Advice needed

[bambam92]

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Hi guys I had to drop a class this semester (chem II) that resulted in me taking a W. I dropped the class because of mother being hospitalized and going through a divorce. Anyways that is my only W, but now I am behind a class and need to take orgo. My question is should i take it (gen chem II) in the summer at my 4 year university? Then I will be caught up for fall semester and able to enroll in orgo for fall. Or should i avoid taking a pre-req in the summer and just fall behind? Ahh I have gotten so much different input on this predicament. This is my only W btw--would it look bad to take this one pre-req during the summer? I took gen chem I during regular semester and got an A if that matters. So it is not like I am taking all my pre reqs during the summer. Thanks guys!

 

[survivordo]

It's really not going to matter. If you are going to be around during the summer then I would suggest you take it then purely for ease of scheduling. If you can't then no sweat, just take it when you can. Adcoms aren't going to care either way.

Survivor DO

 

[bambam92]

so adcoms dont frown upon pre-reqs during summer? My advisor seems to think this is some awful crime. I think he is misinformed but just wanted to make sure. Thanks

 

[911 Turbo]

so adcoms dont frown upon pre-reqs during summer? My advisor seems to think this is some awful crime. I think he is misinformed but just wanted to make sure. Thanks

it will be fine if its at your university

 

[Ohyeah]

it will be fine if its at your university

+1

Hundreds of pre-meds do this at my school every summer

 

[LizzyM]

Taking courses at your school in the summer is fine.

What raises eyebrows is taking courses like this at a community college or a lower ranking school during the summer... it looks like you are trying to protect your gpa... particularly with a W in the same course in an earlier term.

 

[Quizlet04]

Taking courses at your school in the summer is fine.

What raises eyebrows is taking courses like this at a community college or a lower ranking school during the summer... it looks like you are trying to protect your gpa... particularly with a W in the same course in an earlier term.

I did summer courses at a state school when I was trying things out (chem) and then to get through things more quickly (18 credits of physics and bio). Retaking my ochem W at the same, higher-rated, university (thank you, death in the damn family) and so far, so good. Will this matter?

 

[LizzyM]

I did summer courses at a state school when I was trying things out (chem) and then to get through things more quickly (18 credits of physics and bio). Retaking my ochem W at the same, higher-rated, university (thank you, death in the damn family) and so far, so good. Will this matter?

Higher rated? No, won't matter. Lower rated? Not a good idea.

 

[CognitiveSci]

Higher rated? No, won't matter. Lower rated? Not a good idea.

LizzyM,

I'm going to be taking summer classes at a lower rated university (it's a branch of my main university) because it's closer to my house and a bit cheaper,not becuase it's any easier. Do you think that would look bad? How should I address this in my application later on?

 

[Doodledog]

Different adcom members and different schools view this differently. Taking most of your major pre-med science classes anywhere other than your primary institution would require understanding why you did that and money and convenience are not necessarily adequate answers. Taking any major class, esp. bio or chem classes in a community college tends to be frowned upon although I understand that might not always be fair.

However, taking one or two premed classes at a solid 4-year college in person would not affect how I would see your application, and would best not be mentioned in your essays. The relative ranking of your schools is not that important to me if it was just one or two classes during the summer. Of course, others might disagree and you never know the view of the group that will decide on your application.

 

[MilMD01]

I took Physics 1 & 2 at a local community college to save money... Was not a problem, and I was accepted to multiple schools.

I think taking a course over the summer, or at a community college cannot really negatively impact your application. Who is going to discredit your GPA/MCAT/EC's based on taking a couple classes at a CC or lower ranked Uni?

Take the class over the summer so that you don't have to delay your scheduling etc, it's not going to be a problem.

 

[bambam92]

Thanks for input! I am going to take it during summer