Plan and Course Schedule Advice

[mlh8208]

Hello everyone! Long time lurker, and first time posting.

I'm getting ready to transfer to a state university and I am trying to get an idea of what would be the best way to arrange my schedule. Up to this point I have only taken courses through community college; so I am worried that I may be overloading myself. Some info about me: 25 yo, Texas resident, Non-URM, EMT-B cert., work as an ER tech full time, and I have about 65 credit hours from cc. My current GPA is not excellent due to a combination of hardship and immaturity my freshman year of college (2008). I should be able to bring up my GPA to the 3.3-3.5 (TMDSAS calculation) range provided I continue to do well. When I start school in the fall 15' I will be working 7A-7P on saturday and sunday only, but I can work as few as 48 hours a month if needed.
I plan to volunteer once a week during this process. I already have 50 hours of physician shadowing (ER and Hospitalist IM). I am currently trying to find a DO PCP to shadow, and possibly some type of specialist. I also know that it would be helpful to get involved with research early on.

I'll put the hrs. of each course in (). The science courses that have a lab component are already included in the hour count. I also plan to get a minor in photography, since I have already taken most of the required gen ed courses, and want to be enrolled full time. This plan reflects the remaining courses I would need to get a BS in biology with a minor in art. I will mention for MCAT content purposes that I have taken: intro psych, developmental psych, and intro sociology.

Summer 15'
Gen Chem I (4)
Fall 15'
Gen Chem II (4), Physics I-calc based (4), English II (3), Art (3)
Spring 16'
Gen Biology I (4), Orgo Chem I (4), Physics II (4), Art (3)
Summer 16'
Orgo Chem II (4), Government I (3)
Fall 16'
Gen Bio II (4), Genetics (4), Intro Biological Methods Lab (3), Art (3), Government II (3)
Spring 17'
Molec. and Cell bio (4), Biochem I (4), Upper division biology course (3), Art (3)
Start reviewing MCAT concepts.
Summer 17'
MCAT Review and Test
Fall 17'
Biochemistry II (4), Upper div. bio course (3), Biochemistry Methods Lab (3), Art (3)
Spring 18'
Molecular and Cellular Biology Lab Methods (3), Upper div. bio course (3), Seminal papers in biology (3),
Art (3)

I am not in a huge hurry to graduate so I am open to spreading things out a bit more. I am considering lightening my load Spring 17' so that I could dedicate more time to MCAT prep. Especially since I would like to get a score that will get my texas applications noticed considering my expected GPA.
How does this plan sound? Is there anything else I need to consider? I appreciate any help you guys can offer.

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[cactus8910]

This seems doable, as long as you'll be able/willing to make adjustments down the line if your GPA is suffering due to repeatedly taking 3 sciences at a time.

The only thing that jumps out at me is taking Gen Bio II, Genetics, and Intro Biological Methods lab at the same time. Are you sure Gen Bio II isn't a prereq for the other courses?
Also keep in mind that classes may fill up or the schedule of two classes might not line up, so be prepared to make adjustments as necessary.

 

[mlh8208]

This seems doable, as long as you'll be able/willing to make adjustments down the line if your GPA is suffering due to repeatedly taking 3 sciences at a time.

The only thing that jumps out at me is taking Gen Bio II, Genetics, and Intro Biological Methods lab at the same time. Are you sure Gen Bio II isn't a prereq for the other courses?
Also keep in mind that classes may fill up or the schedule of two classes might not line up, so be prepared to make adjustments as necessary.

Thanks for your advice! The thought of taking on that many science courses at the same time is already making me sweat haha.
I double checked the school course book about prereqs, and some of them don't quite make sense. For instance Genetics requires just Biology I and Orgo I. and the biology lab methods course only requires bio I.

oh, and btw CONGRATULATIONS on your acceptance!!!!