is 13 credits too low?

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Plue00

Plue00

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Hey SDN,

I'm a second year and so far, I have 13 credits for the spring 2013 semester. I was wondering if that was too low because this semester, I only had 14. I will probably end up with a 4.0 this semester, so I guess that was the positive of taking 14 credits?

Next semester, I'll be taking:
Chem II (3)
Chem Lab II (2)
Upper level bio (3)
Education class (3)
Upper level biology research (2)

The only reason I'm thinking of taking 13 credits is because the upper level biology research is 12-20 hours a week in the lab. My soon to be PI has made it clear that a minimum of 12 is needed and it also counts as a class.

Would medical schools understand? Thanks
 
Pretty sure no one's going to care about one semester of 13 units.
 
Plue00 said:
Hey SDN,

I'm a second year and so far, I have 13 credits for the spring 2013 semester. I was wondering if that was too low because this semester, I only had 14. I will probably end up with a 4.0 this semester, so I guess that was the positive of taking 14 credits?

Next semester, I'll be taking:
Chem II (3)
Chem Lab II (2)
Upper level bio (3)
Education class (3)
Upper level biology research (2)

The only reason I'm thinking of taking 13 credits is because the upper level biology research is 12-20 hours a week in the lab. My soon to be PI has made it clear that a minimum of 12 is needed and it also counts as a class.

Would medical schools understand? Thanks
Click to expand...


I did a semester of 12. It won't matter.
 
I have 3 semesters with fewer than 14 credits. No one ever mentioned it in interviews and I've been accepted at two schools. You should be fine as long as you show involvement in activities (such as research!) that make up the time you would have spent in class.
 
I don't see why this would be a problem.
 
I was part-time this last spring (MCAT, getting married, working a lot) and this semester (made traveling for interviews a lot easier!). It was never brought up by any of my interviewers.

If you are going part-time through your entire education and don't have a good reason, it might be mentioned. Otherwise, a few "lower" credit load semesters is not a big deal. At all. Good luck!
 
I think there are users on this forum that had 4.0's with 12 or 13 credits per semester and have many acceptances to top schools. Point is, worry more about grades than load.
 
typicalindian said:
I think there are users on this forum that had 4.0's with 12 or 13 credits per semester and have many acceptances to top schools. Point is, worry more about grades than load.
Click to expand...

I was an idiot who decided to take 19 hours as a freshman. Killed my gpa

Take my advice and roll low at first

I'm taking a lot again now but I'm more mature with regard to academics and they're classes I want to take
 
Just be full time, it doesn't matter that much.
 
I'm only a junior but if I could if go back, I'd take a class less each semester. I've taken 16-18 last 4 semesters.

I honestly think it's better to stick to 13-15 and probably keep your GPA .1-.2 higher.
 
FxnOverload said:
I'm only a junior but if I could if go back, I'd take a class less each semester. I've taken 16-18 last 4 semesters.

I honestly think it's better to stick to 13-15 and probably keep your GPA .1-.2 higher.
Click to expand...

There's no problem with me graduating on time. I've planned out the casses I need for third year too. What do you guys think of this.


First year:
Came into college: 6
First semester: 13
Second: 17
Summer:5

Second year:
Third: 14
Fourth: 13 (next semester)
Summer: 10

Second year:
Fifth: 14 (Physics + upper level bio both semesters + research + MCAT)
Sixth: 13-14
 
Plue00 said:
There's no problem with me graduating on time. I've planned out the casses I need for third year too. What do you guys think of this.


First year:
Came into college: 6
First semester: 13
Second: 17
Summer:5

Second year:
Third: 14
Fourth: 13 (next semester)
Summer: 10

Second year:
Fifth: 14 (Physics + upper level bio both semesters + research + MCAT)
Sixth: 13-14
Click to expand...

Are you doing any other ECs?
 
>3.9 GPA and took minimum unit requirements almost my entire time in college
my sub par MCAT hurt me, but no one questioned my "units" on the interview trail
 
I did most of college on no more than 12-13 units at a time.
Same for most of grad school.

Not sure how MD schools would look at it but I applied to and got into DO school this cycle.
 
ElCapone said:
Then yes. It is too low, imho. Others may have a different perspective though.
Click to expand...

The thing about perspectives is that when they come from someone who really isn't qualified to be giving advice about something they haven't experienced, they mean jack. You say it's too low as if you have some kind of insight that others do not. Do tell...
 
ElCapone said:
Then yes. It is too low, imho. Others may have a different perspective though.
Click to expand...

The goal of ECs and grades at the same time isn't to kill yourself. If its what the OP can handle then it shouldn't be a problem.
 
Doesn't matter if you can graduate on time and do well.
 
What minimum GPA is expected from low credit semesters? 3.6+ or higher?
 
xXIDaShizIXx said:
The goal of ECs and grades at the same time isn't to kill yourself. If its what the OP can handle then it shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. I forgot to add that to my last post since I was rushed and in the middle of doing something when I posted it.

Fivo said:
The thing about perspectives is that when they come from someone who really isn't qualified to be giving advice about something they haven't experienced, they mean jack. You say it's too low as if you have some kind of insight that others do not. Do tell...
Click to expand...

Sure. I took 22 credit hours, consisting mainly of upper level bio classes, this semester and got not just a 4.0 but perfect grades in all (lowest was a 97) and had to get special permission from the dean to override our college's 18 hour limit. At the same time, I was spending a significant chunk of time in the lab, volunteering in a local hospital and somewhere else, working an on campus job, and training in the gym for about 6-7 hours a week minimum. I pretty much finished the work I needed to do to get my poster out, and will be getting a first author pub, and pulled some big numbers in the gym that most people dream of doing (395lb deadlift/275lb squat/200lb bench - these are just my 5 rep maxes since I don't do 1 rep maxes). So yes, I consider myself more qualified than jacks like you.


My point to the OP was that if he/she could handle that load with ease, then it would make sense to either fill it with other meaningful ECs or take additional classes to lighten up the load later.
 
I had 12-13 credit hours every semester in college. I got about 15 interviews, went to 7 and no one once mentioned my credit load. Wouldn't stress too much about it.
 
Thanks for all the replies, although it seems like the topic is kind of split, haha.

I could take another 3 or 4 credit class next semester and make it 16/17 credits, but this will be the first semester I'm doing research which requires a lot of work from what my PI and friends have said. Also, the volunteering/shadowing takes up some time. I'd like to really understand the subjects I take, so more time to understand the material would be nice.

And I don't know about you guys, but I'd like to also be able to enjoy college while I can. I definitely would want to have at least a little bit of free time to be able to attend the clubs and social events I'd want to.
 
Essentially I thought of a plum. But then I read 13 credits and dat plum desiccated. You are a prune for 13 credits. Please go get 2credits of girlfiriend
 
dgsilvervid said:
I had 12-13 credit hours every semester in college. I got about 15 interviews, went to 7 and no one once mentioned my credit load. Wouldn't stress too much about it.
Click to expand...

Weak. Seriously? Maybe it's cause you had ridiculous extra Cs
 
ElCapone said:
Absolutely. I forgot to add that to my last post since I was rushed and in the middle of doing something when I posted it.



Sure. I took 22 credit hours, consisting mainly of upper level bio classes, this semester and got not just a 4.0 but perfect grades in all (lowest was a 97) and had to get special permission from the dean to override our college's 18 hour limit. At the same time, I was spending a significant chunk of time in the lab, volunteering in a local hospital and somewhere else, working an on campus job, and training in the gym for about 6-7 hours a week minimum. I pretty much finished the work I needed to do to get my poster out, and will be getting a first author pub, and pulled some big numbers in the gym that most people dream of doing (395lb deadlift/275lb squat/200lb bench - these are just my 5 rep maxes since I don't do 1 rep maxes). So yes, I consider myself more qualified than jacks like you.


My point to the OP was that if he/she could handle that load with ease, then it would make sense to either fill it with other meaningful ECs or take additional classes to lighten up the load later.
Click to expand...

I really can't tell if this is a troll post or not...
 
ElCapone said:
Absolutely. I forgot to add that to my last post since I was rushed and in the middle of doing something when I posted it.



Sure. I took 22 credit hours, consisting mainly of upper level bio classes, this semester and got not just a 4.0 but perfect grades in all (lowest was a 97) and had to get special permission from the dean to override our college's 18 hour limit. At the same time, I was spending a significant chunk of time in the lab, volunteering in a local hospital and somewhere else, working an on campus job, and training in the gym for about 6-7 hours a week minimum. I pretty much finished the work I needed to do to get my poster out, and will be getting a first author pub, and pulled some big numbers in the gym that most people dream of doing (395lb deadlift/275lb squat/200lb bench - these are just my 5 rep maxes since I don't do 1 rep maxes). So yes, I consider myself more qualified than jacks like you.


My point to the OP was that if he/she could handle that load with ease, then it would make sense to either fill it with other meaningful ECs or take additional classes to lighten up the load later.
Click to expand...

you insecure brah? :meanie:
 
Plue00 said:
Thanks for all the replies, although it seems like the topic is kind of split, haha.

I could take another 3 or 4 credit class next semester and make it 16/17 credits, but this will be the first semester I'm doing research which requires a lot of work from what my PI and friends have said. Also, the volunteering/shadowing takes up some time. I'd like to really understand the subjects I take, so more time to understand the material would be nice.

And I don't know about you guys, but I'd like to also be able to enjoy college while I can. I definitely would want to have at least a little bit of free time to be able to attend the clubs and social events I'd want to.
Click to expand...

If you are doing research, then yes this should be fine. In graduate school, you are working in the lab around 40 hours a week. This is why the credit load is limited to around 9 credits for most colleges (this includes the research around 3 credits).

However, in your case you will be doing 9-10 credits plus the research at 3 credits (15-20 hours in lab). Keep it at this level for now because research takes up time. Not only is it just lab work but also reading journal articles on your own time.

This is fine and if you feel you can handle more next semester then go for it.
 
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