Will only taking 12 and 13 hour semesters hurt my chances?

[ugapharm]

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I just finished my freshman year at UGA. I plan on applying to UGA's pharmacy school next year. Because of AP's, I had 25 hours of credit coming in. I took a 12 and 13 hour semester last year. In order to fulfill the guidelines for UGA's pharmacy school, I just need two semesters of o-chem, statistics, and P.E. I have two semesters to do this. Would it hurt me to only take 12 hour semesters and fill them with fairly easy electives next year? Keep in mind that the fewer hours I take now means I would have more hours on my HOPE scholarship(pays for 150 hours, counting undergrad and pharmacy.)

Thanks

 

[nicolemsm]

I just finished my freshman year at UGA. I plan on applying to UGA's pharmacy school next year. Because of AP's, I had 25 hours of credit coming in. I took a 12 and 13 hour semester last year. In order to fulfill the guidelines for UGA's pharmacy school, I just need two semesters of o-chem, statistics, and P.E. I have two semesters to do this. Would it hurt me to only take 12 hour semesters and fill them with fairly easy electives next year? Keep in mind that the fewer hours I take now means I would have more hours on my HOPE scholarship(pays for 150 hours, counting undergrad and pharmacy.)

Thanks

Does UGA's pharm school website state anywhere about course load requirements? I know some schools I've looked at like students to be taking at least 15-16+ credits a semester in addition to extra curricular stuffs.

If you DO decide to take the 12-13 credit route I would say PUMP up your ECS, get a part time job and build your CV while concurrently getting straight As so you look like a well rounded candidate 😉

Also, great job on that sweet scholarship! I wish AZ had something like that!

 

[Monalyce]

Be prepared to show that you are using your time well...volunteering, working, and learning all you can about pharmacy. Also remember that pharmacy school will be academically demanding...schools will want to know that you can stay on top of things. Basically, stay busy and get A's.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Agree 110% with Mona... if you're taking a relatively light courseload (12-13 hours) then you'd definitely better be working 30 hours a week, or volunteering, or working in a lab, doing an honors thesis, something like that.

A 12-13 hour week, even with A+ grades, is indicative of someone who could be a risk under the high pressure of pharmacy school.

To be fair, the highest pressure schools are the 3 year programs, and that's where you find most of the "Requirements" with 16+ credit hour semester/quarters, like UoP.

It's just a good rule of thumb.

 

[Dave4468]

I actually talked to a representative from USC and was surprised to find that they said they don't care or consider course load at all. I would think for the most part it does play a factor, and a poster before me mentioned, pump up the EC's or even get a job as a pharmacy tech if you can.

 

[PharmOl]

In addition to everything above, some schools accept only limited amount of AP's and make you re-take the rest at a collegiate level. Need to find out what the facts about are at the school of your choice.

 

[type b pharmD]

no.

GPA is more important.

I took 7-9 hrs/credits per semester and was fine, got into my one and only choice.

Also, to people who say it doesnt prepare you for pharmacy school.. Perhaps, but I've found pharm school to be much easier than undergrad (it is way more straightforward) (and only working 15hrs a week instead of 40)

 

[By3Times1Minus1]

A high GPA is probably more important, but I think heavy course loads would certainly help to show you are capable. I know most med schools look at your course load, but I don't know about pharmacy schools (if I had to guess, it would weigh in somehow). During one of my interviews, I was asked about stressful academic situations and telling my interviewer that I was able do well while working and taking 21 hours for multiple semesters scored me big points with him. He said that most likely proved that I would be able to handle the pressures of a heavy pharmacy curriculum. If you only take 12-13 hours, I would DEFINITELY explain in your interview(s) that you had a lot of AP credit and your situation with the HOPE scholarship hours and that it was not because you were a slacker. I also agree with the above posters who said you should either do a lot of volunteer work or get pharmacy experience while taking light loads to show you aren't just taking it easy. Good luck to you.

 

[PrePharmGirl]

I wanted to make sure I got a high GPA so I took under 12 hrs a semester, and I got into pharm school. But it depends on the school.