Are Orgo & Physics really that bad?

[HH Holmes]

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Since I'm in a 7 year program, I must complete undergrad in 3 years leading my pre-req schedule will be the following:

1st Year
Bio I/II w/ Lab
Chem I/II w/ Lab
Calc I (1st semester)
Applied Stats (2nd semester)

2nd Year
Orgo I/II w/ Lab
Physics I/II w/ Lab

MCAT needs to be taken at the end of the second year... Is taking Orgo and Physics at the same time a bad idea with studying for the MCAT (required 24 for the program)? I'm not going to be aiming to get a low MCAT score, as I have the option to apply out if I get a high enough score and maintain a good GPA.

Should I take Orgo or Physics over the summer if possible?

 

[SavoirFaire]

If you think orgo and physics are going to be bad, they will be.

If you study hard and give those classes the time and effort they deserve, you will be fine.

 

[deleted357625]

Since I'm in a 7 year program, I must complete undergrad in 3 years leading my pre-req schedule to be the following:

1st Year
Bio I/II w/ Lab
Chem I/II w/ Lab
Calc I (1st semester)
Applied Stats (2nd semester)

2nd Year
Orgo I/II w/ Lab
Physics I/II w/ Lab

MCAT needs to be taken at the end of the second year... Is taking Orgo and Physics at the same time a bad idea with studying for the MCAT (required 24 for the program)? I'm not going to be aiming to get a low MCAT score, as I have the option to apply out if I get a high enough score and maintain a good GPA.

Should I take Orgo or Physics over the summer if possible?

It's doable if you study hard.

 

[HH Holmes]

Thanks... I'm definitely not going to go into those classes with a negative bias, as I actually enjoy both of those subjects, but with so many negative posters on here it just gets me a little rattled.

If either have you have taken Physics (calc based, I believe) or Organic, are there really any ways to prepare?

 

[Helen Wheels]

I kind of liked physics because I am a visual learner and you can "draw a picture" to work out the problem. The courses required that you put in some time but I personally didn't find physics that bad.

Orgo was awful for me and I still don't understand it. Maybe because I am bad with spatial relationships? There are a handful of people that love it, though.

 

[Kliffmeister]

Hm....i'd say it really depends on whether the prof is demanding or not.
I've known guys who did other things while studying for mcat and still did decent on it, but others have done not so well. I scored low (26Q) but I was working while doing my research so didn't have much time to study.
It also depends on whether you are good at physics and orgo. Personally, I find first yr university physics to be simple only because I love physics.
It also depends on your course load during year 2.

There are so many factors, but if you are diligent, you should score higher than 24 while taking two course IMO.....but it'll still be tough.
Don't take mcat too lightly. Also, you can use your course as an aid to study for mcat physics and orgo...however, just be aware of the nuances between mcat physics/orgo and university physics/orgo.

You might want to save your summer to do research, volunteer work, or other EC that'll help you with your application. But i guess it don't matter to you since you only need to make the gpa/mcat cutoff to get accepted?

If you work hard, i'm sure it's possible

 

[preDoGuy24]

Thanks... I'm definitely not going to go into those classes with a negative bias, as I actually enjoy both of those subjects, but with so many negative posters on here it just gets me a little rattled.

If either have you have taken Physics (calc based, I believe) or Organic, are there really any ways to prepare?

I took both physics and ochem together, really not that bad at all. Premeds typically enjoy overstating the dificulty of there prereq coursework. Don't sweat it you'll be fine.

Tip. Don't use your summer to prestudy, its a waist of time, get examkrackers though, great basic review and a good mcat prep book. And if you don't have to take calc based physics I would say don't take it, the mcat physics is not calc based and taking it won't really help you that much from my experience.

 

[hitchhiker]

organic is not that bad, just approach it with respect and you'll be fine. I made a B in organic 1, A in organic 2 (go figure).

I see you're taking calculus so physics shouldn't be that bad. Don't underestimate gen chem either.

 

[HH Holmes]

I see you're taking calculus so physics shouldn't be that bad. Don't underestimate gen chem either.

I am definitely not. Out of all my courses I am most concerned about, and will be studying the most for Gen Chem. Calc and Bio should be review + new material due to my two year college level biology course (IB Bio HL) as well as AP Calc, but I will still be studying my a** off. I am also taking a leadership seminar (1 cr) and intro to public health (3 cr, half semester course).

For my second year, besides Orgo and Physics, I'm planning on taking a 'light' courseload with no other science courses... I may even take the bare minimum amount of credits (12 per semester) if needed.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I didn't find physics to be very difficult. It had its level of challenge, but it was doable. I don't know much about orgo besides the intro that gen chem does. I think it's really cool, but it seems you must be dedicated to learning to make it happen. As long as you put the time in, you should do fine.

 

[KTownGT]

Not if you study.

But, O chem II can overwhelm most people who try to cram.

 

[fluffy0]

You'll either hate orgo or not mind it...few love it. But I didn't find it that bad. There are two ways to approach orgo, the one most people take is memorizing every reaction and forgetting it 10 minutes after an exam. This works, and I did employ this technique at times, but it'll lead to long nights of pulling you hair out. And you know, of the 50 or so reactions you may have to memorize for a mid term, only a few of them will be on there...so the second way to study, and the more logical way, is to learn the key concepts so you can predict the way a reaction will turn out...doesn't require much memorizing, but is time consuming in that you need to study a little at a time as to not go overboard with cramming before the test...kind of how you need to study in medical school...a little at a time after each lecture. This technique will not be popular for your social life, which is everything during undergrad, so you need to take extra care as to not become that kid who is always in the library, although that will happen anyways once MCAT season comes. But technique 2 is definitely the way to go if you don't like cramming at exam time, otherwise set aside 3 or 4 days before the exam and employ tactic one, it works but it is enough to make you cry...and will also make the orgo part of the MCAT harder since the questions on there are typically more conceptual than reaction specific.


Physics is a wash, either you'll have a professor who makes it interesting, or one that doesn't. I had two great professors, one who loved the material and one who was a crazy old man who also was passionate about the material and sports...haha.. so I liked physics.

 

[gatorfann14]

You'll either hate orgo or not mind it...few love it. But I didn't find it that bad. There are two ways to approach orgo, the one most people take is memorizing every reaction and forgetting it 10 minutes after an exam. This works, and I did employ this technique at times, but it'll lead to long nights of pulling you hair out. And you know, of the 50 or so reactions you may have to memorize for a mid term, only a few of them will be on there

Don't do that!

In my experience being a TA for orgo that is a one way ticket to a crappy grade for most. Once you are in orgo if you can realize there are only a handful of reactions that only vary in how they are dressed up you will be miles ahead of your memorizing classmates. You will spend far less time working and do far better.

 

[MedicineMike]

If you are just taking Orgo and Physics than I don't think it is bad at all. Both of those classes are difficult I guess but not THAT difficult as everyone says. Physics is a little tricky at first but once you recognize patterns it is really kind of simple. Plus, I got a formula sheet on the tests (not the MCAT). Orgo II is nothing but memorizing reactions. You memorize, and you practice, and repeat. That's it.

I took Orgo II, Micro, and Genetics all with labs, while studying for the mcat. It was quite difficult to find time but definitely feasible.

If you feel comfortable and are a good/4.0 student, do it. If you doubt yourself, don't do it.

 

[blinkboy1156]

If you think orgo and physics are going to be bad, they will be.

If you study hard and give those classes the time and effort they deserve, you will be fine.

This. And, imho, don't bother with calculus. Waste of time.

 

[235788]

No - unless you can't handle science courses or stack them in a heavy schedule.

 

[HH Holmes]

In my experience being a TA for orgo that is a one way ticket to a crappy grade for most. Once you are in orgo if you can realize there are only a handful of reactions that only vary in how they are dressed up you will be miles ahead of your memorizing classmates. You will spend far less time working and do far better.

Since you were a TA, what material besides the required textbooks do you recommend that will help? Anything worth buying or reading to supplement the lectures and labs?

Thanks again, everyone. You all have been very supportive. I'm planning on taking a light course load while taking Orgo and Physics. No other science classes, and probably less than 15 credits.

 

[gatorfann14]

I only used the textbook and class notes for information. You will do most of your learning by just doing problems where you can learn the patterns. It helps to have someone who knows the patterns to show you that they exist, but if not its all about trying to find them but not just memorizing. if you memorize when things get a little complicated in orgo 2 you are gonna freak out, but if you understand the reactions then you see functional groups with irrelevant -R groups attached and things become VERY easy.

 

[NurWollen]

Don't do that!

In my experience being a TA for orgo that is a one way ticket to a crappy grade for most. Once you are in orgo if you can realize there are only a handful of reactions that only vary in how they are dressed up you will be miles ahead of your memorizing classmates. You will spend far less time working and do far better.

I'm also an orgo TA, and I agree with this statement 100%

 

[CopToEM]

Physics is just plug and chug, honestly. The concepts are very easy to grasp and for most people the equation manipulation questions (if we increase this value by a factor of 2, what happens to this other value) are pretty straight forward. Everything else, literally, is dissecting what you need from the question to lead you to the right equation. How much conceptual material is on your examinations will vary by professor. As far as the MCAT goes, it focuses more on conceptuals, so that's where your leg work will be needed in reading and understanding the text. The monotonous calculations are more or less moot on the MCAT because you will, assumably, be doing estimation calculations most of the time.

Personally, I didn't think Organic was bad at all. Yes, there were people in my course who failed miserably and/or will be repeating to replace C's and D's. The material in organic is not difficult. I cannot say that enough. It's incredibly easy material to understand. So, why do people fail? Volume. Most people are not dedicated enough to study the volume of material that you will be expected to know. In my course, most tests were 3 or 4 chapters worth of material. Roughly 100-120 pages worth, give or take. Our professor lectured by the book so we were responsible for all of it. Did we see it all on tests? Absolutely not.

As far as the types of material, Physics is a lot like Gen Chem and Organic is a lot like Gen Biology, at least in my eyes (and AAMC - hence their grouping on the MCAT). Step both Gen Bio and Gen Chem up a notch and cover twice as much material and you have Physics and Organic!

Study, and study hard, and you will make good grades. Neither class is particularly difficult - it's just a matter of determination and will.

Your schedule looks fine. The year I had those courses I had:

Organic I (3cr)
Organic I Lab (3cr)
Physics I (3cr)
Physics I Lab (1cr)
Calculus II (4cr)

Organic II
Organic II Lab
Physics II
Physics II Lab
Spanish 101

I made an A in everything except Calculus II.

You'll be fine!

 

[CopToEM]

I'm also an orgo TA, and I agree with this statement 100%

I missed this somehow but I also agree 100%. Organic Chemistry as a Second Language, a small text, will help you immensely in the course. Memorizing the reactions is pointless - they all follow a very systematic road map.

 

[HH Holmes]

I missed this somehow but I also agree 100%. Organic Chemistry as a Second Language, a small text, will help you immensely in the course. Memorizing the reactions is pointless - they all follow a very systematic road map.

I heard these books are great, so I bought the Gen Chem, Physics I and II as well as Orgo I and II editions. Good to hear it from someone NOT on Amazon though.

I did not want to quote the other post you made (it just irks me when people quote extensive posts), but it was extremely helpful, and I thank you for that. I won't just be taking Organic and Physics during my second year, but I'm definitely not going to be registering for any other science or math classes. I have to take a 3 credit leadership seminar my first semester, and a 1 credit seminar my second... I will probably take one of my school's 'easier' honors seminars where it's mainly discussion and creative writing as well as a medical terminology course to keep my credit level up (I need to have 90 credits in my 3 years of undergrad, so an average of 15 per semester).

Third year I will most likely take classes to prepare me for medical school and classes that I actually find interesting like Micro, Histo, Biochem, Human A&P et cetera.

Everyone here has been super helpful, and I thank you all for that. 👍

 

[CopToEM]

I heard these books are great, so I bought the Gen Chem, Physics I and II as well as Orgo I and II editions. Good to hear it from someone NOT on Amazon though.

You're welcome - glad I could provide some advice.

Yes, they're very good books. I recommend using them as a means of "pre-studying" before material is even lectured on. I started doing that near the end of the first semester and continued it into the second. I found it very helpful. Take the initial part of the first book about "arrow pushing" very seriously - if you get that down pat and start using it earlier it will make the entire course series much easier for you than your counterparts.