Load of classes

[prsndwg]

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Hi everyone,

I was wondering does the load or unit numbers of classes that we take play a major affect on how the dental school looks at the applicants?
I am going to be a junior and I was wondering if 12 units is enough for a semester? taking biochem, interm cell, physics and ochem lab?

Is 12-14 units enough or should i take more each semester?

Thanks in advance.

 

[toothytay]

I suppose it's up to you, but I was in a similar situation last year so I tacked on Anthro 110. It was ridiculously easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, if that gets brought up in an interview, I do have a good reason 🙂 It's a prereq to an upper level anthro class I'm interested in that will benefit me for dental school.

 

[prsndwg]

I suppose it's up to you, but I was in a similar situation last year so I tacked on Anthro 110. It was ridiculously easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, if that gets brought up in an interview, I do have a good reason 🙂 It's a prereq to an upper level anthro class I'm interested in that will benefit me for dental school.

Sounds smart, what do you think about the load of the classes that I mentioned taking this fall, biochem, interm cell bio, physics, lab, and ochem lab? I have too many lower division courses and no more units left to take them!

 

[coolrunner]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering does the load or unit numbers of classes that we take play a major affect on how the dental school looks at the applicants?
I am going to be a junior and I was wondering if 12 units is enough for a semester? taking biochem, interm cell, physics and ochem lab?

Is 12-14 units enough or should i take more each semester?

Thanks in advance.

U need to take at least 14-16 credits, ive been told that over and over bby some reputable sources.

 

[MowgliR]

what if you are on a couple Varsity sports at your college?

 

[Vicviper]

12 units is plenty, it is by definition a full time load. Don't take extra units just for the sake of taking extra units. I've heard this time and time again from "reputable sources." The problem with taking 12 units every semester is that sometimes you won't have enough classes to graduate, but I've only taken 11/12 units for the past year because I was more or less done with my degree requirements already, and it was no problem at all, never got asked about it once at any of my interviews.

Your schedule also looks like you're taking some rigorous classes, so you don't want to push it too much, especially with biochem, you want to do the best you can in that class. Especially if you're playing sports as well (which are awesome EC's and are GREAT to talk about at interviews) don't push it, it is by far better to have a better GPA than to have a higher unit count.

So again, don't stress, and good luck!

 

[prsndwg]

12 units is plenty, it is by definition a full time load. Don't take extra units just for the sake of taking extra units. I've heard this time and time again from "reputable sources." The problem with taking 12 units every semester is that sometimes you won't have enough classes to graduate, but I've only taken 11/12 units for the past year because I was more or less done with my degree requirements already, and it was no problem at all, never got asked about it once at any of my interviews.

Your schedule also looks like you're taking some rigorous classes, so you don't want to push it too much, especially with biochem, you want to do the best you can in that class. Especially if you're playing sports as well (which are awesome EC's and are GREAT to talk about at interviews) don't push it, it is by far better to have a better GPA than to have a higher unit count.

So again, don't stress, and good luck!

Thanks.. I am pretty much over unit-ed for lower division courses and I ll be done with uppers taking 2-3 science classes by semester. It usually adds up to 10-11 units/ semster and I add a 1 unit PE to workout and make it 12. This helps me get stress-free. I do have 9 units worth of upperdivision GE left so one per semester will be good too.

Thanks again

 

[Doc Smile]

Isnt that kinda really light load? 12 credits. . . What is your degree in? Are you going to graduate on time (4 years)? The only legit reason I can see someone taking such a minimal course load is time consuming outside commitments. . . work/sport/family. Dental schools want to ensure that you can handle the load of classes during dental school. If you are getting A+ in all your classes and only credits would also be an legitimizing reason. However, if you are getting anything lower . . .

Of course, I am a bit biased because I have worked my ass off to graduate in 3 years = 20 credit semesters and 15 credit summers.

My two cents. Ultimatly, take the courses and the course load that you feel most comfortable with. The clases you ar taking are uber important. Have you taken a psych class? they are easy and fun. Or sculpture/ jewelery making. Both will add credits and are resumer builders without a huge outside time commitment.

 

[prsndwg]

Isnt that kinda really light load? 12 credits. . . What is your degree in? Are you going to graduate on time (4 years)? The only legit reason I can see someone taking such a minimal course load is time consuming outside commitments. . . work/sport/family. Dental schools want to ensure that you can handle the load of classes during dental school. If you are getting A+ in all your classes and only credits would also be an legitimizing reason. However, if you are getting anything lower . . .

Of course, I am a bit biased because I have worked my ass off to graduate in 3 years = 20 credit semesters and 15 credit summers.

My two cents. Ultimatly, take the courses and the course load that you feel most comfortable with. The clases you ar taking are uber important. Have you taken a psych class? they are easy and fun. Or sculpture/ jewelery making. Both will add credits and are resumer builders without a huge outside time commitment.

Thanks for your resposne. I took 3 yrs at JC and just transferring to a 4 yr. So it it ll take ma a total of 5 yrs. Taking that many units will make me waay over unit. I have already passed 90 and I understand that 4yr and dental schools will look at 70 of them only.
I have taken psych and anyother lower division courses that you might think of.. Never thought about fun classes here at 4yr.. which I should def consider..
So, would you say 2-3 science classes per semester and a GE or two will be enough? giving me about 13-15units!

I will have enough unit to graduate without summer school and I also work on the weekends.

Thanks again

 

[Vicviper]

Haha, I was in your same boat too, 3 years at the CC and then Transfered to the UC. That's why our class loads are so small, because there isn't much left to take. Like I said before, 12 units is the definition of full time, and that's just how it worked out for me most quarters, three 4 unit science classes, and you really don't want to do more than that in real classes. Now, if you want to you can take easy units, that's no problem at all. PE, Art, Music, you should definetly do things you enjoy!

 

[MasterDebater]

I advise you guys not to overload ya'selves with the credits. I was taking 21 last sem. as a Bio Sciences major and did horrible, but that's prob. because I hated what I did and put everything off 'til the last minute. Go easy on yourselves, take a normal load of like 12-16 or so and not more. Try not to over do it or think you can fit much more than that into a semester -- learn from others' mistakes by not repeating mine.

 

[toothytay]

Yeah! The classes you are taking for those 10-11 credits are no walk in the park. But like everyone else has been saying...whether for credits, your own benefit, or resume...I'd look for something fun.

For example...I was running at 12 last semester, asked around, and found out about an easy 400 level health class that was about dying and what not. It was actually pretty cool cause we got to see an autopsy and go on multiple field trips to a cemetery, a mortuary, a crematorium, and had multiple guest speakers on organ donation...oh, and a cop came and showed us all kinds of homicide pictures. I liked it because it didn't seem like going to class...yes, a little morbid...but easy A!

 

[Doc Smile]

I advise you guys not to overload ya'selves with the credits. I was taking 21 last sem. as a Bio Sciences major and did horrible, but that's prob. because I hated what I did and put everything off 'til the last minute. Go easy on yourselves, take a normal load of like 12-16 or so and not more. Try not to over do it or think you can fit much more than that into a semester -- learn from others' mistakes by not repeating mine.

I dont think your mistake was the 21 credits. I think your mistake was poor time management. I took 21 credits last semester (Comperative vert anatomy w/ lab (4 cr), Orgo II w/ lab (4 cr), Quantitative chemical analysis w/ lab (4cr), genetics w/ lab (4cr), and 2 humanities, both honors (3 cr each). I did fine= 3.8 semester, lowest so far. I did all this while historian for premed club, bylaws chair for my fraternity (sigma chi btw 🙂), an RA for my hall, and gen chem tutor. Its all about time management and prioritizing. Dont discourage people not to take a full class load because you didnt handle it so hot. I am sure there are a lot of people (and probly and equal amount on the other side) who take a large credit semester and do well.

Do it for a semster, if you cant handle it, dont do it again. But be aware that dental school will mimick a schedule of about 20 - 22 credits, all sciences. The best way to learn is form your own personal mistakes.

 

[Vicviper]

I dont think your mistake was the 21 credits. I think your mistake was poor time management. I took 21 credits last semester (Comperative vert anatomy w/ lab (4 cr), Orgo II w/ lab (4 cr), Quantitative chemical analysis w/ lab (4cr), genetics w/ lab (4cr), and 2 humanities, both honors (3 cr each). I did fine= 3.8 semester, lowest so far. I did all this while historian for premed club, bylaws chair for my fraternity (sigma chi btw 🙂), an RA for my hall, and gen chem tutor. Its all about time management and prioritizing. Dont discourage people not to take a full class load because you didnt handle it so hot. I am sure there are a lot of people (and probly and equal amount on the other side) who take a large credit semester and do well.

Do it for a semster, if you cant handle it, dont do it again. But be aware that dental school will mimick a schedule of about 20 - 22 credits, all sciences. The best way to learn is form your own personal mistakes.

Haha, well I tip my hat to you sir, but not everyone has your ability. Taking 21 units and then screwing up in everything because of the class overload can leave a permanent scar on your records, which can be nearly impossible to recover from. There's a reason that you have to get special permission to take more than 19 units at most schools. There's really no reason to need to take more than 16 units if you're going at a normal pace, unless you're taking for fun classes that are worth a large number of units.

If you can, more power to you, but it's really not recommended. And although I've yet to start dental school yet until the fall, I've heard that often the crazy unit amounts are from labs which are worth 6-8 units. It's really the difficulty of the classes, and I'm certain anatomy and biochem in DS will be very difficult, as will the first two years of DS be more difficult than any year of my undergrad, but it's not the amount of units that count.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

I advise you guys not to overload ya'selves with the credits. I was taking 21 last sem. as a Bio Sciences major and did horrible, but that's prob. because I hated what I did and put everything off 'til the last minute. Go easy on yourselves, take a normal load of like 12-16 or so and not more. Try not to over do it or think you can fit much more than that into a semester -- learn from others' mistakes by not repeating mine.

I do realize one's fear of taking too many credits in a semester, but if you cannot handle 16 or more you really don't belong in d-school. Now, you need to do what is best for you and what gives you the best chances of getting into dental school. If taking 12 courses gives you the best chance, then take the 12. But if you can handle more courses and still maintain the same grades, then take more even if the courses do not directly apply to your degree. Take a course or two for the fun of it - like a business course, foreign language, psychology course, etc. That will show you have other interests and didn't take the easy way out for the semester.

(I am not directing this just to the OP - I am directing this to all who read this who will be applying to d-school) In the end, it comes down to doing what is right for YOU - not what is right for others. But if it comes down to taking a light load because you cannot handle a larger load, then seriously rethink your career choice. If cannot handle 22-25 credits of science courses per semester, you will be screwed if you get into d-school!

 

[prsndwg]

I def agree with NAVY in regards to large load of the units and how all of us will go through it when we get to the dental schools.. But as of now as Navy said.. we should challange ourselfs slowly.. i say try to take a bite little larger than your mouth and try to make your mouth be able to grab larger ones everytime 😛

i heard that the 1st year we are taking 15 science classes as d-school.. i am not exactly sure of the number .. but some dentist told me that..

the idea of fun classes to get the units up there is very important too.. but i believe the goal is to get in there 1st and you will have to adjust there.. probably painfully..

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

I def agree with NAVY in regards to large load of the units and how all of us will go through it when we get to the dental schools.. But as of now as Navy said.. we should challange ourselfs slowly.. i say try to take a bite little larger than your mouth and try to make your mouth be able to grab larger ones everytime 😛

i heard that the 1st year we are taking 15 science classes as d-school.. i am not exactly sure of the number .. but some dentist told me that..

the idea of fun classes to get the units up there is very important too.. but i believe the goal is to get in there 1st and you will have to adjust there.. probably painfully..

I didn't say adjust slowly. I basically said do what is right for you. I fyou can handle more, then do it. If you cannot, then take less. Ultimately, you need to do what is right for you to get ni, but then realize that you are in for a major world of hurt if you cannto handle large loads. As far as adjusting slowly, that is all up to each individual. I usually took 16-19 credits per semester, with 2 semesters above 20. I fiinished my undergrad with 181 credits in 5 years because I was waiting to apply to med school with my fiance. Look at me now - not with her and not in med school - THANK GOD!!!!!!!

Yes, idea is to get into d-school first, but then you also have to be able to handle the course load. So, you cannot just take easy loads and expect to be able to handle d-school. You need to test yourself first to find out if d-school is for you. Some people just cannot handle the load.