<p>I'm a current and second-year undergraduate student. I'm wondering if it looks bad (perhaps when applying to Grad school or when looking for a job) to take only 12 credits a certain semester?</p>
<p>I came in with 9 credits for A.P./I.B. tests and I took 14 credits for my first and second semesters (4 classes each semester, and some were 4 credit classes). That leaves me with a total of 37 credits at the moment with one full year completed. </p>
<p>I planned to take 5 classes this semester for 15 credits, but I found out that one of my courses is no longer needed to fulfill a requirement. I could keep it just to have 15 credits, but meh - it seems superfluous now. It's not fulfilling anything and I don't really want to take it at all. </p>
<p>I'm looking for another course I could replace it with, but no luck so far. Given that I came in with some extra credits, it won't push back my graduation if I take 12 this time. Just want to know if it looks bad.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter, but if you only take 12 credits then you better be doing something valuable with that free time! Like research, or internship, volunteering, etc. </p>
<p>Otherwise, it’s better to take that extra class (maybe even towards a minor). Also, at my college you needed to take 14 credits min in order to be on the “Deans List.” Not sure if you care about that. </p>
<p>To answer your question though: it doesn’t matter, but you should make sure you do something worthwhile to put on grad school apps. </p>
<p>I’m kind of between a rock and hard place on ECs. I go to school in DC, and I didn’t realize internships were so hyper competitive. The ones I applied for, I didn’t hear back from let alone make it to the interview stage. Not only that, but 90% are unpaid and I need a source of income (which will only come from sub-par retail kinds of jobs, etc, of which I already have 5 years + experience). </p>
<p>ECs have always been a huge issue for me. I had to force myself into them in high school only for the purpose of having things to tell colleges about. I’m not the type of person that likes to be involved. I like going to class, getting good grades, and that’s about it. Nonetheless, I’ve been trying to find some internships (and experience that’s of a higher caliber than what I already have) but nothing has materialized. I know I’m only a sophomore but it’s beginning to concern me. </p>
<p>I’m interested in MPP/MPA grad programs, but don’t NEED to apply right from undergrad. I just figured that might be the best option for me, given that it will be hard to find a job when I graduate with a BA in Political Science.</p>
<p>ECs don’t matter for graduate admissions. Academic performance and work experience, for professional programs, do.</p>
<p>Most MPP/MPA programs are designed for students who have experience in those fields first. Take it from someone in government service: what you learn in the classroom is only a fraction of the real job.</p>
<p>If you’re only looking for DC internships, you’re really limiting yourself. Look for summer positions elsewhere - there’s a lot more governmenr “out there.”</p>
<p>And it doesn’t matter AT ALL how many credits you take per semester. You’re not going to be looked at as some superman for taking 80 billion credits - that’s not what grad school is about. A full-time graduate course load is only 9 units per semester - there’s lots to do outside the classroom.</p>
<p>Also, if you’re just starting your sophomore year, you really haven’t gotten much beyond introductory coursework in your field. You will find yourself more competitive for internships in the coming years, as you gain knowledge and experience.</p>
<p>What polarscribe said - it doesn’t matter how many credits you take a semester. What matters is how well you do in those classes and if you have the other kinds of experiences that graduate programs look for.</p>