Low credit load

[ems34027]

Would it be okay to take 12 credits this fall in order to give me time to study for the January MCAT? I am not worried about graduating as I have 30+ credits more than I need right now so that isn't an issue. Will adcoms look down on me for taking a lighter load?

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[mitch8017]

At my school our adviser encourages us to take 12 in the spring of the year we take our MCAT, so I don't think there is any issue so long as you have taken all of the pre-req courses that will help you on the exam (biochem, physics, etc.)

 

[Azete]

Truly nobody cares how many credits you took each semester as long as it doesn't take you more than 6 years to graduate.

Honestly I wouldn't recommend taking any classes while studying for the MCAT, but that's just me. I took the entire Fall semester off before my January MCAT, and it's a big reason why I'm in medical school right now.

 

[JustAPhD]

Truly nobody cares how many credits you took each semester as long as it doesn't take you more than 6 years to graduate.

Honestly I wouldn't recommend taking any classes while studying for the MCAT, but that's just me. I took the entire Fall semester off before my January MCAT, and it's a big reason why I'm in medical school right now.

At some schools this would negatively impact any financial aid given to a student because they would no longer be classified as full time, so not practical for everyone unfortunately.

 

[Turkishking]

At some schools this would negatively impact any financial aid given to a student because they would no longer be classified as full time, so not practical for everyone unfortunately.

12 is almost full time time at every school.

 

[JustAPhD]

12 is almost full time time at every school.

Correct. However, I quoted the poster who said he took the semester off (zero credits).

 

[Azete]

At some schools this would negatively impact any financial aid given to a student because they would no longer be classified as full time, so not practical for everyone unfortunately.

Wait, what? Admittedly I'm not an expert on this subject, but while I obviously didn't receive any aid for the semester I took off, I was able to receive the same package as usual for Spring semester. I had several classmates that took semesters off for various reasons as well.

If living expenses is the issue, I worked about 35-40 hours a week while I studied. I found this to be much more feasible (and a nice break) compared to taking classes because of no study burnout.

 

[JustAPhD]

Wait, what? Admittedly I'm not an expert on this subject, but while I obviously didn't receive any aid for the semester I took off, I was able to receive the same package as usual for Spring semester. I had several classmates that took semesters off for various reasons as well.

If living expenses is the issue, I worked about 35-40 hours a week while I studied. I found this to be much more feasible (and a nice break) compared to taking classes because of no study burnout.

Hmm. It's very possible I'm remembering wrong but I think mine had the clause that I had to maintain full time status for all 8 semesters the aid was guaranteed.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[eteshoe]

Hmm. It's very possible I'm remembering wrong but I think mine had the clause that I had to maintain full time status for all 8 semesters the aid was guaranteed.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My scholarship had a similar stipulation (plus a GPA level requirement)

 

[Doctor-S]

Would it be okay to take 12 credits this fall in order to give me time to study for the January MCAT? I am not worried about graduating as I have 30+ credits more than I need right now so that isn't an issue. Will adcoms look down on me for taking a lighter load?

You're fine with 12 credits in the fall ... and adcoms will not look down on 12 credits ... no worries.

You're already ahead 30+ credits at this time - well done!

Glad to hear you're prioritizing your time (to provide sufficient time) to study for the MCAT in January.