how bad does it look to take only 3 classes?

[TurkTurkleton]

I'm a senior, applying in June for the next cycle. I could have graduated early, but had to stay for one pre-req class. I decided to also take another upper-level course since I am a non-science major (wanted to switch, but couldn't without spending an extra year or more in undergrad.)

Currently my schedule is a total of 12 credits:
pre-req - 4 credits
upper-level bio - 4 credits
research for academic credit - 4 credits

I did find a 4th class to take, but it's limiting my participation in other activities due to time conflicts. ECs I want to do: shadowing, tutoring, volunteering. Most have to be done in 2-4 hour segments and during the weekday. Cannot be done in fragments between classes or on nights and weekends. Shadowing requires time to commute.

So I'm wondering how it would look on my transcript if I only took 3 classes (12 credits), only 2 of which are traditional courses with lectures and exams. I also have a few graded assignments to get credit for research, but most of it is working in the lab.

For the record, my advisors said 3 classes would be acceptable because I did well last semester/overall and would be spending the extra time productively and not just fooling around. Also, to be clear, the issue is scheduling conflicts, not workload. I could take 4 classes, but then I'd have to cut out some ECs since they overlap with class. Thought I would ask here before I change my schedule around.

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[researchlove]

I think it is acceptable but 12 credits is kinda pushing it since you said your school is semester system? Quarter system students take 15-18 a quarter (x3 for one year) compared to you only have two semesters.. but since it's the last semester (i'm guessing?) I don't think it would make a big difference.

 

[Badgerfaithful]

I think it is acceptable but 12 credits is kinda pushing it since you said your school is semester system? Quarter system students take 15-18 a quarter (x3 for one year) compared to you only have two semesters.. but since it's the last semester (i'm guessing?) I don't think it would make a big difference.

Quarter system credits/hours don't have the same weight as semester credits. With a semester system, 12 or more credits is still considered full-time. That being said, 12 credits is a weak semester.

But to the OP, I had a similar semester in which I had only 12 credits, 3 of which were research-based credits, and it was never brought up in my interviews or anything. I was also a Science major, so if you have a shortage of upper level science classes, then it may be a good idea to add one.

 

[TurkTurkleton]

But to the OP, I had a similar semester in which I had only 12 credits, 3 of which were research-based credits, and it was never brought up in my interviews or anything. I was also a Science major, so if you have a shortage of upper level science classes, then it may be a good idea to add one.

Yeah, I won't have many upper-levels when I apply. Enough to meet the requirments for various schools, but not as much as a science major. I'm locked out of a lot of other bio classes. Either they conflict with my current classes, have pre-reqs I haven't taken, or aren't being offered this semester. I looked forever for other courses, but I didn't have a lot of options in the biology department.

 

[TurkTurkleton]

Bump.

Anyone else?

I know my advisor said it'd be okay, but I've never taken fewer than 4 courses or done different things with my schedule, so I'm a little nervous about dropping my 4th class even though I need to do shadowing (have less than 10 hours right now) and other ECs since I was told to focus on clinical experience and good DAT scores.

 

[FutureDent020]

I took 12 credits (3 classes a semester) twice, yet it was during my sport season. No one ever mentioned it and I don't think it hurt me.

*Edit* One semester was actually 14 credits cause I had two labs, but still 3 classes

 

[prsndwg]

Bump.

Anyone else?

I know my advisor said it'd be okay, but I've never taken fewer than 4 courses or done different things with my schedule, so I'm a little nervous about dropping my 4th class even though I need to do shadowing (have less than 10 hours right now) and other ECs since I was told to focus on clinical experience and good DAT scores.

you could always blame it on the budget cut. When it came to my appointment time to register, almost all classes were filled up and so I got to petition and get into a lot of them. I am only registered for micro, physics, upper div GE and Research.. and I am a junior.. petitioning for one more class to make it a 16 unit semester, if not then have to settle for 14 with only one bio class😎

 

[EndangeredPasta]

Is this for the semester system? I'm on the quarter system and three classes appears to be pretty normal and four classes can be pretty busy. I have never seen a class under 4 credits at my school except labs. Is this normal for the quarter system or is my school just weird.

 

[TurkTurkleton]

*Edit* One semester was actually 14 credits cause I had two labs, but still 3 classes

Hm, I'm also taking two labs. Guess it's because our labs are 0 credits and just combined with the lecture grade at the end. Thanks for the response.

 

[FutureDent020]

Hm, I'm also taking two labs. Guess it's because our labs are 0 credits and just combined with the lecture grade at the end. Thanks for the response.

Yea, some labs at my school were 0 credits and incorporated with the class credit. I received 4 credits for Physiology + Lab, 4 credits for nuero + lab; and then 4 credits +1 credit for Histo and Lab, and 4 credits + 1 credit for molecular + lab. Just some examples. So it depended on the class.

 

[FutureDent020]

Is this for the semester system? I'm on the quarter system and three classes appears to be pretty normal and four classes can be pretty busy. I have never seen a class under 4 credits at my school except labs. Is this normal for the quarter system or is my school just weird.

There is no normal or abnormal. Schools differ in their curriculum and credit system. Just the way things work.

 

[yuppers]

I think you will be fine as long as you haven't taken another semester like this.
For my last semester I am taking 12 credits...granted, 11 credits are upper levels bio and chem courses.

 

[baseballjunkie]

I pretty much took 12-14 credits every semester in my undergrad...and I got into 4 schools. However, nearly every class was a science class and I also worked full time...which didn't allow me to take more classes. I also had a 3.6 GPA with a decent DAT score (21/21/20)...

Just make sure to do more ECs and you'll be fine.

 

[TurkTurkleton]

I think you will be fine as long as you haven't taken another semester like this.

I had one semester where I took 4 classes, but took a W in one, so I only received credit for 3 classes. I don't know if that's the same.

 

[Predoctalk]

12 hrs is a full time student. You will be okay. No one is going to ask, especially if it is your last semester. I had 3 hrs (some film class) my last semester because I missed a pre-req along the way.

 

[MTD52]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that it won't matter at all, especially since it's your last semester. If they do ask, which I doubt they will, you seem to already have a good explanation. Tell them your situation. Why lie?

 

[MowgliR]

I took 12 credits (3 classes a semester) twice, yet it was during my sport season. No one ever mentioned it and I don't think it hurt me.

*Edit* One semester was actually 14 credits cause I had two labs, but still 3 classes

Thats what im doing. In the fall I took 13 units (2 units for 2 sports), and in the spring im taking 18 units with ECs.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that it won't matter at all, especially since it's your last semester. If they do ask, which I doubt they will, you seem to already have a good explanation. Tell them your situation. Why lie?

I agree.

 

[MTD52]

I got into 2 schools on Dec 1st, and waiting to hear from my third (out of the 3 I applied to). My last semester was 14 credits and this one is 12. You're fine.

 

[peerless218]

I got into 2 schools on Dec 1st, and waiting to hear from my third (out of the 3 I applied to). My last semester was 14 credits and this one is 12. You're fine.

My last semester I took 10 units (1 unit didn't count for credit) and I only got a 3.42 that semester. I should be ashamed of myself for only getting 1 A and 2 B+s. I couldn't help it, senioritis kicked in😛

 

[Vicviper]

I was taking 11 units for the majority of my senior year since there simply wasn't anything else left for me to take, and none of the schools seemed to mind, so I don't think it will be a big deal as long as you do alright.

 

[chucktownprednt]

don't worry about it. i was in the same situation last year and no one has asked me about only taking 12 hours yet. you've worked hard the past couple of years, so take it easy (well, easier) and enjoy your last semester. you owe it to yourself.

 

[TurkTurkleton]

Thanks, I appreciate all the responses.