Schedule perdicament

[PrimalMU]

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I'm hoping some people can give me some insight into this, especially where it pertains to how the adcoms would view this. Here's the deal: this semester I am taking Organic 2, Genetics, and Cell Biology. The bad thing is that, since Organic 2 is only 3 credit hours (the lab isn't included and is only offered in the spring), my current course load is 11 hours... 1 hour below full-time. I had this great idea that I could take physics 2 this semester as well, but its been 3.5 years since I've had physics 1 and it looks like I'm going to have to audit physics 1 before I attempt physics 2 because my math skills are HORRIBLEY rusty.

My concern is that the adcoms will look at my transcripts and notice that I wasn't didn't have a full schedule this semester (even many of you would probably agree that Organic 2, Genetics, and Cell Biology all in one semester is a heck of a load). This is made even worse by the fact that last spring I decided to take a light semester and sort some things out, so I'd have two half-time semesters in a row.

Now, I'm going to try to pull some strings with one of my professors and hopefully get a spot helping him with a micro lab, thereby (hopefully) giving me an extra hour to bump me up to full-time. But, if I can't work that out, how do you think the adcoms would percieve that?

Any help would be great!

 

[zpinkpanther]

I wouldn't take physics 2 in addition to those three if I were you. Maybe it's just me, but I had a really rough time with physics; physics 2 was even worse than physics 1. 🙄

Is there a non-science class that you're interested in? You could take music, language, literature, a PE class, or whatever else you may be interested in. It's nice to have those classes to get away from science once in a while. And then you'll have a full course load, too! Good luck figuring it out and have fun! 😀

 

[PrimalMU]

Oh, I've explored all of my options as far as non-science classes go and no luck. I've hand my fair share of music classes and history classes will be too time consuming (though I'm hoping I will be able to finish out my history degree eventually...).

And unless I want to take yoga, then PE is out.

Yea, my college sucks.

 

[parietal]

How about setting up a one-credit internship with a local vet?

 

[PrimalMU]

Well, the majority of the local vets don't exactly jump at the opportunity to take on a pre-vet student. Plus, tomorrow is the last day for schedule adjustments so there'd simply be no time to set anything like that up.

 

[LucyLoo]

I don't know if your college offers anything like an independent study option or even research credit working with a PhD in their lab. I was in a similar predicament this semester and ended up being a TA for a micro lab which has been a lot of fun (and a nice break) so far. I sounds like you already have a heavy duty schedule.

 

[hoodle]

A yoga class sounds like just the ticket. seriously. and restful too!!

 

[tastrophe]

If it were me, I'd just bite the bullet and do it (but then, I tend to be loopy like that🙄). I had a 10-year gap between physics 1 and physics 2, and was completely freaked out about not remembering anything. But physics 2 didn't really use any of the formulas or anything from physics 1, so while there were certain areas that were rusty, it wasn't really that hard to fill in the gaps.

Another thought - is there a reason you need to be full-time at your school (beyond what adcoms might think)? Perhaps there is another local college that offers the lab you need that would fit into your schedule? If all you're doing is finishing prereqs, I can't imagine the adcoms having a problem with it, especially if you're working too or something like that.

Good luck!

 

[charismarl]

I certainly suggest taking a full load- admissions people want to see that you can handle a full load. If you aren't comfortable with physics, I would wait, audit physics, and then take some other elective (just pick something you're interested in and will get a good grade in!) or PE class. You might even want to consider taking something over the summer.

 

[Badger Girl]

I would check about the opinions of the schools where you want to apply in regards to their thoughts on the full-time issue.

When I visited Madison, they told me that the ad comms seriously consider the courseload of the applicants and really want to see at least one semester with a full-time load. Minnesota told me that they don't really care either way.

Of course, taking a full load is a great idea, but not always doable....especially for non-trads.

 

[ckgilabert]

my advisors told me that i should try taking 16-18 units every quarter, work part time, and be involved in clubs and the community. i didn't follow that...but i'd say that if you're only one unit away from being full time...TAKE PE! who cares if it's yoga!

good luck! 🙂

 

[BrumleyVet]

Have you taken a business class yet? Public Speaking? Accounting? Ad Com's really like to see that you have those.

 

[PrimalMU]

Well, I decided to go ahead and drop physics 2 and drop below full-time this semester. There was just too much against me: too long since I've had physics 1 (at least with our course/book, you have to integrate everything from physics 1 in with physics 2); my physics 2 professor was Chinese, and even though I've had Chinese professors and can understand them easily, the language barrier as it pertains to such a technical course lead to even greater difficulty with the course than if I take it with a native English speaker; and an already full load with organic 2, genetics, and cell biology. I'm going to try to keep busy and hopefully get a position as a peer tutor tutoring Microbiology and Organic 1. I'm also going to join the biology club to help bolster my application. I honestly can't see the adcoms looking at this semester, seeing that I'm taking 3 core classes, and thinking that I was slacking because I was one hour below full time.

 

[twelvetigers]

I did a one credit hour online course once when I needed one hour to push me into full-time. It worked for me, but I guess you might not have that as an option...

 

[Angelo84]

Just a heads up. When I applied (Class of 2011) PEI would not count any pre-req's taken when you are not full time. At least they said this on their application if this is a no exceptions thing than I don't think any non-trads could apply. So I would just look at the schools you think you might apply to! Of the schools I applied to only PEI had this rule.

 

[efab]

does not seem to bend on the 'full time school rule' at all - which is unfortunate. colorado and cornell each ask you to correlate semester course load with concurrent work experience - which seems to present a whole picture. there is definitely a difference between not needing to work while taking 5 or 6 classes vs. having to work/pay for life with money and taking 1 or 2 classes.

 

[david594]

Regarding PEI, what about the statement from the AAVMC PDF on them that states:

The two general
admission requirements are university courses and
animal/veterinary related experience. Twenty, one-semester
courses or equivalents are required. Normally, these courses
must be completed while the applicant is enrolled as a full-time
student carrying at least 3 courses per semester of at least 3
credit hours each, excluding labs. Exceptional circumstances
will be given consideration; however, it is necessary for all
applicants to demonstrate the ability to master difficult subject
matter in the context of full-time activity.

And from their own website and supplemental app:

Please Note: Applicants who believe they have valid reasons for not having completed the 20 prerequisite courses under the conditions specified above may submit a detailed letter outlining their exceptional circumstances justifying why their application should be considered. This is only for unusual cases where the application would not otherwise be considered.

Did you guys actually try applying to PEI and were rejected(or not considered) because of it, or just assume that you were ineligible due to your part time coursework?



I am applying and some of my pre-reqs done as a post-bac student were taken during part time semesters. Hadnt really given second thoughts to it. Was just going to write the letter and point out that some coursework was taking during summer and winter sessions to facilitate completing the pre-reqs in a timely manner while satisfying sequencing requirements and to allow me to work a sufficient amount concurrently with school since I am a non-traditional student. Granted of the 20 required courses for them only 3 are during part time semesters.

You guys telling me I am just wasting my money applying there? Now I am all worried....

 

[efab]

when you are doing something you want to be doing. apply away - it seems like a great school, i wish they had taken me so i could have contemplated it more seriously. i am speaking from first hand experience with pei - but from a very different situation from you. write them an intelligent letter, as i did, and wish yourself some luck.

a friend put something into perspective for me as i was struggling with a prerequisite course substitution request. she said, "vet schools never bend to you, you must always bend to them." i don't totally agree with her, but i see her point.

 

[Angelo84]

It didn't apply to me as I was full time or overloaded every semester. I would contact them directly and ask if you are planning on applying.