Is taking 12 credits/semester looked down upon?

[reaction mechanisms]

I'm currently registered for fall semester:

Organic 2 + lab (4 credits)
Physics 1 + lab (4 credits)
Genetics + lab (4 credits)
Calculus (3 credits)

However, I'm considering going without calculus for the fall and sticking with the three sciences + labs. That would drop me from 15 to 12 credits.

Reason for considering the 12 credit route: I'm taking 11 credits this summer so I'm sure my mind, body, and spirit would appreciate the lighter load. I'll also be TAing and will continue volunteering throughout the fall.

Question: Is taking a 12 credit semester looked down upon by adcoms?



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[RYost234]

It's not looked down by adcoms enough to justify getting worse grades with additional credits.

 

[MCATISEZ]

From my experiences it's all relative. Getting all As with 15 credits is better than getting all As with 12 it seems. But... quality > quantity.


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[wysdoc]

I'm currently registered for fall semester:

Organic 2 + lab (4 credits)
Physics 1 + lab (4 credits)
Genetics + lab (4 credits)
Calculus (3 credits)

However, I'm considering going without calculus for the fall and sticking with the three sciences + labs. That would drop me from 15 to 12 credits.

Reason for considering the 12 credit route: I'm taking 11 credits this summer so I'm sure my mind, body, and spirit would appreciate the lighter load. I'll also be TAing and will continue volunteering throughout the fall.

Question: Is taking a 12 credit semester looked down upon by adcoms?



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3 solid sciences with labs - looks like a good semester to keep it light at 12 hours

 

[Geo16]

Go for 12 credits. I can't speak for what Adcoms think, but I think your 3 sciences look solid and rigorous and that 12 credit is considered full-time by my institution.
Also, is Calculus something you have to knock off? Like is it part of your major requirement? I read many posts that say Calculus is essentially not recommended if you don't have to

 

[miniman]

I will just be taking Calc this fall semester... I don't care at this point whether it is looked down upon... because I want to live my life for me and my sanity not for them and their fickle nature... sorry ADCOMs... but that's what I have to do for me.

 

[TheBiologist]

I had nearly an identical schedule to that - it was calc, genetics, physics, and a neuroscience class, and let me say that while the lectures portion was fine and I was able to pace my time to do well on tests, the labs were absolutely brutal, in fact I thought they were 10X more work than lecture. that's the only down side about taking as many science/maths are you are planning. also the homework and projects for all mathematics classes at my school is insane (I go to a top 20, not sure if that makes a difference)

If I were you I'd do 12 credits (if I could go back lol), but I'm not you so....

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I took almost the exact same class schedule last fall semester: genetics (4 credits), physics 1 + lab (5 credits), and biochemistry (3 credits). It was a lot of work and stress, and I can't imagine having taken Calc on top of that (although math is not my strong suit, to be fair). If you want to stay at 15 credits, I would recommend adding a different class that's less stressful, like something you need for your general education requirements if you still have courses left there.

 

[protego]

I would absolutely recommend 12 credit hours. I did it multiple times for varying reasons and never was questioned about it by adcoms. Take care of yourself and your GPA.

 

[Seriously Serious]

I'm currently registered for fall semester:

Organic 2 + lab (4 credits)
Physics 1 + lab (4 credits)
Genetics + lab (4 credits)
Calculus (3 credits)

However, I'm considering going without calculus for the fall and sticking with the three sciences + labs. That would drop me from 15 to 12 credits.

Reason for considering the 12 credit route: I'm taking 11 credits this summer so I'm sure my mind, body, and spirit would appreciate the lighter load. I'll also be TAing and will continue volunteering throughout the fall.

Question: Is taking a 12 credit semester looked down upon by adcoms?



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Go for 12 this semester (take calc 3 over the summer or something) -- it may be 12 hours on paper, but it will feel like 18 (depending on how your school's genetic lab curriculum is)

 

[Goro]

I'm currently registered for fall semester:

Organic 2 + lab (4 credits)
Physics 1 + lab (4 credits)
Genetics + lab (4 credits)
Calculus (3 credits)

However, I'm considering going without calculus for the fall and sticking with the three sciences + labs. That would drop me from 15 to 12 credits.

Reason for considering the 12 credit route: I'm taking 11 credits this summer so I'm sure my mind, body, and spirit would appreciate the lighter load. I'll also be TAing and will continue volunteering throughout the fall.

Question: Is taking a 12 credit semester looked down upon by adcoms?



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Every semester? Yes
One semester? No.

 

[reaction mechanisms]

Go for 12 credits. I can't speak for what Adcoms think, but I think your 3 sciences look solid and rigorous and that 12 credit is considered full-time by my institution.
Also, is Calculus something you have to knock off? Like is it part of your major requirement? I read many posts that say Calculus is essentially not recommended if you don't have to

It's part of my program. I'll be taking the somewhat easier road with Calc Life Science though but I have decided to just go with the 12 credits for fall semester and do calc some other time!


Thanks for all the feedback y'all.


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[Gauss44]

Others can comment on this, but I think there might be a danger of being judged for not knowing your own limits. So taking too many credits and not getting excellent grades, might or might not go badly. How "badly" is bad enough for that judgement, I'm not sure, but I suspect it's around a B- average.

Of course, if you can get all A's with over 12 credits, definitely do that!