Basic 4-year plan

[Anima XI]

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Hi everyone! 🙂 Just joined the forum, looks awesome so far!

So I'm starting college this month at UW-Madison, yay! I got into the Honors in Liberal Arts program, and will try to apply to the Honors in the Major for my planned major: molecular biology. Anyway I decided to make a rough, basic, very changeable plan for my next four years here. I tried my best to cover all the bases: Honors requirements for Liberal Arts and the Major, Gen. Ed requirements, and Pre-med requirements. I also made sure that all the credits total up for the B.S. degree. Please tell me what you think, if it should be amended in any way, and if it will prepare me well for med school! Thanks!

Freshman Year​

Semester 1
Myth and Literature
Western Culture: Literature and the Arts I
Elementary Latin I
Advanced General Chemistry w/ Lab ((2 semesters of normal general chemistry condensed into one))

Semester 2

Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity (Honors)
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Elementary Latin II
Fundamentals of Analytical Science

Sophomore Year​

Semester 1

Introductory Organic Chemistry
Intro to Psychology (Honors)
Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics w/ Lab (Honors)
Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences

Semester 2

Introductory Organic Chemistry Lab
Intermediate Organic Chemistry
Cellular Biology w/ Lab (Honors)
The Physician in History (w/ optional Honors portion)

Junior Year​

Semester 1

Organismal Biology w/ Lab (Honors)
First-Year Spanish I
General Physics I

Semester 2

Biological Interactions (Honors)
History of Modern Biology (Honors)
First-Year Spanish II
General Physics II

Senior Year​

Semester 1

Senior Honors Thesis in Molecular Biology I
Spanish for Health-Related Professions
Prokaryotic Molecular Biology
Human Biochemistry w/ Lab

Semester 2

Senior Honors Thesis in Molecular Biology II
Senior Honors Seminar in Molecular Biology
Topics in Medical Biochemistry
Human Genetics
Neurobiology
Eukaryotic Molecular Biology


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Oh, I should also say, I've applied for a few freshman-friendly jobs on campus in various labs and a couple of clinics. I've yet to hear back, but hopefully that will work out. I'm also already looking into volunteering, leadership activities, research, and relevant extracurricular activities to bolster and enrich my college experience 😉

 

[lm1120]

Hi everyone! 🙂 Just joined the forum, looks awesome so far!

So I'm starting college this month at UW-Madison, yay! I got into the Honors in Liberal Arts program, and will try to apply to the Honors in the Major for my planned major: molecular biology. Anyway I decided to make a rough, basic, very changeable plan for my next four years here. I tried my best to cover all the bases: Honors requirements for Liberal Arts and the Major, Gen. Ed requirements, and Pre-med requirements. I also made sure that all the credits total up for the B.S. degree. Please tell me what you think, if it should be amended in any way, and if it will prepare me well for med school! Thanks!

Freshman Year​

Semester 1
Myth and Literature
Western Culture: Literature and the Arts I
Elementary Latin I
Advanced General Chemistry w/ Lab ((2 semesters of normal general chemistry condensed into one))

Semester 2

Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity (Honors)
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Elementary Latin II
Fundamentals of Analytical Science

Sophomore Year​

Semester 1

Introductory Organic Chemistry
Intro to Psychology (Honors)
Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics w/ Lab (Honors)
Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences

Semester 2

Introductory Organic Chemistry Lab
Intermediate Organic Chemistry
Cellular Biology w/ Lab (Honors)
The Physician in History (w/ optional Honors portion)

Junior Year​

Semester 1

Organismal Biology w/ Lab (Honors)
First-Year Spanish I
General Physics I

Semester 2

Biological Interactions (Honors)
History of Modern Biology (Honors)
First-Year Spanish II
General Physics II

Senior Year​

Semester 1

Senior Honors Thesis in Molecular Biology I
Spanish for Health-Related Professions
Prokaryotic Molecular Biology
Human Biochemistry w/ Lab

Semester 2

Senior Honors Thesis in Molecular Biology II
Senior Honors Seminar in Molecular Biology
Topics in Medical Biochemistry
Human Genetics
Neurobiology
Eukaryotic Molecular Biology


-------------------------------------

Oh, I should also say, I've applied for a few freshman-friendly jobs on campus in various labs and a couple of clinics. I've yet to hear back, but hopefully that will work out. I'm also already looking into volunteering, leadership activities, research, and relevant extracurricular activities to bolster and enrich my college experience 😉

first of all, Its so awesome that you know what you want so soon into the game. Good luck! I think it looks great except your final semester is def overloaded. I did the same mistake of thinking honors thesis and seminar were going to be a joke and it turns out they were more demanding then the regular classes. But dont take my word for it, everyone handles stress differently. I would suggest you wait to see how you handle the stresses of a crowded schedule and decide from there.

 

[Anima XI]

^ Thanks for the advice! I was also worried my last semester would be overdone, I'll try to distribute my credits more evenly.

Would you recommend doing some summer classes to get credits out of the way? Thanks again 🙂

 

[lm1120]

^ Thanks for the advice! I was also worried my last semester would be overdone, I'll try to distribute my credits more evenly.

Would you recommend doing some summer classes to get credits out of the way? Thanks again 🙂

Absolutely. If you have nothing more important that you could be doing like a study abroad medical program then do it for sure. 2 great things about summer classes..1.) you finish in 6 weeks. and 2.) classes are way smaller which allows for a better learning experience. Unfortunately since they are only 6 weeks long they may be demanding but overall the pros outweigh the cons. I took three summer classes last year just to have an easy last semester but thank god I did because I forgot to take a certain requirement and if i hadn't I would have been stuck there for another semester. So my advice to you is if you have the time for summer classes then by all means go for it. 🙂

 

[CopToEM]

Don't forget to add in your General Physics lab during the respective semesters.

Looks like a tough four year run. With that said, the fact that you're just beginning college and have enough common sense to foreshadow the next four years of courses says a lot about your maturity level. With that maturity level generally comes an appreciation for the opportunity to be in college. And, with that appreciation, comes dedication and good grades.

It's a three step process and you're 2/3 of the way through it! I think you'll do fine. Remember, "one cannot be a student until they begin to study!" It's one thing to be in college but another to be a student - be the student!

As for your last semester, I too would consider a way to thin that out. Keep in mind the physically and mentally taxing MCAT and application process that you will be going through during the Summer after your Junior year as well as potentially throughout your Senior Fall/Spring semester. Many people underestimate the time that is involved in both.

At many schools, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Thesis/Seminar alone is a semester worth of courses but your mileage may vary based on professor and institution. Either way, that's three years from now, and I wouldn't stress much about it this early on.

Lastly, remember that this is a marathon in the sense that the next 8 years of your academic life will be continuous. However, don't rush things, if you need to attend an additional year of undergrad to finish up... so be it! It's more important that you take your time, enjoy the college experience, and get the most out of your undergrad courses. It's the greatest justice you can do for yourself.

Best of luck!

 

[Anima XI]

Absolutely. If you have nothing more important that you could be doing like a study abroad medical program then do it for sure. 2 great things about summer classes..1.) you finish in 6 weeks. and 2.) classes are way smaller which allows for a better learning experience. Unfortunately since they are only 6 weeks long they may be demanding but overall the pros outweigh the cons. I took three summer classes last year just to have an easy last semester but thank god I did because I forgot to take a certain requirement and if i hadn't I would have been stuck there for another semester. So my advice to you is if you have the time for summer classes then by all means go for it. 🙂

Alright! I think I'll see how things go and do this if necessary 🙂

Don't forget to add in your General Physics lab during the respective semesters.

Looks like a tough four year run. With that said, the fact that you're just beginning college and have enough common sense to foreshadow the next four years of courses says a lot about your maturity level. With that maturity level generally comes an appreciation for the opportunity to be in college. And, with that appreciation, comes dedication and good grades.

It's a three step process and you're 2/3 of the way through it! I think you'll do fine. Remember, "one cannot be a student until they begin to study!" It's one thing to be in college but another to be a student - be the student!

As for your last semester, I too would consider a way to thin that out. Keep in mind the physically and mentally taxing MCAT and application process that you will be going through during the Summer after your Junior year as well as potentially throughout your Senior Fall/Spring semester. Many people underestimate the time that is involved in both.

At many schools, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Thesis/Seminar alone is a semester worth of courses but your mileage may vary based on professor and institution. Either way, that's three years from now, and I wouldn't stress much about it this early on.

Lastly, remember that this is a marathon in the sense that the next 8 years of your academic life will be continuous. However, don't rush things, if you need to attend an additional year of undergrad to finish up... so be it! It's more important that you take your time, enjoy the college experience, and get the most out of your undergrad courses. It's the greatest justice you can do for yourself.

Best of luck!

Ah, right! I forgot to write "w/ lab", but I made sure they do include laboratory components.

Thank you for all the advice though, I'll take everything you said into account.

I totally wouldn't mind doing an extra year, but, in all honesty, isn't that looked down upon? Will I be at a disadvantage if I do so, even with such a rigorous proposed curriculum? 🙁

I just have one question: some med school require a year of english, right? Well, I was thinking, my 2 literature courses during 1st semester are both 3 credit courses, which could count as 6 credits total (basically a year of english), plus, they're writing and composition intensive. If I explained appropriately on a medical school application, would it be adequate enough? If not, I am willing to take any english courses necessary. I guess I might have to talk to my pre-med adviser.

 

[eldoctor]

Since you're a PM-1, you should really take it easy the first semester before getting involves in lots of crap. Otherwise, very nice high five.

 

[moxche]

Is there a way for you to start physics earlier?

If you can finish Physics II by the fall of your junior year, then you will be completely finished with all the necessary classes before taking the MCAT (Which I'm assuming spring Junior year will be best for you).

Why do you want to do the honors curriculum? Would your schedule be more feasible if you decided to just do the regular requirements?

 

[Mediocrates]

Is there a way for you to start physics earlier?

If you can finish Physics II by the fall of your junior year, then you will be completely finished with all the necessary classes before taking the MCAT (Which I'm assuming spring Junior year will be best for you).

Why do you want to do the honors curriculum? Would your schedule be more feasible if you decided to just do the regular requirements?

I agree. Getting physics done before your junior year would help with your MCAT prep. Dropping honors though isn't necessarily a good idea. At my school honors actually seems easier than the regular course of study because in the honors program they assume you're a good student and skip the regurgitation and busy work. It focuses more on intelligent discussion and less on writing crappy little give page papers every night.

If your program is like that too then I say keep it.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Not sure the combo chem class will go over so well with the adcoms. I think you'd be better off doing the 2 general chems separately as there is simply too much to cover to effectively finish in 1 semester. + 1 lab = a lot of medical schools saying you've got insufficient credits.

 

[CopToEM]

Not sure the combo chem class will go over so well with the adcoms. I think you'd be better off doing the 2 general chems separately as there is simply too much to cover to effectively finish in 1 semester. + 1 lab = a lot of medical schools saying you've got insufficient credits.

Nice catch! I didn't notice that.

Yes, I agree this may prove to be an issue in your future. I would do two things and do them in this order:
1) Call AMCAS (and AACOMAS - you never know!) and ask them about this issue. How will they count the condensed course when they calculate your credits?
2) Ask the campus Pre-Med advisor / committee if other students have had issues with this in the past.
3) Call any prospective medical schools (think broadly here) and ask them the same question.

You want to do this early on instead of potentially finding out your sophomore or junior year that you're going to have to go back and take 1 or 2 semesters of GenChem!

Beyond whether or not this logistically will work there is also the issue of whether or not you can get everything you need to out of a single semester course. For many, Gen Chem proves to be one of the harder parts of the MCAT. For any student it's certainly a wealth of information to digest in a single semester. Not saying it won't work for you - just saying give it some consideration.

Perhaps others can weigh in on the issue but this is the first time I've seen this brought up on SDN. I didn't search, fwiw.

I totally wouldn't mind doing an extra year, but, in all honesty, isn't that looked down upon? Will I be at a disadvantage if I do so, even with such a rigorous proposed curriculum?

Others may feel differently but I do not feel like it puts you at any kind of disadvantage. At my university an 8 semester (4 year) BS degree is slowly becoming the minority. Many do it but many do not. It's more and more common that many spend 4.5 or 5 years in undergrad now... especially if they're doing a minor or double major!

Also, transfer students fall under this category pretty often. Students who receive an Associate's Degree from a 2-year institution and then transfer in to finish out all of the "major" courses. At most schools, satisfying all major requirements (except the basics which may include gen chem/bio) in two years is tough.

Just my .02, I'm not saying plan to prolong your undergrad career, I'm just saying don't kill yourself trying not to.

 

[Anima XI]

Is there a way for you to start physics earlier?

If you can finish Physics II by the fall of your junior year, then you will be completely finished with all the necessary classes before taking the MCAT (Which I'm assuming spring Junior year will be best for you).

Why do you want to do the honors curriculum? Would your schedule be more feasible if you decided to just do the regular requirements?

Yes, definitely. Like I said, this is a very fluid, versatile plan that's not set in stone. I'll try to change things around so I can be ready enough for the MCAT.

Well, the thing is, I'm already in the Honors in Liberal Arts program, meaning I need a minimum 24 honors credits done out of the total 120. The reason there's more than 24 honors credits on my plan is because I'm thinking of doing Honors in the Major. I thought having something like this would make me a more attractive candidate for med school. I want to do as much as I can! But, like you said, it might not be feasible. I'll have to wait and see how I do with the regular honors classes.

I agree. Getting physics done before your junior year would help with your MCAT prep. Dropping honors though isn't necessarily a good idea. At my school honors actually seems easier than the regular course of study because in the honors program they assume you're a good student and skip the regurgitation and busy work. It focuses more on intelligent discussion and less on writing crappy little give page papers every night.

If your program is like that too then I say keep it.

Yup. I'll definitely try to get physics done and out of the way, maybe in sophomore or junior year. I really, really don't think I'll leave the Honors in the Liberal Arts program though. The thing is, if I decide not to go into medicine, or get rejected to every med school I apply to and it's too late, this type of program will have hopefully prepared me well for any type of career 🙂

Not sure the combo chem class will go over so well with the adcoms. I think you'd be better off doing the 2 general chems separately as there is simply too much to cover to effectively finish in 1 semester. + 1 lab = a lot of medical schools saying you've got insufficient credits.

Nice catch! I didn't notice that.

Yes, I agree this may prove to be an issue in your future. I would do two things and do them in this order:
1) Call AMCAS (and AACOMAS - you never know!) and ask them about this issue. How will they count the condensed course when they calculate your credits?
2) Ask the campus Pre-Med advisor / committee if other students have had issues with this in the past.
3) Call any prospective medical schools (think broadly here) and ask them the same question.

You want to do this early on instead of potentially finding out your sophomore or junior year that you're going to have to go back and take 1 or 2 semesters of GenChem!

Beyond whether or not this logistically will work there is also the issue of whether or not you can get everything you need to out of a single semester course. For many, Gen Chem proves to be one of the harder parts of the MCAT. For any student it's certainly a wealth of information to digest in a single semester. Not saying it won't work for you - just saying give it some consideration.

Perhaps others can weigh in on the issue but this is the first time I've seen this brought up on SDN. I didn't search, fwiw.

Others may feel differently but I do not feel like it puts you at any kind of disadvantage. At my university an 8 semester (4 year) BS degree is slowly becoming the minority. Many do it but many do not. It's more and more common that many spend 4.5 or 5 years in undergrad now... especially if they're doing a minor or double major!

Also, transfer students fall under this category pretty often. Students who receive an Associate's Degree from a 2-year institution and then transfer in to finish out all of the "major" courses. At most schools, satisfying all major requirements (except the basics which may include gen chem/bio) in two years is tough.

Just my .02, I'm not saying plan to prolong your undergrad career, I'm just saying don't kill yourself trying not to.

Thanks for the concern guys. The thing is, the premed advisory page at my school's website, and an informational guide written by a senior pre-med student at my school both say that Chem 109, the one-semester genchem course, will work. Just in case, though, I'll definitely do what you recommend and double check on all that.

------------

Thanks a lot everyone! 😀 This has all been a great help. Anyone have any insight into my question about the english requirements though? Thanks.

 

[CopToEM]

Thanks for the concern guys. The thing is, the premed advisory page at my school's website, and an informational guide written by a senior pre-med student at my school both say that Chem 109, the one-semester genchem course, will work. Just in case, though, I'll definitely do what you recommend and double check on all that.

You'll find, in time, that you never want to put your "fate" in anyone's hands but your own. I know more than a handful of people who have been burnt by either outdated college documents and/or out of touch advisors.

I know one girl who had to repeat an entire year of Biology Lab because the sections she took in the Summer wouldn't transfer. Worst part is, she met with the transfer advisor before taking them, and was told they would.

You don't want that!

I just have one question: some med school require a year of english, right? Well, I was thinking, my 2 literature courses during 1st semester are both 3 credit courses, which could count as 6 credits total (basically a year of english), plus, they're writing and composition intensive. If I explained appropriately on a medical school application, would it be adequate enough? If not, I am willing to take any english courses necessary. I guess I might have to talk to my pre-med adviser.

Your mileage will vary on this but in general most college's don't specify "a year of English" but rather "6 semester units" of English. Many schools will just accept any class with an ENG designation on the transcript. However, others put further emphasis on what the courses can be.

As an example, for ETSU-QCOM, they require 9 credits of "communication skills" courses. Their reqs page states, "The usual college level introductory courses in freshman English composition and literature will meet this admission requirement. Other courses that will be considered to satisfy this requirement are public speaking, general speech, creative writing, rhetoric, and/or other courses that are deemed to facilitate the student's ability to communicate effectively."

It will certainly differ from institution to institution but you should be OK for most schools by taking 6 credits.

 

[Anima XI]

First of all I'd just like to really thank you all for your help. I truly appreciate it 🙂

You'll find, in time, that you never want to put your "fate" in anyone's hands but your own. I know more than a handful of people who have been burnt by either outdated college documents and/or out of touch advisors.

I know one girl who had to repeat an entire year of Biology Lab because the sections she took in the Summer wouldn't transfer. Worst part is, she met with the transfer advisor before taking them, and was told they would.

You don't want that!

So, I've been looking more into this, and it turns out the Advanced General Chemistry + Fundamentals of Analytic Science sequence does indeed fulfill the general chemistry/inorganic chemistry pre-requisite, probably because the fundamentals of analytic science is also technically a chemistry course and also has a lab component.

What a relief! I was freaking out about having to change my schedule!

Your mileage will vary on this but in general most college's don't specify "a year of English" but rather "6 semester units" of English. Many schools will just accept any class with an ENG designation on the transcript. However, others put further emphasis on what the courses can be.

As an example, for ETSU-QCOM, they require 9 credits of "communication skills" courses. Their reqs page states, "The usual college level introductory courses in freshman English composition and literature will meet this admission requirement. Other courses that will be considered to satisfy this requirement are public speaking, general speech, creative writing, rhetoric, and/or other courses that are deemed to facilitate the student's ability to communicate effectively."

It will certainly differ from institution to institution but you should be OK for most schools by taking 6 credits.

Thanks, this is also a relief.

Also, just one more question: I know most medical schools don't really require a course in computer sciences or anything like that, but would it really help my resume and future application? Does this really stand out?