Suspicious Classes?

[Shibbyboi182]

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I'm in my 3rd year as a neuroscience major. Finishing up last of the pre-req's and cracking into my upper div's (neuroscience). A lot of posts on this forum suggest finding the "easier" science classes to boost the science gpa, and while cruising the registrar this morning I saw "Physiological Science 13: Introduction to Anatomy." Would classes like this be a red-flag being taken my spring/summer of junior year? It's usually intended as a GE, but one of my friends that wants me to take it with her says it doesn't matter. Advice?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

what's the course code look like on the transcript? what department offers it?

 

[Shibbyboi182]

department: physiological science

PHYSCI 13 INTRO-HUMAN ANATOMY

 

[deleted307836]

I don't think it would look 'suspicious', assuming you've never taken an anatomy course before (but wouldn't you have as a Neuro major)?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

What level is 13? I am used to seeing stuff in 100/1000 (freshman), 200/2000 (sophomore) etc...

 

[Shibbyboi182]

Neuro has one course dedicated strictly to memorizing everything about brain anatomy. we don't have any classes in our major that cover overall gross anatomy. For us, 1-99 is lower div, 100-199 is upper div, 200+ is graduate. That's what I was told since starting here (ucla). I don't know if a lower number within each of those ranges corresponds to an overall lower ranking class, but i guess it's possible

 

[deleted307836]

You should be fine then.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

so it's a version of freshman anatomy, no problem, it's going to count, and if it's an easy A, better yet, I say take it

 

[Shibbyboi182]

Thanks for the advice! Is there a rule of thumb when it comes to adding the easier science classes on? If I take it, it's definitely going to be one of the easiest classes I've taken since starting college

 

[deleted357625]

def go for it too boost your sGPA, should be no problem

 

[Spin]

When I saw the title of this thread, I hoped it would be about classes like "Rope Tying 101," "Forensic Analysis," "Mastering Disguise," and "Human Anatomy" of course. THAT would be very suspicious.

I think I've been watching too much Dexter lately.

 

[Astarael]

Thanks for the advice! Is there a rule of thumb when it comes to adding the easier science classes on? If I take it, it's definitely going to be one of the easiest classes I've taken since starting college

What looks suspicious is not taking an easy class, but taking large numbers of easy classes. So if a semester or two were all freshman level, then maybe (just maybe) there would be a few questions asked. But one or two classes here or there is absolutely fine.

 

[Overmjnd]

Ok, so I've been meaning to ask this question, but I don't want to start my own thread since this one is here.

Is it ok to consistently take VERY easy sounding classes like "ecology" and "field ecology lab" along with rigorous classes?

Say a student has the following schedule:
4 credits: field ecology
4 credits: Intro to ecology
4 credits: Calc III
4 credits: Organic chemistry II

Sure, the title of those classes are not fooling anyone, but will adcom care if you do this every semester?

 

[raltima07]

suspicious classes are suspicious?

 

[hellomister1]

What looks suspicious is not taking an easy class, but taking large numbers of easy classes. So if a semester or two were all freshman level, then maybe (just maybe) there would be a few questions asked. But one or two classes here or there is absolutely fine.

as long as u have all the pre-reqs done and u graduate with a degree in your major, why would med schools care what classes you take?

 

[IlaEm]

You should look into taking biostats 100A at UCLA. It's ridiculously easy, it will boost your science/math GPA and some medical schools require or encourage a stats class. It's also not considered a lower division class (in fact there are a lot of graduate students enrolled). But i think your other class should be fine too.

 

[Astarael]

as long as u have all the pre-reqs done and u graduate with a degree in your major, why would med schools care what classes you take?

It's because medical schools take into account the academic rigor of your undergraduate program. No medical school wants to matriculate a student that they are unsure of, since it hurts their numbers. They like to see success in a challenging program, because it indicates that the applicant has the academic aptitude to succeed in medical school.

Keep in mind, though, that none of this is absolute. Taking a few easy classes here and there is not a big deal at all, because your other more difficult classes prove that you can handle the work. But if you get a 4.0 in Underwater Basket Weaving (or whatever the easiest major at your school is) what does that really say about you? Does it say that you are a very intelligent, persistent individual? Or does it say that you look for the easiest way out?

I'm really not trying to say that you should never take easy classes. I'm actually saying that you should-some of them are very interesting and provide a perspective that you can only get by branching out into things you are unfamiliar with. All I'm saying is you should avoid taking all easy classes.

 

[Iapyx]

When I saw the title of this thread, I hoped it would be about classes like "Rope Tying 101," "Forensic Analysis," "Mastering Disguise," and "Human Anatomy" of course. THAT would be very suspicious.

I think I've been watching too much Dexter lately.

Yeah, I figured there was a tiny subtitle in the course description that said "class only meets in the back alley at 3 am" or something along those lines. Now that would be a suspicious class. The OP's aformentioned class, not so much.

 

[Overmjnd]

When I saw the title of this thread, I hoped it would be about classes like "Rope Tying 101," "Forensic Analysis," "Mastering Disguise," and "Human Anatomy" of course. THAT would be very suspicious.

I think I've been watching too much Dexter lately.

I'm on to you Morgan....

 

[hellomister1]

Keep in mind, though, that none of this is absolute. Taking a few easy classes here and there is not a big deal at all, because your other more difficult classes prove that you can handle the work. But if you get a 4.0 in Underwater Basket Weaving (or whatever the easiest major at your school is) what does that really say about you? Does it say that you are a very intelligent, persistent individual? Or does it say that you look for the easiest way out?

well i mean obvious classes like those raise GPA but i meant for classes that raise your sGPA. wouldn't any science class be acceptable and anything that may be sort of "easy" like "nutrition" or w/e, you could easily explain that it just piqued ur interest

 

[SilverBvllet]

The denial in this thread is astounding. You're not fooling anyone taking 80% easy psych or plant bio classes. You're also not fooling anyone by explaining how you are so fascinated with how the mind works (as if psychology explains that lol) or plants. Might be a little harder to explain your 4.0 and 25 MCAT.

 

[Lil Mick]

I think these "easy" classes mainly refer to things like "Biology for Non-Science Majors," not science classes intended for science majors (Anatomy--upper or lower level, genetics). I'd tend to disagree with not taking any of these courses, though. I took quite a few random classes in other departments that might not be as rigorous as other classes, as I usually took over 20 credits a semester. They were interesting diversions and have been useful post-graduation, too. Psychology and sociology aren't necessarily bunny classes, either--especially if the classes are stats, research, or journal-based courses.