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Second Degree Full course load question


Devi

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**Sorry mod please move to NTP forums, wrong section***

 

Hi everyone, I have a situation where I hope you guys can help me with. Currently I am pursuing a 2nd degree in Nutritional Sciences at UBC. This is my last attempt at my resurrecting the mistakes I made in my first degree (plain crap GPA). This coming fall will be my last year of my 2-year degree. My plan was to write the MCAT this summer before they switch to the new one. However, I got seriously ill this summer (more than a month) and which delayed my studying. It wasn't until recently I have gotten better and continued my studies. I plan on changing my exam to the November or October sessions, but that will conflict with school. Therefore, I am considering dropping some course this semester (finish them during summer), but I wanted to know what constitutes as a full-course load for the Canadian medicals that accept second degrees (western, queens, Ottawa)? I've done some searching and it seems that I need to have at least 5 courses per semester (no labs). I was wondering if this is true. Even if I can take 4 courses would be a load off for me (then take 6 next term).

 

If the conclusion is that I do need to take 5 courses then I will tough it out. I’ve made my mistakes and I am willing to work hard to change it. I do not have a MCAT score on record right now.

The other alternative is the write the new MCAT next year. I would consider that as an option, but no prep courses are prepared. I know KHAN academy will have resources (callable with AAMC) but it’s still a long shot.

 

But yea I hope you guys can provide some suggestions. I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goal. Thanks in advanced.

 

**Edit: Am I also allowed 1 credit/D fail course? If so, that could lighten things up a bit. Honestly I want a high gpa so I don't know if this is a good route.

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**Sorry mod please move to NTP forums, wrong section***

 

Hi everyone, I have a situation where I hope you guys can help me with. Currently I am pursuing a 2nd degree in Nutritional Sciences at UBC. This is my last attempt at my resurrecting the mistakes I made in my first degree (plain crap GPA). This coming fall will be my last year of my 2-year degree. My plan was to write the MCAT this summer before they switch to the new one. However, I got seriously ill this summer (more than a month) and which delayed my studying. It wasn't until recently I have gotten better and continued my studies. I plan on changing my exam to the November or October sessions, but that will conflict with school. Therefore, I am considering dropping some course this semester (finish them during summer), but I wanted to know what constitutes as a full-course load for the Canadian medicals that accept second degrees (western, queens, Ottawa)? I've done some searching and it seems that I need to have at least 5 courses per semester (no labs). I was wondering if this is true. Even if I can take 4 courses would be a load off for me (then take 6 next term).

 

If the conclusion is that I do need to take 5 courses then I will tough it out. I’ve made my mistakes and I am willing to work hard to change it. I do not have a MCAT score on record right now.

The other alternative is the write the new MCAT next year. I would consider that as an option, but no prep courses are prepared. I know KHAN academy will have resources (callable with AAMC) but it’s still a long shot.

 

But yea I hope you guys can provide some suggestions. I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goal. Thanks in advanced.

 

**Edit: Am I also allowed 1 credit/D fail course? If so, that could lighten things up a bit. Honestly I want a high gpa so I don't know if this is a good route.

 

Most schools look at full-time over the Sept-Apr school year, so if you were to take 4 courses one semester and 6 the next term, I believe that would be fine for most schools. Check with the individual schools to be certain though.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "1 credit/D fail course", but the schools you're looking at will consider all your credits done during the standard school year, so you should be aiming to do well in all your classes.

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I believe it will be fine if you take 4 course one semester/ 6 the next.  Ottawa requires a full course load, but you could take 4/5 credits during the year, as long as your complete the other 1/5 credit during the summer (someone correct me if i'm wrong).  And I just read that Queens does require you to be a full time student, but does not require a full course load. 

If by credit/d fail course you mean a course where your grade is pass/fail, yes but I believe your are only allowed one/year.

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Do not take any shortcuts, and take a full course load during the normal academic year of Sept. - April.

 

technically I'm not taking a shortcut... I'm still taking the some amount of courses

 

I believe it will be fine if you take 4 course one semester/ 6 the next.  Ottawa requires a full course load, but you could take 4/5 credits during the year, as long as your complete the other 1/5 credit during the summer (someone correct me if i'm wrong).  And I just read that Queens does require you to be a full time student, but does not require a full course load. 

 

If by credit/d fail course you mean a course where your grade is pass/fail, yes but I believe your are only allowed one/year.

 

yea at ubc its call credit/d/fail (pass/fail). not sure if want to gamble on the summer courses though, because im sure there are a few schools that don't accept them (can't rmb which ones)

Most schools look at full-time over the Sept-Apr school year, so if you were to take 4 courses one semester and 6 the next term, I believe that would be fine for most schools. Check with the individual schools to be certain though.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "1 credit/D fail course", but the schools you're looking at will consider all your credits done during the standard school year, so you should be aiming to do well in all your classes.

 

I just heard back from Dal and confirmed that as long as I have 30 credits a year then that's fine, however, no more than 1 credit/pass fail. Hence 4/6 course terms work. I am still awaiting replies from the other schools but hopefully they are in line with what you guys just replied with.

 

thanks for the responses! if anyone can verify for the other schools, please do! thanks

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technically I'm not taking a shortcut... I'm still taking the some amount of courses

 

 

yea at ubc its call credit/d/fail (pass/fail). not sure if want to gamble on the summer courses though, because im sure there are a few schools that don't accept them (can't rmb which ones)

 

I just heard back from Dal and confirmed that as long as I have 30 credits a year then that's fine, however, no more than 1 credit/pass fail. Hence 4/6 course terms work. I am still awaiting replies from the other schools but hopefully they are in line with what you guys just replied with.

 

thanks for the responses! if anyone can verify for the other schools, please do! thanks

 

Ok, yes, if you meant pass/fail classes, one of those each year is fine. Never heard the UBC term before  :P

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technically I'm not taking a shortcut... I'm still taking the some amount of courses

 

 

If you do a make-up course during the summer, then you are not taking a full course load during the normal academic year. And this may be important, so check with the med schools to which you intend to apply. Generally speaking, they wish to assess your ability to withstand the rigours of a full course load, and technically, you intend to go about it another way, so be prepared to face the consequences of such a decision. 

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If you do a make-up course during the summer, then you are not taking a full course load during the normal academic year. And this may be important, so check with the med schools to which you intend to apply. Generally speaking, they wish to assess your ability to withstand the rigours of a full course load, and technically, you intend to go about it another way, so be prepared to face the consequences of such a decision. 

 

Taking summer courses to make my regular course weight easier was never the plan. I intended to do a full 30 credits because I want to graduate as soon as I can. However I think I need 33 credits to graduate which means if I do a 4/6 split than means I'm only going to be taking 30 credits, but still a full course load. I got back from ottawa as well and full course load means 30 credits and a 4/6 split is fine as well including 1 pass/fail. I think Ill be going this option. As for the extra 3 credits I'll have to take it during the summer but I don't mind if that course is counted towards my GPA or not (some school do), but it would nice to cause that's a guaranteed A+ haha =(((. Sigh sucks being sick, but that's the life I live! At least I can take 4 courses this coming term =)

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