Is 26 credits of science classes too much?

[Nerdeka]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just graduated with a ****ty science GPA. That being said, I know I will get straight As in these classes because I tutored people from these schools who ended up with As while I probably got a B- in the class.

University:
11 credits

CC:
15 or so credits

Including: Orgo, Physics, Gen Chem, Basic Bio, UL Bio, Stats

I've taken all these classes previously except the UL*

Reason: CC caps the price you pay at 12 credits, so anything additional is free. I can't take any more at the university because their schedule sucks ASS. I'm getting like 4 credits for a class with 4 hours of lecture + 4 hours of lab a week.

 

[Hau5MD]

No matter how I look at it, 26 credits of class seems like a ton. Even if you already know all the material, you shouldn't underestimate burn out. If I were you, take all the university classes and maybe several CC classes. Then finish off the rest of the CC classes the following quarter/semester.

 

[eteshoe]

If you're talking about taking all those in one semester, I'd suggest you don't (spread it over two).

 

[_atlas]

Anything over 18-19 hours seems a bit excessive and can really drain you (though you know your limit). I would suggest that you take fewer hours per semester and do well on them instead of increasing the risk of burning out at some point during the semester.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

You want to retake classes you performed poorly in, but all at once? What could possibly go wrong?

 

[MaxPlancker]

Lol sorry to say it, but tutoring other people doesn't mean that you can get A's in the classes. If you do 26 credits in your current situation, I can bet you would end up with a string of B's or even C's…

Why are you retaking the classes if you got a B-? AMCAS will count every class you take, there is no grade replacement or forgiveness.

4 hours lecture + 4 hours lab for science courses is normal…

 

[JustAPhD]

Definitely spread it over two semesters. You're setting yourself up for disaster by taking all of those at once. One additional semester and the cost to take those classes is well worth it (IMO), considering if you screw up taking 26 credits at once you will be way worse than you are now.

 

[PreMedicallyBlonde]

Lol. 26 hours of science credits in one semester. My school's average amount of hours taken is like 15. Take two semesters. Can't tell if you're trolling or not.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Swish16]

26 science credits over 2 semesters is the norm for upperclassmen in a science major...

 

[moisne]

It depends. This is kind of common sense. Most people do 16 or so. I knew someone who did 28 classes (9 classes) - she did fine 4.0 (she also took 8 AP classes in a school that offered 7 classes per semester in high school)...but if you struggled in the past... You probably shouldn't.

 

[Nerdeka]

You want to retake classes you performed poorly in, but all at once? What could possibly go wrong?

My grade deflating top school vs a ****ty 17% graduation rate school? Like I said, I've seen the tests, it's a complete joke. Like "what element is N" for lots of questions.

 

[avgn]

My grade deflating top school vs a ****ty 17% graduation rate school? Like I said, I've seen the tests, it's a complete joke. Like "what element is N" for lots of questions.

When you're tired and burned out from classes literally all day with the busy work that comes with them, you'd be surprised. You might think N stands for nickel.

I once forgot the name of a historical figure during a history midterm I took while tired. I kept referring to him as "our first President" and "the first POTUS." Was able to reference a reading we were assigned written by this person in which he argued with Jefferson over the National Bank, but I just couldn't remember. Almost wrote John Adams but turns out he wasn't our first Pres.

 

[Govols22]

My grade deflating top school vs a ****ty 17% graduation rate school? Like I said, I've seen the tests, it's a complete joke. Like "what element is N" for lots of questions.

What exactly is your science gpa?

 

[Wolfpack93]

When you're tired and burned out from classes literally all day with the busy work that comes with them, you'd be surprised. You might think N stands for nickel.

I once forgot the name of a historical figure during a history midterm I took while tired. I kept referring to him as "our first President" and "the first POTUS." Was able to reference a reading we were assigned written by this person in which he argued with Jefferson over the National Bank, but I just couldn't remember. Almost wrote John Adams but turns out he wasn't our first Pres.

Wait do you still not know...

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

My grade deflating top school vs a ****ty 17% graduation rate school? Like I said, I've seen the tests, it's a complete joke. Like "what element is N" for lots of questions.

Says the person who did poorly in the classes in the first place. Hubris isn't a desirable trait.

 

[JustAPhD]

You seem to have made up your mind before you posted this thread. I don't understand why people seek advice and then try to refute the same people they sought the advice from. Sure, taking all those credits may work out for you splendidly, or it might tank your GPA even more so. If you think the classes are a complete joke then go for it and prove us wrong; the onus is on you.

 

[avgn]

Wait do you still not know...

Of course I know. It's Alexander Hamilton

 

[Nerdeka]

Says the person who did poorly in the classes in the first place. Hubris isn't a desirable trait.

I didn't do that poorly. My B+ at my school transfers to an easy A at these ****ty school any day? Like I've said, even my classes with B-s were tougher.

 

[Nerdeka]

You seem to have made up your mind before you posted this thread. I don't understand why people seek advice and then try to refute the same people they sought the advice from. Sure, taking all those credits may work out for you splendidly, or it might tank your GPA even more so. If you think the classes are a complete joke then go for it and prove us wrong; the onus is on you.

No not really. What I'm saying is, given how easy these classes will be, is it wise to take so many? People are fighting me on how easy they will be, that is a given already. As if I haven't taken CC "science" classes already (they're a joke).

 

[Lawpy]

I didn't do that poorly. My B+ at my school transfers to an easy A at these ****ty school any day? Like I've said, even my classes with B-s were tougher.

Yeah that's not true. I get you're frustrated but making these claims isn't necessary

 

[Goro]

26? I had to have 30 Bio hrs just for my major! Throw in two years of Chem and a year of Physic and I had > 50 Science hours.

EDIT: OP, if you're talking about 26 hrs in a single semester, you're planning career suicide. What's your hurry? Med schools aren't going anywhere.

I just graduated with a ****ty science GPA. That being said, I know I will get straight As in these classes because I tutored people from these schools who ended up with As while I probably got a B- in the class.

University:
11 credits

CC:
15 or so credits

Including: Orgo, Physics, Gen Chem, Basic Bio, UL Bio, Stats

I've taken all these classes previously except the UL*

Reason: CC caps the price you pay at 12 credits, so anything additional is free. I can't take any more at the university because their schedule sucks ASS. I'm getting like 4 credits for a class with 4 hours of lecture + 4 hours of lab a week.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

I didn't do that poorly. My B+ at my school transfers to an easy A at these ****ty school any day? Like I've said, even my classes with B-s were tougher.

Are you this insufferable in person?

 

[Nerdeka]

Yeah that's not true. I get you're frustrated but making these claims isn't necessary

Ok.. Well my 5 CC classes will prove otherwise.. So will these. A school with a 17 percent graduation rate can't be tough. It just can't be. My school had a 5 year graduation rate of 99. something.

 

[Nerdeka]

26? I had to have 30 Bio hrs just for my major! Throw in two years of Chem and a year of Physic and I had > 50 Science hours.

EDIT: OP, if you're talking about 26 hrs in a single semester, you're planning career suicide. What's your hurry? Med schools aren't going anywhere.

The hurry is only wanting to take one gap year. Would it be career suicide with a 4.0 or look just as bad?

 

[Nerdeka]

Are you this insufferable in person?

No, but I may grit my teeth when my friend tells me how good her unranked school is and how her friends with 12-17 ACTs couldn't get in (duh). Speaking of which, they do get into the school I will be attending though.

 

[Goro]

26 sci credits in a single year is fine. This is your typical post-bac.

But I'm having trouble following your logic that a school with a 17% grad rate is easy. I would surmise that it's ultra difficult, and the 99% graduation rate is ultra easy (or the school is extra dedicated to its students.)

The hurry is only wanting to take one gap year. Would it be career suicide with a 4.0 or look just as bad?

 

[Lawpy]

Ok.. Well my 5 CC classes will prove otherwise.. So will these. A school with a 17 percent graduation rate can't be tough. It just can't be. My school had a 5 year graduation rate of 99. something.

1. A school with a 17% graduation rate should be suspended because their quality of education is terrible if 83% has dropped out

2. Even if somehow that school is easy, you are padding your GPA by taking/retaking easy classes. How do you think adcoms will react to such GPA padding?

 

[avgn]

I get OP. I've taken courses at a local city college before and...well yeah, it's a far cry from rigorous undergrads, that's definitely a thing. CCs come in all varieties and flavors, some very tough (those in CA come to mind), some quite basic because that's the population they are to serve. So let's not give him too much hate about the whole "I am better than them sorta thing." It's definitely true to a certain extent.

However, my whole point with the forgetting who George Washington is that even when things are easy, don't underestimate human limits, fatigue, and burnout. Having easier classes maybe justifies 21 credits, but going all out all at once seems to be a poor decision. If you low-ball it and find extra time on your hands, I'm sure there are other parts of your app that you can beef up with the free time. Or just relax. Either way, you should be on track to finish everything up within a year anyway given the rate you think you can blow through it all.

 

[MusicDOc124]

I didn't do that poorly. My B+ at my school transfers to an easy A at these ****ty school any day? Like I've said, even my classes with B-s were tougher.

No not really. What I'm saying is, given how easy these classes will be, is it wise to take so many? People are fighting me on how easy they will be, that is a given already. As if I haven't taken CC "science" classes already (they're a joke).

Ok.. Well my 5 CC classes will prove otherwise.. So will these. A school with a 17 percent graduation rate can't be tough. It just can't be. My school had a 5 year graduation rate of 99. something.

You come on here and ask for advice, people give you advice, and then you talk down on others/up on yourself. It looks like you already have your answer. Good luck with that course load because it sucks. It's doable, though difficult whether you are already familiar with the material or not.

 

[happyatethem]

Will 26 hours of science put you where you feel you will be competitive? Instead of taking retaking all your pre-reqs why not upper level science? I realize that some classes may not be offered at CC's but the BCPM category does include some pretty easy classes if you want to add science at CC level as a supplement. I've done something similar, and the coursework may not prove to be a challenge but sheer work volume and fatigue may factor in, as mentioned earlier. If you slip, it'll be bad, but if you're determined, it will be a week to week slog especially if you work as well. Just my two cents, good luck.

 

[Lawpy]

I get OP. I've taken courses at a local city college before and...well yeah, it's a far cry from rigorous undergrads, that's definitely a thing. CCs come in all varieties and flavors, some very tough (those in CA come to mind), some quite basic because that's the population they are to serve. So let's not give him too much hate about the whole "I am better than them sorta thing." It's definitely true to a certain extent.

However, my whole point with the forgetting who George Washington is that even when things are easy, don't underestimate human limits, fatigue, and burnout. Having easier classes maybe justifies 21 credits, but going all out all at once seems to be a poor decision. If you low-ball it and find extra time on your hands, I'm sure there are other parts of your app that you can beef up with the free time. Or just relax. Either way, you should be on track to finish everything up within a year anyway given the rate you think you can blow through it all.

I agree. Schools with student populations of academic means being 2200+ SAT/33+ ACT and creating a normal distribution from that will inherently be much more rigorous and difficult than schools with 1400 SAT/24 ACT average.

But OP claims "A school with a 17 percent graduation rate can't be tough." This doesn't make sense. Such a school would be sanctioned for terrible education quality if 83% has failed out.

Likewise, OP is intentionally padding her GPA by taking/retaking a lot of supposedly fluff classes. 26 credits is a lot, but if they're seemingly very easy classes taken at a dysfunctional college, there's a problem.

 

[Nerdeka]

I agree. Schools with student populations of academic means being 2200+ SAT/33+ ACT and creating a normal distribution from that will inherently be much more rigorous and difficult than schools with 1400 SAT/24 ACT average.

But OP claims "A school with a 17 percent graduation rate can't be tough." This doesn't make sense. Such a school would be sanctioned for terrible education quality if 83% has failed out.

Likewise, OP is intentionally padding her GPA by taking/retaking a lot of supposedly fluff classes. 26 credits is a lot, but if they're seemingly very easy classes taken at a dysfunctional college, there's a problem.

See this is helpful.
Where I live, we have CCs and 2 public universities. The rest are private and I will not be spending thousands more on a postbacc. The schedule of the respectable public university will not work with my work schedule which is the issue. No clue what to do.
But besides that, I'm taking Orgo, Physics, Gen Chem, and Bio I, how are those fluff? Those should be the hardest classes the school has to offer.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

I would imagine that taking a pre-req at a 4 year college and then retaking at a community college would raise some red flags.

 

[Lawpy]

See this is helpful.
Where I live, we have CCs and 2 public universities. The rest are private and I will not be spending thousands more on a postbacc. The schedule of the respectable public university will not work with my work schedule which is the issue. No clue what to do.
But besides that, I'm taking Orgo, Physics, Gen Chem, and Bio I, how are those fluff? Those should be the hardest classes the school has to offer.

You should try to take the classes in a good, cheap university if you can. A state school is fine. Sorry but i find schools with 17% graduation rate to be very shady and would not recommend taking classes there.

 

[Nerdeka]

I would imagine that taking a pre-req at a 4 year college and then retaking at a community college would raise some red flags.

Well that's only 12ish credits of retakes. I can't afford 20+ credits at a university.

 

[Nerdeka]

You should try to take the classes in a good, cheap university if you can. A state school is fine. Sorry but i find schools with 17% graduation rate to be very shady and would not recommend taking classes there.

That's interesting because I made 2+ threads on the topic and everyone kept saying all that matters is that it is a university.

 

[avgn]

Don't mess up in college, kids...or go starry-eyed for prestigious universities if you don't got the chops...

Best of luck OP. Go where you can afford it but don't overload all at once.

 

[Sardinia]

That's interesting because I made 2+ threads on the topic and everyone kept saying all that matters is that it is a university.

@Lawper is concerned about your well being as a human being.

 

[Meeehai]

Yes, 26 credits a semester is too much. The classes may be easy but you still have to invest time in doing the work and studying, especially if it's critical that you receive good grades.

 

[MareNostrummm]

You are going to burn out just from having to attend so many lectures...