Part Time Student

[SayAnything]

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So here's the deal: I went back to school about six years ago. My situation dictated that I had to work while going to college so I've averaged around 3 classes a semester. One semester I took only two and another I took four. I am curious how admissions would look at my transcript compared to someone who took 5 classes. I'm graduating with my BS this year and my GPA is stellar but still I am worried how the 'slower' pace will look like to them.

Anyone else in a similar situation?

 

[Mur7ay]

So here's the deal: I went back to school about six years ago. My situation dictated that I had to work while going to college so I've averaged around 3 classes a semester. One semester I took only two and another I took four. I am curious how admissions would look at my transcript compared to someone who took 5 classes. I'm graduating with my BS this year and my GPA is stellar but still I am worried how the 'slower' pace will look like to them.

Anyone else in a similar situation?

Over three years I went full time some semesters and a couple semesters part time. Shouldn't be a problem when applying to certain schools

 

[Sugoi Travis]

While I'm not in a similar situation (actually, the exact opposite back in undergrad), I don't really think you should be punished for taking fewer classes. Just explain your situation and reasoning in your personal statement and application and you should be fine.

 

[oogin]

Just let them know when they give you that "anything else you want us to know?" question that you worked while attending school, hence could not take as many classes as other students. I only took two or three courses per semester and it did not hinder me at all in my application process. Good luck!

 

[AlPacino]

So here's the deal: I went back to school about six years ago. My situation dictated that I had to work while going to college so I've averaged around 3 classes a semester. One semester I took only two and another I took four. I am curious how admissions would look at my transcript compared to someone who took 5 classes. I'm graduating with my BS this year and my GPA is stellar but still I am worried how the 'slower' pace will look like to them.

Anyone else in a similar situation?

I did something very similar to you. I have always full-time so when I went to school I started out with 2 classes. As I got more comfortable to the curriculum and the pace, I started taking between 12-14 credits but made sure to have a max of 2 science classes. Those are the ones that take up 90% of my study time so I wanted to maintain a high GPA while also being able to keep my hours at work. It is very doable but will require alot of discipline. I dont think admissions committee will look at this in a negative way. I made a brief description in my personal statement and that was it. I think as long as you have maintained a competitive GPA, it should not impact you in a negative way.