Hey guys,

I know that to be considered a full time student you need to take at least 24 credits during the academic year.

I was just wondering: what if we took 8 courses in one semester? I know it sounds a little crazy but I would like to participate in a volunteer abroad program that will take up approximately 1-2 months, so it doesn't seem reasonable to register for classes that I will not be able to attend/take for a majority of the time.

I was thinking if i took 8 courses during first semester, and then take 2 courses during the summer I may still meet my academic requirements to advance to the next year in my degree. Any thoughts?

**I have to be a registered as a full time student, there is no way around this. So just wondering if a 8 course/semester thing will help retain my full time status. Thanks!

... This is a tough question. I would suggest contacting the office of the registrar to ask someone who would know for sure. Here's a page with all the ways to contact them: http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /contacts.html

1. What faculty are you in
2. What abroad program are you speaking of
3. What sort of student are you? (A,B,C)
4. When does the program take place?


Also, theres a very small chance you'll get all the courses you want in a single semester! Let alone 8!

Depending on what program you are in, you may need to ask for permission to overload for courses. I know this is true for social sciences - an academic advisor told me I needed permission just to take 6 courses in one semester :/
I believe you also need a 7 s.a in order to do something like this.

EIGHT in one semester ... i don't even wanna do 5

I would have suggested 6 in 1 semester and then 4 in the summer, but then I guess you wouldn't be a full time student. Is it really necessary for you to be one?

Why do you need to retain your full-time student status? Is it because of OSAP?

If it is, then the way they calculate full-time student status is per semester.

Originally Posted by simonean

Hey guys,

I know that to be considered a full time student you need to take at least 24 credits during the academic year.

I was just wondering: what if we took 8 courses in one semester? I know it sounds a little crazy but I would like to participate in a volunteer abroad program that will take up approximately 1-2 months, so it doesn't seem reasonable to register for classes that I will not be able to attend/take for a majority of the time.

I was thinking if i took 8 courses during first semester, and then take 2 courses during the summer I may still meet my academic requirements to advance to the next year in my degree. Any thoughts?

**I have to be a registered as a full time student, there is no way around this. So just wondering if a 8 course/semester thing will help retain my full time status. Thanks!

Last year, I was a "full time" student with only 18 units (3 courses each term) as far as the MSU and OSAP were concerned, although I was officially part time according to the university administration. So I guess the main question, like many others have asked already, is what do you need full time status for?

most faculties wont allow (especially eng) cause people are suffering as it is with 5-6. and a full time sutdent is that many units year round not per semester...