Only taking 3 classes (12 credits) to have more time for MCAT prep?

[HealthHare]

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So I only need two classes next semester to graduate. I also plan to take the MCAT right after. Would only taking three classes to have more time for MCAT prep look bad? I would be taking physics II, an English, and a bio course.

 

[dsk89]

It won't look bad, I doubt med schools care about individual quarters. It'd be smart for you to cut back on time spent on studying for class (seeing as to how your pretty much ready to graduate, but still make sure you do well in classes to keep ur GPA safe), and focusing on important upcoming things like studying for the MCAT. It's a smart decision if you ask me.

 

[squat]

I agree. I took the MCAT in May when a bunch of stuff was happening (with my kids and at work). I retook in Sept and jumped my score from 26 to 30. I really regret not cutting back on work obligations last spring like I had planned on. I would have done better the first time around and had a nice, early application instead of being placed in the "on hold for MCAT" file.

 

[HSUReddie]

I graduated undergrad, moved to a different state three weeks later, started grad school by taking three summer classes, and took the MCAT.

Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me at all to go easier on yourself.

I definitely wish I would have.

 

[xroc]

I've been taking 12 credits per semester for my past 3 semesters (and will also do so next semester). Got a bunch of interviews & recently some acceptances and none of the schools have ever even brought this up.

 

[iforget2]

I've been taking 12 credits per semester for my past 3 semesters (and will also do so next semester). Got a bunch of interviews & recently some acceptances and none of the schools have ever even brought this up.

Your stats are amazing though

 

[typicalindian]

I've been taking 12 credits per semester for my past 3 semesters (and will also do so next semester). Got a bunch of interviews & recently some acceptances and none of the schools have ever even brought this up.

First, congrats on your acceptance agian!

and yeah I think a lot of pre-med's have some false misconception of "I need to overload myself with credits every semester or else med schools will think I'm lazy". Unfortunately I was once like this too :/. @OP: 12 credits with MCAT studying is fine! Good luck with studying

 

[xroc]

Your stats are amazing though

Yeah, but part of the reason as to why my stats are good is because I've been taking 12 credits/semester.That has given me more time for ECs, studying, etc.

 

[Nymphicus]

So I only need two classes next semester to graduate. I also plan to take the MCAT right after. Would only taking three classes to have more time for MCAT prep look bad? I would be taking physics II, an English, and a bio course.

I took 13 credits (4 classes) when I was studying. Don't worry about it.

 

[tiedyeddog]

So I only need two classes next semester to graduate. I also plan to take the MCAT right after. Would only taking three classes to have more time for MCAT prep look bad? I would be taking physics II, an English, and a bio course.

no one will care in the slightest, no worries.

 

[TheShaker]

I'm assuming it's not a pattern so one semester of 12 units is fine. I'm personally glad that I took only 12 units during my MCAT semester so I don't have to spend too much time in classes (especially labs) that I could be using to study. Go for it! You'll thank yourself after a few months of studying.

 

[eefen]

I actually dropped down to part-time (biochem and physics II) just before the MCAT. Of course, I was working quite a bit and getting married too....that was a crazy semester. 🙄

Edit: Also, no one ever mentioned it during my interviews.

 

[Lollygag]

If I was you I would probably not even take an extra class I would just take the 2 that I need to give me even more time for studying. Especially when those are literally the only 2 classes that you need, if an ADCOM ever asks you, you can easily say you only needed 2 more classes and you were trying to save money. But if you want to live on campus and you need to be full time to keep board then I'd understand that.

 

[hunterjumper14]

I think as long as there are semesters you can point to that show you can handle a heavy science load you should definitely take the time you need to study for the MCAT. The MCAT takes some people more study hours than others, so I'd take a lighter semester just to be safe. I took several 12 credit semesters in college, none of which overlapped with my MCAT studying, and it hasn't come up once in interviews. Better safe than sorry. You don't want to retake if you can avoid it!