Stupid new byu policy...what to do?

[antispatula]

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So I have only 2 more classes to take before I graduate. I was planning to take them both next semester. However, they just made one of the classes a prereq for the other, which means I must take them separately: one winter semester and the final class spring semester. I asked if i could be an exception and take both together, seeing i am about to graduate, and they said no. I know med school admissions want to see students that always have consistently normal/heavy course loads. So....

Do I take a bunch of extra classes that don't mean anything to make it look like Im busy at school next semester, or do I simply take the one class I can take that actually counts towards my graduation to free up my time for more important stuff like mcat prep and strengthening my extra curriculars? Do you think the latter option would be acceptable to admissions as long as I explained my situation in my personal statement?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ThunderBear]

So I have only 2 more classes to take before I graduate. I was planning to take them both next semester. However, they just made one of the classes a prereq for the other, which means I must take them separately: one winter semester and the final class spring semester. I asked if i could be an exception and take both together, seeing i am about to graduate, and they said no. I know med school admissions want to see students that always have consistently normal/heavy course loads. So....

Do I take a bunch of extra classes that don't mean anything to make it look like Im busy at school next semester, or do I simply take the one class I can take that actually counts towards my graduation to free up my time for more important stuff like mcat prep and strengthening my extra curriculars? Do you think the latter option would be acceptable to admissions as long as I explained my situation in my personal statement?

Thanks in advance!

Definitely do the latter (1class + meaningful EC) and I don't think you need to even bring it up. Use your personal statement for something less trivial.

 

[milkphlegm]

I took advantage of the extra time to take classes I was interested in, as well as random upper level bios. I ended up taking stuff like Medical Ethics and Sociology of Death and Dying, which were both awesome. Hopefully you can find some things that spark your interest, keep the work load relatively light, and keep up your ECs. I think even if you have a super light course load, but lots of ECs, this will look favorable.

 

[Goro]

Take the classes that count. It only looks bad if year after year you take a minimal course load.

So I have only 2 more classes to take before I graduate. I was planning to take them both next semester. However, they just made one of the classes a prereq for the other, which means I must take them separately: one winter semester and the final class spring semester. I asked if i could be an exception and take both together, seeing i am about to graduate, and they said no. I know med school admissions want to see students that always have consistently normal/heavy course loads. So....

Do I take a bunch of extra classes that don't mean anything to make it look like Im busy at school next semester, or do I simply take the one class I can take that actually counts towards my graduation to free up my time for more important stuff like mcat prep and strengthening my extra curriculars? Do you think the latter option would be acceptable to admissions as long as I explained my situation in my personal statement?

Thanks in advance!

 

[thegypsyqueen]

That is quite ridiculous. Can you take one of them online through BYU or another school and circumvent the trouble?

So I have only 2 more classes to take before I graduate. I was planning to take them both next semester. However, they just made one of the classes a prereq for the other, which means I must take them separately: one winter semester and the final class spring semester. I asked if i could be an exception and take both together, seeing i am about to graduate, and they said no. I know med school admissions want to see students that always have consistently normal/heavy course loads. So....

Do I take a bunch of extra classes that don't mean anything to make it look like Im busy at school next semester, or do I simply take the one class I can take that actually counts towards my graduation to free up my time for more important stuff like mcat prep and strengthening my extra curriculars? Do you think the latter option would be acceptable to admissions as long as I explained my situation in my personal statement?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Disinence2]

That is quite ridiculous. Can you take one of them online through BYU or another school and circumvent the trouble?

What class is it? That's what I would do. Take one at a community college and one at BYU. You also could just do everything possible to convince them to let you take them both together. I mean seriously, if people did it before, and you were counting on it you should be able to convince them to be an exception. Be more persuasive.

 

[Catalystik]

So I have only 2 more classes to take before I graduate. I was planning to take them both next semester. However, they just made one of the classes a prereq for the other, which means I must take them separately: one winter semester and the final class spring semester. I asked if i could be an exception and take both together, seeing i am about to graduate, and they said no.

Re-appeal to someone higher on the feeding chain.

 

[Mr Roboto]

I don't think that either plan is unacceptable. Do whichever will make you happier. If I were you I would suggest the meaningful EC and one class.

 

[theseeker4]

Re-appeal to someone higher on the feeding chain.

Definitely this. I would fight this change all the way to the university president if I were you. Changing things at the last minute that actually affect when you can graduate is completely unacceptable.

 

[Texmed27]

Definitely this. I would fight this change all the way to the university president if I were you. Changing things at the last minute that actually affect when you can graduate is completely unacceptable.

Totally agreed. The key is really just keep showing up at people's offices and placing phone calls until they finally get tired of you bugging them and just agree with you. I'm usually not for this kind of process to getting things done, but what they're doing is rediculous.

 

[QuantumQuark]

I have friends that have talked to the professor and they are making an exception for them because this is the first semester that pre-reqs have been enforced. You can make it happen if you really want to, or you can graduate in June, up to you.

 

[QuantumQuark]

Definitely this. I would fight this change all the way to the university president if I were you. Changing things at the last minute that actually affect when you can graduate is completely unacceptable.

The OP didn't really explain it well so no worries, but they warned about the change starting about 6-8 months ago. They sent out e-mails, notices, and it's clearly been posted on the registration site for a while now. Students just didn't pay attention or didn't realize that they would actually enforce it and so now a bunch of students are upset about it.

 

[487806]

Re-appeal to someone higher on the feeding chain.

Agreed. Don't give up the fight OP. When you have the opportunity to graduate early, take advantage of it. This includes fighting the corruption of this bureaucratic college administration.

The OP didn't really explain it well so no worries, but they warned about the change starting about 6-8 months ago. They sent out e-mails, notices, and it's clearly been posted on the registration site for a while now. Students just didn't pay attention or didn't realize that they would actually enforce it and so now a bunch of students are upset about it.

If the change was announced 6 months ago, then I'd figure a class that OP was mentioning must've existed in a previous semester. Regardless, I figure that being the last two requirements OP has to take, it's completely unnecessary for him to be forced to take them at two different semesters rather than at one semester. Why? OP's paying the tuition. And forcing OP to pay more tuition for an extra semester shows that the administration is corrupt and self-serving.