Advice on First-Semester Course Selection for Pre-Med at Case Western

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Hi everyone,
I’m a rising freshman at Case Western on the pre-med track. I’m currently considering majors in cognitive science, neuroscience, and biochemistry. I’m not planning to take a gap year at this time. Biochemistry is the most requirement-heavy of the three, but I believe the triple major could be manageable within four years—especially since cognitive science and neuroscience have less requirements and more flexibility. I do have some AP credits, but I’m not planning to apply them toward biology or chemistry to avoid skipping foundational material for the MCAT.
Below is my tentative fall course schedule:

• BIOL 214 + lab – 4 credits
• CHEM 105 + lab – 5 credits
• COGS 101 – 3 credits
• BIOC 101 (Intro to Biochem majors seminar) – 1 credit
• STAT 201 (Intro class) – 3 credits

I’d really appreciate any feedback on this course load. Thank you so much in advance!

 

[RockClimberMed]

There is 0 benefit to double majoring let alone triple. Just do the major that interests you the most and still leaves you time for ECs. Do any prereqs not covered in major as electives. Study hard for MCAT. ez $$. I would do mathematics or history if I could do it all over again.

 

[dr_dong]

Unless there are serious flaws in your previous AP biology/chemistry or future biochemistry/physiology classes, you would not be missing out on any foundational material for the MCAT. For the most part, most important concepts will be repeated ad nauseum in every class that you take. The basic concepts of cell biology will not only be taught in intro bio, but again in cell biology, immunology, physiology, and any other vaguely related class in college. That, and the MCAT is not primarily a concepts test, in that for the most part the exam doesn't care about testing whether you know a concept perse, and focuses more on testing whether or not you can apply and synthesize them with newly presented topics in more advanced topics.

Of course, this can be made easier with a more in-depth background in specific upper division classes. But my main point is still that you will gain almost nothing by repeating freshman bio and chem, unless you believe that your fundamental knowledge in these classes is severely lacking in some way.

TLDR skip those classes

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Have you met with the prehealth team at CWRU yet? What feedback have you gotten?

No one gets bonus points for how much harder your schedule is.

While I would also encourage you to think about skipping those foundational classes, many schools may not take AP credits by themselves for fulfilling prerequisites (you have to take upper-level courses, but that's what you're going to do).

However, if you take foundational courses, you can perfect your study skills to adapt to a college pace and a large lecture hall. Give us the confidence your AP credit was well-earned... this time with a classroom of over 50-100 students (thus fighting "the curve").

 

[LizzyM]

Don't take o-chem as a freshman (not saying you are but if you use AP credits for Intro Chem and are told to move on to o-chem, don't take the bait).

Don't double or triple major.

Don't overload your schedule.

Find some time to begin doing some non-clinical community service to those in dire need. Continue this for all 4 years. You may find yourself moving up to a leadership position as a volunteer which is good but not essential.