Will it look bad to take only 2 pre-reqs per semester as a nontrad?

[Ryan17]

Hi,

So I'm a postbac premed nontrad looking to knock out 3 semesters plus 2 summers of pre-reqs I never did in undergrad.

Would only taking 2 science classes with labs be frowned upon by adcoms? (especially allopathic?)

I figure that between labs and volunteering I wouldn't have much time for a full course load for 2 semesters, but I could probably add another class if it will look better, especially given a poor first 2 years of undergrad.

My final postbac schedule looks like this:

Summer Session 1, 2014: Gen Chem 1 with lab
Summer Session 2, 2014: Gen Chem 2 with lab

Fall semester 2014(only 2 classes):
Biology 1 with lab
O-Chem 1 with lab

Spring semester 2015(only 2 classes):
Biology 2 with lab
O-chem 2 with lab

Summer 2015 Session 1: Physics 1 with lab
Summer 2015 Session 2: Physics 2 with lab

Fall 2015:
Biochem
Psychology
Bio Elective

Thanks!!

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[Darth Doc]

IMHO taking two sciences per semester is fine, but what are you doing with the rest of your time? Either take a full load of classes, get a job (preferrably medically related), or get clinical experience.

 

[Ryan17]

Yeah, I was going to do volunteer work for ~10 hours/week. I also have zero science background so I figured I'd take it slow and ramp it up in Fall 2015. But if it looks better I guess I can add a class or two per semester.

 

[Darth Doc]

But if it looks better I guess I can add a class or two per semester.

You should just show you're doing something with your time other than just over-studying for two classes. I wouldn't take unnecessary classes. If you don't have sociology yet, that might help with the new MCAT. Other than that, if you have a BS (or BA) and only need pre-reqs, just show that you're active in your community in a longterm way, have interesting experience, learn spanish, something to stand out with non-coms.

 

[QuantumJ]

Some adcomms on this site will say you need to show you can take a heavy load of science courses at some point in your undergrad career. If you did this already then yes your plan looks perfectly fine. I took 3 classes in the fall, 1 in the spring and am now taking 1 more this spring before matriculating. Don't take unnecessary classes; instead fill up any extra time working and volunteering. Don't forget to save time for goofing off 😉

 

[MedPhys2MD]

Hi,

So I'm a postbac premed nontrad looking to knock out 3 semesters plus 2 summers of pre-reqs I never did in undergrad.

Would only taking 2 science classes with labs be frowned upon by adcoms? (especially allopathic?)

I figure that between labs and volunteering I wouldn't have much time for a full course load for 2 semesters, but I could probably add another class if it will look better, especially given a poor first 2 years of undergrad.

My final postbac schedule looks like this:

Summer Session 1, 2014: Gen Chem 1 with lab
Summer Session 2, 2014: Gen Chem 2 with lab

Fall semester 2014(only 2 classes):
Biology 1 with lab
O-Chem 1 with lab

Spring semester 2015(only 2 classes):
Biology 2 with lab
O-chem 2 with lab

Summer 2015 Session 1: Physics 1 with lab
Summer 2015 Session 2: Physics 2 with lab

Fall 2015:
Biochem
Psychology
Bio Elective

Thanks!!

I agree with others not to take unnecessary classes. But additional classes might be necessary if you have a low gpa since you said your first two years of undergrad were poor.

If you do have a low gpa, you might want to take a additional course or two to bring your gpa up. But probably not more science courses since you don't have much background. I'd take humanities or classes you're interested in and know you can perform well in

 

[orthostice]

I took a roughly similarly paced courseload as a post-bac student while doing a lot of things outside the classroom. I'm applying now and have been on a number of interviews, and it hasn't come up once. The most important thing about those classes is to get great grades in them -- it's way more important than any details around timing. I agree with others -- if you find yourself with extra time on your hands, you can seek out a distinctive clinical or research experience, which will do more to strengthen your application than a couple extra classes.