Important Question on number of classes!

[The One Who Knocks]

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Hi all,

I've got a question that I hope someone can clear up. At my school, the maximum number of credits you can take a semester is 18, and I've consistently had 15-16 credits per semester ( a little less in the Spring/Summer semesters), which at my school, is a pretty solid load.

However, this always amounted to about 4 courses a semester (+ labs), and not 5. I have noticed that the norm from many other schools is for people to have 5-course semesters, and I'm wondering if I will be negatively impacted in any way because of my 4-course semesters (+ labs) when applying to med schools.

Does anyone have any clarification on the "number of classes" vs. "number of credits" issue I seem to be thinking about here?

Thanks for the help!

 

[bwc]

No. They pay attention to number of credit hours and the norm is ~15 per semester (or the equivalent for quarters). And I heard they also expect you to have roughly two math/science classes per semester.

 

[Glandzburg]

15-16 is a pretty standard course load. Adcoms are aware that lab courses carry larger time commitments and thus higher credit allocations.

 

[restlessdriven]

I took some summer classes and had 12 credit hours each of my last 3 semesters. Never mentioned in any of my interviews.

 

[The One Who Knocks]

I took some summer classes and had 12 credit hours each of my last 3 semesters. Never mentioned in any of my interviews.

Thanks for the response!

So they didn't ask about your lower course load at all? How many interviews did you sit through?

 

[Satire5Texul]

You are fine. you are taking the roughly 15 credit hours. That's all that matters. The nuance you are talking about is of no importance.

 

[chcash]

Take whatever you are comfortable with, so long as you remain full time and remain on schedule for graduation. I'm sure that credits per semester is pretty low on the hierarchy. I'm no adcom but I would think someone who took 14 credits and got a 4.0 would beat out someone who take 18 and got a 3.5??

 

[Shirafune]

I don't think anybody is going to question your time management if you've had at least 2-3 terms of a regular course load with ECs. If you also have great science LORs, why would any adcom think you couldn't handle the rigor of science courses?

 

[El-Rami]

Fifteen credit hours a semester is perfectly fine. Throughout college, I had 14-16 hours per semester with 2-3 BCPM courses and a very high GPA. No one has questioned my course load or even insinuated I should have taken more credits. I also did a lot of research plus other ECs. I definitely wouldn't recommend above 15 as long as you get a well-balanced course schedule. Use the time you would use taking another class for ECs or just save money by taking what you really need + a little extra for fun.

Also, I don't think taking part-time for a couple semesters will hurt you, either. Just keep yourself busy.

 

[restlessdriven]

Thanks for the response!

So they didn't ask about your lower course load at all? How many interviews did you sit through?

Six interviews and no questions. I was holding substantial leadership positions and working two and then three jobs simultaneously. All of those were in my app. Also, a lot of the upper level courses at my school were 2 credits so the course load might have been light by hours but not by level. Maybe that's why they didn't ask. As others have said, just do interesting things (that you like!) with your time and hope that you have the opportunity to talk about them in your interviews.