Not all schools and pre-med advisors would agree with ncg and bdm. Seems like not all med schools do either.
My D's sophomore year , because of scheduling of science courses and fine arts distribution req's at an LAC, resulted in a fall schedule of </p>
<p>and Spring
3 hrs Physics
1 hr Physics Lab
4hrs Orgo
2 hrs Orgo Lab
2 Hrs Bio Research
1 hr Music
4 hrs History</p>
<p>17 Hours</p>
<p>While I agree that the student needs to show a strong schedule every semester with even one slackard schedule being a negative, I don't believe there exists a hard and fast rule that "4 academic courses of 3 hrs or more each" is a requirement of showing a strong semester academic courseload. There are certainly 2 hour academic seminars that while not technically meeting the 4 academic course rule would be impressive to admissions committees. </p>
<p>I also believe that the nature and substance of the student's research, and whther or not it was graded and required production of a paper, would have a bearing on how that was "class" weighed. Many schools have a rather loose independent study category within their highest Honors Programs for self directed learners that while graded and requiring substantial scholarship would not neccessarily fit the strict confines being discussed here. </p>
<p>I believe those students will be O.K.. </p>
<p>But I guess she'll find out, huh? ;)</p>
<p>But really guys, thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure she informs her committee of the possible bias of those who might not dig deeper.</p>
<p>
[quote]
But even if you take less than 15 one or two semesters or years, you can still exceed the credits needed to graduate by overloading yourself in other semesters or years, can't you?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Look, med schools receive 100 applicants for a seat. Out of those 100 applicants, they can only afford to interview 2-3. So, they will do whatever is necessary to eliminate the other 97 candidates. So, you may very well be eliminated for having a low courseload or having a few W's or having a few semesters at a CC or for not having taken orgo before you apply. None of those things are particularly grave by themselves but adcoms will split hairs in order to narrow down their applicant pool.</p>
<p>curm, I fail to see how your daugther's schedule is contrary to what I or BDM wrote. She's taking a lot of credits. She's taking hefty, substantial courses (orgo, physics, etc.). Your daughter is taking 5-6 courses per semester. In such a case, of course, it's unrealistic to expect all of her courses to be 3-4 credits each. No one is going to mistake her for a "slacker."</p>
<p>My point only applies to people who are taking the bare minimum (12 credits). In such a scenario, four 3-credit courses might look better than three 4-credit courses.</p>
<p>Heck yes, ncg. I don't disagree. Just knowing how literal some (all?) pre-meds are I thought some might be considering the seminary. ;)</p>
<p>I agree with the advice, just wanted to flesh it out a bit.</p>
<p>BTW, as to my heads up comment. I was serious. I do think it's important to lessen whatever bias might be out there for a non-traditional (or not perfectly traditional) schedule. Again. Thanks, :)</p>
<p>Not all schools and pre-med advisors would agree with ncg and bdm in every case (maybe most) . Seems like not all med schools would always draw a hard and fast line either. But be aware and have the committee address any possible misconceptions. </p>
<p>
[quote]
But even if you take less than 15 one or two semesters or years, you can still exceed the credits needed to graduate by overloading yourself in other semesters or years, can't you?
[/quote]
Yes, but the point is that you don't have to choose one or the other. You can overload in some semesters WITHOUT underloading in others.</p>
<p>doesnt Curm's example just support what BDM and NorCal said?
Anyways, im curious cause if the adcoms see you taking 4-5 classes (e.g. 2 science, math, lit,+internship) this semester and then suddenly take 3 hard science classes next semester, would they point out that you are 'slacking' or using your extra elective credits to your advantage and take fewer courses so you can do better at the science classes.</p>
<p>anyways i think ill probably add that stats class
hope i dont die next semester</p>
<p>The question was not about my D. She was just my example. It was about the idea , if anybody was positing this one- that 4 academic courses of 3 hours or more are required. If no one was saying that then fine. But I read some of the posts as requiring that including the one from ncg that I quoted. (Put me in that "literal" category . ;))</p>
<p>I do think that it was valuable to learn that some might not view "Research" as academic as I would have.</p>