Will having extra "difficult" classes help in application?

[bananafish94]

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Your GPA is the most important thing, but you should take classes that interest you. I took a lot of high level and graduate level courses in the hard sciences, as well as some exceptionally weird courses that hardly anyone takes, and some of my interviewers were pretty interested in them.

 

[IlDestriero]

I took a class that was so hard it was ridiculous. It was nearly impossible to get a B. I was lucky to barely get a B. The projects and assignments took a ridiculous amount of time and there was a single comprehensive exam at the end worth 1/3 of your grade. It was the equivalent of 3 other classes of work, easily. Ultimately it represented a single B on my transcript and no *^#ks were given by any Adcom member anywhere.
Take basket weaving in a semester abroad along with into to Grecian architecture, learn the different column types, get your As and move along.


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Il Destriero

 

[aldol16]

I took a class that was so hard it was ridiculous. It was nearly impossible to get a B. I was lucky to barely get a B. The projects and assignments took a ridiculous amount of time and there was a single comprehensive exam at the end worth 1/3 of your grade. It was the equivalent of 3 other classes of work, easily. Ultimately it represented a single B on my transcript and no *^#ks were given by any Adcom member anywhere.

What were your final exams usually worth....?

 

[confidentandgood]

But I would argue that a 3.7 science major with hard courses is more impressive than a 3.7 dance major with easy classes, which might go into the overall evaluation (small factor).

The final decision still depends on the rest of their applications.

 

[applyingtomedschoolyay]

No. While it sucks, schools have no way to judge the rigor of each class and school. The MCAT is the supposed to be the equalizer.

 

[IlDestriero]

What were your final exams usually worth....?

It wasn't unusual to have a final worth 1/3 of your grade, but it was unusual to have no midterm and only one single comprehensive exam for the entire term's material. That and the intensity of the class/professor caused great anxiety and required greater than usual preparation.
My university was like the Marine Corps. They broke you down, but at least the Corps had the courtesy to build you back up at the end into a man. At least it has name recognition. #LandOfBrokenDreams


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Il Destriero

 

[Goro]

We Adcom members have discuss at length for years on SDN that we don't care about your major (and thus your classes), only that you do well in them. L2D's posts on the subject for the rationale are spot on (as usual).

Interesting perspective. I heard differing perspectives on here from adcoms saying they view classes holistically such that engineering majors are viewed in the context of their classes - not that it necessarily gives them any measurable boost. I would say that somebody's major doesn't define their ECs and what makes them interesting (I'm biased since I was a hard science major and a D1 athlete) but thank you for your response.

 

[tskbdmnd]

We Adcom members have discuss at length for years on SDN that we don't care about your major (and thus your classes), only that you do well in them. L2D's posts on the subject for the rationale are spot on (as usual).

I hoped that ABET accreditation and the FE exam would be enough to prove the academic rigor of the courses. It's no problem though. I didn't choose engineering for such a small reason.

 

[Goro]

This illustrates perfectly what we have been talking about. I have no idea what ABET or FE are. I doubt my wily Admissions Dean knows.

Hence, the bar you have to pass is doing well in your coursework, no matter what it is.

I hoped that ABET accreditation and the FE exam would be enough to prove the academic rigor of the courses. It's no problem though. I didn't choose engineering for such a small reason.

 

[aldol16]

It wasn't unusual to have a final worth 1/3 of your grade, but it was unusual to have no midterm and only one single comprehensive exam for the entire term's material. That and the intensity of the class/professor caused great anxiety and required greater than usual preparation.

Ah, I see! Builds character! We usually assign 50% of the grade to the final, 30% or so to the midterm, and the rest to homework and/or participation. There are a few courses though where 60% of the grade is from the final with no midterm or a final paper.

 

[gyngyn]

I hoped that ABET accreditation and the FE exam would be enough to prove the academic rigor of the courses. It's no problem though. I didn't choose engineering for such a small reason.

What the heck are these?