How much do med schools care about course load

[jorge921995]

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I want to drop French 2 which is 5 credits, but that would drop me down to 11. I would be taking Chem 2 (3), Chem 2 lab (1), Forensic Osteology (4) and Trig(3). I just don't like the way my french professor teaches and the class is just way too early for me and I don't want that to get me a bad grade.. I wanted to swap out a class, but genetics was full, so I couldn't replace it by the time enrollment ended. What do? I'm a 2nd semester sophomore by the way.

 

[jorge921995]

Also, I had a similar issue my freshman year in which I dropped a class I was about to fail and also went down to 11 credits. So I already have a DR on my transcript.

 

[Jalby]

They don't care one bit about your courseload. They only care about your GPA. Nothing more. Take the least amount of classes and the easiest ones all while studying for the MCAT during your entire first 3 years.

 

[Anova05]

It's a shame but true. I had 3.5 engineer premed friends from MIT apply and not do as well as state school 4.0/40 MCAT automatons.

 

[kmp0410]

They don't. As long as you don't do it EVERY semester.

 

[IlDestriero]

If you take 6 years for a 4 year degree, that might raise red flags. Lots of people take summer classes and/or require an extra semester or year. Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

I want to drop French 2 which is 5 credits, but that would drop me down to 11. I would be taking Chem 2 (3), Chem 2 lab (1), Forensic Osteology (4) and Trig(3). I just don't like the way my french professor teaches and the class is just way too early for me and I don't want that to get me a bad grade.. I wanted to swap out a class, but genetics was full, so I couldn't replace it by the time enrollment ended. What do? I'm a 2nd semester sophomore by the way.

I just went from 16 to 13 because I didn't like how my ethics class was structured (100 total points and a strange breakdown). The professor was a little too eccentric for me as well. From all the research I've done on it, as long as you're a full time student doing well it shouldn't be an issue.

I normally only take 4 classes but I'm also working full time and doing some other things.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

"On schedule to meet pre-medical coursework" was found to be of medium importance in an AAMC survey on factors for admissions where 127 medical schools responded. see Table 1, page 7 of https://www.aamc.org/download/434596/data/usingmcatdata2016.pdf

I would assume that's pertaining to being on corse for completing all prereqs before matriculating. Not necessarily how long it takes a student to complete said classes before applying. It should be worded differently if used in this context.

 

[prehealthadvisor55]

I've sat in on admissions meetings where it was considered. And others where it wasn't. So there's no way to know really. Don't make a habit of it, and be ready to answer questions about it if/when the time comes. Honestly the reasons you gave weren't great ones. But like I said, don't make a habit of it and chances are it probably won't be an issue.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

I wouldnt necessarily presume that only. it would make sense that an applicant has the ability to complete a full course load in a "normal" term/year as medical schools want evidence that he/she can handle the rigors of medical school semester. While the changing nature of college has made many students deal with part-time, 5 year plans, etc, I still recommend that students can show at least a year or two of full term, rigorous course work.

I do agree with what you are saying, but pertaining to that particular reference I don't believe thats what it means. I sometimes do worry about this myself though.

I went back to school while working full time. my credit hours for my first 4 semesters thus far have been: 10, 14, 12, and 13 this semester. I will have to take summer and fall classes, and then still possibly 1 or 2 in spring to get my AA on time because 8 of those credits were remedial and my school requires 64 for an associates. This seems to be the sweet spot for me since i am working 40 hours, and volunteering about 5 hours/week as well+ shadowing when I can. I see a lot of people taking 16-20 but I'm doubtful that they are working full time. I just hope they take these other things into consideration.

 

[jorge921995]

I just went from 16 to 13 because I didn't like how my ethics class was structured (100 total points and a strange breakdown). The professor was a little too eccentric for me as well. From all the research I've done on it, as long as you're a full time student doing well it shouldn't be an issue.

I normally only take 4 classes but I'm also working full time and doing some other things.

But that's still full time. 11 isn't. I think I might fix it. My advisor gave me a paper to go to the genetics professor to sign and let me in, however, it's his discretion.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

But that's still full time. 11 isn't. I think I might fix it. My advisor gave me a paper to go to the genetics professor to sign and let me in, however, it's his discretion.

You're 1 credit shy of being a full time student, for one/two semester(s). Its not a big deal =).

Id never let my GPA take a hit because of course load. If you feel like you need to drop it, do it. The class i dropped had a ton of reading (9 books required) and I didn't want to spend all of my time doing that.

 

[raiderette]

Will it affect your financial aid? I couldn't drop below 12 credits.

 

[jorge921995]

So it's okay if I drop the course?

 

[eteshoe]

So it's okay if I drop the course?

If it will negatively affect your GPA, drop it.

 

[Lucca]

To put it another way: medical schools will not care as much about your courseload as you will when it causes your GPA to drop or you to lose sleep.

 

[Psai]

Ain't nobody got time to look at your course load

 

[muzzy44]

I was a part-time student one semester during which I only took orgo 2 and a research for credit class - used the free time to volunteer and have fun because college should be fun. Got 7 II this cycle - no one cares

 

[Lawpy]

It's a shame but true. I had 3.5 engineer premed friends from MIT apply and not do as well as state school 4.0/40 MCAT automatons.

A 4.0/40 isnt exactly an automaton nor a dime a dozen, regardless of the university they are from

 

[kb1900]

=

 

[jorge921995]

Thank you, gentlemen, it has been done. I know longer have to worry about that class.