Realistic schedule?

[MuskieMan33]

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From those of you who have taken these courses and other ones similar, I was wondering if my course load for this coming semester is going to be manageable. So, for my courses I am going to be taking:
-Organic Chem 2
-Immunology
-Hematology (w/ serology lab)
-Gen Bio (another 1000 level gen bio course for my benefit)
The semester hours totaling to a whopping 14. I know, it's not an over abundance, but about average. Most of my semesters have been between 14-16 with my last semester being 18 credits and I think that made one or two grades suffer a little. Anyway, I was wondering what everyone thought. Some of my friends say go for it, others act like I'm crazy, but most haven't taken any of these classes so I don't listen to them. Currently in my Junior year, I wasn't sure if this is realistic or not with trying to stay involved in my EC's on and off campus and my time I try to devote to volunteering. I would love to hear any positive comments, negative comments, personal stories, tips or anything else that people might benefit from and appreciate everyone taking the time to read this! Thanks.

 

[wired202808]

From those of you who have taken these courses and other ones similar, I was wondering if my course load for this coming semester is going to be manageable. So, for my courses I am going to be taking:
-Organic Chem 2
-Immunology
-Hematology (w/ serology lab)
-Gen Bio (another 1000 level gen bio course for my benefit)
The semester hours totaling to a whopping 14. I know, it's not an over abundance, but about average. Most of my semesters have been between 14-16 with my last semester being 18 credits and I think that made one or two grades suffer a little. Anyway, I was wondering what everyone thought. Some of my friends say go for it, others act like I'm crazy, but most haven't taken any of these classes so I don't listen to them. Currently in my Junior year, I wasn't sure if this is realistic or not with trying to stay involved in my EC's on and off campus and my time I try to devote to volunteering. I would love to hear any positive comments, negative comments, personal stories, tips or anything else that people might benefit from and appreciate everyone taking the time to read this! Thanks.

Id take Orgo 2 and Gen Bio and then throw in 2 electives or easier classes. With labs for each class this sounds like an insane schedule that will probably result in one class or more suffering and receiving lower than expected grades. I see no point in trying to be a hero and potential ruining your sGPA. If there's no rush and you have easier classes you can take then I would supplemental those classes for the Immuno and Hemo.

I remember when I tried an insane courseload like that in undergrad and it wind up causing me to drop out of one class to avoid a C. I paid for the credits, wasted my money and wasted my time. Plus I was left with a W. Again wheres the fire and whats the rush? If you do really well, it will look marginally good. But if you do bad, it will look a lot worse and ruin your sGPA.

Gl.

 

[MuskieMan33]

I appreciate the feedback wired, but I don't really have a ton of time to finish up all my graduation requirements. Unfortunately my first semester was practically a waste as far as courses go since I didn't get to schedule 100% of my classes. So I feel a little behind. Also, this being my Junior year spring semester, I still have to take Microbio, Human anatomy, Human phys, biochem, physics 2. I also have a gen ed lit class left to take and I was planning on taking another math course at some point. Immunology is about the only course I can really give up and replace with something else(something that would have to be upper division 3000+) . It's just a tough decision because my sGPA isn't very competitive right now, and need to do as well as I possibly can to get it up there. I don't want to try to take on more than I should and wind up having one or two grades suffer either.

 

[jackalo34]

This really depends on how your school does things, but I never take more than 3 hard sciences classes a semester. I am in a similar situation as you since I need more classes to graduate and am a senior planning to be a 5th year senior next semester. To give you an idea this past fall I took

6 cr: bio lab+communications
4 cr: biochem I
4 cr: thermo
4 cr: reading& writing fiction
Total: 18 cr

Was a tough semester, but necessary.

And next semester (Spring)
4 cr: cell biology
4 cr: biochem II
4 cr: social psych
4 cr: cellular neurobio or molecular bio
Total: 16 cr

Social psych might make the semester hard, but it’s a gened and I have to take that arrangement of classes. Bottom line, if you need to do it, do it, but if you can help it try and take only 3 of those and replace one with an easier class of maybe a gened requirement.

 

[dentalWorks]

From those of you who have taken these courses and other ones similar, I was wondering if my course load for this coming semester is going to be manageable. So, for my courses I am going to be taking:
-Organic Chem 2
-Immunology
-Hematology (w/ serology lab)
-Gen Bio (another 1000 level gen bio course for my benefit)
The semester hours totaling to a whopping 14. I know, it's not an over abundance, but about average. Most of my semesters have been between 14-16 with my last semester being 18 credits and I think that made one or two grades suffer a little. Anyway, I was wondering what everyone thought. Some of my friends say go for it, others act like I'm crazy, but most haven't taken any of these classes so I don't listen to them. Currently in my Junior year, I wasn't sure if this is realistic or not with trying to stay involved in my EC's on and off campus and my time I try to devote to volunteering. I would love to hear any positive comments, negative comments, personal stories, tips or anything else that people might benefit from and appreciate everyone taking the time to read this! Thanks.

well.... your taking 4 sciences, its a good load if your a type of student whos on top of things usually.... but if your the guy who always waits the night before the test to start studying, you'll end up hurting your GPA (14 credits, 18 credits, or just 10)

 

[MuskieMan33]

I appreciate the feedback! I am really leaning towards dropping immunology because its not a necessity for anything. I could take it as an elective, but I'm kind of thinking with organic and hematology I will have plenty of studying and lab work to focus on and I would hate to see immunology suffer. I need to figure out the key to a 4.0 before I start getting risky. Thanks again everyone. I might take it if time permits.

 

[wired202808]

I appreciate the feedback! I am really leaning towards dropping immunology because its not a necessity for anything. I could take it as an elective, but I'm kind of thinking with organic and hematology I will have plenty of studying and lab work to focus on and I would hate to see immunology suffer. I need to figure out the key to a 4.0 before I start getting risky. Thanks again everyone. I might take it if time permits.

I've said this in another thread. Where's the fire chief? You can always apply to d-schools while taking that class or another class. Again, I'm not a risk taker and I advise people not to mess with one of the most important aspects of their application, the sGPA. You always stand to lose more than you can gain from having a bad semester. One B- / C will lower your sGPA quite drastically. If you're a bio major, its not that bad, but if you're not then it will hurt quite a bit.

Just take what you need and do as well as you can. I think students underestimate the importance of grades vs. quality of classes. A higher GPA and sGPA always looks better than having a few extra science classes that are not required for admission to a particular d-school.

So choose wisely and dont rush. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

[MuskieMan33]

Thanks for the input wired, I will be dropping immunology today and emailing the professor and letting him know. My sGPA is just average right now and don't want to take more risks than I have to. Appreciate all the feedback from everyone!