heavy courseload preferred? - need help!

[peabos]

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hey i was wondering whether medical schools will frown on taking only one class for an entire school year?

i will be preparing for the april MCAT while simulataneously trying to learn physics and work as an RN. my job is pretty stressful and my diagnostic MCAT was pretty low. so i know i have a lot to do with MCAT prep.

my other option is to stop working and do biochemistry in addition to the physics and the MCAT prep? Please help! Thanks in advance.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Are you trying to make up for a past low GPA? If so, the more strenuous your courseload, the better. Personally, I'm not a member of the camp that advocates quitting your full-time job while working-toward/applying-to medical school, as you can't be sure that you will get in. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Wackie]

It can suck having to work, huh?

Maybe others will chime in as to whether or not this is a good idea, but I don't see a way around it. I will most likely graduate and then study for the MCAT and take it. But, I'm not sure that's the best way to do it. If you're like me, there isn't any other way unless someone makes days longer. 🙁


Good luck!

 

[peabos]

you guys, thanks for your sympathy. overall gpa as of now is 3.5. science gpa is probably around there or a little higher if i'm lucky.

graduating, then studying for the mcat would have been the ideal way to go. unfortunately i started this job only a year ago.

 

[MicroBugs]

It's always good to keep an income flowing in and keep loans as low as possible. Your GPA isn't bad, but A's are always a big plus. If that's the only req you've got to take and you've already graduated, I don't see schools looking down upon that. Especially working full-time as an RN. I'm just a GI tech, but my hat goes off to RN's attempting schoolwork at the same time. Plus, studying for the MCAT is a full time gig too. And with the new computer format, you're not restricted to April if that helps at all...

 

[Captain Fantastic]

I graduated in 2000 from engineering and my GPA wasn't stellar, although it wasn't bad either (graduated Cum Laude). My premed advisor strongly encouraged me to take "competive semesters" of courses (i.e., full load) to demonstrate I still had what it took to be a successful student.

I talked with some people on the adcom at my #1 choice and they agreed that it would look very good for me to jump back in to a full-load (picking up where I left off -- no repeating courses).

I elected to work part-time (20 hrs/wk) and take courses full-time.

 

[remo]

The MCAT is more important than any class grade so make sure that you make that your highest priority. Since you indicated a low diagnostic, you may not want to take any classes and just focus on the MCAT 100%. You can always load up on some classes in the spring quarter or the summer after the MCAT.

 

[njbmd]

hey i was wondering whether medical schools will frown on taking only one class for an entire school year?

i will be preparing for the april MCAT while simulataneously trying to learn physics and work as an RN. my job is pretty stressful and my diagnostic MCAT was pretty low. so i know i have a lot to do with MCAT prep.

my other option is to stop working and do biochemistry in addition to the physics and the MCAT prep? Please help! Thanks in advance.

If you are working full-time do NOT take a full-time courseload for the sake of trying to impress an admissions committee. You need quality in both your GPA and MCAT and you need to work to keep you bennies and to keep living indoors.

Take what you need for MCAT prep (i.e. the physics) and drop the biochem until you have more time. The other option is to audit the biochem for content (unless you NEED the hours for damage control) so you are not under pressure to achieve a certain grade.

If you are working full-time, the physics and the MCAT prep are more than enough. Keep your GPA as high as possible, cutting back on the coursework if necessary to keep the grades up.

Good luck! It is very difficult to work and attend school at the same time.

 

[peabos]

people, this is some very thoughtful feedback. it really helps, especially when all these diff thoughts are going through my head at once. all the things you guys mentioned were my exact concerns.

1) i want to make the case that i would be prepared for the rigor of medical school. i was concerned taking only one science class for an entire school year doesn't really show that.
2) low MCAT score does not equal admission to US medical school.

auditing the course is something i didn't think of. i will look into that tomorrow. however is "auditing" something negative? i don't want to make it look like i took the easy way out.

thanks again!

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Just remember to not kill yourself, and make sure you can handle the courseload. Your protests of "But I didn't do as well in those courses because I was working and taking a heavy course load, etc, etc" will fall on deaf ears. Make sure that you can get As in the courses that you take. Getting As taking only 1-2 courses a semester will look better than getting Bs or fewer As taking more courses per semester.

I agree with the others that studying for the MCAT is another course in-and-of-itself. I purposely arranged my schedule so that I would be taking one fewer course the semester that I took the MCAT.

Best of luck to you!

 

[clsr2nrvna]

I got my master's (psych) in Dec 2005, & started taking science courses to fulfill prereqs. I was also told to take full courseload in order prove i could 'handle' the demands of heavy science-based learning/work. I opted out of full-time in order to take more classes, but i'm in the process of getting my CNA, so that i may: #1) work part-time = $, #2) get experience/exposure to sick people/health care industry.

If you are not going to take a full course load, i'd prepare to defend it. In other words, your personal statement or be prepared to discuss in any interviews.

But it's always 50/50 with this damn industry! I wouldn't say it would prevent you from getting into med school.

~ clsr2nrvna

 

[albaniandoc]

hey i was wondering whether medical schools will frown on taking only one class for an entire school year?

i will be preparing for the april MCAT while simulataneously trying to learn physics and work as an RN. my job is pretty stressful and my diagnostic MCAT was pretty low. so i know i have a lot to do with MCAT prep.

my other option is to stop working and do biochemistry in addition to the physics and the MCAT prep? Please help! Thanks in advance.

I am an RN as well. I can tell you the best thing to do is take one step at a time. I went part time (two classes) for the past year. I took the MCAT in April and started the application process. Now that that part of the application is out of the way, I am taking 15 credits and working. I am taking Genetics, Orgo II, Public Health and Biophysics. So far it has worked out ok. My advice would be to take the classes needed for the MCAT. Take the test and then you can take 15 credits.
Good luck

 

[efex101]

To be totally honest nothing can *really* prepare you for the rigors of medical school classes...I took a lot of hours in undergrad and this still did not prepare me for the HUGE amount of volume I saw during the first two years of medical school. So, take your time and go slow but make sure you ACE all your classes and rock the MCAT. Everything else will fall into place once you have some kick arse grades and a good MCAT score. After this is out of the way *then* you can load up to get a feel for a large courseload. Good luck!

 

[peabos]

thanks again.🙂

 

[t33sg1rl]

I took a bunch of classes to make up for a past low GPA (<3). I never took more than one class at a time, since I was working full time. I also took a semester off to study for the MCAT. Nobody bothered to actually check the dates on things and see that I'd only done one class at a time, with an MCAT break-or if they did, not one interviewer mentioned it. On the flip side, ALL the interviewers wanted to talk endlessly about my great MCAT score. Take the time to study for it and knock it out of the park.

 

[viostorm]

Are you trying to make up for a past low GPA? If so, the more strenuous your courseload, the better.

I could not disagree more with this advice.

The MOST important thing for you is having a good MCAT and GPA. NOT how you got there. It is much easier to get a good GPA when you are only taking a small number of classes.

The number of classes you take at a time does not factor into the forumula to decide if you get interview, MCAT and GPA do.

I advise all non-trads to take it slow and ace the classes.

3.5 GPA + 30 MCAT = medical school

That should be your only focus, don't destroy your chances of getting in with some heroic notion of taking 80 credits a semester.

 

[peabos]

hey viastorm and teesgirl, thanks for your input. that's what my concern was, i see all these other traditional premeds killing themselves with insane courseloads. plus, my premed advisor was recommending i take the upper level bio courses. i felt like medical adcom might see me as taking the easy way out.

hey another question: an oppurtunity was presented to me to tutor biology, gen chem, and ochem. would this help refresh content for the mcat? does that make any difference to adcom?

do you guys think the experience of tutoring will add something worthwhile to my application? i was thinking might give me more confidence with the content in the mcat. my diagnostic MCAT score was sad. many of the traditional students at my school who are premed, tutor also. thanks again.

 

[viostorm]

. my diagnostic MCAT score was sad.

This is the most important thing. If it were me, I'd focus 100% on your Kaplan/Princeton/whatever study material. Don't touch any class stuff, only learn what is in prep course material.

Although tutoring may help solidfy your information, you need to learn what you don't know and I don't think teaching is the most time effective way to learn the material.

 

[oldpro]

If you are working full-time do NOT take a full-time courseload for the sake of trying to impress an admissions committee. You need quality in both your GPA and MCAT and you need to work to keep you bennies and to keep living indoors.

Take what you need for MCAT prep (i.e. the physics) and drop the biochem until you have more time. The other option is to audit the biochem for content (unless you NEED the hours for damage control) so you are not under pressure to achieve a certain grade.

If you are working full-time, the physics and the MCAT prep are more than enough. Keep your GPA as high as possible, cutting back on the coursework if necessary to keep the grades up.

Good luck! It is very difficult to work and attend school at the same time.

Cuddos I agree 1000% I think it is crazy to knowingly take more than you can handle and to take the MCAT when not ready.

Why chance on blowing this now? I really do not want to see more in the Caribbean cause of blowing it trying to "Impress" some one, not everyone on the commitees will be impressed, Grades, Mcat, and the rest of the app will do more than a course load.

 

[medicomel]

hey viastorm and teesgirl, thanks for your input. that's what my concern was, i see all these other traditional premeds killing themselves with insane courseloads. plus, my premed advisor was recommending i take the upper level bio courses. i felt like medical adcom might see me as taking the easy way out.

hey another question: an oppurtunity was presented to me to tutor biology, gen chem, and ochem. would this help refresh content for the mcat? does that make any difference to adcom?

do you guys think the experience of tutoring will add something worthwhile to my application? i was thinking might give me more confidence with the content in the mcat. my diagnostic MCAT score was sad. many of the traditional students at my school who are premed, tutor also. thanks again.

i'm a nontrad humanities major who took the prereqs one or two at a time while working full-time. i also took time to study for the MCAT. basically, the adcoms didn't have a problem with my tactics because i proved i could handle a work schedule with school. as far as the workload in school, it IS insane, and nothing can prepare you for it.

in short, take your time but do WELL. there will be some schools that frown on taking one course at a time, but i have come across very few. the one that comes to mind in particular was U. of Vermont. can't remember any more. good luck!

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Doing well on the MCAT and having a high GPA beats a heavy courseload. A heavy courseload is something that can explain lower grades, and a weak MCAT coupled with a high GPA/light courseload might raise some flags. However, again, if your MCAT and overall GPA are solid, schools will know that you can succeed regardless of how many classes you took in a term. So, if adding an extra class lowers your MCAT score or overall GPA, I'd highly recommend against it.

I had all of one term in my postbacc life where I took more than one class at a time because I was busy with working full time and volunteering. Doing one class at a time without a job or any other responsibilities raises a red flag. Doing one class coupled with a demanding job and other responsibilities is doing a lot.

 

[Nasrudin]

This is an important discussion for us, and i've asked the same thing in the past and i'm still struggling to find the sweet spot between all A's and full-time job. I think its really an important issue for those of us trying to make up for crappy gpa's to find the right balance.

This semester I had the insane notion to tke 4 classes and 1 lab and i think my biochem class is about to drag me and the rest of my classes down the toilet. I'm thinking of dropping and taking the "w"....any thoughts?😳 thanks.

 

[viostorm]

This is an important discussion for us, and i've asked the same thing in the past and i'm still struggling to find the sweet spot between all A's and full-time job. I think its really an important issue for those of us trying to make up for crappy gpa's to find the right balance.

This semester I had the insane notion to tke 4 classes and 1 lab and i think my biochem class is about to drag me and the rest of my classes down the toilet. I'm thinking of dropping and taking the "w"....any thoughts?😳 thanks.

Exactly why you don't take a bunch of classes!!!!

There is no quick road to medical school, no easy road to medical school, any attempts to make it easier and faster usually end up in disaster!

Put one foot in front of the next, lick your wounds, if it were me I'd take the "W", I had a few W's on my transcript. What is going to look best to you.

A,A,A,W or B,B,B,C

The A's factor into the GPA, the W's don't mean a thing with regard to your GPA. You have to be realistic about your grades when making the decision. DON'T GET A D.

Just learn from this and hopefully other people will look at your experience and learn too.

4 classes and a lab ... insanity!! 😡 Biochem! You are crazy. TAKE BIOCHEM AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED AND ARE SITTING ON YOUR BUTT FOR A SEMESETER OR TWO!