SeniorITIS course load...and applying next year

[Transformers]

Hey guys,

So Im a senior taking 1 year off to do some research at the NIH and Im applying next year. Creditwise, my semester have been 18, 16, 3 (summer), 15, 12, 14, 14.5, and 13. Gradewise, pretty good with a 3.97...Im basically taking remaining classes to fulfill my degree and it seems like im in good shape to graduate...As of now, my schedule is the following:
-genetics
-medical ethics
-history requirement (chinese civ)
-intro pathology course-PASS/FAIL; yet really worth it down the road
= 12 credits

Well, I just found out that although you are a full-time student with 12 credits, you NEED 12 GRADED credits to actually get deans list. Since I only have 9 graded credits and 1 p/f class, I wouldn't qualify for deans list, something I have had for the past 7 semesters. Simple solution would be to not take the human disease course pass/fail...but I really wanna take that hard pathology class P/F to learn the material, not worry about the grade, and at least enjoy my last semester of college.

I have two options and I wanted your opinion in light of a multitude of factors (the credit hours I have taken so far in prior semesters, perception by med schools, etc...). I mean it would like nice to say "Dean's List-All Semesters" on my AMCAS/application but at the same time I honestly am trying to push for a path of least resistance, getting Dean's List, and not looking so poorly in med schools eyes. At the end of the day, I still have the mcat to study, wanna finish strong (summa cum laude, phi beta kappa, potential val nom), and enjoy myself with my friends. i know theres no right answer, but I at least wanted to give my intentions for this semester.

1.Option I would like without too many negative repercussions:
-Substitute the p/f pathology class with 3 1-credit easy A seminars
= 3 classes + 3 1-credit classes = 12 GRADED credits

2. In addition to the p/f pathology class, add with 3 1-credit easy A seminars
= 4 classes (1 being pass/fail) 3 1-credit classes = 15 credits with 12 GRADED credits

Thank you.

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[FlowRate]

1. Dean's list doesn't really matter all that much
2. 13-15 credits isn't that much normally.
3. As with many other similar threads, you answered your own question already.

 

[Elpenor]

I am just a lowly freshman but I would not worry about the deans list every semester... as I'm sure they can see your GPA.

Take the p/f, don't take any extra courses.

 

[Transformers]

lol, thanks for your help guys, any other input...I mean im honestly trying to do my best to get into a top 20 med school so i guess from the viewpoint of an admissions counselor, would taking 3 classes hurt me + 3 1-credit courses?

thanks

 

[Transformers]

bump

 

[IDoIt4Love]

From the perspective of someone who has graduated and just gone through 2 med school interviews, I have never had to explain lighter loads. My courseloads were as follows: 15, 12, 3 (summer), 11 (including a 3 credit P/F bio course!), 17, 6 (summer), 13, 17, 15, 19 (including 1 3 credit P/F gen ed).

Usually in interviews they only have so much time to ask you far more important/revealing questions (such as, why do you want to come to our school? what are your strengths and weaknesses? How do you cope with stress and hard times? What are your medical interests? etc), so it just never even has time to come up. I was worried about having to explain my lighter semesters, too, and fortunately, so far I simply haven't had to. (I'll let you know if this changes.)

Oh, but for the record these were interviews at my state schools: both pretty reputable institutions but I don't think they are top 20. But of the couple of top 20s I did apply to, I haven't seen a rejection yet!

 

[RevMD]

From the perspective of someone who has graduated and just gone through 2 med school interviews, I have never had to explain lighter loads. My courseloads were as follows: 15, 12, 3 (summer), 11 (including a 3 credit P/F bio course!), 17, 6 (summer), 13, 17, 15, 19 (including 1 3 credit P/F gen ed).

Usually in interviews they only have so much time to ask you far more important/revealing questions (such as, why do you want to come to our school? what are your strengths and weaknesses? How do you cope with stress and hard times? What are your medical interests? etc), so it just never even has time to come up. I was worried about having to explain my lighter semesters, too, and fortunately, so far I simply haven't had to. (I'll let you know if this changes.)

Oh, but for the record these were interviews at my state schools: both pretty reputable institutions but I don't think they are top 20. But of the couple of top 20s I did apply to, I haven't seen a rejection yet!

From the countless threads I have read thus far on SDN, the credit hour question never gets brought up as long as your GPA is good and have consistently proven to have other ECs to fill the gaps in between classes.

Personally, I would just take one extra easy course and get that dean's list. If you were planning to take something like only 6 credit hours, then I would say forget it. Just swap the P/F class for something else and keep it 12hrs.