Will this cause adcoms to look upon me unfavorably?

[RNtoMD87]

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I have Gchem 1+2 with labs, Ochem 1+2 with labs, physics 1+2 with labs, and biochem left to take. I plan to start this next spring.

I know adcoms like to see a heavy course load indicating a student can handle a workload. However, I will be a full time nurse, AND all I have left are these classes.

I have taken a heavy courseload of at least 15 up to 18 hours since leaving the army in 2012. I got all A's, with one B in communications class. However, these weren't as difficult of classes.

If you are an adcom, what do you suggest me do if this will not be a sufficient amount of hours? Thanks.

 

[Catalystik]

I have Gchem 1+2 with labs, Ochem 1+2 with labs, physics 1+2 with labs, and biochem left to take. I plan to start this next spring.

I know adcoms like to see a heavy course load indicating a student can handle a workload. However, I will be a full time nurse, AND all I have left are these classes.

I have taken a heavy courseload of at least 15 up to 18 hours since leaving the army in 2012. I got all A's, with one B in communications class. However, these weren't as difficult of classes.

If you are an adcom, what do you suggest me do if this will not be a sufficient amount of hours? Thanks.

When you're working full time no one expects you to take an 18 hour courseload. Taking fewer hours is fine. As @gonnif points out, it's OK to decelerate your academics further if you would be endangering your GPA with tough classes.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Okay, someone had once posted that they don't look at whether you're working or not. I have no idea whether they knew what they were talking about or not though...

My OMSIV friend recommended I take Gchem 1+lab and Phys 1+lab this fall along with fulltime RN to BSN and full time working as an RN

Glad Goro set me straight on that one.

 

[Catalystik]

Okay, someone had once posted that they don't look at whether you're working or not. I have no idea whether they knew what they were talking about or not though...

That you're working is hard to miss. Appreciating how many credit hours you take per term takes more deliberate focus and microanalysis of your transcript.

 

[RNtoMD87]

If I do decide to quit working at some point in my premed journey, will I need to up my hours then? My only issue is that there isn't much left for me to take that would be relevant that I will have the prereqs completed for.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

You are a veteran and work full time as a nurse? You’ve already taken 15-18 hours a semester for multiple semesters and excelled at it?
Take your time and finish up what you have to. You’ve already shown a strong work ethic and dedication.

 

[RNtoMD87]

I'm saying I only have those classes left, and since theyre all sequential, its hard to have more than 8 hours in a semester which I've heard looks weak.

I have until 2027 to use my GI Bill, and seeing as I have 4 years of med school I hope to matriculate by 2023. This gives me time but I want to give myself extra time incase I am a reapplicant. Also I am 31 and would like to get finished with med school before too long.

I honestly feel like Med school is going to be a huge break. I'm working about 48 hrs a week as an ICU/Stepdown RN, volunteering 8 hrs a week in the coroners office, doing RN-BSN full time, and studying chemistry and physics in my off time so school wont be too rough while I'm working full time. I'm beyond exhausted but I know it'll be worth it in the end. I don't get a day off a week, its more like an afternoon.

 

[PotentiallyMDPHD]

Like others have stated in this thread, I'd just like to point out that you should take into consideration that these people (adcoms) are people too; as such, they'll empathize with your arduous journey to get to this point. As long as you make it clear, whether in your personal statement or work/activity section, your story will resonate with some, at least. Take the journey, one step at a time, and you'll get to where you're going! It doesn't really matter what "looks weak" per se (as an aside, you have a lot going for you which is a huge positive); it's not worth significantly damaging not only your GPA, but your mental psyche as well to overload yourself with too much in your life. Good luck with everything.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm saying I only have those classes left, and since theyre all sequential, its hard to have more than 8 hours in a semester which I've heard looks weak.

No adcomm is going to think that someone who is ex-military is "weak."