Hi all! I was wondering how many classes would you recommend that I take while working full-time?
Working full-time. How many classes?
- Thread starter docgirl
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2004
- Messages
- 876
- Reaction score
- 2
Personally, I wouldn't take more than 4 semester hours prior to the MCAT. I worked full time, took 3 credits of bio labs, and 3 of lecture this Jan-April and it was a little too much.
Since you're a nursing asst, I'd recommend getting more exposure on the physician side since you already have general clinical experience. Shadow your family doc 3-5 hours a week, scrub into some surgeries, etc.
Since you're a nursing asst, I'd recommend getting more exposure on the physician side since you already have general clinical experience. Shadow your family doc 3-5 hours a week, scrub into some surgeries, etc.
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2004
- Messages
- 43
- Reaction score
- 0
docgirl said:
For me, two classes plus a full-time job is the limit. That said, if I was studying for the MCAT, I would definitely restrict it to one class. Your MCAT score is too important to risk taking more classes just to prove that you can handle a heavy work load. You have probably already proven that you can handle a full course load in the past. My advice is to take it easy now and focus on that MCAT.
As a nursing assistant, I don't think you need to volunteer. My understanding is that the ADCOM's want to know that you know what you're getting into. Your experience as a nursing assistant actually gives you a better preview than most volunteering experiences would.
Of course, I am not an ADCOM member, so take it for what it's worth. I hope my words have encouraged you, it sounds like you're on the right path.
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2004
- Messages
- 642
- Reaction score
- 0
uh i am working right now and figure on taking 3 classes in the fall. how would you have time to take classes and study for the mcat? thats too much in my opinion...but maybe you can do it.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2004
- Messages
- 90
- Reaction score
- 0
I'll agree with everything above, but most important is to know yourself. How drained are you at the end of the workday? What feels right, and what feels like too much?
I took between 3 and 7 credits per term every fall, spring, and summer for two and a half years, in addition to a "day job". Only once was I really overextended, so it can be manageable. On the other hand, I stopped taking courses entirely this last spring to prepare for the MCAT (in addition to the occasional week off work to really hit the books hard). I found this very beneficial, and I recommend it. Often, the stress of juggling different activities isn't so much from not having enough time, but just from having too many things on your plate. If you can narrow yourself down to two major activities at a time, the stress can be much, much less.
I took between 3 and 7 credits per term every fall, spring, and summer for two and a half years, in addition to a "day job". Only once was I really overextended, so it can be manageable. On the other hand, I stopped taking courses entirely this last spring to prepare for the MCAT (in addition to the occasional week off work to really hit the books hard). I found this very beneficial, and I recommend it. Often, the stress of juggling different activities isn't so much from not having enough time, but just from having too many things on your plate. If you can narrow yourself down to two major activities at a time, the stress can be much, much less.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2002
- Messages
- 5,470
- Reaction score
- 8
are you not a full time student? i would have thought take under the minimum of 12-13 semester units would cause you to lose some financial aid...
but anyways...i dont think schools would think you are taking it easy just as long as they the reasons behind it. obviously they see you have a full time job and studying for the mcat, taking one class during that semester isnt gonna be bad.
back in the day...i had to have full time status so i wouldnt lose out on financial aid, so that mcat semester i worked, and took 4 classes. didnt have much time to study for the mcats and in the ideal world i wouldnt have done it this way, but i had no choice...and i was happy just to have survived with slightly above mediocre grades that semester. i basically sacrificed mcat studying for work and school since money and my gpa was my main concern back then...
so i think you should stick with your schedule and you will be OK. I'm also sorry you had a crummy volunteering experience. it seems to be a hit or miss thing. my time at a children's hospital was pretty much my pride and joy on the application. and im sure being a nursing assistant would count as clinical experience. but if you can find another volunteering thing that you find enjoyable, i suggest you do that as well. maybe not this semester because of the mcat, but afterwards.
but anyways...i dont think schools would think you are taking it easy just as long as they the reasons behind it. obviously they see you have a full time job and studying for the mcat, taking one class during that semester isnt gonna be bad.
back in the day...i had to have full time status so i wouldnt lose out on financial aid, so that mcat semester i worked, and took 4 classes. didnt have much time to study for the mcats and in the ideal world i wouldnt have done it this way, but i had no choice...and i was happy just to have survived with slightly above mediocre grades that semester. i basically sacrificed mcat studying for work and school since money and my gpa was my main concern back then...
so i think you should stick with your schedule and you will be OK. I'm also sorry you had a crummy volunteering experience. it seems to be a hit or miss thing. my time at a children's hospital was pretty much my pride and joy on the application. and im sure being a nursing assistant would count as clinical experience. but if you can find another volunteering thing that you find enjoyable, i suggest you do that as well. maybe not this semester because of the mcat, but afterwards.
