take longer and make better grades??

[Omidjoon]

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Would it be smarter to complete my Degree (History with a double Minor in Biology and Chemistry to fit in my Pre-reqs and have them count towards something) in 4 years and take more classes and risk having lower grades, or to take that extra year and make better grades... would it look bad on my application to finish graduating in 5 years instead of 4?? 🙁

 

[Elmer]

Would it be smarter to complete my Degree (History with a double Minor in Biology and Chemistry to fit in my Pre-reqs and have them count towards something) in 4 years and take more classes and risk having lower grades, or to take that extra year and make better grades... would it look bad on my application to finish graduating in 5 years instead of 4?? 🙁

I don't think it looks bad if you have significant ECs, work, research
or a combination of those.

 

[DrB]

Take more classes AND take 5 years or more.... It took me seven! Take your time... enjoy the journey and build a resume along the way!!!! I earned an AA and a BS, went to four colleges, worked in research for a year at NASA/Ames, became a math tutor, became a phlebotomist, worked as a phlebotomist and took a year of engineering physics with quantum physics just for the fun of it. In my humble opinion, the admissions people want to see applicants who went above and beyond the usual call of duty. They want mature, well-rounded students... and the only way to get that is with time and experience.

But then again, I am not on an admissions committee. Maybe it is better to take the 4 years JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

 

[Boxer1]

Would it be smarter to complete my Degree (History with a double Minor in Biology and Chemistry to fit in my Pre-reqs and have them count towards something) in 4 years and take more classes and risk having lower grades, or to take that extra year and make better grades... would it look bad on my application to finish graduating in 5 years instead of 4?? 🙁

The most important part of the plan you've outlined is to get good grades. Taking an extra year to do that won't hurt very much, unless you're only taking 10 credits a semester and not working. Med school is a long haul, and it can be tempting to race through undergrad to get on with it. It's a marathon, you have to pace yourself.

I also don't think it's that important for you to minor in bio and chem. Those are subjects in which most premeds can already minor easily, so it won't really distinguish you from the croud. If it takes extra classes to get those minors, I wouldn't recommend doing that unless you really want to take those classes anyway.

Good luck

 

[fullefect1]

I agree with the previous poster... I am not sure about your particular situation... but if you already have a good science gpa, then there is no need to take extra classes just to say your have a minor. You will get enough science courses in med school, why would u want to take anymore then you have to?

I am assuming that it takes more then the pre-med requirements to get these minors, at least that is how it works in my school.

 

[Omidjoon]

as of now my science GPA is very low its about a 2.5 (2 B's and 2 C's) but my Nonscience GPA is a 4.0 (No B's in anything other than Biology and Chemistry).... but at my school a Minor is only 12 hours so it is very achievable...that is why i'm double minoring...I just finished my Freshman year so i guess i have a lot of time to bring up my GPA but i am just very nervous that if i load up on hours i wont do as well as i need to.... 🙁

 

[markboonya]

as of now my science GPA is very low its about a 2.5 (2 B's and 2 C's) but my Nonscience GPA is a 4.0 (No B's in anything other than Biology and Chemistry).... but at my school a Minor is only 12 hours so it is very achievable...that is why i'm double minoring...I just finished my Freshman year so i guess i have a lot of time to bring up my GPA but i am just very nervous that if i load up on hours i wont do as well as i need to.... 🙁

wow, u are still a freshman. dont worry, my science gpa and nonscience were about 2.5 my freshman year. you still have alot of core pre-med pre-reqs to go through - ie ochem physics math. do well in those and ur science gpa will be up in no time. i also had to boost my science gpa, so i hunted around for some easy science classes and loaded up on those. dont overload urself just yet! if u are really interested in those minors, i'd say go for it. but if u are just taking the classes so fulfill requirements, it might be hard to find the motivation to do well in them. main them is: your gpa is still extremely maleable at this stage in the game. so take your time and dont overload!

 

[espbeliever]

pull up the gpa. i think schools look hard at your sci gpa, so focus on that. also do well on the mcat.

dont take 5 yrs unless you have too...

 

[cardiotonic]

Would it be smarter to complete my Degree (History with a double Minor in Biology and Chemistry to fit in my Pre-reqs and have them count towards something) in 4 years and take more classes and risk having lower grades, or to take that extra year and make better grades... would it look bad on my application to finish graduating in 5 years instead of 4?? 🙁

ADCOMS will know how hard you are working by looking at your application. However, the last thing you want to do is to work too hard and have your grades suffer. So my advice is to work as hard as you can while maintaining a solid gpa. Of course their is something to be said about enjoying the journey as well. Good luck!

 

[superflyDO]

Would it be smarter to complete my Degree (History with a double Minor in Biology and Chemistry to fit in my Pre-reqs and have them count towards something) in 4 years and take more classes and risk having lower grades, or to take that extra year and make better grades... would it look bad on my application to finish graduating in 5 years instead of 4?? 🙁

It won't look bad finishing in 5 years instead of 4. Make sure you finish strong though. An upward trend works wonders, and a downward (is that a word?) will hurt quite a bit. They want to see who you are today, not yesterday.