4 class semesters

[med??]

UBC states the importance of taking a full course load and has a section on the application for explaining why you have taken less than a full course load in some semesters if applicable. I went to UVic and 4 courses/semester was technically considered full-time but I believe UBC's standard is 5 courses/semester. Do you think that having a few 4 course semesters in my degree will be a disadvantage? Do you think that it requires an explanation on my application?

[sirnoodleton]

Originally Posted by med??

UBC states the importance of taking a full course load and has a section on the application for explaining why you have taken less than a full course load in some semesters if applicable. I went to UVic and 4 courses/semester was technically considered full-time but I believe UBC's standard is 5 courses/semester. Do you think that having a few 4 course semesters in my degree will be a disadvantage? Do you think that it requires an explanation on my application?

I took 4 a semester and I made it... I was really busy with other aspirations and goals though. Sports and volunteering took up a lot of time. I explained that in the section where I could, and I guess it wasn't really a knock against me in the end. I hope that helps you get a better idea of where you stand.

[DaKirbster]

I e-mailed them about this a few weeks ago and this is the response I got:

"The UBC MD Undergraduate program considers a full course load equal to ten courses (30 credits) in an academic year (September to April). If you were not enrolled in full-time studies, you will be asked to provide details in the Additional Information section on the online application.

UBC does encourage students to be registered in a full course load as the medical program is a very rigorous and demanding schedule."

I'm in the same boat as you but it was only one semester that I took 4 courses because I had extra credit from AP so I didn't need it (before realizing it would hurt my app). So I don't really have a good reason, but at least its only one semester.

You might be in some hot water if you took 4 courses too many times without good reason, and yes you will need to explain it. Shouldn't be a big deal if you can swing it right though.

[med??]

Thanks for the responses. I had 2 years of 8 courses and 2 years of 10 courses (+4 summer courses) so I might be screwed. I have no good excuse other than the fact that I wanted to space out the work load and figured I might as well since I lived near the university all year. I was volunteering during the school years but that isn't a sufficient excuse for only taking 8 courses.

[murphy303]

Originally Posted by med??

Thanks for the responses. I had 2 years of 8 courses and 2 years of 10 courses (+4 summer courses) so I might be screwed. I have no good excuse other than the fact that I wanted to space out the work load and figured I might as well since I lived near the university all year. I was volunteering during the school years but that isn't a sufficient excuse for only taking 8 courses.

you are not screwed. UBC is just about the only school in the country that is forgiving on this. they accepted me and I have some part time semesters in my 7 years of undergrad. i was working hard for tuition money during these semesters and I put this on my app. 4 courses is still pretty close to full-time.

[sirnoodleton]

Originally Posted by murphy303

you are not screwed. UBC is just about the only school in the country that is forgiving on this. they accepted me and I have some part time semesters in my 7 years of undergrad. i was working hard for tuition money during these semesters and I put this on my app. 4 courses is still pretty close to full-time.

I only took 4 so that I could have a five year varsity athletics career and I did a 6 year degree because I did an honors after that. Just explain why you had less than 5. Anything in that section will help you. It can't hurt. If you put nothing then they have no explanation to justify it, AT ALL. So put something down, and hope for the best. Quit being so defeatist.

[med??]

I figured that adding a less than satisfactory excuse might draw negative attention to a fact that might not be too big of a deal anyway.

[murphy303]

Originally Posted by med??

I figured that adding a less than satisfactory excuse might draw negative attention to a fact that might not be too big of a deal anyway.

My thinking is along the same lines. imo, 4 classes per semester, for a couple of years is not something to worry about.

As i said this is especially the case If you were doing sports or had family commitments or had to work, etc... I mean, the cost of living in Vancouver is insane. To attend UBC, over the last 2 years, I had to work about 24 hrs/week to pay rent & tuition money without going into crazy debt.

[Canuckstang]

^^agreed. I did two four-course semesters and got into a couple Canadian schools. It was Varsity for me too but I didn't explain that anywhere on my app. That's something I was worried about but it didn't seem to be an issue. I know a few other people who have gotten into UBC with similar course loads.

[med??]

Thanks, that's good news.