Is courseload a factor when med schools review your apps?

[floatingribs]

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Given you come in with a strong gpa, but while maintaining 19+ credits doing it.

Not sure if it would be irrelevant or if it's like how summer classes and cc classes are viewed at a different level sometimes.

 

[Goro]

A single semester like that won't register. Four years of it will.

We're more on the alert for multiple light semesters.

Given you come in with a strong gpa, but while maintaining 19+ credits doing it.

Not sure if it would be irrelevant or if it's like how summer classes and cc classes are viewed at a different level sometimes.

 

[marcelo12]

A single semester like that won't register. Four years of it will.

We're more on the alert for multiple light semesters.

I had two "light" semesters and I got asked about that during one of my interviews. I just explained how I had to work insane hours that year in order to pay bills and save enough money to achieve my traveling goals. I ended up bonding with my interviewer over life experiences and I got accepted to that school. I really didn't expect to be asked about it but having a logical explanation is always good.

 

[Xanatos24]

I'm wondering what admissions staff thinks constitutes a "light" course load. For example, my current four year plan has me graduating in four years with 13/14 credits a semester, 13 is full time. Would this be looked down upon?


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[tantacles]

I'm wondering what admissions staff thinks constitutes a "light" course load. For example, my current four year plan has me graduating in four years with 13/14 credits a semester, 13 is full time. Would this be looked down upon?


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If 13 is full time, it's not light.


Large dogs

 

[hiddencurriculum]

Here's to hoping 3 years of 18+ credits + summer classes will help a pre-med out

 

[TimeforChange]

A single semester like that won't register. Four years of it will.

We're more on the alert for multiple light semesters.

Whats considered a light load?

 

[MareNostrummm]

I had two "light" semesters and I got asked about that during one of my interviews. I just explained how I had to work insane hours that year in order to pay bills and save enough money to achieve my traveling goals. I ended up bonding with my interviewer over life experiences and I got accepted to that school. I really didn't expect to be asked about it but having a logical explanation is always good.

What were your "light semesters", less than 12 units?

 

[mistafab]

I brought up some particularly heavy semesters in a row during my interview. I got accepted at the schools I talked about this. I used it as evidence that I could take on med school and succeed since I've proven I can work hard and manage my time while doing lots of extracurriculars.

 

[pseud0]

If you're taking a full-time student's courseload and graduate on time I can't see how they can take issue... I never understood those people that took like 6 classes a semester during undergrad. Enjoy your life lol

 

[MareNostrummm]

If you're taking a full-time student's courseload and graduate on time I can't see how they can take issue... I never understood those people that took like 6 classes a semester during undergrad. Enjoy your life lol

There's still a big difference between someone taking 12 units (minimum to be considered full time) every quarter and 16-18 every quarter though. But yeah 6+ classes (20+ units) is ridiculous.

 

[Goro]

13 hrs

Whats considered a light load?

 

[begoood95]

There's still a big difference between someone taking 12 units (minimum to be considered full time) every quarter and 16-18 every quarter though. But yeah 6+ classes (20+ units) is ridiculous.

Hey my course load for the past 5 semesters have been 21, 24, 20, 21, 22 and those semesters were the first in which I got a 4.0... it's doable! And I maintained a social life; it's all about time management.

I figured taking a high course-load like that would prepare me for the rigor of medical school. It also helps that I really enjoy all my classes--if I didn't I'd agree with those who say it's ridiculous, because it would be torture.

 

[MareNostrummm]

Hey my course load for the past 5 semesters have been 21, 24, 20, 21, 22 and those semesters were the first in which I got a 4.0... it's doable! And I maintained a social life; it's all about time management.

I figured taking a high course-load like that would prepare me for the rigor of medical school. It also helps that I really enjoy all my classes--if I didn't I'd agree with those who say it's ridiculous, because it would be torture.

Did you have time for work, research, etc and other ECs as well?

 

[begoood95]

Did you have time for work, research, etc and other ECs as well?

Hahaha you bet! Volunteered regularly as a STEM tutor, at a hospice and cancer center; have practiced/taught taekwondo for >15 years with accomplishments to show; 1st author pub pending with revisions; and various meaningful leadership positions.

I had a social life, but of course some sacrifices had to be made--but that's expected. I simply loved what I did, so it made it easier. If you met me in person, you would never guess any of these "gunner-esque" qualities.

It is really, really a matter of prioritizing your time and managing it well, and of me enjoying doing all these things.

Edit: also worked in an ophthalmologists office for 2 years, but I did actually stop that because it was too much.

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[MareNostrummm]

Hahaha you bet! Volunteered regularly as a STEM tutor, at a hospice and cancer center; have practiced/taught taekwondo for >15 years with accomplishments to show; 1st author pub pending with revisions; and various meaningful leadership positions.

I had a social life, but of course some sacrifices had to be made--but that's expected. I simply loved what I did, so it made it easier. If you met me in person, you would never guess any of these "gunner-esque" qualities.

It is really, really a matter of prioritizing your time and managing it well, and of me enjoying doing all these things.

Edit: also worked in an ophthalmologists office for 2 years, but I did actually stop that because it was too much.

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Nice, seemed like you had everything covered!

 

[begoood95]

Nice, seemed like you had everything covered!

It was definitely a learned process, and it wasn't easy, but yeah I don't regret a second of it!

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[marcelo12]

What were your "light semesters", less than 12 units?

Both were 12 credit hours if I recall, but one of them consisted of super easy classes.

Edit: but I still volunteered a TON, shadowed and worked towards ECs regardless of credit hours.

 

[flapjack3d]

It is a factor. A huge factor? No.

 

[floatingribs]

If you're taking a full-time student's courseload and graduate on time I can't see how they can take issue... I never understood those people that took like 6 classes a semester during undergrad. Enjoy your life lol

I actually found it weird to not be taking 6 classes, as that was my credit load my first semester (18) and since then I've been at 19, 21, and 20 (22 & 24 next year, but the semester of my MCATS, I'm looking at 14), until I figured out other students were taking 14 with their harder sciences (I was under the assumption that pre meds always took full course loads). I thought maybe it'd give me leverage (given my gpa is pretty swell), since it's not as common as I originally assumed. Also I managed to work 20 hours a week and do about 10 hours per week of either internships/research/volunteering, and still manage to waste an absurd amount of time.

 

[MareNostrummm]

I actually found it weird to not be taking 6 classes, as that was my credit load my first semester (18) and since then I've been at 19, 21, and 20 (22 & 24 next year, but the semester of my MCATS, I'm looking at 14), until I figured out other students were taking 14 with their harder sciences (I was under the assumption that pre meds always took full course loads). I thought maybe it'd give me leverage (given my gpa is pretty swell), since it's not as common as I originally assumed. Also I managed to work 20 hours a week and do about 10 hours per week of either internships/research/volunteering, and still manage to waste an absurd amount of time.

Depends on the amount of science classes... usually people cannot handle more than 3 and still guarantee all A's. Stacking on fluff/easy classes after that isn't that big of a deal but can still take time away from the science work.

I couldn't even imagine having 6 classes at once during finals week, especially if all the finals are cumulative.

 

[pseud0]

Full time is either 3 or 4 courses at my undergrad (cant remember) 4 or 5 is maximum allowed without notes and stuff to overload

 

[WhittyPsyche]

I had two years of 19-21 credit/ semester. They weren't asked about in an isolated way, more of a comments/questions about my organizational and balancing skills.


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[HarryPotterLostInNarnia]

I also had a year when I was taking like 20 credits all science, and some interviewers commented on my heavy courseload in a positive way. The key here is that I got good grades in that year too

 

[Geo16]

13 hrs

Woah, I barely passed!
Next Fall, I'm taking Ochem1, Bio1,Phys 1 and these will be 14 credits. Thought just taking 3 per semester would be considered light... so I wanted to throw in Sociology or Ethnic studies (cuz I love them lol).
Thanks so much Goro!

 

[bears1992]

13 hrs

Is courseload a factor when the applicant has held a full time job throughout undergrad? Say an applicant has taken 9 credits each semester while working a 40 hour desk job, does the part time courseload go against the applicant?

 

[cactusman]

I'm wondering what admissions staff thinks constitutes a "light" course load. For example, my current four year plan has me graduating in four years with 13/14 credits a semester, 13 is full time. Would this be looked down upon?


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How are you able to graduate on time with 13 credits per semester? At my school 12 is technically full-time but you need 128 credits to graduate.

 

[Goro]

While working full time is admirable while going to school, med school is also a full time job, and this type of person might shooting themselves in the foot by not showing that they can handle a full courses. Work =/= full course load.

Is courseload a factor when the applicant has held a full time job throughout undergrad? Say an applicant has taken 9 credits each semester while working a 40 hour desk job, does the part time courseload go against the applicant?

 

[bears1992]

While working full time is admirable while going to school, med school is also a full time job, and this type of person might shooting themselves in the foot by not showing that they can handle a full courses. Work =/= full course load.

This person is me 🙁

 

[Turkishking]

While working full time is admirable while going to school, med school is also a full time job, and this type of person might shooting themselves in the foot by not showing that they can handle a full courses. Work =/= full course load.

But what if the applicant has a 3.9x taking 13 credits, and someone else has a 3.6 taking 15-18 credits?

 

[Lardy Boy]

I'm starting to worry... I graduated in 3.25 years with an average of 14 units a quarter, but multiple quarters with only 12 units.


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[Lawpy]

While working full time is admirable while going to school, med school is also a full time job, and this type of person might shooting themselves in the foot by not showing that they can handle a full courses. Work =/= full course load.

Confused. Does light courseload (e.g. only 12 credits every semester) matter if the cGPA and sGPA are solid (say 3.9+)? What about when coupled with a strong MCAT (say 516+)?

From what I've been reading, it's actually better to take a light courseload, do well in classes, excel the MCAT, and use the extra time to strengthen ECs. Would light courseload be detrimental?

 

[kb1900]

Confused. Does light courseload (e.g. only 12 credits every semester) matter if the cGPA and sGPA are solid (say 3.9+)? What about when coupled with a strong MCAT (say 516+)?

From what I've been reading, it's actually better to take a light courseload, do well in classes, excel the MCAT, and use the extra time to strengthen ECs. Would light courseload be detrimental?

Had a 3.8 and 519. Had 4 semesters with 13 credits, one with 21, one with 19.

Didn't get a single question about it. 8II out of less than 20 schools

It's probably a non factor if it's clear you have other stuff taking up your time (e.g working )