A bit stuck...

[docg97]

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Hi everyone, I'm graduating high school next week and going to college in the fall. I'm trying to piece together how all of my classes are going to unfold and how much I need to get done in order to do well on the MCAT.

I'm wondering if it would be smart to take chemistry and bio (with labs) my freshman year, organic chem and physics my sophomore year, and then take biochem the first semester of my junior year before I plan to take the MCAT that spring. I worry that this is too much, especially as an incoming freshman and readjusting to the college life with two science courses, plus my other major requirements, along with extracurriculars and volunteering, and not to mention having a social life.

I've heard it's a good idea to take organic chem and/or biochem over the summer, but I don't know how it will play out considering things that I plan to do (volunteering, internships, shadowing, research, etc). Will I have enough time to take a class?

Maybe I'm just overthinking this whole thing, but any advice helps.

 

[mimelim]

It is normal for students to take multiple science classes each semester. Yes, if your finances and circumstances allow it, you can take things during the summer, but by the same token, your summers are good chunks of free time to do other things like research, volunteering etc. If medical school is where you want to end up, your school work and classes should be your first priority, before any ECs or social things. Once you have figured out how much you can take on, you can then ramp everything else up. I would expect a prospective medical student to be able to balance a couple of science classes if they hope to thrive in medical school. After all, after taking out sleep, you have 120 hours per week to do stuff. Surely that is enough...

 

[docg97]

Maybe a couple science courses at a time won't be bad, I'm probably overthinking it. Thank you!

 

[Lucca]

Mimelim is right. It is very common for premeds, especially those majoring in the sciences, to take two if not three or four science classes per semester and a lab (if necessary). Don't worry, take things one step at a time. College is certainly more difficult than high school and it will be your responsibility to set your own working schedule. However, you will adapt.

My advice: Don't take a heavy courselod your first two semesters (more than 15 hours, for example) and give yourself time to adjust while scouting out for ECs that speak to you. Do not overly concern yourself with expressly doing what you need to get into medical school until you have eased into academic life. The most important things to do once you get to college are: figure out living on your own, adjust academically, and adjust socially. After that you can worry about things like MCAT scheduling, gap years, etc. Best of luck, wait until after your first semester for more specific advice from places like these. Until then, enjoy your summer! Relax.