Taking only 6 credits per semester

[bwc]

I know that typically dental schools like to see that you are taking a full load every semester, meaning ~15 credits per semester. In undergrad, 12 credits is considered full time. But in grad school, only 8 credits is considered full time, and only 6 if you get a TA position.

I did receive a TA position, thus advisors are telling me that I really am not going to want to take much more than the 6 credit minimum for the sake of my mental health. The TA position is a 20 hour per week commitment, and I definitely want to do it because that means I pay no tuition. And then I know that 3 credits of a grad course is not the same as 3 credits of an undergrad course.

When I apply to dental schools, are they just going to look at the number of credits I took and think that it is such a low number, thus I was probably being lazy? Or do they understand that with a TA position, you should not take as many credits as they would normally expect to see?

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[dshen92129]

if you have other responsibilities I think DS's would understand, they can't be that harsh... Every student who applies to DS is going to have different circumstances, not every student who applies is the perfect 15 credit full time student who just goes to school.. everyone has their own personal things going on in their life.. I am sure the committee has let students in, in the same position you are in. I wouldn't over think it.. just keep doing what your doing.. if it is meant to be it will happen.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Schools don't care for the most part. Take light course load and ace all of them. It's a lot better than taking 18 credits and getting straight Bs

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Schools don't care for the most part. Take light course load and ace all of them. It's a lot better than taking 18 credits and getting straight Bs

 

[deleted738762]

They rather prefer a high GPA. Also, a TA with 20 hour commitment isn't that bad. You can probably find some easy online courses to have some extra credits and to boost your GPA if your not at ease.

I was a TA with 20 hour commitment weekly, and I took a bunch of credits, it's really not that bad. It was pretty fun.

 

[bwc]

They rather prefer a high GPA. Also, a TA with 20 hour commitment isn't that bad. You can probably find some easy online courses to have some extra credits and to boost your GPA if your not at ease.

I was a TA with 20 hour commitment weekly, and I took a bunch of credits, it's really not that bad. It was pretty fun.

Unlike undergraduate, where 12 credits is full time, 8 credits is full time for a normal grad student. And that number goes down to 6 when you are given one of these graduate student appointments. Right now, I need to balance this TA commitment, my classes, studying for the DAT, and volunteering/shadowing.

 

[deleted738762]

Unlike undergraduate, where 12 credits is full time, 8 credits is full time for a normal grad student. And that number goes down to 6 when you are given one of these graduate student appointments. Right now, I need to balance this TA commitment, my classes, studying for the DAT, and volunteering/shadowing.

Did not know you were a grad student.