Entering planned courses and then not taking them

[Lyrical M]

I was wondering if there is a consensus on putting in planned courses, and then choosing not to take them--would this reflect negatively?  I am considering taking pharmacology and/or biochemistry next school year.  On the one hand, it may look good to schools to show that I'm planning on doing extra science study (I was a music major, so pretty much just have the required pre-reqs). However, if I self-study the material and end up deciding not to spend the extra money on the courses, I'm not sure if schools would think badly of this.

 

Thanks!

[MT2PA]

If they aren't required for programs and you think there's a chance you won't actually take them, don't list them.

 

I listed planned courses and had to change the semester they were under (they were 'take at your pace' courses that spanned multiple semesters) but I only listed ones I had paid for/knew I was going to take.

 

If you list as planned and don't take it, there's always the chance a school could revoke your admission offer.  Don't take that chance.  Don't play the game to make yourself look better upfront and then cop out - because that's kind of what it sounds like you want to do. Basically 'lie' but 'change your mind to save money and just self-study'.  It's a bad move.

[Lyrical M]

Thank you for your response, that absolutely makes sense.  Here is perhaps a better example:  There is one school that I'm looking at which requires an ethics class.  No other school does.  I was considering putting a planned ethics course for next year's Spring semester, so that the school would see that I will meet their requirements (otherwise they wouldn't even consider me).  However, should I not be granted an interview, and no one else "cares" about an ethics class, I may want to save the couple thousand dollars.

 

But I can see how that could reflect poorly, yeah.

[rev ronin]

If they aren't required for programs and you think there's a chance you won't actually take them, don't list them.

[...]

If you list as planned and don't take it, there's always the chance a school could revoke your admission offer.

I disagree.  In my experience, a school will only extend a contingent offer with the contingencies (e.g., complete biochem with a B or better) clearly spelled out in the acceptance letter.  Listing things planned is a plan, not a contract.

 

In my successful CASPA app year, I had planned to take (and successfully completed) Cultural Anthropology, OChem I, and Physics III.  I also had Ochem II, Biochem, Physics II, and Calculus II listed as planned but didn't end up taking a single one of those classes, because I got an acceptance instead, so I ended up only doing 3 of 7 that I had planned.  My school did require me to submit a transcript showing that I had successfully completed OChem I, but that was it.

[Lyrical M]

Thank you Rev, I appreciate the feedback.  I may just add the 1 or 2 non-prerequisite courses that I do plan on taking.  I haven't even decided yet where I would take them, but will put in the most likely choices, and update programs that I'm in contact with if/when things change.