How much does your course load each semester affect grad school admission?

In summary, the speaker is a double major in ChemE and physics with plans to attend grad school. They are currently taking 6 courses totaling 19 hours, with 10-15 hours spent in a research lab each week. They are considering dropping one course to take it later, but are unsure how this will affect their chances of being admitted to top ranked programs. However, it is mentioned that the timing of courses is not as important as the content, and dropping one course should not greatly impact their applications. It is also noted that admissions committees may not even be aware of the dropped course unless it shows up on the transcript. Overall, as long as the speaker is not noticeably stretching out their college experience, taking a lower course load
  • #1
brandonjisaac
2
0
I'm currently double majoring in ChemE and physics with the intent of going to grad school. This semester I'm taking 6 courses this semester totaling 19 hours, with about 10-15 hours per week spent in a research lab. I was considering dropping one course and taking it another semester, but I was wondering how much that affects grad school admission, especially to top ranked programs. The main reason I'm considering this is because my final three semester only require me to take 13 hours to complete the program, so I have plenty of time to take the course later.
 
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  • #2
What matters are the classes that you take, not necessarily when you take them. I think it sounds like a good idea to hold off on taking one of those classes until later since it sounds like you will have room for it. I don't think this will affect your applications at all. Even if this course is a 4 credit class, you will still be left with 15 credits which is a normal load for the semester.

Being so early in the semester, will this class show up on your transcript as having dropped it? If it doesn't, then admission committees will never even know you made this decision. If it does, then you can briefly explain why you dropped the course in your SOP. I think this sounds like a perfectly legitimate reason.
 
  • #3
In most cases, it should matter very little. Even GPA doesn't matter very much at all (as long as your application gets to the point where it's carefully read).

Basically, you have to have some course load if you're going to graduate in 4 years anyways, and people aren't going to care as long as it isn't obvious that you're trying to stay in college for 6 years while doing the absolute minimum required. Even *that* isn't that bad if you show them that you did research in your time instead.

But in a few cases, you can impress adcoms if you can manage to hold your own while taking 20+ credit loads in a single quarter.
 

Related to How much does your course load each semester affect grad school admission?

1. How important is the course load I have each semester for grad school admission?

The course load you have each semester is one of the many factors that grad schools consider when reviewing applications. While it is important, it is not the only deciding factor. Admissions committees also look at other aspects such as your GPA, research experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.

2. Will a heavy course load negatively impact my chances of getting into grad school?

Grad schools understand that students often have heavy course loads in order to challenge themselves and prepare for higher education. As long as you are able to maintain a strong GPA and excel in your coursework, a heavy course load should not negatively impact your chances of admission. However, it is important to find a balance and not overload yourself to the point where it affects your academic performance.

3. How does the course load in my major affect my grad school admission?

The course load in your major is typically given more weight in the admissions process. This is because grad schools want to see that you have taken challenging courses in your field of study and have a strong foundation in the subject. It is important to take a mix of courses that are relevant to your major and also demonstrate well-roundedness.

4. Is it better to take more challenging courses or get a higher GPA for grad school admission?

It is important to find a balance between challenging yourself with difficult courses and maintaining a strong GPA. Admissions committees will look at both your course load and your grades, so it is important to excel in both areas. Consider taking a mix of challenging courses and courses that you are confident you can do well in to maintain a high GPA.

5. Will grad schools consider the difficulty of my course load when reviewing my application?

Yes, grad schools will take into consideration the difficulty of your course load when reviewing your application. They understand that some courses may be more challenging than others and will take this into account when evaluating your academic performance. However, it is still important to maintain a strong GPA and excel in your coursework regardless of the difficulty level.

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