In terms of med school admission, does taking grad lvl classes as a ug help?

[Dreaming big]

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Hey,
Does taking grad school classes as a ug help in getting into medical school? im not asking towards the gpa aspect of it, but rather will it make me more competitive or anything?

 

[Barcu]

Hey,
Does taking grad school classes as a ug help in getting into medical school? im not asking towards the gpa aspect of it, but rather will it make me more competitive or anything?

Science or non-science?

Taking a heavy courseload and still getting good grades is impressive and does indicate you can handle the rigors of medical school.

However, I don't know if grad classes are much more impressive than upper-division. And whether they are science or non-science probably matters too.

Certainly, if you could maintain your gpa, it couldn't hurt.

 

[Dreaming big]

Science or non-science?

Taking a heavy courseload and still getting good grades is impressive and does indicate you can handle the rigors of medical school.

However, I don't know if grad classes are much more impressive than upper-division. And whether they are science or non-science probably matters too.

Certainly, if you could maintain your gpa, it couldn't hurt.

they would be of my major, biology

 

[apumic]

The effect would, in all honesty, likely be negligible. If you're interested in the course, go for it, but don't do it just for the application. Better clinical experience, development of hobbies, etc., is likely to have a much larger impact. Grad-level courses are often grade-inflated and would not benefit you much come interview-time, so unless you have academic weaknesses to cover (in which case tougher grad-level courses probably are not going to help you much there as you would likely lack the preparation to excel at that level), I would suggest other things for your app.

 

[Barcu]

they would be of my major, biology

Maybe it will help. Again, I'm not sure if there is much of a difference between taking upper-level versus grad.

Adcoms like to see that you can handle higher level bio classes, so I think it will help in that way.

 

[slowbutsteady]

no

 

[Ischemic]

no

 

[randomb]

yes

 

[empty p orbital]

This is a good question for LizzyM or someone else who is actually qualified to give an authoritative answer...

 

[Narmerguy]

This is a good question for LizzyM or someone else who is actually qualified to give an authoritative answer...

Common wisdom says no but she certainly could give the perspective that reflects how her school would handle such a situation.

 

[osumc2014]

it will definitely help once you are in medical school though, would give you a slight advantage over other students who haven't taken grad courses

 

[Ischemic]

it will definitely help once you are in medical school though, would give you a slight advantage over other students who haven't taken grad courses

Yeah, no doubt taking some grad level micro/immuno classes will help IN med school but it probably won't give you a distinct advantage GETTING INTO med school.