<p>I have already asked something similar, but now that I ponder about it, I have considered an alternative.</p>
<p>Since I think I won't need a whole year to prepare for MCAT (ECs...), I would like to know if med school interpret having a semester off badly (=not being able to handle college to the point that you have to drop every courses)
or do they prefer something who stopped for a year than a semester?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, is it better to take a whole semester off, or to reduce the coursework from 18 credits hours to 9-12 credit hours?</p>
<p>You shouldn't be taking 9-12 credits/semester whether you take a year off or not. 15 credits/sem is the norm (average).</p>
<p>If you're planning on taking a semester off in the middle of your schooling to study the MCAT, I don't think that's a great excuse since many people are able to study for the MCAT while attending school full-time. However, I don't think it's a problem if you simply graduate a semester early and then study for the MCAT during the following semester.</p>
<p>So basically, it does matter (disadvantage) for medical school to take a light course work, but on the other hand, it does not give any advantage of you take a heavier coursework.
Is that right?</p>
<p>Yes, IF you frequently take a significantly lighter course load. One semester, even two at 13 credit hours isn't necessarily a liability assuming you make them up with a semester or two at 17 or 18 hours. But the best strategy is to take what's considered normal at your undergraduate school (something that varies).</p>
<p>So how do people who work part time and study at college at the same time do (I think they have 10-12 hours credit per semester)?</p>
<p>No, colleges want to see that you can handle EC's and a full courseload. I've had a job ever since starting college. In fact, last semester, I worked 3 jobs while taking 15 credits. If you plan to study for the MCAT while going to school, then you might take a lesser courseload. However, most premeds work and/or volunteer while taking normal courseloads. It's really not that hard.</p>