More Pre-Med Woes...

[ralphlaurenfan]

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So because I'm transferring in, I had to sign up really late for classes, and I could only sign up for 10 credits!!! This will make it the second term in a row where I've only had 10 credits. Last semester, I had 10 because I withdrew from a class, and now I'm stuck with 10 again, with the only classes I got being biology, chem, and some orientation class! Is taking 10 credits twice in a row going to look really bad to admissions? I'm getting good grades in my bio and chem classes (and my math class last semester), but will they look down upon me for not taking enough credits? I'm going to for sure take some summer classes to get me back up to speed, but what are your thoughts?

 

[Boges]

You'll be fine.

 

[rajaholick]

but you might want to consider a new screen name

 

[Chocolate Bear]

So because I'm transferring in, I had to sign up really late for classes, and I could only sign up for 10 credits!!! This will make it the second term in a row where I've only had 10 credits. Last semester, I had 10 because I withdrew from a class, and now I'm stuck with 10 again, with the only classes I got being biology, chem, and some orientation class! Is taking 10 credits twice in a row going to look really bad to admissions? I'm getting good grades in my bio and chem classes (and my math class last semester), but will they look down upon me for not taking enough credits? I'm going to for sure take some summer classes to get me back up to speed, but what are your thoughts?

I agree that you'll be just fine. 👍

but you might want to consider a new screen name

I LOL'ed.

He/she's gonna have to donate to change it... 😉

 

[beckhunter116]

Maybe with your extra free time do some extra volunteering or shadowing, so if it was ever brought up in an interview you can explain what you were doing that semester( I doubt they would mention it at all though).

 

[COMedic2Doc]

So because I'm transferring in, I had to sign up really late for classes, and I could only sign up for 10 credits!!! This will make it the second term in a row where I've only had 10 credits. Last semester, I had 10 because I withdrew from a class, and now I'm stuck with 10 again, with the only classes I got being biology, chem, and some orientation class! Is taking 10 credits twice in a row going to look really bad to admissions? I'm getting good grades in my bio and chem classes (and my math class last semester), but will they look down upon me for not taking enough credits? I'm going to for sure take some summer classes to get me back up to speed, but what are your thoughts?

You'll defintely be fine. Concentrate on gaining high marks in these classes and perhaps work on other things like shadowing or ECs.

but you might want to consider a new screen name

Love the remark about changing the Screen Name, very good and definitely LOL'd here.

 

[ralphlaurenfan]

but you might want to consider a new screen name

lol what's wrong with the screen name?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

lol what's wrong with the screen name?

rajaholick only wears Calvin Klein!

 

[Boges]

lol what's wrong with the screen name?

I think it's the fact that you're a Purple Label guy...Black Label is the way to go! 😉

 

[ralphlaurenfan]

rajaholick only wears Calvin Klein!

Hehe at least be happy that I'm not the typical college kid that thinks Abercrombie and Fitch is classy/mature. Ralph Lauren is mature, and so is Calvin Klein, so I'm still confused as to why you guys are hatin on the name lol.

I think it's the fact that you're a Purple Label guy...Black Label is the way to go! 😉

Ha, I wish I could afford Black Label (forget purple label). Right now, I can only afford blue label...on sale...at an outlet...

But anyways, any more comments about my credit situation lol? My advisor at my old school said I should be taking 17 credits a term MINIMUM!!!

 

[slim78]

Hehe at least be happy that I'm not the typical college kid that thinks Abercrombie and Fitch is classy/mature. Ralph Lauren is mature, and so is Calvin Klein, so I'm still confused as to why you guys are hatin on the name lol.



Ha, I wish I could afford Black Label (forget purple label). Right now, I can only afford blue label...on sale...at an outlet...

But anyways, any more comments about my credit situation lol? My advisor at my old school said I should be taking 17 credits a term MINIMUM!!!

I had a few semesters of only 12 credits and one of only 11. You'll be fine. I'd say try to get ~15 next time but no need to have 17.

I also worked during school so it would have been ridiculous to try to do 17 credits per semester.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

your advisor said 17 credits minimum?? wth

 

[Semicolon]

It has pretty much been established that advisors, ironically, give horrible advice.

I didn't listen to mine whatsoever and I got by. Just research your options, think it through, and you'll do fine. 👍

 

[ralphlaurenfan]

OK, one more question:

What GPA and MCAT generally gets you into basically any osteopathic school? Like for medical school, I hear a 3.7 and 30 with ECs is good enough, but what about DOs? Also, when do people typically start doing research? Right now it's hard for me to get anything because I'm a freshman, so how would you go about getting research?

 

[Semicolon]

OK, one more question:

What GPA and MCAT generally gets you into basically any osteopathic school? Like for medical school, I hear a 3.7 and 30 with ECs is good enough, but what about DOs? Also, when do people typically start doing research? Right now it's hard for me to get anything because I'm a freshman, so how would you go about getting research?

Okay, first of all, osteopathic school = medical school; they are NOT different institutions.

Second of all, you're worrying about this way too early if you're still a freshman. By the time you apply to an osteopathic medical school, chances are that the current numbers for accepted averages for MCAT and GPA will increase, probably further narrowing the gap between allopathic and osteopathic averages. Currently, having a science GPA of about 3.4+ and an MCAT of 27+ gives you a pretty good shot at most osteopathic medical schools.

 

[COMedic2Doc]

your advisor said 17 credits minimum?? wth

Wow, your advisor advised 17 credit hours? That's definitely abnormal from the advice that I typically get from my advisors. Fortunately, my advisors are both healthcare professionals (one is literally an MD, was an Opthomologist and one is a previous ER PA) so I tend to get awesome advice that matches very well with all the advice that I receive from Physicians that I hold in high regard.

 

[Semicolon]

Wow, your advisor advised 17 credit hours? That's definitely abnormal from the advice that I typically get from my advisors. Fortunately, my advisors are both healthcare professionals (one is literally an MD, was an Opthomologist and one is a previous ER PA) so I tend to get awesome advice that matches very well with all the advice that I receive from Physicians that I hold in high regard.

That's awesome! See, that's who advisors SHOULD be: people who were actually IN the healthcare field at some point. The advisors I've seen so far are just people with bachelor's degrees who have never even remotely gone through anything like this; what a shame. I actually did some sleuthing and found out that my pre-med advisor was applying for a graduate program in my college for a MS in Urban Affairs. Wth?!!

 

[COMedic2Doc]

That's awesome! See, that's who advisors SHOULD be: people who were actually IN the healthcare field at some point. The advisors I've seen so far are just people with bachelor's degrees who have never even remotely gone through anything like this; what a shame. I actually did some sleuthing and found out that my pre-med advisor was applying for a graduate program in my college for a MS in Urban Affairs. Wth?!!

Yep, they're both great guys. The MD actually encountered some medical issues that forced his retirment as Chief of Surgery, and after some time off decided that he wanted to help people find their way to Medical School. Lol, wow Urban Affairs, hmmmm....

 

[NPEMTIV]

Ha, I wish I could afford Black Label (forget purple label). Right now, I can only afford blue label...on sale...at an outlet...

But anyways, any more comments about my credit situation lol? My advisor at my old school said I should be taking 17 credits a term MINIMUM!!!

First time I realized what a different 'label' meant was at the cash register after picking a tie. I almost died.

17 credits is a typical statement because medical school is ~30 credits/semester on an undergrad scale. So showing good grades at 17 credits shows you can at least handle a decent load. That said taking fewer credits won't really matter as long as those grades are good (get the A). Another poster said to use this time to volunteer, etc...I agree. Show that you put a lot of effort into other activities of value. Don't worry about it. Pre-med advisors are paid to make you feel like an idiot...constantly. I'm pretty sure it's in their contract.

 

[WVPanther]

I'm a little bit shocked. When it comes to clothing, the only thing that matters around here is

White Coat vs. Scrubs.🙂

 

[Semicolon]

First time I realized what a different 'label' meant was at the cash register after picking a tie. I almost died.

17 credits is a typical statement because medical school is ~30 credits/semester on an undergrad scale. So showing good grades at 17 credits shows you can at least handle a decent load. That said taking fewer credits won't really matter as long as those grades are good (get the A). Another poster said to use this time to volunteer, etc...I agree. Show that you put a lot of effort into other activities of value. Don't worry about it. Pre-med advisors are paid to make you feel like an idiot...constantly. I'm pretty sure it's in their contract.

*ahem* ~30 credits/YEAR 😀

Don't scare him now.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

*ahem* ~30 credits/YEAR 😀

Don't scare him now.

Wouldn't that be nice...sigh. 😉