bring me down to earth SDN!
I am searching these forums for someone who can relate to me. But I mean the majority of you guys are awesome candidates for med school and will definitely be better doctors than me.
This fall i am taking three pre-reqs (chem, physics, and bio), plus a computer class. Its 16 credits, no big deal right? Ive heard of some of u taking 20 credits, hours of volunteering, research projects, and curing immuno-deficiency diseases in your spare time.
The silly thing is, I tell people I am taking those measley credit hours and they gawk at me. They say I am crazy and very "determined" for trying to balance those pre-reqs and my crazy social life. Usually, this sort of praise does not get to my head but it does sometimes. I am tired of hearing from people who have no idea what the medical field is like on how "ambitious I am to take on just this semester."
SDN, please tear this surreality down 
Answer:I am searching these forums for someone who can relate to me. But I mean the majority of you guys are awesome candidates for med school and will definitely be better doctors than me.
This fall i am taking three pre-reqs (chem, physics, and bio), plus a computer class. Its 16 credits, no big deal right? Ive heard of some of u taking 20 credits, hours of volunteering, research projects, and curing immuno-deficiency diseases in your spare time.
The silly thing is, I tell people I am taking those measley credit hours and they gawk at me. They say I am crazy and very "determined" for trying to balance those pre-reqs and my crazy social life. Usually, this sort of praise does not get to my head but it does sometimes. I am tired of hearing from people who have no idea what the medical field is like on how "ambitious I am to take on just this semester."
SDN, please tear this surreality down
First of all, high grades/MCAT does not predict future success as a physician. A medical education is what you make of it, and your determination to be the best you can is what will dictate how good of a doctor you will become. Second, 16 credits is about what I would average throughout college. I didn’t find this to be too light, and it certainly wasn’t too heavy or overly ambitious. I too would hear the types of things you’re hearing from people, but they were either people who were never in college or were business or communications majors. So you really have to consider the source.
Answer:Yeah I would go for more like 14 if it can increase your gpa. When I helped review aps it was my impression very few people pay attention to the number of credit hours, it’s the GPA on page 1 that matters.
Answer:First of all, high grades/MCAT does not predict future success as a physician. A medical education is what you make of it, and your determination to be the best you can is what will dictate how good of a doctor you will become. Second, 16 credits is about what I would average throughout college. I didn’t find this to be too light, and it certainly wasn’t too heavy or overly ambitious. I too would hear the types of things you’re hearing from people, but they were either people who were never in college or were business or communications majors. So you really have to consider the source.
Yeah, I got lots of "Oh my god 12 credits is soo rough" from a lot of people at my university.
Answer:Chem, Physics, and Bio all at once and all with labs? Why? I don’t think 16 credits is too many, but it seems like hard science OD. I feel like these classes are going to drive you crazy if you take them all at once. Unless there’s really no other option, I’d strongly suggest switching either Physics or Bio for something like English (or something, preferably a non-science class that you need to graduate).
Answer:well i am already behind in my plan to matriculate in 2012, deciding to go to med school has been a fairly recent decision (6 months ago) so im trying to get through my pre-reqs before my MCAT.
maybe considering matriculation in ‘13 would be better?
Answer:well i am already behind in my plan to matriculate in 2012, deciding to go to med school has been a fairly recent decision (6 months ago) so im trying to get through my pre-reqs before my MCAT.
maybe considering matriculation in ‘13 would be better?
What’s the rush? A year or two more isn’t going to put you that far behind. Plus, you don’t want to put yourself into turmoil by damaging your GPA. If you talk to the "smart" people that have taken those classes, then you may get a better picture of whether you can score an A in those classes. If they struggled, then you may want to lower the weight of your schedule.
As for the MCAT, it is possible to take the test before you finish all your pre-reqs. You just have to study the prep books very well and it may take longer because you have more information to cover. Most MCAT takers just have to review and study the information not covered in class. Just to spare frustration and time, study for the MCAT after majority of your pre-reqs.
Definitely consider spreading out your classes to secure your GPA. And, you will have less chance of bulimic learning (hurling after consuming too much knowledge at once).
Answer:First of all, high grades/MCAT does not predict future success as a physician. A medical education is what you make of it, and your determination to be the best you can is what will dictate how good of a doctor you will become. Second, 16 credits is about what I would average throughout college. I didn’t find this to be too light, and it certainly wasn’t too heavy or overly ambitious. I too would hear the types of things you’re hearing from people, but they were either people who were never in college or were business or communications majors. So you really have to consider the source.
But a good indicator if you will get into med school
Answer:I am searching these forums for someone who can relate to me. But I mean the majority of you guys are awesome candidates for med school and will definitely be better doctors than me.
This fall i am taking three pre-reqs (chem, physics, and bio), plus a computer class. Its 16 credits, no big deal right? Ive heard of some of u taking 20 credits, hours of volunteering, research projects, and curing immuno-deficiency diseases in your spare time.
The silly thing is, I tell people I am taking those measley credit hours and they gawk at me. They say I am crazy and very "determined" for trying to balance those pre-reqs and my crazy social life. Usually, this sort of praise does not get to my head but it does sometimes. I am tired of hearing from people who have no idea what the medical field is like on how "ambitious I am to take on just this semester."
SDN, please tear this surreality down
In terms of difficulty of things in life, 16 units is pretty easy.
Even if they are all tough units.
Once you add volunteering and studying for an MCAT or other social things, then you are getting in to the challenge.
But just school isn’t that tough. It’s actually pretty easy.
Answer:well i am already behind in my plan to matriculate in 2012, deciding to go to med school has been a fairly recent decision (6 months ago) so im trying to get through my pre-reqs before my MCAT.
maybe considering matriculation in ‘13 would be better?
Take your time. Whatever you do, do not set yourself up to get subpar grades. Waiting one year to spread your sciences out and give yourself adequate time to prepare for the MCAT is >>>>>>> messing your GPA up and getting stuck doing a post-bac.
That said, that schedule isn’t by any means impossible, but it wouldn’t be fun, to me at least. Need more diversity.
Answer:I am searching these forums for someone who can relate to me. But I mean the majority of you guys are awesome candidates for med school and will definitely be better doctors than me.
This fall i am taking three pre-reqs (chem, physics, and bio), plus a computer class. Its 16 credits, no big deal right? Ive heard of some of u taking 20 credits, hours of volunteering, research projects, and curing immuno-deficiency diseases in your spare time.
The silly thing is, I tell people I am taking those measley credit hours and they gawk at me. They say I am crazy and very "determined" for trying to balance those pre-reqs and my crazy social life. Usually, this sort of praise does not get to my head but it does sometimes. I am tired of hearing from people who have no idea what the medical field is like on how "ambitious I am to take on just this semester."
SDN, please tear this surreality down
I wouldn’t call 16 credits, 12 of which are science pre-reqs, easy. But that is a very doable schedule. Bio and Chem were fairly simple and straight forward and calc-based Physics wasn’t extremely challenging either. (Not sure about the physics you will be taking). Either way, a very doable schedule that will require hard work and studying. Look at the bright side, no organic! 
Answer:OP, just remember that number of credits differs between schools. So what is considered "easy" "hard" "full time" varies from school to school. If you’re at a school like my undergrad, 21 credits is usually 7 classes, whereas at another school it might be 5 classes. So take it with a grain of salt when someone tells you how many credits you should / could be taking.
I think this is a situation where only you really know what you can handle. It depends what else you have going on (work, volunteering) and how well you study. Personally I think it sounds doable, but that’s me. What matters is if you think you can handle it. If you have doubts, drop one of the classes and pick up something easy and fun if you need to keep your credits at a certain point. A high science GPA with you taking your time will be worth much more than a mediocre GPA with you taking on more than you can handle. If you’re confident, then go for it.
Answer:I am searching these forums for someone who can relate to me. But I mean the majority of you guys are awesome candidates for med school and will definitely be better doctors than me.
This fall i am taking three pre-reqs (chem, physics, and bio), plus a computer class. Its 16 credits, no big deal right? Ive heard of some of u taking 20 credits, hours of volunteering, research projects, and curing immuno-deficiency diseases in your spare time.
The silly thing is, I tell people I am taking those measley credit hours and they gawk at me. They say I am crazy and very "determined" for trying to balance those pre-reqs and my crazy social life. Usually, this sort of praise does not get to my head but it does sometimes. I am tired of hearing from people who have no idea what the medical field is like on how "ambitious I am to take on just this semester."
SDN, please tear this surreality down
This is totally doable! I understand what you mean when you say you have friends give you a hard time about your course load, but ultimately, it’s up to you and how determined you are to complete it successfully. Last fall, I did exactly what you are doing. I took ochem 1, phys 1, and biol 2, all in one semester (because I wanted to finish my prereqs before the MCAT) plus 3 more classes, totalling 21 hours. It was tough, and I received a lot of criticism/skepticism from friends. I came out of it with all A’s though, and you can definitely do it too! Just stay focused!
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