Can this courseload be done?

[deleted357625]

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The only reason why I'm intending to take a heavy courseload for next fall/spring then i will be able to apply next summer.
(Full-time student/no job)

Fall
Behavioral neuroscience
Cellular neuroscience
Organic Chemistry 1/lab
Biology 2/Lab
Stats

17 credits total

Spring
Organic Chemistry 2/lab
Physics 2/lab
Neuroscience lab methods
Integrative Neuroscience
Neuropharmacology

17 credits total also

Sound doable? just wanna hear some opinions. It just sounds like to me a lot of memorizing for all my courses...

 

[lisi326]

I think it really depends on how good of a student you are - are you willing to spend as much time studying/memorizing/writing lab reports as those semesters will require, and will you be able to balance your time between the classes? When will you be studying for/taking the MCAT? And can you take any of these classes over the summer instead, just to lighten the load?

 

[Justforkicks4]

If taking this tough schedule will allow you to graduate early and save significant money, this might be a good choice for you. But I agree that this does seem like a lot of work and would be tough to balance w/ MCAT studying/ECs if that's where you are in school. Good luck; it looks like your classes will be good preparation for med school!

 

[deleted357625]

I think it really depends on how good of a student you are - are you willing to spend as much time studying/memorizing/writing lab reports as those semesters will require, and will you be able to balance your time between the classes? When will you be studying for/taking the MCAT? And can you take any of these classes over the summer instead, just to lighten the load?

Well the only way i can apply to med school at the end of next spring is by this schedule, because I have some courses I'm going to be taking during the summer. Unless I apply with out finishing one of the pre-reqs which i know can be done, but I don't want to be in that position.

I think studying and balancing time would be no issue, I'm a full-time student have nothing else better to do. Also, planning on practicing for MCAT starting winter break if that sounds ideal.
just the memorizing part sounds like a lot ;p

Thanks for the response

 

[deleted357625]

If taking this tough schedule will allow you to graduate early and save significant money, this might be a good choice for you. But I agree that this does seem like a lot of work and would be tough to balance w/ MCAT studying/ECs if that's where you are in school. Good luck; it looks like your classes will be good preparation for med school!

I plan on studying of the MCAT starting winter break.

I will have the basic EC's at the end of this summer such as clinical/non-clinical/shadowing hours. I always wanted to do research but I won't have time for that.


But, I'm a Texas resident and intend to apply to all in-state schools. So I'm sure with basic EC's/Average GPA/MCAT will get me an acceptance.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Stat + behavioral neuroscience + organic chemistry/Lab + Elective( 13 Credits), was my schedule this semester. Personally I didn't have too much trouble with that. I'd say that you probably might be able to pull it off if you remove the cellular neuroscience course or biology 2 ( Remember you only need the courses done by the time you enter medical school, and from what I've heard Bio2 is under-emphasized on the mcat). But taking all of them together is pretty much a good way to get burned out or slaughtered when 3+ of those classes have tests the same week.

 

[deleted357625]

Stat + behavioral neuroscience + organic chemistry/Lab + Elective( 13 Credits), was my schedule this semester. Personally I didn't have too much trouble with that. I'd say that you probably might be able to pull it off if you remove the cellular neuroscience course or biology 2 ( Remember you only need the courses done by the time you enter medical school, and from what I've heard Bio2 is under-emphasized on the mcat). But taking all of them together is pretty much a good way to get burned out or slaughtered when 3+ of those classes have tests the same week.

See i was thinking about that. I know you can take it before entering med school not by application but I was worried about whats on the MCAT.

yes it sounds crazyy, the bio 2 can prob go, I'll have to think about it.
I mean do med school admissions really not care if you don't finish a pre-req before it's time to apply, I know they say it's alright but idk because most other applicants will prob finished them all. You never know that could be the deciding factor between me and one applicant with similar stats.

 

[lisi326]

yes it sounds crazyy, the bio 2 can prob go, I'll have to think about it. I mean do med school admissions really not care if you don't finish a pre-req before it's time to apply, I know they say it's alright but idk because most other applicants will prob finished them all. You never know that could be the deciding factor between me and one applicant with similar stats.

*shrug* I hadn't taken physics 2 + lab when I applied, and I was fine. no one even mentioned it.

 

[Lunasly]

~ removed ~

 

[deleted357625]

*shrug* I hadn't taken physics 2 + lab when I applied, and I was fine. no one even mentioned it.

Ohh thats good to hear, so i assume you took the MCAT without physics 2. Is the MCAT doable without bio 2 also?

 

[TexasDoc13]

It is definitely achievable if you have the discipline. This semester I am taking:

Immunology (with a lab)
Virology
Endocrinology
Anatomy (with a lab)
Parasitology (with a lab)

A total of 18 credit hours, on top of working a part time job. I was worried about it too at first but I just dove right in and everything seems to be working fine. The way I see it, we are going to be at least that busy in medical school so it's good to try to prepare as best you can now.

Just realize that you are going to have little or no free time. I think it's worth it though.

 

[Lunasly]

The only reason why I'm intending to take a heavy courseload for next fall/spring then i will be able to apply next summer.
(Full-time student/no job)

Fall
Behavioral neuroscience
Cellular neuroscience
Organic Chemistry 1/lab
Biology 2/Lab
Stats

17 credits total

Spring
Organic Chemistry 2/lab
Physics 2/lab
Neuroscience lab methods
Integrative Neuroscience
Neuropharmacology

17 credits total also

Sound doable? just wanna hear some opinions. It just sounds like to me a lot of memorizing for all my courses...

I'd have to agree with everyone else and say that it is really dependant on you. You seem like you want to do a lot in a short period of time, but I don't think you have it planned out. What may happen is that you might find this course load difficult, burn out easily and then not study effectively for the MCAT during your winter break (or not at all).

Something may also come up during your second semester or summer which may have to delay some things. I personally wouldn't do this and would just take it easy. Is it necessary to apply this summer?

 

[deleted357625]

I'd have to agree with everyone else and say that it is really dependant on you. You seem like you want to do a lot in a short period of time, but I don't think you have it planned out. What may happen is that you might find this course load difficult, burn out easily and then not study effectively for the MCAT during your winter break (or not at all).

Something may also come up during your second semester or summer which may have to delay some things. I personally wouldn't do this and would just take it easy. Is it necessary to apply this summer?

probably, I'm not really in a rush, just more like if it can be done might as well do it ya know?

Yes i would like to apply next summer and if I don't it will delay me by 2 semesters and one of those semesters will include no classes at all, so i would rather finish up everything now then be put in that position in the future.

I think my best bet would drop one of the pre-reqs that's not really necessary for MCAT/apply/then finish up the pre-reqs during the summer i guess sounds good.

 

[deleted357625]

So i assume it would be alright to delay one of the pre-reqs and take it after applying, would that be fine?

I'm just not sure on how much of the material is covered in the MCAT

 

[lisi326]

Ohh thats good to hear, so i assume you took the MCAT without physics 2. Is the MCAT doable without bio 2 also?

I did take the MCAT without physics 2, which was an absolutely terrible idea. I had taken physics 1 three years prior and ended up just guessing my way through quite a few of the passages during the test. I still can't believe the score I got.

As far as without bio 2, I think that would depend on what your school teaches in bio 2. Mine was a whole lotta genetics, which was DEFINITELY a good thing to have for the MCAT. If it's other stuff, you may be fine without it. However, in the end, if you study effectively for the MCAT, I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have taken all the pre-reqs beforehand.

 

[deleted357625]

I did take the MCAT without physics 2, which was an absolutely terrible idea. I had taken physics 1 three years prior and ended up just guessing my way through quite a few of the passages during the test. I still can't believe the score I got.

As far as without bio 2, I think that would depend on what your school teaches in bio 2. Mine was a whole lotta genetics, which was DEFINITELY a good thing to have for the MCAT. If it's other stuff, you may be fine without it. However, in the end, if you study effectively for the MCAT, I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have taken all the pre-reqs beforehand.

Yea i saw your score and it's really good, and yea I'm sure it just depends on what's covered in the course.
I guess the MCAT prep material is very straightforward and helpful on the test because I've heard many people take the test without certain pre-reqs such as yourself.

 

[Lunasly]

probably, I'm not really in a rush, just more like if it can be done might as well do it ya know?

Yes i would like to apply next summer and if I don't it will delay me by 2 semesters and one of those semesters will include no classes at all, so i would rather finish up everything now then be put in that position in the future.

I think my best bet would drop one of the pre-reqs that's not really necessary for MCAT/apply/then finish up the pre-reqs during the summer i guess sounds good.

Fair enough. it probably already obvious to you, but while this course load may be doable based on what others have said, everyone is different. Even though you might be able to handle this course load, you might find yourself in the position where you won't have as much free time to things outside of EC's, work, and school. I found that I need some time to be able to go out and have fun with friends as opposed to constantly doing something "pre-med" related (i.e going to the gym, going to movies, going out every so often on the weekends, etc).

Good luck. 🙂

 

[docelh]

👎

 

[deleted357625]

Fair enough. it probably already obvious to you, but while this course load may be doable based on what others have said, everyone is different. Even though you might be able to handle this course load, you might find yourself in the position where you won't have as much free time to things outside of EC's, work, and school. I found that I need some time to be able to go out and have fun with friends as opposed to constantly doing something "pre-med" related (i.e going to the gym, going to movies, going out every so often on the weekends, etc).

Good luck. 🙂

Yea i understand, not good just to study all day everyday, but sometimes it comes to that.

Honestly, I'm just ready to finish undergrad and move on.

Thanks for the response

 

[deleted357625]

👎

👍

 

[Analytic]

Manage your time well, and you'll be just fine.