Light Courseload = BAD?

[theslowclap]

I am currently a freshman and I am thinking about how heavy my course load should be for sophomore year. I plan to take Ochem, Physics, and maybe 1 or 2 humanities. Some people tell me that it is better to take a heavy course load to show med schools I can handle it. Other people tell me it doesn't matter. What's the right answer? It would definitely take some weight off my back if I could just concentrate on Ochem and Physics.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[notdeadyet]

A heavy course load will look better if you can indeed handle it. If you're not pretty confident you can get all A's in you prereqs with a heavy load, I'd lighten it. A 4.0 with a light load looks better than a 3.5 with a few more units.

I took Bio/OChem/Physics all with labs, which equaled about 15 units, in addition to doing quite a bit of volunteering and a little bit of work, and it was a struggle. That's just for me personally. There's no crime in hedging your bets.

 

[WinneDaFoo]

dont look at ure classes unless there is a reason too. that said- if u have a 4.0-nobody will care. i took 25%p/np, and took 2 classes a quarter some times, so take that for what its worth.

 

[Neuronix]

It would definitely take some weight off my back if I could just concentrate on Ochem and Physics.

That's what I did. I think I turned out ok. The overworked, busy adcoms don't go through your AMCAS trying to figure out just how many credits per semester you worked and how difficult your schedule was compared to the next guy. They don't have that kind of time to figure out just which courses at which schools are harder and all the other crap that alot of undergrads seems to think people care about. Keep your GPA as close to a 4.0 as possible and still graduate in 4 years. If you take like 6 years to graduate, someone might notice.

Otherwise, high GPA + extracirriculars + free time = success. Don't kill yourself because someone who doesn't know what they're talking about convinces you otherwise.

 

[senseigmg]

I wish somebody had told me when I was a freshman, that loading up on classes doesn't count the same for medical school as it does when applying for college. Take a normal courseload balanced with hard and easier classes. Rock your science classes.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

Somebody who takes 12 hours/semester and keeps a 4.0 is going to get a spot over somebody who takes 19 hours with a 3.2 every day of the week (all other things being equal).

 

[etsuprinthead]

i took my "lowest" course load my junior year when i took organic -- i think i was at 16 hours both semesters (orgo + non-calc physics + 1 upper-level biology + 1 humanities), and i can't imagine taking any more than that with organic. this term is my last and i'm taking 22, and it's killing me. i hate my life sometimes right now. don't overload yourself because, if you're like me, it'll do bad things to your GPA. plus, you want to enjoy your freedom a LITTLE before medical school.

 

[chaldobruin]

I am currently a freshman and I am thinking about how heavy my course load should be for sophomore year. I plan to take Ochem, Physics, and maybe 1 or 2 humanities. Some people tell me that it is better to take a heavy course load to show med schools I can handle it. Other people tell me it doesn't matter. What's the right answer? It would definitely take some weight off my back if I could just concentrate on Ochem and Physics.

It doesn't really matter at all, trust me, I went to a school with a quarter system, and I took 3 classes almost every quarter with a few exceptions. I did fine this cycle, and no one brought it up, I've never heard of anyone whose had it brought up on their app. But I'm assuming that you'll do that while being involved in some EC's as well. Take 3 classes, but volunteer/tutor/do research/ do whatever you like to do.

 

[bbabul01]

i took my "lowest" course load my junior year when i took organic --

Ditto. I took Orgo, Physics and one other class so that I could do my MCATs. My MCAT went great, and so did my classes. And nobody was the wiser. I echo the sentiments mentioned above.

 

[45408]

Med schools aren't impressed by how many credits you can take at once.

 

[kerplunk112]

agree with prowler...take as much as you can handle dont let a heavy load be the reason you didint excel..that said...2 science classes and 1(or even 2) humanities isnt a heavy load. i took 7 classes one sem...4 upper div bio..maybe my undergrad is just easier.

 

[kerplunk112]

btw i got the lowester gpa of my collegiate career the semester i took the mcat...so take the hard ones while you can and try to have a light mcat semester..if possible

 

[gary5]

I always took 15 hours per semester. That worked well for me.

 

[szhao]

lol i certainly hope my 12 credit joke of a course load doesn't hurt my chances haha, but whatever, i don't care, wanted a break second semester senior year. i mean if ur doing something with ur time, and it is not a waste of time like WoW, then i think u will be fine, at least that is what i tell myself

 

[Tired Pigeon]

Somebody who takes 12 hours/semester and keeps a 4.0 is going to get a spot over somebody who takes 19 hours with a 3.2 every day of the week (all other things being equal).

True.