Is there a required number of credits I need to take every semester?

[PreMedStudent92]

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I am a freshman at University of Maryland. I've been to pre-medical advising and they told me that the general rule for the pre-med track is to take 15 or more credits per semester. I am currently a double major in biology and psychology. I will be taking 14 credits per semester and will graduate with 150 credits total, a dual degree (120 credits for a degree, 150 credits for two degrees). So whether I take 14 credits or 17 credits, I will be graduating with a dual degree, nevertheless.

If I decide to use this "15-credit rule" proposed by my advisor, it means I would be taking 17 credits every semester. I am taking 17 credits right now, but it is extremely hard because I have a research position (10 hours a week) and I will be working at a hospital as a scribe next semesters to come (16-20 hours a week). I know that 17 credits is very manageable, but I don't know if they will be with these obligations.

So my question is this: taking my situation into account, is 17 credits really all that worth it and required for medical school? Or can I get away with 14 credits per semester (and 150 credits total + dual degree)?

A side question: would dual degree help me?

 

[EBTrailRunner]

I am a freshman at University of Maryland. I've been to pre-medical advising and they told me that the general rule for the pre-med track is to take 15 or more credits per semester. I am currently a double major in biology and psychology. I will be taking 14 credits per semester and will graduate with 150 credits total, a dual degree (120 credits for a degree, 150 credits for two degrees). So whether I take 14 credits or 17 credits, I will be graduating with a dual degree, nevertheless.

If I decide to use this "15-credit rule" proposed by my advisor, it means I would be taking 17 credits every semester. I am taking 17 credits right now, but it is extremely hard because I have a research position (10 hours a week) and I will be working at a hospital as a scribe next semesters to come (16-20 hours a week). I know that 17 credits is very manageable, but I don't know if they will be with these obligations.

So my question is this: taking my situation into account, is 17 credits really all that worth it and required for medical school? Or can I get away with 14 credits per semester (and 150 credits total + dual degree)?

A side question: would dual degree help me?

Yes, you can get away with 14 credits per semester. You're still considered a full-time student and medical schools only require a minimum of 90 credits total to matriculate. And no, a dual degree won't help you.

 

[Catalystik]

Yes, you can get away with 14 credits per semester.
And no, a dual degree won't help you.

Agreed. Adcomms will look at the total load you carry, not just the academic load. Besides your clinical employment and research activity, eventually you'll be adding physician shadowing, nonmedical community service, and maybe leadership and/or teaching, besides your usual hobbies, sports, and artistic endeavors. All these things will have a place on your application.