Biostats 3rd Semester (2 Sciences + 1 Math) or 6th Semester (1 Math + 1 Optional Science)

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ElysiumHaven

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Hello,

I wanted to see what others had in mind in terms of two possible schedule plans:

(I'm a 2nd semester freshman, and I am planning to take cell & mol. biology over the first session of summer at my school--just to help clarify my schedule, in case that helps.)

Plan A: 3rd semester: 2 sciences (Org. chem. I & physics I [Calc.-based or Alg.-based-- whichever one fits my schedule timewise at my school. I'll do either one, since I did some calc-based physics in highschool, it's not completely unfamiliar territory for me.] I'm applying to TMDSAS schools for the most part, but I understand that other AMCAS schools might require calc-based physics.])
4th semester: Finish the org. chem & physics, 2nd semester version.
5th semester: Two sciences again: biochem & genetics (required as part of the pre-med program at my school, and for me personally, preparation for the MCAT)
6th semester: biostats + 1 optional upper level biology science, (microbiology, general physiology, etc.) related to the MCAT in some way.

Plan B is basically the same as above, but I'll move biostats to my 3rd semester (2 sciences + 1 math) and the 6th semester biostats in Plan A could be replaced with another upper level biology course (two sciences).

Explanation: This outline is focusing mainly on the pattern of two sciences per semester, as I want to be able to do as well as possible while balancing my other classes. I was wondering if it's okay in terms of MCAT preparation to take the MCAT in my 6th semester (junior spring) while also taking biostats that semester.

If I took Plan A, what do you all think if I took the MCAT around March 2019? I want my results in April 2019, so I can be sure of my scores while I'm applying in May-June 2019, and by March I might have learned a decent amount of what might be on the MCAT from the biostats class--the rest I'll learn on my own, as I am willing to take plenty of practice tests before the actual MCAT.

So, I was wondering what others thought about my Plan A versus Plan B.
Understandably it's up to me, but the question here is your opinion of which is best in terms of MCAT preparation (the main goal here).

I am posting this in the Nontaditional section as I am a nontraditional major--just to clarify--and will be handling my major's requirements similarly on the side.


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Last edited:
1. Planning is good, but do not over do it. You have to let time reveal some things.

If you're a freshman, how are you going to take Cellular or Molecular Biology when they require requisites of your Chemistry chain being completed. Chem 1 Chem 2, Organic Chemistry 1, Organic Chemistry 2, and then you can take Cellular or Molecular biology. I've never heard of those classes not being advance course work (3000 level+ courses are advanced work).

Hello,

I wanted to see what others had in mind in terms of two possible schedule plans:

(I'm a 2nd semester freshman, and I am planning to take cell & mol. biology over the first session of summer at my school--just to help clarify my schedule, in case that helps.)

Plan A: 3rd semester: 2 sciences (Org. chem. I & physics I [Calc.-based or Alg.-based-- whichever one fits my schedule timewise at my school. I'll do either one, since I did some calc-based physics in highschool, it's not completely unfamiliar territory for me.] I'm applying to TMDSAS schools for the most part, but I understand that other AMCAS schools might require calc-based physics.])
4th semester: Finish the org. chem & physics, 2nd semester version.
5th semester: Two sciences again: biochem & genetics (required as part of the pre-med program at my school, and for me personally, preparation for the MCAT)
6th semester: biostats + 1 optional upper level biology science, (microbiology, general physiology, etc.) related to the MCAT in some way.

Plan B is basically the same as above, but I'll move biostats to my 3rd semester (2 sciences + 1 math) and the 6th semester biostats in Plan A could be replaced with another upper level biology course (two sciences).

Explanation: This outline is focusing mainly on the pattern of two sciences per semester, as I want to be able to do as well as possible while balancing my other classes. I was wondering if it's okay in terms of MCAT preparation to take the MCAT in my 6th semester (junior spring) while also taking biostats that semester.

If I took Plan A, what do you all think if I took the MCAT around March 2019? I want my results in April 2019, so I can be sure of my scores while I'm applying in May-June 2019, and by March I might have learned a decent amount of what might be on the MCAT from the biostats class--the rest I'll learn on my own, as I am willing to take plenty of practice tests before the actual MCAT.

So, I was wondering what others thought about my Plan A versus Plan B.
Understandably it's up to me, but the question here is your opinion of which is best in terms of MCAT preparation (the main goal here).

I am posting this in the Nontaditional section as I am a nontraditional major--just to clarify--and will be handling my major's requirements similarly on the side.


Sent from my SM-J700T using SDN mobile
 
1. Planning is good, but do not over do it. You have to let time reveal some things.

If you're a freshman, how are you going to take Cellular or Molecular Biology when they require requisites of your Chemistry chain being completed. Chem 1 Chem 2, Organic Chemistry 1, Organic Chemistry 2, and then you can take Cellular or Molecular biology. I've never heard of those classes not being advance course work (3000 level+ courses are advanced work).

Hi TXMED_1695,

Thank you for your reply.

The "advanced" molecular biology course at my university requires the requirements that you have listed. I would have to take that during my junior year alongside biochem (5th semester) if I wanted to.

The "cell & mol." course in my situation usually follows the progression of chem 1, chem 2, with "biology" 1 and "biology" 2, and is usually taken by 3rd semester--sophomores. The four courses that I've listed can be completed within two semesters (I'm in "biology" 2 and chem 2 at the moment).

As for planning, yes, I'll have to let time reveal things, I agree.

Sent from my SM-J700T using SDN mobile
 
Are you gunning for medical school, and are you taking two courses per semester? If so, search for, "course loads" on SDN, and you will see adcoms may not like "light" course loads. It is something to think/research about anyway.





Hi TXMED_1695,

Thank you for your reply.

The "advanced" molecular biology course at my university requires the requirements that you have listed. I would have to take that during my junior year alongside biochem (5th semester) if I wanted to.

The "cell & mol." course in my situation usually follows the progression of chem 1, chem 2, with "biology" 1 and "biology" 2, and is usually taken by 3rd semester--sophomores. The four courses that I've listed can be completed within two semesters (I'm in "biology" 2 and chem 2 at the moment).

As for planning, yes, I'll have to let time reveal things, I agree.

Sent from my SM-J700T using SDN mobile
 
Are you gunning for medical school, and are you taking two courses per semester? If so, search for, "course loads" on SDN, and you will see adcoms may not like "light" course loads. It is something to think/research about anyway.
Hi,

I'm currently taking "17" (according to the registrar's policy, I am taking another 3 credit hours, 20, because of the mini-semester for another class during early January to mid-January, 2017) credit hours. I do not wish to list all of the classes that I'm currently taking, for the sake of simplicity. (2 Sciences (8 hours) + 3 other classes (9 hours))

To clarify your post, did you mean you that I was only taking two science classes--and thus a part-time student?

(My reason for posting this message was for clarity on what you said, as I am interested in your message.)

Edit: Yes, I intend to apply to medical school. (TMDSAS or other schools outside of Texas, although as for those "other" schools, I'll have to look into them individually in terms of their requirements.)

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Yes, I assumed you were only taking 2 courses per semester (8 hours). Ignore my last post, because it does not* apply to you. How many hours did you take your first semester, and how did you do (4.0)?


Hi,

I'm currently taking "17" (according to the registrar's policy, I am taking another 3 credit hours, 20, because of the mini-semester for another class during early January to mid-January, 2017) credit hours. I do not wish to list all of the classes that I'm currently taking, for the sake of simplicity. (2 Sciences (8 hours) + 3 other classes (9 hours))

To clarify your post, did you mean you that I was only taking two science classes--and thus a part-time student?

(My reason for posting this message was for clarity on what you said, as I am interested in your message.)

Edit: Yes, I intend to apply to medical school. (TMDSAS or other schools outside of Texas, although as for those "other" schools, I'll have to look into them individually in terms of their requirements.)

Sent from my SM-J700T using SDN mobile
 
Yes, I assumed you were only taking 2 courses per semester (8 hours). Ignore my last post, because it does apply to you. How many hours did you take your first semester, and how did you do (4.0)?
Hi,

I am noticing that the discussion is trailing away from my original question of "biostats 'now' or 'later'," but alas, I digress ("now" in the sense of the near upcoming 2017-2018 school year, and the "later" as in the possibly the spring of the 2018-2019 school year and the semester in which I'll be taking the MCAT).

I did well, finished with a 4.0 (they're just grades, whatever, I would say) with 17 credit hours.

I do not wish to trail further away from the topic, as I find these questions so far to be partly invasive in my opinion, and possibly not truly answering my original question--but thank you for your replies, they were helpful in my consideration of certain elements (look into adcoms and courseloads).






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It generally depends on what else you're taking as well, since some non science/math courses can be a time consuming pain with busy work, but aren't necessarily difficult.

However, given what you've got listed, I'd say try to keep the biostats near the last semester. It depends on the course and depth, but some people can struggle a bit with Biostats, so I wouldn't recommend doing it along with organic chem and physics. Plus, its always a good idea to get the pre reqs and most MCAT useful courses done first.
 
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