I'm having some trouble making a decision about my course schedule next year. I was originally planning on taking orgo I and physics I in Fall 2017 and orgo II, physics II and biochem in Spring 2018 while preparing for the spring MCAT. However, I'm starting to have doubts about whether 3 science classes + MCAT preparation would be a manageable for a pre-med student. The alternative would be taking orgo I over the summer, orgo II and physics I in the fall and biochem and physics II in the spring.
The latter plan is probably erring on the side of caution but I'm hesitant to do this because I've been told that medical schools look down on students taking pre-requisite classes at colleges other than the ones they attend and summer classes in general. I live in another state so I'd most likely be taking it at the local university. Another concern is that I often spend the summers preparing for my science classes in advance so that I'm able to keep up with the pace that they go during the academic year. I would have trouble doing that if I took organic chemistry over the summer. I am probably going to pick up a part-time job as well but I'm not sure if medical schools would view this as a good/legitimate use of my time or not over the summer (as opposed to organic chemistry). Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any anecdotal experience or advice is appreciated.
The latter plan is probably erring on the side of caution but I'm hesitant to do this because I've been told that medical schools look down on students taking pre-requisite classes at colleges other than the ones they attend and summer classes in general. I live in another state so I'd most likely be taking it at the local university. Another concern is that I often spend the summers preparing for my science classes in advance so that I'm able to keep up with the pace that they go during the academic year. I would have trouble doing that if I took organic chemistry over the summer. I am probably going to pick up a part-time job as well but I'm not sure if medical schools would view this as a good/legitimate use of my time or not over the summer (as opposed to organic chemistry). Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any anecdotal experience or advice is appreciated.