part-time senior year while working?

[olive6]

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i'm applying this summer, and am trying to figure out my schedule for next year... thinking about going to school part time next year while working to save up some $$, and I'm worried it would look like i'm slacking? but maybe it doesn't matter as long as I finish the requirements?

I need too many credits to (comfortably) squeeze into 2 quarters to graduate early (to avoid going part time), but not enough to go full time for the 3 quarters (and I don't want to pay for extra garbage I don't need)... anyone have any input? thanks in advance.

 

[Kahr]

i'm applying this summer, and am trying to figure out my schedule for next year... thinking about going to school part time next year while working to save up some $$, and I'm worried it would look like i'm slacking? but maybe it doesn't matter as long as I finish the requirements?

My only question would be, are you good on your shadowing hours, volunteering, etc? If not, fit that into your plans, during interviews they may ask you, in which case you can say you are in fact doing this or that or planning this or that. As for classes, if all you need is a part time load, then go for it, they won't see this as slacking, especially if you're also working and/or doing one of the aforementioned activities.

I need too many credits to (comfortably) squeeze into 2 quarters to graduate early (to avoid going part time), but not enough to go full time for the 3 quarters (and I don't want to pay for extra garbage I don't need)... anyone have any input? thanks in advance.

Based on the second paragraph, it sounds like you have a good reason to go part time in regard to your remaining courses as well. I definitely wouldn't overload myself just to graduate early.

Lots of people will tell you if your course load is too light it's not looked upon favorably because it doesn't demonstrate whether or not you can handle it during dental school, which is likely true, but I'm going to go ahead and assume you've already proven yourself with high(at least full time) coarse loads throughout most of your prior years, and as such I think you'd be fine in regard to that issue (they will look at more than just the most recent quarters).

P.S. Totoro 😍

 

[olive6]

glad someone else out there appreciates the amazingness of totoro!!! i have one of those hats with a totoro face and ears - i only wear it in my house hahahah

thanks for the advice. I will make sure to work and continue with my extra-curricular endeavors so they know i'm not coasting!

 

[smenagi]

Except that... I'm not applying to schools this cycle / have not applied this cycle.

I want to go part-time my last year / senior year to save money (#1), make money (#2; I have a part-time research assistant position), do some serious / awesome stuff with some clubs (#3; I'm president of one, secretary in another, and just a member of one more), and possibly write a thesis.

Will all of that look bad if I apply next summer? What do you guys think??? My pre-health advisor said I could pull it off since I pulled off Biochem, Physics II plus lab, PChem, and another humanities class (it was hard too) one semester last year.

Thanks, I appreciate this so much.

 

[Illfavor]

It depends on the classes you've taken and are taking. If they're cupcake courses then yea, you look like a slacker pretty much no matter what you do. If it's part-time with real coursework and working full-time, then I think it's fine. I'm working 40 hours a week and in 10 hours of upper division bio courses/labs. It's a pain in the ass, but no one can say I'm not working hard!