Comments on 2 classes this fall

[MaryWrathers]

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Will taking only two natural science classes this fall be looked down upon by adcom members?
This is what I have planned for this fall:

-Bio I 4 credit hours
-Organic Chem I 5 credit hours
-volunteering
-working part-time (self-employed)
-study for MCAT
-shadow 2 docs for 1 day each
-yoga class 2 credit hours

Does this sound okay? I know it's only two classes, but they are with Labs, and I want to do my best. I want to actually learn and retain the material to prepare for the MCAT.

Thank you!

 

[poly800rock]

Will taking only two natural science classes this fall be looked down upon by adcom members?
This is what I have planned for this fall:

-Bio I 4 credit hours
-Organic Chem I 5 credit hours
-volunteering
-working part-time (self-employed)
-study for MCAT
-shadow 2 docs for 1 day each
-yoga class 2 credit hours

Does this sound okay? I know it's only two classes, but they are with Labs, and I want to do my best. I want to actually learn and retain the material to prepare for the MCAT.

Thank you!

learn orgo, it's saving my butt for mcat studying now, I got a B+ for orgo 1 and A for orgo 2, orgo is really easy and makes more logical sense than general chemisty. as a post bac, you will never be on par with the kids that have took 4 years of bio sciences, so learn the basics gen chem, physics, and orgo, and the rest are not too bad to pick up. i would STRONGLY reccomend you also pick up a cell physiology class too, that too has saved me a lot!

 

[Skaterbabe74]

orgo is really easy and makes more logical sense than general chemisty.

Ok this isn't true for everybody. Physics and gen chem were a breeze for me compared to Organic. I had to take Orgo I twice, and Orgo II 3 times just to achieve a C+ and a C (although I got a B in Biochem I no problem). While I agree that Organic is very logical some people's minds just don't picture 10+ step syntheses problems well.

To the OP: So long as you've shown elsewhere that you can handle larger loads (either working full time and taking a few classes or taking a full load of classes and doing other stuff) a light semester shouldn't be any problem. You definitely want to do well, and studying for Organic and the MCAT is going to eat up a lot of time. Good luck!

 

[poly800rock]

Ok this isn't true for everybody. Physics and gen chem were a breeze for me compared to Organic. I had to take Orgo I twice, and Orgo II 3 times just to achieve a C+ and a C (although I got a B in Biochem I no problem). While I agree that Organic is very logical some people's minds just don't picture 10+ step syntheses problems well.

To the OP: So long as you've shown elsewhere that you can handle larger loads (either working full time and taking a few classes or taking a full load of classes and doing other stuff) a light semester shouldn't be any problem. You definitely want to do well, and studying for Organic and the MCAT is going to eat up a lot of time. Good luck!

anyone that can breeze through electricity and magnetism, my hats off to you.

 

[LINYKid]

Im in the same boat taking bio, chem, plus 2 economics classes and work and hospital volunteering, good luck. Im tired just thinking bout it

 

[Skaterbabe74]

anyone that can breeze through electricity and magnetism, my hats off to you.

Well I did end up with a B+ (89.4 Argh!) because I had my Orgo II final (which I bombed despite studying for the entire week previous for it) right before the Physics II final and only studied for the physics final for a couple hours that morning but I also had some of the highest grades on exams in the class. I also took it with the best teacher on campus lol. If I had taken it from the prof that the girl I tutored in the spring had I would have been lucky to pass (He was teaching them upper division E&M rather than physics II E&M but now I'm dreading that upper division E&M lol).

 

[Beau Geste]

I'm taking Orgo I + lab, Physics I + lab, and working full-time this fall + MCAT prep.

 

[Truth_seeker]

I think you'd be okay. That's what I've done so far. I think that if it comes up in interviews I'll let the questioner know exactly why I decided to do the pre-req's as I did them. Who knows...I would want to know the reason and if the person can defend their decision. But yeah, if you can prove you've taken heavy loads and did okay, I don't think it'd be an issue.

 

[JamieMac]

I'm taking Orgo I + lab, Physics I + lab, and working full-time this fall + MCAT prep.

I'm doing pretty much the same thing with the exception of the MCAT prep. A friend of mine is doing the Princeton Review, and said it is like having multiple classes. Another guy I met did exactly what you're doing and said it burned him right out. Since the MCAT will be offered several times per year next year, I'm planning to do the prep course after Winter term and schedule the MCAT shortly thereafter. Good luck...I hope it works out for you.

 

[poly800rock]

I'm doing pretty much the same thing with the exception of the MCAT prep. A friend of mine is doing the Princeton Review, and said it is like having multiple classes. Another guy I met did exactly what you're doing and said it burned him right out. Since the MCAT will be offered several times per year next year, I'm plan to do the prep course after Winter term and schedule the MCAT shortly thereafter. Good luck...I hope it works out for you.

I'm taking biochem this semester, but what one other class would you guys suggest for better mcat prep? I've already taken all the pre reqs + genetics and cell physiology, do you guys think micro or something like anatomy and physiology would be better?

 

[JamieMac]

I'm taking biochem this semester, but what one other class would you guys suggest for better mcat prep? I've already taken all the pre reqs + genetics and cell physiology, do you guys think micro or something like anatomy and physiology would be better?

Are you planning for the the MCAT at any particular date? If you're only taking biochem and no other classes, you might want to seriously consider doing a prep-course at the same time. When you are taking the MCAT is key to when you do the review. Sounds like you're at a point where you'll just need to review and get ready for the BIG test. Good luck.

 

[poly800rock]

Are you planning for the the MCAT at any particular date? If you're only taking biochem and no other classes, you might want to seriously consider doing a prep-course at the same time. When you are taking the MCAT is key to when you do the review. Sounds like you're at a point where you'll just need to review and get ready for the BIG test. Good luck.

i'm scheduled to take it on saturday, but the past few weeks as i've been studying all summer, i've hit a brick wall and started doing pretty poorly, low to mid 20's, even though I was scoring 26-30 in the ones prior, so i'm taking the test and if i don't walk out of it felling like i owned it, i'll probably void it and take it again in january....this really is a beast of a test!!!

 

[Fashionista]

I'm glad this thread is here, I have been questioning whether I am taking enough classes as well. My advisor urged me to only take two classes this first semester and spread out my pre-reqs over the next two years. I am taking Bio I + lab and Chem I + lab. I plan on doing some research about 15-20 hours a week and volunteering 4 hours a week. I may also work part time (nannying for ~7 hours/ week). Do you think this is enough? I have definitely had heavy courseloads in the past and did well. Last semester I had a fieldwork internship with Cardiac Rehab and was there 40 hours/ week, took a 3 credit nutrition course (A), volunteered 4 hours/week and worked 6 hours/ week.

 

[deleted36260]

I'm glad this thread is here, I have been questioning whether I am taking enough classes as well. My advisor urged me to only take two classes this first semester and spread out my pre-reqs over the next two years. I am taking Bio I + lab and Chem I + lab. I plan on doing some research about 15-20 hours a week and volunteering 4 hours a week. I may also work part time (nannying for ~7 hours/ week). Do you think this is enough? I have definitely had heavy courseloads in the past and did well. Last semester I had a fieldwork internship with Cardiac Rehab and was there 40 hours/ week, took a 3 credit nutrition course (A), volunteered 4 hours/week and worked 6 hours/ week.

I would add another class if I wwere you.

This isn't meant to be a "omg, look how much I can do post", but I've managed a (14-16 hour course load + 30-45 hour work week + some EC) since I reentered school. My GPA is a 3.77 right now
Every single semester I have said "this semester I will only take 12 hours to be full time, and do blah blah". Every single semester I force myself to take one more class.

I'm not talking down to you. You sound like you are doing well, but I guess my point is that you don't want to underestimate yourself. You'd be amazed at how hard you can push when you realize "it's only 4 months of effort" each semester. Then psyche yourself up again for the next.
Always push yourself harder. If you HONESTLY feel like you have hit your limit, don't mess up your scores to try to prove something. But personally, I'd be looking to add another class in there.