Workload

[gambetama]

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I'm a 31 y/o nontraditional student with sociology degree who's been taking 8 to 9 hrs. of prereqs with 15 hours of work/week. 3.8 - 4.0 every sem. The school isn't too happy where I interviewed at and said I should take more hours in a semester. Here's my schedule. Too easy or too hard or what? Also is 1 semester like this with good grades gonna actually convince them?

phys lab, 1 hr
human anatomy, 4 hrs
history of science, 3 hrs (a non-science class technically)
animal behavior, 3 hrs
microbiology, 3 hrs

14 hours total. Probably no work this semester.

Honest advice please, thx.

 

[relentless11]

I'm a 31 y/o nontraditional student with sociology degree who's been taking 8 to 9 hrs. of prereqs with 15 hours of work/week. 3.8 - 4.0 every sem. The school isn't too happy where I interviewed at and said I should take more hours in a semester. Here's my schedule. Too easy or too hard or what? Also is 1 semester like this with good grades gonna actually convince them?

phys lab, 1 hr
human anatomy, 4 hrs
history of science, 3 hrs (a non-science class technically)
animal behavior, 3 hrs
microbiology, 3 hrs

14 hours total. Probably no work this semester.

Honest advice please, thx.

Your call there. I know some people who would call that a hard semester, while others it would be a normal semester. However I must say that anatomy, microbiology, and animal behavior may require some long nights since thats a lot of material to cover. But it is certainly doable.

I would personally recommend taking the minimum that considers you as "full-time". Not sure what that is at your school. Anyway, I can sympathize in terms of the school wanting you to have a higher workload. My friend didn't get into med school for that reason despite having a 4.0 in post-bacc work!

Good luck!

 

[efex101]

Ask the school! this is the best way to know if this schedule will satisfy them...also ask for how "long" you need to do this. Is one semester going to cut it? or do they want more proof? No matter what we think if this school has already made this comment and you are interested in applying there, you should ask them directly.

Good luck.

 

[thoffen]

Med schools want to know you can handle a heavy workload with extracurriculars. Moreover, you should probably know that you can do this as well. It's hard to figure work in there, but that's the way it is. You're just gonna have to bust your ass to prove you can do it. If you can handle another course in there, do it.

 

[Nasrudin]

I take those kind of class loadswhile while working full-time. I know people who don't work and they take around 18 units. But 14 units of hard science is respectable under any circumstances. But because your 8-9 units was very light i would suggest beefing up your schedule to as much as you can handle and then some to settle the question...."can this person handle the med school work-load etc....?

 

[poly800rock]

Your call there. I know some people who would call that a hard semester, while others it would be a normal semester. However I must say that anatomy, microbiology, and animal behavior may require some long nights since thats a lot of material to cover. But it is certainly doable.

I would personally recommend taking the minimum that considers you as "full-time". Not sure what that is at your school. Anyway, I can sympathize in terms of the school wanting you to have a higher workload. My friend didn't get into med school for that reason despite having a 4.0 in post-bacc work!

Good luck!

how were his mcats and did he only apply allopathic, did he apply again?

 

[kimmcauliffe]

My best advice- take into consideration what your school said, but then seriously consider how much you can handle and not let your grades suffer. Most of us non-trads have families to support and bills to pay, so it's all about finding that right balance in your life.

I know it sounds impossible, but you will always make the things that are most important to you work! I am 27 with a full-time job and a full-time course load, so I know the feeling.

Hang in there! It will work out!