this semester? Will this look bad?

[Mountainman121]

Hi all,

So due to a lot of AP credit coming into college, I've had tons of flexibility in terms of course load. I think I've only taken 2 semesters where I took 15+ credits (most have been in the 13-14.5 range). I'm now a rising senior, and only need about 15 more credits to graduate, so I was planning on being part time for at least the second semester of next year, maybe all year. Anyway, I'm in a 1.5 credit second half semester psych elective that started last week, and to be honest it looks like it will be more work than its worth. I have to write something like 3 papers, 3 quizzes, and a final exam before the end of April. The class will have a negligible impact on my GPA (an A would bump it up by 0.01), and I am also currently studying for the MCAT, hoping to take it in May assuming my date is not cancelled. I can drop this course without receiving a "W" since it is a second half of the semester class and the drop date has not yet passed for those classes. It would not appear on my transcript. However, I would go from 12.5 to 11 credits, so now part time. I have heard mixed opinions about how adcoms view a part time semester, so I am a little hesitant to drop it. But given how crazy everything is right now with COVID-19, I also wonder if there might be more flexibility given by adcoms to things like this. As of now my plan is to drop it (without taking a W) and go part-time. If this seems like a bad/good idea to anyone, please share your thoughts. Thanks!

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[TheDataKing]

I'd just drop it. You don't get a W on your transcript and adcoms just see how many credits you took per year and a difference of 1.5 credits should be negligible.

 

[utangboy123]

I was part time ALL senior year and it didn’t hinder me from getting interviews/acceptances! It was also never brought up during my interviews!

 

[Mountainman121]

I'd just drop it. You don't get a W on your transcript and adcoms just see how many credits you took per year and a difference of 1.5 credits should be negligible.

Thanks for your help. Only remaining concern is that would put me at 24.5 credits for this year, so an average of 12 per semester. I think I'll drop it, as that is still an average of full time status. Thanks for your insight.

 

[Mountainman121]

I was part time ALL senior year and it didn’t hinder me from getting interviews/acceptances! It was also never brought up during my interviews!

Awesome! Looks like I'll probably be going part time all of next year as well. Thanks for your insight!

 

[TheDataKing]

Thanks for your help. Only remaining concern is that would put me at 24.5 credits for this year, so an average of 12 per semester. I think I'll drop it, as that is still an average of full time status. Thanks for your insight.

No problem! For reference, I took 12 credits for the last 3 semesters of undergrad and was not asked about it at all during my interviews and didn't feel held back by it.

 

[Mountainman121]

No problem! For reference, I took 12 credits for the last 3 semesters of undergrad and was not asked about it at all during my interviews and didn't feel held back by it.

Awesome, glad it worked out for you! I personally never got why it would be a huge deal so long as you're graduating on time and taking the necessary courses. Feeling a lot better about this now. Thanks for your help!