Non-trad Course/Workload Query

[aceegreene]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

So I’m planning on taking Bio 1 and Chem 1 next semester along with another 4 credit elective for my post bacc i.e. 3 courses and 12 credits. Previously I’ve taken 12 credits in the Spring and a summer course.

My projected weekly time commitment including two volunteer gigs is 28 hours (including labs, sections, commute etc.) This does not include assignments, problem sets, class prep/readings etc. which I imagine would take the weekly time commitment to 36-40 hours just for courses and ECs.

Considering it’s going to be my first semester of science classes, I am debating whether to start a part-time job or not. The reasoning for wanting to start one is that the general idea I’ve gotten from SDN is that consistent 12 credit semesters look bad on med school apps and adding a job will make it look like I was not taking the easy way out. However, I’m fearful of starting a job because I feel I already have quite a load next semester and since it’s my first semester of science courses I don’t want to be figuring out a new job and a new study pattern, which may negatively impact my grades (my biggest concern).

Given this background, should I start a part-time job next semester or could I wait it out for one more semester and begin working in the spring?

TIA!

 

[ihoop24]

Grades >>> job. As long as you're full-time, you're fine.

 

[aceegreene]

Grades >>> job. As long as you're full-time, you're fine.

Thank you for your response. Completely agreed. And I get how that applies to undergrads. But what I’m asking is that as a non-trad since I’ll be consistently taking 12 credits, will not having a job be seen as copping out by taking a lighter course load?

would also like to hear from the adcoms @LizzyM @Moko @gonnif @Goro @Catalystik

 

[Moko]

Thank you for your response. Completely agreed. And I get how that applies to undergrads. But what I’m asking is that as a non-trad since I’ll be consistently taking 12 credits, will not having a job be seen as copping out by taking a lighter course load?

would also like to hear from the adcoms @LizzyM @Moko @gonnif @Goro @Catalystik

Your #1 priority should be your grades. Since you are just starting out, go slow and get acclimated to your science classes. As you become comfortable with these courses, then consider adding on other commitments. As a general rule, extracurricular activities should never be pursued at the expense of your academic performance. A dearth of extracurricular activities is easily correctable. A year of poor grades... not so much.

Many post-bac students do not work while pursuing their studies. What we want to see is that students have spent their time well. As long as your time outside of classes is well-accounted for (e.g. some combination of volunteering, research, employment, etc.), you should not be faulted. Just my thoughts.

 

[aubreyg25]

Hi everyone,

So I’m planning on taking Bio 1 and Chem 1 next semester along with another 4 credit elective for my post bacc i.e. 3 courses and 12 credits. Previously I’ve taken 12 credits in the Spring and a summer course.

My projected weekly time commitment including two volunteer gigs is 28 hours (including labs, sections, commute etc.) This does not include assignments, problem sets, class prep/readings etc. which I imagine would take the weekly time commitment to 36-40 hours just for courses and ECs.

Considering it’s going to be my first semester of science classes, I am debating whether to start a part-time job or not. The reasoning for wanting to start one is that the general idea I’ve gotten from SDN is that consistent 12 credit semesters look bad on med school apps and adding a job will make it look like I was not taking the easy way out. However, I’m fearful of starting a job because I feel I already have quite a load next semester and since it’s my first semester of science courses I don’t want to be figuring out a new job and a new study pattern, which may negatively impact my grades (my biggest concern).

Given this background, should I start a part-time job next semester or could I wait it out for one more semester and begin working in the spring?

TIA!

I think for your first semester not working will be fine. You do not want to overload yourself. Also for future advice never take more than 2 science classes that have a cocurrent lab with them. Lab classes are a essentially a whole class of their own. No need to rush this journey. If you don't have to work don't. There are plenty of other meaningful ways to gain experience than working.

 

[Goro]

Your #1 priority should be your grades. Since you are just starting out, go slow and get acclimated to your science classes. As you become comfortable with these courses, then consider adding on other commitments. As a general rule, extracurricular activities should never be pursued at the expense of your academic performance. A dearth of extracurricular activities is easily correctable. A year of poor grades... not so much.

Many post-bac students do not work while pursuing their studies. What we want to see is that students have spent their time well. As long as your time outside of classes is well-accounted for (e.g. some combination of volunteering, research, employment, etc.), you should not be faulted. Just my thoughts.

The wise Moko is spot on, as usual.

 

[Goro]

I often find that nontrads, Who decide on medical school, suddenly believe because they are older, that they have to do everything NOW. Jumping in with both feet with an overloaded semester is one of the most common and worst mistakes a nontrad can make. The purpose of prerequisites And all of college courses It’s primarily to show that you have the underlying skill set to be a good student: time management, studying, exam taking, And the discipline to show You can be successful in medical school.

Any student going back to school needs at least a term or two to make sure they have the skill sets. It’s much better to take a lighter term and get those skills down before you drown yourself. However I will say that you do need to carry at least a year of a full course load at sometime unless you have past evidence to show you can be successful that kind of workload. Please note prepping for the MCAT would not be considered doing something useful with your time to admissions. All applicants need to do that. And as a nontrad MCAT really carries a lot of weight

Indeed. OP, you're in a marathon now, not a sprint.

 

[plutonic8]

I often find that nontrads, Who decide on medical school, suddenly believe because they are older, that they have to do everything NOW. Jumping in with both feet with an overloaded semester is one of the most common and worst mistakes a nontrad can make. The purpose of prerequisites And all of college courses It’s primarily to show that you have the underlying skill set to be a good student: time management, studying, exam taking, And the discipline to show You can be successful in medical school.

Any student going back to school needs at least a term or two to make sure they have the skill sets. It’s much better to take a lighter term and get those skills down before you drown yourself. However I will say that you do need to carry at least a year of a full course load at sometime unless you have past evidence to show you can be successful that kind of workload. Please note prepping for the MCAT would not be considered doing something useful with your time to admissions. All applicants need to do that. And as a nontrad MCATreally carries a lot of weight

Hi gonnif, I was looking through your answers and saw this comment very similar to the situation I currently face. I have finished a year of full course load gen chem, gen bio, physics, and all their associated labs. Now this fall I am going to be taking ochem1, genetics, and some research which totals 12 credits (on the quarter system). My question is will 12 credits look lazy while working part time as CNA and volunteering or would you suggest I take an additional class such as micro for a total of 17 credits. I worry this would overload me and potentially mean I can't guarantee a 4.0 in all the classes, but also don't want to shoot myself in the foot by looking lazy. The last thing to add to this is that I plan on similar quarters for winter and spring, taking ochem2 / cell bio and organic chemistry / developmental bio, respectively.

If you have any advice I would really appreciate it, thanks!