Med Schools and Full Course Load Requirement

[The One Who Knocks]

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I have a fundamental question about course load.

Many medical schools require a full course load in order to look at your GPA for admissions, but I am having a hard time understanding what exactly a full course load is. For one, the definition of a full course load seems to vary.

For example, I am interested in applying to the Schulich School of Medicine (UWO) in a couple of years, and their GPA admissions page says:

"Applicants must meet the minimum GPA in each of the 2 best undergraduate years with a full course load of 5 full courses or equivalent with 30 credits or more, taken between September and April."

I am a Canadian currently attending Wayne State University, and WSU defines a full-course load as 15-18 credits per semester, which adds up to at least 30 credits from Sept-April. However, after completing my freshman year of study, I only took a total of 9 courses (5 first semester, 4 second semester) because I was always willing to take summer courses. This still added up to being 31 credits for my first academic year.

My question is: is it really about the NUMBER of courses you take for a full course load? Or is it more about the number of credit hours? Would 4 courses a semester not be considered a full course load despite the fact that my Fall + Winter credits adds up to being over 30?

Thank-you very much for the help! I am not sure if I should move forward with taking extra courses, or continue taking 4 courses each semester and making sure they add up to over 30 credits for the two semesters combined.

 

[Holmwood]

I have a fundamental question about course load.

Many medical schools require a full course load in order to look at your GPA for admissions, but I am having a hard time understanding what exactly a full course load is. For one, the definition of a full course load seems to vary.

For example, I am interested in applying to the Schulich School of Medicine (UWO) in a couple of years, and their GPA admissions page says:

"Applicants must meet the minimum GPA in each of the 2 best undergraduate years with a full course load of 5 full courses or equivalent with 30 credits or more, taken between September and April."

I am a Canadian currently attending Wayne State University, and WSU defines a full-course load as 15-18 credits per semester, which adds up to at least 30 credits from Sept-April. However, after completing my freshman year of study, I only took a total of 9 courses (5 first semester, 4 second semester) because I was always willing to take summer courses. This still added up to being 31 credits for my first academic year.

My question is: is it really about the NUMBER of courses you take for a full course load? Or is it more about the number of credit hours? Would 4 courses a semester not be considered a full course load despite the fact that my Fall + Winter credits adds up to being over 30?

Thank-you very much for the help! I am not sure if I should move forward with taking extra courses, or continue taking 4 courses each semester and making sure they add up to over 30 credits for the two semesters combined.

I think that's a school specific requirement. And you should probably talk to the adcom for THE MOST RELIABLE information. You know what i'm sayin'? : X

 

[AspiringERMD]

I've never even heard of that as a requirement.

 

[Holmwood]

I've never even heard of that as a requirement.

Me neither. I just replied to a similar thread and said it didn't matter.

Its definitely not a common requirement.

 

[davisfenos]

I'm in the same boat as you with UWO, almost. I'm going into my fourth year, and I only have one year with 30 credit hours (second year), although I made up my other two classes during one of my summers. I called them up a few weeks ago and explained the situation and the lady on the other end basically told me I was SOL and should just apply next year. Now, I applied anyways just in case she didn't have accurate information, but it definitely was upsetting to hear.

 

[Osteoth]

I've had two quarters where I was a part time student during my undergraduate years and Ihave had no issues thus far this cycle, 3+ interviews.