How would AdComm view someone with excessive # of credits? Forum

[CCNhopeful]

Hi there,

I'm contemplating whether or not to take a few extra summer courses before I get my degree to boost my LSDAS GPA. However, I would have earned approximately 175-180 credits cumulative at graduation. How would AdComm see an applicant who has taken such an excessive number of credits, clearly, as a gpa boost? My GPA at degree-granting institution would remain above a 3.9.

Thanks!

[angrybird]

no one cares

[blurbz]

yeah, they'll just care about the GPA.

[MrPapagiorgio]

Yep they wouldn't care as long as they get to report a 3.9 to USNWR. I was 30 credits over what my UG required mostly because I had AP credits but still needed to take extra classes to be full time which allowed me to stay on my parents health insurance.

[727813]

At a visit, the UPenn Asst Dean stated that they do review the transcript and question someone with a disproportionately large amount of credits or semesters. However, they said if they see that they are all related to a major/appear to be upper-level/etc (and not 16 extra art history credits) then they don't care.

If you are just taking an extra semester, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are taking an extra year, make it look not so obvious.....

[zozin]

If you already have a 3.9 and have +160 credits, you'd need to take 18 extra credits and get all As to raise that 3.9 to a 3.91... So you're just wasting money. Also, by taking extra classes you'd risk getting a C or a B.

Best case scenario you waste a summer by taking 6 classes to raise your GPA to 3.91, worst case you lower your GPA.