How Many to Take?

[allie1105]

Although I am still waiting for an answer from the other school, I know that the school I have already been accepted to is the one that I want to attend. My new advisor has sent me the list of course offerings for the spring, and I am supposed to choose accordingly and send it back to him.

How many courses per semester do you all recommend? I am going to be a full time student. I was looking to take 4 classes - is that too much? Too little? I know 9 credits is considered full time for grad school...if I take 4 classes, I have to drive up there 4x/week...and its 1 1/2 hrs each way. I am prepared for the drive - everyone in my area commutes that far for work (either to Philly or NYC) and I am ok with the drive, so thats not really the issue, anyway.

What do you think?

[yankeeyosh]

It depends if you're working or not, and if you are, how much. A good rule of thumb is to equate one grad level class to two undergrad classes. So if you take three, that's like six undergrad classes, and if you take four, that's like eight. Of course, a lot of it depends on how demanding these courses are. When I was in grad school, I took three one semester, and I worked 30 hours a week as an RA...I was pretty much up until 2 AM every night. However, one semester I took four and worked 30 hours a week, and I was bored stiff some evenings. The difference was that during the 3-course semester, I took advanced dynamics, which required 30 hours a week alone for that one course as well as an intense objective analysis course, whereas during the 4-course semester, I took ordinary differential equations and a "refresher" course.

I don't know how it is in your field, but if I was working over 15 hours a week, I wouldn't take more than three.

[allie1105]

I really want to work as a Graduate Assistant, however, if I don't get that, I am going to find a PT job...something mindless and not stressful at ALL.

I guess I will schedule 4 of them...the more I can do at once early on, the better. I hope I can take some summer courses, too - my goal is to do this in a year and a half!

[CityGal]

A little part-time that's not too demanding is perfect. Have you tried teaching more yoga classes?

[Winter Storm]

I don't recommend 4. That is a killer. Like Yank said, one grad class can equal 2 undergrad, so 4 grad would be like taking 8 undergrad classes. There were times where I had 200 pages to read and discuss a week, per class. I would NOT recommend that. See this thread (http://www.quarterlifecrisis.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20191)

I'd start with 3 classes, since you won't be working full-time and see how that goes.

[allie1105]

A little part-time that's not too demanding is perfect. Have you tried teaching more yoga classes?

Yes, I am doing that now...I plan to get certified ASAP so I can maybe even teach on campus - I know when I was an undergrad, the gym offered classes...maybe it can even be a work study kind of thing, lol...even just to make a few bucks to cover my gas milage. I might work part time at like a Starbucks or Barnes and Nobles...something relaxing...

I don't recommend 4. That is a killer. Like Yank said, one grad class can equal 2 undergrad, so 4 grad would be like taking 8 undergrad classes. There were times where I had 200 pages to read and discuss a week, per class. I would NOT recommend that. See this thread

I have a feeling you are right, but I have a friend who goes there now. I talked to her about the specific courses and teachers I will have, and I think I can do it for this semester. After this, I might not be as fortunate with my options and have to take three...I do remember the trouble you had with that class, though! Did you survive?

[Winter Storm]

...I do remember the trouble you had with that class, though! Did you survive?

No, I died. :sad:


Actually, I got a fat A. Who knew! :)