Chem, Physics, and Biochem In One Semester...Bad Idea

[Chevy Chase Fan]

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Kinda want to load up some heavy classes to show I got what it takes, but don't want to end up getting humbled and pulling Cs. I work part time and have a lot of extracurricular going on. I'm a nontrad with a low undergrad GPA (around 3.1) so grades are super important.

 

[PianoMajor]

Don't

 

[DaisyBuchanan]

Yeah, don't. I really doubt any adcoms will look at your application and even notice you took 3 science classes at one time, so even if it works out for you and you get As, there probably isn't much benefit over spreading them out and still doing well. They WILL notice if you took 3 science classes and got Cs though.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Agreed. Getting Cs would break you with that current gpa. You must have As. It is better not to take the chance.

 

[Quaero]

2 Sci = easy
3 Sci = @#$^$%%#$^@&

 

[Medwell]

How on earth would you take Chem and Biochem at the same time?
Aren't GenChem and Organic Chem pre-reqs for Biochem at your school?

 

[GoSpursGo]

3 sciences isn't so bad (I think most pre-med science majors do that at least once if not more during college). Chem and Biochem at the same time, however, coupled with working part-time, sounds like tempting fate. Even if it means you wind up having to apply a year later, I'd go that route; like others have said, no one will notice your "heavy courseload" (and again, even if they happened to notice it, 3 sciences all at once isn't THAT uncommon), but anything less than an A at this point will definitely hinder you and might set you back more than the extra year you'd have to take off in the first place.

 

[Ischemic]

"To show I got what it takes" ... that's where you're wrong and a lot of people make mistakes. You don't show adcoms this by taking all the hardest classes out there because it doesn't impress anyone, it's actually detrimental to your chances. You want to impress adcoms? Get As in them and then wow them with your other life experiences.

 

[AlexB]

terrible idea. Life will suck for a while if you follow this route, and you'll probably fail.

 

[MilkmanAl]

3 sciences isn't so bad (I think most pre-med science majors do that at least once if not more during college). Chem and Biochem at the same time, however, coupled with working part-time, sounds like tempting fate. Even if it means you wind up having to apply a year later, I'd go that route; like others have said, no one will notice your "heavy courseload" (and again, even if they happened to notice it, 3 sciences all at once isn't THAT uncommon), but anything less than an A at this point will definitely hinder you and might set you back more than the extra year you'd have to take off in the first place.

These are my thoughts, for the most part. Making good grades is a hell of a lot more important than making them all in one semester.

 

[Holy Frans]

It depends on how hard you want to work. It would look very good though if you pulled it off.... My advisor was impressed when i knocked out a 3.8 with 13 credit hours of science. Ofcourse, i don't think i have ever pulled as many all nighters in my life

 

[Iso4ane]

2 Sci = easy
3 Sci = @#$^$%%#$^@&

Where I come from

2 Sci = below average difficulty
3 Sci = meh not too hard
4 Sci = Okay now its getting a little hard
5 Sci = @#$^$%%#$^@&

 

[NickNaylor]

Bad idea if labs are included with all those. The time required for labs will suck and will make it difficult. If it's just lectures, then I would go for it and take the labs later (if required).

 

[Cleavername]

Kinda want to load up some heavy classes to show I got what it takes, but don't want to end up getting humbled and pulling Cs. I work part time and have a lot of extracurricular going on. I'm a nontrad with a low undergrad GPA (around 3.1) so grades are super important.

took orgo 2, bio 2, genetics, microbio, calc 2 all in 1 semester, pulled a 3.73. u can do it, its just painful and it will eat ur social life.

 

[TACMON]

I'm not sure why people insist on taking insane course loads and courses that will be retaught in medical school. It seems like a lot of stress to add on oneself during the last few free years of one's life before things get real. If there is a genuine interest then sure take it. But I can't stand people who say, "oh it will help in med school." No, you will only be taking it again, sitting through the same boring, dense material.

apologies, needed to vent that off

 

[sonia1177]

Please. Please. Please. Please. Don't Do This to yourself. It's hard enough carrying two sciences, regardless of your GPA. I remember Chemistry really requiring so much time. And I know at my school, students often make their schedules so that they can spend a maximum amount of time around Organic Chem or Physics. I haven't taken Physics yet but I know so many of my friends practically "lived" in the Physics Help Room. And if Biochemistry is anything like Organic Chemistry, it will require tremendous times of time, effort, and drilling of problems. But I haven't taken Biochemistry yet. It takes time to get the concepts in each of these classes. If you want a higher GPA honestly consider taking classes that you KNOW YOU CAN EXCEL IN. Not simply just easy ones but the ones where you know that if you put in time and effort, you will do very well. Don't take hard classes just to impress medical schools. It's not worth putting your GPA in jeapordy. Just my two cents.

 

[chman]

If you were not working I would say that it is possible. I have only taken two sciences at a time, but could see myself doing three if I had to. However, it would be a push for sure, and with work + any other EC's I don't see you having much of a life.

 

[pinecones]

As an engineering major, some of these responses are rather funny ...

OP: go ahead and do it if you don't feel overwhelmed.

 

[TFS]

with work and lots of ECs, i wouldn't. it's a huge risk and not worth it in your case.

 

[Scarletblack]

terrible idea. Life will suck for a while if you follow this route, and you'll probably fail.

This.

 

[FlowRate]

Whiners. I've taken at LEAST 2 science (usually 3 or 4) plus at LEAST 1 (usually 2 or 3) engineering classes every semester for 3 years (as have all of my classmates). You can do it if you really want to.

 

[ohgodidonteven]

I did 3 'science' classes a year, Math/Chem/Bio first year, then second year Biochem/OChem/Physics sophomore year. It wasn't particularly hard, but then again, I am prediposed to doing a lot of studying. I got A's in those classes, except for the second semester of OChem, mainly because I didn't pay attention in the beginning.

I probably spent the most time on Biology the first year, considering the amount of memorization to due since Math/Chem was basically review of my AP classes.

OChem took up most of my time because Physics didn't require much studying (I stopped going to lecture halfway through the first semester) because I was constantly catching up and trying to memorize the material....Biochemistry was also a lot of memorization, but having done biology before hand gave me a natural feel for the material.

It was kind of disheartening that while a lot of students spent their weekend (and weekday!) nights out partying or playing, I was hunkering down with a book and computer. But then again, you have to do what you have to do.

 

[Quester]

You guys are starting to scare me a bit...

I'm a rising Junior and I'm gonna be taking 3 Bio + 1 Biochem; and 2 Bio + 1 Stats + 1 Biochem in each term. I'm also thinking of two part-time jobs, volunteering, sports and societies. Is this a call for social suicide?