Columbia schedule

[medguy24]

Hi guys so I'm going to be starting college at columbia university this coming semester and I was wondering what you thought about my schedule and if you have any tips or advice. Thanks in advance!

First Semester:
1-Intensive organic chemistry for first year students I (3.5)
2- Intensive General Chemistry lab (3)
3-University Writing (3)
4- Literature Humanities I (4)
5-Physical Education I (1)
Total: 14.5

Second Semester:
1-Intensive Organic Chemistry for First Year Students II (3.5)
2-Organic Chemistry Lab (3)
3-Frontiers of Science (4)
4-Literature Humanities II (4)
5-Physical Education II (1)
Total: 15.5

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[Codynna]

its ok. at my school, you would only get 4hrs total for the organic chemistry + lab.

 

[medguy24]

its ok. at my school, you would only get 4hrs total for the organic chemistry + lab.

It's two separate courses at columbia and it's only one semester lab per science. so that's why it's 6.5 credits. Do you have any advice for college or anything that I should know?

 

[madmike 20]

It's two separate courses at columbia and it's only one semester lab per science. so that's why it's 6.5 credits. Do you have any advice for college or anything that I should know?

Maintain a high GPA first and foremost in whatever area of study you choose, and then just enjoy the next 4 years. It will go by so quickly. If you want to have a rough 4 years like I did, then take as many upper level biology courses you can take that correlates with medical school somehow such as cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, etc., but only do so if you can maintain a high GPA while taking those courses.

 

[thegypsyqueen]

That's a standard schedule. Good luck.

 

[medguy24]

Do you guys have any advice for college?

 

[Monika12]

-

 

[Low Flow]

isnt columbia a really tough school for premed? i think your schedule is making it tougher. why not just take non-intensive intro level biology courses?

Because OP would be robbing himself of an opportunity. Don't aim to take the easiest classes possible. Push yourself at the higher level. It's only going to get more intensive as the years go by.

 

[justonemorequestion]

Because OP would be robbing himself of an opportunity. Don't aim to take the easiest classes possible. Push yourself at the higher level. It's only going to get more intensive as the years go by.

I would have to disagree here. Going to an Ivy gives you opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. A ton of students have no idea how to study their first year and screw up their grades by taking unnecessarily hard courses while trying to adjust to a different lifestyle with a ton of freedom. The average grade in the intro classes is a C-/B+. So I would suggest to actually take an easier course-load the first year and then ramp up. I also found the research opportunities and upper level seminar classes are where the top schools separate themselves from the rest. Also, you are competing with the smartest in the nation, so why not work your way up?

 

[Boolean]

Talk to your premed advisors. I can say from experience the premed advising at Columbia is amazing. They'll certainly help guide your path.

 

[medguy24]

isnt columbia a really tough school for premed? i think your schedule is making it tougher. why not just take non-intensive intro level biology courses?

Well all first year premed students take either general chemistry or intensive organic chemistry for freshman during their first year because biology has a prerequisite of chemistry. So I took the chemistry placement exam and scored high enough to skip chemistry and place into orgo. So I figured why not take intensive orgo for freshman now and I get to
1- skip general chemistry
2-take orgo when it's a tad bit easier
3-freshman orgo is curved much better than regular orgo (first semester 67% get at least a B+ and second semester 67% get at least an A-) so if I study hard ill do okay
4- it will prepare me for biology when I take it next year (which people say is the hardest premed class "the weed out class" )
5- the satisfaction of pushing my limits

 

[justonemorequestion]

Well all first year premed students take either general chemistry or intensive organic chemistry for freshman during their first year because biology has a prerequisite of chemistry. So I took the chemistry placement exam and scored high enough to skip chemistry and place into orgo. So I figured why not take intensive orgo for freshman now and I get to
1- skip general chemistry
2-take orgo when it's a tad bit easier
3-freshman orgo is curved much better than regular orgo (first semester 67% get at least a B+ and second semester 67% get at least an A-) so if I study hard ill do okay
4- it will prepare me for biology when I take it next year (which people say is the hardest premed class "the weed out class" )
5- the satisfaction of pushing my limits

I also placed out of gen chem and went straight into Orgo my first year of college. Yes, we also had a better curve although not as generous as yours. I also had the same reasons as you. First exam - not saying you'll do this but I skipped/slept through every lecture because I thought it was going to be as easy as high school - ended up 2.5 std dev below the mean and received an F. While in the end I studied a ton for the rest of the exams I only pulled it up to a B+. Fast forward to Orgo 2 second semester - at my school the freshman orgo section was only for first semester and you were placed back into the regular orgo sections for orgo 2 - I learned my lesson by then and studied really hard from day 1 and ended up with an A. At the end of the day I do regret chewing off more than I could handle first semester.

As for your points:
1. You still have to go back and take gen chem - AP credits don't fly with med schools. I took gen chem sophomore year after orgo.
2. this is a valid point but do realize that grades are generated on a curve and on average the higher-achieving students will enroll in this section
3. that's a pretty generous curve but B+ is a 3.3
4. bio is definitely much easier than orgo and the only remote skill that you could possibly transfer over is study habits, which I think would be better learned through something else
5. what if you can't keep up? you don't test your limits with a marathon as a beginner - let's say you are extremely intelligent - you would kill gen chem anyways then kill orgo. I agree that it feels awesome challenging yourself straight out of high school - you're used to being the best and getting in an Ivy League makes you feel like the sky is the limit. But, you have to realize that there will be people thinking the same thing who are going to be smarter than you. If you do feel strongly about medicine (which I hope you have not set in stone at this point), I would worry about keeping your GPA up. If not, I would encourage you to look explore other fields and other interests at Columbia while taking easier classes. Just my 2 cents. Sorry for the big block of text.

 

[BowSeat]

^
1. You still have to go back and take gen chem - AP credits don't fly with med schools. I took gen chem sophomore year after orgo.
Just not true. Only certain medical schools state that they don't accept AP credits. Even with these schools that say they don't accept them, if you do well enough on the MCAT, they will disregard the fact that you used AP instead of taking college courses. Don't waste your time on unnecessary intro weed out classes like general chemistry.

Quick google search of "What medical schools don't accept AP" https://www.dartmouth.edu/~nss/nav/pages/school/Med School Course Reqs/MedSchAP08.pdf

 

[justonemorequestion]

^
1. You still have to go back and take gen chem - AP credits don't fly with med schools. I took gen chem sophomore year after orgo.
Just not true. Only certain medical schools state that they don't accept AP credits. Even with these schools that say they don't accept them, if you do well enough on the MCAT, they will disregard the fact that you used AP instead of taking college courses. Don't waste your time on unnecessary intro weed out classes like general chemistry.

Quick google search of "What medical schools don't accept AP" https://www.dartmouth.edu/~nss/nav/pages/school/Med School Course Reqs/MedSchAP08.pdf

Ah my fault. I was not clear. Correct me if I am wrong but your university would have to accept your AP credit and grant you equivalent general chemistry course credit in order for it to count for a requirement for medical school. I think that Columbia would not accept AP credit and grant equivalent credit. Also, in the list you posted, there are quite a few schools that do not accept them at all, and an even larger amount that would only accept with supplementation (which is a higher level course that acts as a replacement correct?). In my opinion it would be better to keep your options open and not limit yourself by not taking gen chem in college.

 

[BowSeat]

Ah my fault. I was not clear. Correct me if I am wrong but your university would have to accept your AP credit and grant you equivalent general chemistry course credit in order for it to count for a requirement for medical school. I think that Columbia would not accept AP credit and grant equivalent credit. Also, in the list you posted, there are quite a few schools that do not accept them at all, and an even larger amount that would only accept with supplementation (which is a higher level course that acts as a replacement correct?). In my opinion it would be better to keep your options open and not limit yourself by not taking gen chem in college.

Yeah, that's true. It has to show up on the transcript. I was not aware that Columbia did not accept AP. That sucks.

 

[medguy24]

Ah my fault. I was not clear. Correct me if I am wrong but your university would have to accept your AP credit and grant you equivalent general chemistry course credit in order for it to count for a requirement for medical school. I think that Columbia would not accept AP credit and grant equivalent credit. Also, in the list you posted, there are quite a few schools that do not accept them at all, and an even larger amount that would only accept with supplementation (which is a higher level course that acts as a replacement correct?). In my opinion it would be better to keep your options open and not limit yourself by not taking gen chem in college.

The way Columbia's policy is that once you finish your second semester of intensive organic chemistry for freshman they'll give you six credits worth of ap credit for the two semesters of general chemistry.
Plus almost all medical schools would allow me to take ap credit as long as I take upper level chemistry classes(biochemistry) anyways...

 

[medguy24]

""4.bio is definitely much easier than orgo and the only remote skill that you could possibly transfer over is study habits, which I think would be better learned through something else""
At columbia biology is actually the hardest pre med class and it's considered the "weed out" class. It also has a prerequisite of chemistry and also covers many topics in biochemistry. So taking organic chemistry before will give me a leap ahead of everyone else

 

[mark2122]

Hi guys so I'm going to be starting college at columbia university this coming semester and I was wondering what you thought about my schedule and if you have any tips or advice. Thanks in advance!

First Semester:
1-Intensive organic chemistry for first year students I (3.5)
2- Intensive General Chemistry lab (3)
3-University Writing (3)
4- Literature Humanities I (4)
5-Physical Education I (1)
Total: 14.5

Second Semester:
1-Intensive Organic Chemistry for First Year Students II (3.5)
2-Organic Chemistry Lab (3)
3-Frontiers of Science (4)
4-Literature Humanities II (4)
5-Physical Education II (1)
Total: 15.5

Columbia alum here. That's a pretty standard schedule. Gotta tell you though, intensive organic chemistry is VERY difficult. This a manageable schedule if you are a great student and strong in chemistry already but don't add any more courses your freshman year. Or you can test out organic chem and see if you might want to take an easy, interesting fifth class second semester.

Have you looked into intensive gen chem? I believe it covers the whole first year in a semester and would allow you to take some more electives. Are you going to be a science major?

 

[NTheo91]

I just wanted to put emphasis on the transition in college from high school. Some people transition well, while others struggle tremendously. You have a lot more freedom in college and it is VERY easy to screw up your first semester (like I did with 2 C+'s). Even with nearly straight A's from then on out, my GPA is still noticeably lower because of my 1st semester grades. If you work hard I'm sure you will do fine, just know that working hard in college is absolutely nothing like working hard in high school (unless your a genius and pick up everything easy).

Of course, remember to eat healthy, exercise, and give yourself plenty of time socializing/making friends. I didn't realize how much it would impact my grades when I started living a healthier lifestyle. Having friends, particularly those who are premed with a similar schedule, is essential for success (unless your a hermit or hate studying with people).

Best of luck! I'm sure you will do great!

 

[medguy24]

Columbia alum here. That's a pretty standard schedule. Gotta tell you though, intensive organic chemistry is VERY difficult. This a manageable schedule if you are a great student and strong in chemistry already but don't add any more courses your freshman year. Or you can test out organic chem and see if you might want to take an easy, interesting fifth class second semester.

Have you looked into intensive gen chem? I believe it covers the whole first year in a semester and would allow you to take some more electives. Are you going to be a science major?

Is it really that hard? I've heard its easier than the regular orgo class... is that true? And do you think intensive orgo is harder or is intro biology harder? (just curious)
I heard that intro biology covers some biochemistry so taking orgo my first year would help me out in biology as well.. is that true?
I have looked into intensive gen chem but i want to take intensive orgo my first year because i heard its curved better than regular orgo and then i wont have to double up on sciences...
And im majoring in biology.

 

[medguy24]

.

 

[ridethecliche]

Drop physical education. I've heard you have to work really hard in that class.

 

[Aerus]

The way Columbia's policy is that once you finish your second semester of intensive organic chemistry for freshman they'll give you six credits worth of ap credit for the two semesters of general chemistry.
Plus almost all medical schools would allow me to take ap credit as long as I take upper level chemistry classes(biochemistry) anyways...

Biochemistry is going to be slowly required by many schools, so this may or may not satisfy your general chemistry requirement.

 

[justonemorequestion]

Is it really that hard? I've heard its easier than the regular orgo class... is that true? And do you think intensive orgo is harder or is intro biology harder? (just curious)
I heard that intro biology covers some biochemistry so taking orgo my first year would help me out in biology as well.. is that true?
I have looked into intensive gen chem but i want to take intensive orgo my first year because i heard its curved better than regular orgo and then i wont have to double up on sciences...
And im majoring in biology.

In my personal experience, biochemistry and organic chemistry had almost 0 overlap. Orgo was like none of my other science classes. Then again, I was a biology major and took the biology major version of biochem as opposed to the chemistry version of biochem.

 

[medguy24]

Drop physical education. I've heard you have to work really hard in that class.

Are you being serious or are you being sarcastic?

 

[FFH]

Hi guys so I'm going to be starting college at columbia university this coming semester and I was wondering what you thought about my schedule and if you have any tips or advice. Thanks in advance!

First Semester:
1-Intensive organic chemistry for first year students I (3.5)
2- Intensive General Chemistry lab (3)
3-University Writing (3)
4- Literature Humanities I (4)
5-Physical Education I (1)
Total: 14.5

Second Semester:
1-Intensive Organic Chemistry for First Year Students II (3.5)
2-Organic Chemistry Lab (3)
3-Frontiers of Science (4)
4-Literature Humanities II (4)
5-Physical Education II (1)
Total: 15.5

Your home school girl here, graduated this May with >4.0 GPA. Overall, I'm glad to see that you are not falling into the CC phenomena and try to take 17+ credits. I don't know why that's so popular these days with CC kids that they like to compete with each other in terms of total number of credits.

I do not suggest taking lit hum so early with intensive Chem Lab and Orgo. Lit Hum readings can be a beast. If you can, substitute it with Calculus I, an easy piecy class. Oh unless you are CC student in which case, you'll have to. Just be very very careful which professor you pick. The differences can be huge. Read Culpa. Be critical about the information. Consider the facts, don't trust people's impression. Each professor will have pros and cons, find one that fits you.

Something I found helpful: If you find something that doesn't work for you, talk to your advisor or petition to have your need accommodated.

 

[FFH]

Is it really that hard? I've heard its easier than the regular orgo class... is that true? And do you think intensive orgo is harder or is intro biology harder? (just curious)
I heard that intro biology covers some biochemistry so taking orgo my first year would help me out in biology as well.. is that true?
I have looked into intensive gen chem but i want to take intensive orgo my first year because i heard its curved better than regular orgo and then i wont have to double up on sciences...
And im majoring in biology.

Here is the thing, when people tell you something is hard or not, unless you know the relative intelligence level between you and that person as well as that persona's learning method, you can't really rely on his or her judgment. Someone who learns conceptually will find Doubleday's Orgo class painfully detailed and disorganized and the same person might shine brightly in Cornish, while another person who learns through memorization might enjoy Doubleday but won't survive with Snyder or Nuckolls.
Intro Bio definitely requires some adaptation to the teaching method, some people adapt in half a semester, some in one, some never did quite adapt. You just got into columbia, you might want to take it easy the very first semester to test the water. The level of class might be pleasantly easy overall, or you might find it very difficult simply to survive because of the hungry postbacs. During this testing period, don't take anything critical such as Intro Bio, take it slow and collect important intel. If you want to talk, feel free to PM me.

 

[nyxassassin]

Rising senior, took frosh orgo and bio at the same time. I don't think you can take orgo lab till sophomore year (though you arent supposed to take bio until after chem). I think your schedule is doable but you better love chem. the 70% A range is heavily inflated by: people who took orgo already and people who eat sleep and drink chemistry. Intensive gen chem is quite chill with Avila. Uwriting and lithum depends on teacher. Also you need to do well on the intro chemistry exam but thats just gen chem so if you have a good chem base go for freshman orgo. Lambert and Leighton are good, organized professors. I don't think breslow is teaching anymore which is a shame and a plus because he wasnt the best lecturer. Intro bio is very different than AP bio, much more logic based and intellectually rigorous in the sense that its not just about how big your hippocampus is. Feel free to PM me as well.