Can Someone Help With My Pre-Req Plan?

[drewS21]

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I'm planning on starting my pre-requisites this coming semester and I've set up a plan with my advisor from my undergrad. I should be finished by the end of Spring 2013 and plan to apply at that time.

I took Calculus 1 and 2 and Bio 1 in undergrad already.

Here's the plan:

Spring 2012: Physics 1, General Chem 1, Microbio
Summer 2012: Orgo 1, Physics 2
Fall 2012: Orgo 2, Cell Bio
Spring 2013: Chem 2, Biochem

My concern with this plan is diving in right away with 3 lab courses my first semester without having that much of a background in science from undergrad. I don't consider the AP science classes I took in HS to be of any help here.

I was thinking of moving Microbio to Fall 2012 after I've gotten the hang of things, but that will keep me from being able to take some extra upper-level biology classes that I would be able to take if I got microbio out of the way early.

Should I keep microbio where it is and try my hardest to not overwhelm myself early, or should I just take the two classes this coming semester? I know Microbio isn't an expressed requirement for med school, but I've been told it will help me for the MCAT because general bio 1 and cell bio might not be enough to help for the exam.

Thoughts? Thank you in advance!

*Edit 11/23/2011* So, because of a scheduling issue/my school being incompetent, I may only be able to take classes in the evening. I'd only be able to take two evening classes through my school a semester (not including summer/winter sessions). Because of this, the non-required courses like Microbio and Biochem would either need to be taken at CC during the day or omitted completely. Would it kill me to take the required coursework at my University and the non-required stuff at Community College?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

That schedule looks good, as long as you don't have too much else going on. If you're also working full time or raising a family I'd say slow it down a bit. My current schedule is three prereq classes and statistics, which is keeping me pretty busy. On weeks with a test I don't really get to have a life outside of class or the chemistry computer lab, but if I can handle a schedule like that you should be able to as well.

 

[drewS21]

That schedule looks good, as long as you don't have too much else going on. If you're also working full time or raising a family I'd say slow it down a bit. My current schedule is three prereq classes and statistics, which is keeping me pretty busy. On weeks with a test I don't really get to have a life outside of class or the chemistry computer lab, but if I can handle a schedule like that you should be able to as well.

Thanks so much for the input.

I don't have too much else going on (I'm only 24, no family) except I plan on volunteering at a hospital one day a week (I'll be doing two to three days a week until the semester begins). The schedule works out so I can have one weekday off during the week.

I guess my biggest thing is trying to get everything done as quickly as I can and apply. Whether that is the right thing to do remains to be seen, but like I said, I don't have much else going on at all so I'd think I should be able to manage 12 credits of work.

 

[drewS21]

Also, just to clarify, would be extremely harmful if I DID move microbio to Fall 2012?

I'm just a little nervous about jumping in with too much on my plate in the beginning. I definitely think I can manage it for this coming semester, but I'm just asking for flexibility's sake.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Also, just to clarify, would be extremely harmful if I DID move microbio to Fall 2012?

I'm just a little nervous about jumping in with too much on my plate in the beginning. I definitely think I can manage it for this coming semester, but I'm just asking for flexibility's sake.

I don't believe it would be harmful, unless you live in a state like Nevada where the medical school has goofy requirements. I think Texas requires two years of biology classes, and I don't know if biochem counts. Look at the requirements for med schools in your state, and any other schools you think you might be interested in. As long as you don't need an excessive number of biology classes, moving microbio will probably be fine. Taking microbio and biochem ought to be enough to show adcoms that you're willing to go above and beyond the minimum prerequisite classes.

 

[drewS21]

I don't believe it would be harmful, unless you live in a state like Nevada where the medical school has goofy requirements. I think Texas requires two years of biology classes, and I don't know if biochem counts. Look at the requirements for med schools in your state, and any other schools you think you might be interested in. As long as you don't need an excessive number of biology classes, moving microbio will probably be fine. Taking microbio and biochem ought to be enough to show adcoms that you're willing to go above and beyond the minimum prerequisite classes.

I'm mostly going to be applying in the Mid-Atlantic region, so DC/MD/VA/NY/NJ. Definitely still open to moving somewhere else if necessary. I'm currently doing research on which schools have requirements that go above and beyond what my plan includes. Any schools in those areas that jump out at you as having weird requirements?

 

[lolzilla]

When do you plan on taking the MCAT?

 

[gunito]

Micro isnt a prereq so dont stress about it. Also i wouldnt take ochem before chem 2 (most schools require chem before ochem. You might also need bio 2 before taking some upper division bio classes. Just dont try to do too much and youll be good.

 

[dmf2682]

If the summer classes are compressed at all you might have trouble taking organic and physics at the same time. Also, don't you have to take general chemistry 2 before you take organic?

 

[theseeker4]

If the summer classes are compressed at all you might have trouble taking organic and physics at the same time. Also, don't you have to take general chemistry 2 before you take organic?

Not always. At Wayne State, the order was gen chem I, Orgo I and II, Gen Chem II (analytical methods).

 

[Dartmouth2005]

Not always. At Wayne State, the order was gen chem I, Orgo I and II, Gen Chem II (analytical methods).

It should be noted that gen chem 2 at wayne covers more than most gen chem ii's at other schools.

 

[drewS21]

Thanks for everyone's input!

Further clarification:

My school does require two semesters of O-chem before chemistry 2.

As for the summer question, my school divides the summer into two sessions, so I wouldn't be taking those classes concurrently.

I also plan on taking the MCAT in the summer of 2013, just haven't determined the exact month.

 

[drewS21]

Bump, update at the end of the OP. Thanks again in advance!

 

[drewS21]

Bump - just need a quick answer if possible. Thanks!

 

[dmf2682]

Someone needs to get this guy a boiling chip!

 

[theseeker4]

If it is a choice between taking it at a cc or not at all, I can't imagine any schools penalizing you for that. If asked why did you take them there, just tell them you couldn't fit them in at your university but were interested in the subjects and wanted to take the classes in some way.

 

[drewS21]

Someone needs to get this guy a boiling chip!

Haha, I just wanted to figure it out quickly so I can decide what to do regarding my daytime classes. My school sucks and I had to go through so much red tape to even get back and registered!

To theseeker: Thanks, I'll do just that! My school has a stipulation that I can register for the non-evening classes on the day classes begin, but that puts me at a disadvantage because most of those classes fill up beforehand. CC will be a worst case scenario, but I just wanted to keep the option open if necessary. I just wanted to take some classes on top of the required pre-reqs in order to further show my interest and ability to perform well.