Does course load matter in final semester?

[jbrussell93]

I am wondering whether graduate schools really care about final semester course load. I am a senior physics major, applying to graduate schools in geophysics. Currently I am enrolled in the normal 16hr course load but am considering dropping down to 12 hours for my final semester. I've never taken less than 15 hours but I would like to lighten my load in the final semester for several reasons:

- I am working on a first author manuscript that my advisor wants me to submit by the end of my senior year. I haven't had much time to work on it this semester due to classes and applying to fellowships/grad schools. I think this should be one of my priorities for next semester.

- I have to write my senior thesis next semester (on different project than the manuscript).

- I am taking my first graduate course in seismology and I would really like to excel in this because 1) my advisor is teaching it, 2) I am the first undergrad to ever take the course, 3) it is the field I will be pursuing for graduate studies.

- I have finished all requirements for the physics major (and some), and it would just be nice to have a lighter load in my final semester... Also, I will be visiting grad schools in the spring and likely will miss some class.

So, are these reasons valid and will admissions commities raise an eyebrow when they see my final semester being relatively light?Another concern: One of the courses that I am planning to take is ornithology (the study of birds). Bird watching is a hobby of mine so this course would really just be for my own personal pleasure and is unrelated to my goals for graduate school. I have never taken an unrelated class just for my own amusement... Would this look bad or should I really stick to courses that relate to my grad school interests? My thoughts are that this will be my last chance to take a course like this before graduate school.

Thanks for any advice PF friends.

 

[Choppy]

You'll be fine.

It may raise a flag if you never excelled with a full course load (but even that is rarely a deal breaker). A single semester with a less than full workload when you don't need the credits is not a concern.

As for taking a course for interest sake, that's perfectly fine too. A diverse education is not a weakness.

 

[jbrussell93]

Thanks for the input- that is definitely a relief.

I am still unsure whether I should take the ornithology course or get a head start on a course that I will need to take in grad school. For example, although I am minoring in geology, I know that I will need to take a few more undergraduate-level geo courses in grad school. I could even take signal processing from the electrical engineering department as that is useful for seismology. But again, my thinking is that I will be able to take those courses in grad school, while I will not have a chance to take ornithology later on. I will at least be taking the grad-level seismology course I guess...

 

[Dustinsfl]

Finally semester won't matter at all. When you apply, they only have transcripts for the previous semester. You send final transcript once you are accepted so when they do see it, you are already in.

 

[Matrix0]

I can understand your concerns about your final semester course load and its impact on your graduate school applications. However, I would like to assure you that graduate schools do consider the course load in the final semester, but it is not the only factor they consider in the admissions process. Admissions committees also look at your overall academic performance, research experience, letters of recommendation, and other factors.

That being said, it is important to prioritize your time and focus on your research and thesis writing in your final semester. If dropping down to 12 hours will allow you to dedicate more time to these important tasks, then it may be a wise decision. It is also impressive that you are the first undergraduate to take the graduate course in seismology and that your advisor is teaching it, so excelling in this course could have a positive impact on your application.

As for the ornithology course, while it may not directly relate to your graduate studies, it can still demonstrate your passion for learning and your ability to balance different interests. It may also provide a break from your other rigorous courses and allow you to recharge your mind. However, if you feel that your time and energy would be better spent on other courses related to your graduate studies, then it may be worth considering dropping the ornithology course.

In conclusion, while your final semester course load and course selection may be considered by graduate schools, it is not the only factor they look at. It is important to prioritize your time and focus on your research and thesis, but also allow yourself some time to pursue other interests and hobbies. Ultimately, your passion, dedication, and overall academic performance will have a greater impact on your graduate school applications.