<p>So, basically theres a consensus that I have to be a full time student. But, can I be barely full time via the inclusion of PE classes?</p>
<p>That’s for your college to decide. AMCAS and med schools won’t judge if you’re full-time or not because different colleges have different requirements. At my school, you need 12 academic credits to be full-time; PE doesn’t count.</p>
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<p>Wait a sec, a couple of weeks ago you said being part-time was a terrible idea.</p>
<p>It’s not whether you are full-time or part-time that matters but rather your courseload. I can take 12 credits/sem at my college and be full-time every single semester. However, med schools still won’t like the fact I took a reduced courseload because they generally want to see 4-5 courses/sem or 15 credits (assuming your school uses the standard 1 credit=1 lecture hour).</p>
<p>Part-time is definitely bad. In fact, if you fall into part-time category, secondaries will usually ask you to explain why. Even taking the minimum full-time courseload is bad (although acceptable if you do it 1-2 times). You generally should be taking 4-5 courses a semester.</p>
<p>Does that make sense? Med schools don’t care about full-time/part-time status because it’s expected you will be full-time every semester. If you are part-time (I’m assuming you’ll be taking just 2-3 courses), it’ll be very very obvious.</p>
<p>How about 13units( they use units, I don’t know why) in the quarter system? Thats 3 classes. But they are all fluff. I can add 2 PE classes, totaling 15 units.</p>
<p>You need 15 units to be full-time?</p>
<p>Is one unit=1 lecture hour/wk?</p>
<p>no, I just need 12units to be full time.</p>
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<p>yes(10 characters)</p>
<p>So, what’s the issue? Taking 12-13 units is okay once in a while. It’s not a big deal. I’ve done it (although with 4 courses). Take the PE courses if you want. It’s not going to fool anyone.</p>
<p>Basically, I’m out of lower division math courses to take( its my major). I can’t take any premed courses because I’m at a JC. And I have already taken 1 quarter below fulltime and another with a scant 13units. The damage has been done, but it seems like I have to do more damage to my resume. I know I can’t fool anyone, but can it be explained come admissions time?</p>