What looks better for "Part-Time" post-bac pre-med students? more class or work?

[ButAtYourBest]

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I am taking 2 pre-med requirements per semester. I already have a BA.

I'm wondering if I should take more classes, or work/volunteer?

Obviously, I think it looks bad to only be taking two classes per semester without a serious work and/or volunteer commitment. I know med schools want to know that you can handle a rigorous course load, so getting A's in pre-med courses when you're only juggling a pair of courses can't be too impressive.

But I'm wondering people's thoughts on "filling" my time with more courses vs. work/volunteering. Since I already have a BA, I would guess working/volunteering is more important for me. But there are so many classes that I WANT to take.

Is it ok for me to take a 3rd (pre-med relevant) course for fun, then do some light working/volunteering, or should I really focus on the latter?

 

[NewmansOwn]

I am taking 2 pre-med requirements per semester. I already have a BA.

I'm wondering if I should take more classes, or work/volunteer?

Obviously, I think it looks bad to only be taking two classes per semester without a serious work and/or volunteer commitment. I know med schools want to know that you can handle a rigorous course load, so getting A's in pre-med courses when you're only juggling a pair of courses can't be too impressive.

But I'm wondering people's thoughts on "filling" my time with more courses vs. work/volunteering. Since I already have a BA, I would guess working/volunteering is more important for me. But there are so many classes that I WANT to take.

Is it ok for me to take a 3rd (pre-med relevant) course for fun, then do some light working/volunteering, or should I really focus on the latter?

Honestly, if you can, you really ought to be taking the pre-reqs full-time and also volunteering/working in the evenings and on weekends -- that's the way to impress. I think part-time is OK if you're working full-time or close to it, but otherwise you ought to be taking a full course load and pursuing volunteer experience in your limited free time.

 

[ButAtYourBest]

do you mean full-time pre-med courses? or just full-time courses?

my advisor strongly discourages taking more than 2 pre-med req's per semester. So basically I'm wondering if I should take a pair of electives (like physiology, anatomy, etc.) or if I should just take the 2 pre-med req's and try to really occupy myself with volunteering and working?

 

[NewmansOwn]

do you mean full-time pre-med courses? or just full-time courses?

my advisor strongly discourages taking more than 2 pre-med req's per semester. So basically I'm wondering if I should take a pair of electives (like physiology, anatomy, etc.) or if I should just take the 2 pre-med req's and try to really occupy myself with volunteering and working?

Well, I meant full-tume prereqs; I see no reason to drag them out -- but if your advisor discourages it, then at least take full-time classes (ie - add genetics or biochemistry, if you are able). Then, volunteer and work ON TOP of that full course load -- that's more representative of the type of work you'll have to do in medical school.

I guess I'm pretty staunchly in the "do as much as you can in as little time as possible to show you can handle the rigor" camp, but there are others on this forum who make fair arguments for part-time coursework -- maybe they can chime in and give their opinions.

 

[Allopathic13]

I agree with Newmans. In essence, especially in M3-medical school's educational paradigm is study full time and work during your remaining bits of time. The days are long and IMO if you can replicate that lifestyle in your Post-bacc/undergrad/graduate years-successfully, mind you, then there should be no question as to one's suitability for a medical school program. With that said, dont run yourself dry-you will need to find time to just chill and enjoy the university/city in which you are studying.