How many credits should I take?

[arrozconpollo]

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Sup guys!

Im starting my science prerequisites this semester. Im scheduled a full load of 18 credits. Do you think a full load is manageable while also maintaining high grades.

PS: i dont work or have any other obligations.

Thanks

 

[UGA2013]

Personally, I would drop one of the courses and pick up a volunteer activity and/or job. Academics are clearly the most important part of the application, but racking up 100-200 volunteer hours in place of 1 class would be an acceptable trade-off since you are just beginning your pre-reqs.

 

[pinpoint212]

It really depends what school you go to and how hard the courses are.

Ask your adviser on what he/she recommends. They should know best.

 

[Dainotda]

Sup guys!

Im starting my science prerequisites this semester. Im scheduled a full load of 18 credits. Do you think a full load is manageable while also maintaining high grades.

PS: i dont work or have any other obligations.

Thanks

You should cut down on the academic load and find some obligations/extracurriculars.
Otherwise, a full load is without extracurriculars shouldn't be a problem

 

[RU1992]

Agree with all of the people above. I'd probably do 15-16 credits, since you just started your pre-reqs, and get a volunteer position, shadowing position, club position, part-time job, etc. just to keep yourself busy and to also show future admissions committees that you don't spend 24 hours a day just focusing on school. It'll also give you a different atmosphere, rather than consistently studying.

 

[artvandelay786]

Personally, I would drop one of the courses and pick up a volunteer activity and/or job. Academics are clearly the most important part of the application, but racking up 100-200 volunteer hours in place of 1 class would be an acceptable trade-off since you are just beginning your pre-reqs.

As a rule of thumb, avoid taking two hard science courses at one time..

 

[Glimmer1991]

As a rule of thumb, avoid taking two hard science courses at one time..

This would be ideal, but I don't really think it's very possible, especially for a bio/chem major. I have had 2 sciences every semester and will be taking 3 a semester for this entire year. You have to take multiple science classes at once during dental school, anyhow, so it's just necessary. 🙂

 

[LaughingGas]

Grades over courseload......

 

[cluckyducky]

Am I the only person who thinks you should stick with the heavier courseload? It's about balancing, if you can't handle too much on your plate, drop a course, because you should be involved in extracurriculars anyways. Some people thrive with having a lot to do, you're forced to manage your time better and can't afford to procrastinate. It really depends on what you're able to handle while maintaining a strong GPA. Personally, I do better the more credits I take (21>15) because even if you get a B, it has less of an effect on your term GPA. So it really just comes down to what works best for you.

 

[arrozconpollo]

ok so i ended up taking the full course load and now im overwhelmed. . Go figure. How do W's affect your transcript when it comes to getting into dental school?

 

[Glimmer1991]

Having a "W" or two isn't great, but it also isn't a deal breaker.

I know you're taking a full load, but what courses? Dental school is going to be extremely hard. I'm up to my eyeballs in homework and ECs this year--just this week, I have three tests and a major presentation that accounts for half of my grade in a class. I'm shadowing 6 hours a week and volunteering about 6 a week. I have 3 science courses and their accompanying labs, a biology seminar, and a philosophy class.

The sad thing is that things aren't going to get easier. It seems like you are early in your academic career, and I wouldn't want to start racking up the Ws so soon. What are you taking, though? If you must drop a class, maybe we could help you decide which would be best.

 

[arrozconpollo]

Im taking gen bio w/lab , gen chem w/lab, precalc *must keep to take chem, finance and English. I already have a ton of W's from the past. I've been in school for 6 years part time. I'm in my junior year and I have a 3.0 cum gpa.

 

[gumdrop16]

Im taking gen bio w/lab , gen chem w/lab, precalc *must keep to take chem, finance and English. I already have a ton of W's from the past. I've been in school for 6 years part time. I'm in my junior year and I have a 3.0 cum gpa.

this is a normal class schedule for a typical undergrad semester.
ur good. the only sciences u have are bio & gen chem. ur schedules totally doable. 4.0 that bad boy.

 

[arrozconpollo]

this is a normal class schedule for a typical undergrad semester.
ur good. the only sciences u have are bio & gen chem. ur schedules totally doable. 4.0 that bad boy.

thanks! im trying!!

 

[carlfusco]

thanks! im trying!!

Keep it up, man. If you are having trouble with concepts, Khan Academy videos were really helpful to me in those intro courses.