Accelerated Gen Chem Sequence

[IMattI]

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Hi,

I'm contemplating taking an accelerated summer sequence of gen chem (for those unfamiliar, basically it's the entire general chemistry sequence packed into 9 weeks, where each course is completed in 3 weeks.)

I don't really have a "strong" chemistry foundation, however I have been preparing myself and am pretty confident that I will do well in these courses, if I take them, so GPA is not too much of a concern for me. But, I'm worried that I will be less "prepared" for further pre-pharm courses which build upon gen chem, like Ochem.

I'm wondering if anyone here has ever completed a similar sequence, ie a year of gen chem in 9 weeks, and how prepared they felt in later courses?

If this is a n00b question, I apologize. I tried to search for accelerated chemistry sequences to no avail.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[jrf794]

Unless you have a financial need or have to get these courses done over the summer to finish your prereqs on time, I would advise against it. It's not that you need the information for other courses, but you will need it for the PCAT, and having a firm understanding and working knowledge of the material from the course will save you a lot of time studying in the long run.

 

[AntiviralsRule]

Unless you have a financial need or have to get these courses done over the summer to finish your prereqs on time, I would advise against it. It's not that you need the information for other courses, but you will need it for the PCAT, and having a firm understanding and working knowledge of the material from the course will save you a lot of time studying in the long run.

I agree. I don't know how well you learn or what your study habits are, but it seems to me that cramming a year's worth of GenChem into nine weeks will make it tough for you to retain much information for the PCAT. Also, having a solid, robust foundation in GenChem will help you a lot when you move on to OChem. I don't really see what benefit the summer sequence would have for you other than to save a little time in the short run.

Anyway, that's my $0.02. Good luck! 🙂

 

[IMattI]

Thanks, jrf794.

I don't know what significance this holds, but the school I plan to attend doesn't require the PCAT.

My motivation to complete chemistry this summer is that it will ultimately save me a year of pre-pharm school--as I will be able to get into O-Chem this fall, as opposed to next fall, if I complete regular-paced Gen Chem. This is financially important to me as I plan to pay for the whole 4 years of pharmacy school using the GI Bill, therefore, I have to pay entirely out-of-pocket to complete my pre-reqs.

Financially, I'll manage, and I am mainly just concerned about how such a rapid completion of Gen Chem will affect my ability to grasp O-Chem concepts and the like. But if PCAT is the only reason one should worry about the complete absorption of gen chem knowledge, then I shouldn't worry, eh?

Thanks for the advice!

Matt

 

[IrishRxMan]

Not to mention you would need the info from these courses for the PCAT, some schools frown upon taking math and science credits over the summer because they are accelerated and you don't have the time you normally would during the regular semester to grasp the material. I, like the previous two responders, would advise against this. If you must take classes over the summer, take things like philosophy, english, government, etc. They are not as important that you have a good grasp on, but are still requirements to have completed.

I was in the process of writing my response while you responded. You still will have to possess a solid base in gen chem for some classes in pharmacy school itself. The pharmaceutics classes rely on gen chem principles that you need to already have a firm grasp on so you don't waste time having to go play catch up when you won't have it.

 

[chemguy79]

I would also advise against taking an accelerated Chemistry sequence, especially with it being a summer sequence. If you're confident that you can handle the workload, more power to you.

However, if you start to struggle, you'll have little chance of success. Since this sequence of classes is an important part of your pre-pharm GPA, I wouldn't risk lowering my GPA so I can finish classes quicker. You're setting yourself up for a world of hurt in the long run.

 

[IrishRxMan]

Another question is, are you 90 years old or something that would be the cause of why you want to risk not getting into pharmacy school simply to save one year of school? One year isn't much in the grand scheme of things.

 

[rxlea]

Many schools offer the accelerated courses: summer session 1 and 2. Plenty people do it and get A's, so it is not impossible. However, if you are working, I would be cautious. If you don't have any other commitments and plan on sleeping, eating, and breathing gen chem, go for it. I've known people that can/have done it. They were just fine afterwards lol but, only you know your learning/study style and only you know what you can handle. So, think about it very carefully before you make your choice.

 

[IMattI]

I appreciate the advice. I'm 25, and other than the desire to not have to go through an entire academic year for one sequence, there's nothing pressing me to take this summer sequence.

I'm wondering if anyone has any first-hand experience with doing a summer sequence of gen chem, and if they regret it or are glad they did it.

I haven't been able to find much first-hand experience of these classes, which are designed for, I assume pre-health students. The classes are pretty huge, so people are doing them.

But, yeah... I'm on the fence.

Thanks.

 

[IMattI]

Thanks rxlea!

If I do go with it, I won't have any problems committing fully to it.

 

[rxlea]

Thanks rxlea!

If I do go with it, I won't have any problems committing fully to it.

If that is the case go for it! You can start reviewing the basic concepts right now so you will be one step ahead. My gf got a gen chem companion book from amazon that was cheap and kind of gives you a crash course on the material. It helped her a lot. But yeah, take a few days here and there to look over the easier things- like how to do oxidation numbers, the general trends of the periodic table- and you can memorize the polyatomic ions and their charges and the strong acids and bases beforehand. Those things are rote memorization and don't necessarily require "teaching" of the material. Good luck.

 

[chemguy79]

I agree that it's definitely possible; I'm currently taking Biology 1 and Biology 2 as an accelerated sequence this semester. However, I've also taken numerous Biology courses & I'm only re-taking these classes since my previous Biology 1 & 2 courses were taken in 2001.

Ultimately, the decision is yours; If you're confident with your "strong" chemistry background, *shrug*, you'd be in better shape than those without such a background.

 

[IMattI]

Well, I'm doing everything I can to prepare myself and strengthen my background. I spoke with one of the doctors who runs the chemistry dept at the university and she recommended that I complete a preparatory chem course on ALEKS, so I've been working through that. I have over 3 months til the sequence starts, so I'm definitely taking steps to better my chemistry knowledge.

 

[busyizzy]

You wanna also make sure the schools you are interested in do not look down upon these kind of classes. I know a couple of the schools I applied to explicitly said that summer classes were frowned upon.

 

[Nupe954]

I appreciate the advice. I'm 25, and other than the desire to not have to go through an entire academic year for one sequence, there's nothing pressing me to take this summer sequence.

I'm wondering if anyone has any first-hand experience with doing a summer sequence of gen chem, and if they regret it or are glad they did it.

I haven't been able to find much first-hand experience of these classes, which are designed for, I assume pre-health students. The classes are pretty huge, so people are doing them.

But, yeah... I'm on the fence.

Thanks.

Bro, I took my gen chem courses over the summer in an accelerated fashion and got A's in both classes (while working 40+ hours, and still trying to hit the gym 😱)

Im 27, so time is of the essence especially for what I want to do with my career. Like others said, if you think you can do it then go for it!

 

[Pancakesteve]

I'm unfamiliar with a 3-sequence gen chem, though. How does that work, exactly? (I.E., what is the subject breakdown from class to class?)
As others have said, it's certainly doable.
I took orgo 1 and 2 during the summer -though our summer courses are ~5 weeks long, as opposed to 3 for you. Personally, I thought it was excellent for me. The accelerated pace forced me to maintain studying momentum throughout the summer, and for me it was conducive to doing well. I Got 4.0's in both courses, and I feel that I learned and retained more than in your typical 4-month semester. But, that's just me.