Medical Is there an issue with taking multiple summer courses?

[Mr.Smile12]

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I am a 2nd semester senior, planning on taking my MCAT in May and then applying for medical school when the application opens at the end of May. I am about to begin a very busy semester and I would appreciate some non-judgmental advice. I have many obligations this semester including:

1. TA for organic chemistry lab (3-4 hours a week)
2. 2 credits of research for a professor that includes publishing my own research paper (6 hours a week)
3. Member of the gymnastics club (4 hours a week)
4. 12 credits of classes including Biochemistry
5. Volunteer EMT (4 hours minimum but I usually do 8-12 per week)
6. Studying for my MCAT

I believe that I have the ability/time to complete all of these obligations, however, I am worried that doing so much is going to take away time from my MCAT studying. Essentially, I am saying that I can theoretically do everything, but I will likely have a lower MCAT score because of it.

My solution, is to drop (NOT withdraw from) 1 class that is a general education requirement, and take a different class over the summer instead to lighten the load. I have already taken 2 summer classes so far, and I am wondering if medical schools will look down on taking 3 summer classes. My first summer class was taken because it was only offered in the summer, my second was Organic Chemistry 1 (taken at my school, NOT online). The third one will be a random writing class, taken online from my university. Will this be a problem? Will medical schools think I can't handle a tough course load?

As a second-semester senior:
1) Your first goal is to graduate. Get all your degree requirements completed.

2) You are not obligated to apply to medical school in this cycle. If you are not going to be able to put in the time and effort to gain the confidence in your MCAT score, you can always delay this. One very strong score is better than multiple scores showing an upward trend. Again, MCAT prep is NOT your highest priority. Applying to medical school is NOT your highest priority unless you already have the shadowing and clinical exposure hours and the networking with schools to have a good understanding of how strong your application is compared to others.

3) All club activity should be done with transition to graduation in mind. Reduce your involvement with TA, EMT, or gymnastics. Once you graduate, if you need to pick them back up, do that. Whatever you do, don't jeopardize your graduation or your grades.

4) Research: I guess that depends where you are in that work. Focus on your paper and transitioning your experiments to new undergrads in the lab.

As an admissions officer, I don't really care about your summer coursework but I care if those courses give me insight on your preparation for medical school when viewing them against the rest of your scheduled courses.

 

[MusicDOc124]

Essentially, I am saying that I can theoretically do everything, but I will likely have a lower MCAT score because of it.

If your MCAT will be lower, then no, you cannot theoretically do everything. Doing everything in theory would include getting a high MCAT amidst what you are doing. Are you making a career out of research? Out of being an EMT? Out of being a gymnast? Being a TA or doing grad school in organic chem where you would teach rather than TA?

If you answer to those last few rhetorical questions is no, then again, you cannot do everything. If you're going to be successful in gaining admission, and beyond that - in medical school, residency, etc, then you need to prioritize. I never recommend people stop anything they like doing (i.e. gymnastics, volunteering, etc), but there is a time to prioritize. Every MCAT attempt matters. Would putting a pause on a few of these activities for a single semester hurt you or help if it meant you got a higher MCAT and could still go back to them - no harm no foul? On the other hand, would not dropping anything and getting a low score, and not getting into medical school help or hurt you? The obvious answer to the latter is it would hurt you - and it would cost more money to retake the MCAT, reapply to med school, and a potential year of lost income.

Prioritize your time.

I have already taken 2 summer classes so far, and I am wondering if medical schools will look down on taking 3 summer classes.

No, they won't.




Good luck.