confused about first year

[streetlight]

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hey all.. i'm about to start my freshman year and i'm confused about what i should do about class selection. my first semester is on pass/fail. i heard that med schools don't like you taking premed reqs on pass/fail, but would this be an exception because its my school's policy?

i also don't know what i should use AP credit for. i can get out of physics I and either take a harder version of physics I (and take the harder version of physics II second semester when i'm not on p/f), go to physics II on p/f, or take physics II second semester when i'm on grades. another optiono would be to take an advanced standing exam for physics II and i could also get out of that if i pass the test. i just don't know what option med schools would frown upon.

the same confusion remains for biology (using AP credit), and multivariable calc (i can test out of it to take differential equations first semester, or retake multivar calc first semester to take diff equations on grades second semester)...

i'm limited to 4 classes for my first semester, and i already know i'm going to be taking a writing class and an advanced intro chemistry class (since im on p/f)...

can someone please help me? i know a lot of you are going to say to check with individual med schools, but i'm not quite sure which i'll be applying to so i need some general guidelines. oh, also, if it makes any difference, i'm looking to md/phd programs...

thanks for your help

p.s. i wish i knew more about med schools to do more than ask questions and actually help other people out! but i guess with time that'll come

 

[dynx]

In general:
If testing out of a course looks the same on your transcript as passing the class then go ahead and do it. I would recommend this for any class that you are for sure going to take your first year anyway since you say they are all pass fail. I would err on the side of caution and try to take as few required courses (med school pre-reqs) in my first year as possible, and if its something that necessity dictates you take early (bio or chem so you can qualify for more advanced classes) then be sure to take an extra upper level or advanced class in that field later on so they can see a grade. I doubt its going to hurt you that you have to take them P/F.

As far as choosing courses. If your shool offers two courses in the same field take the easier one. Unless you apply to a medical school at the university you are at or are at a school that turns out pre-meds like mad, med schools have NO CLUE what the harder and easier version of a class is. So a easy A > hard A > B+ in a harder class EVERY TIME. Some people may tell you this is not true...they are wrong. Use the time you save to do a cool EC. Ditto with calc. If you can test out of it then, cruise though it instead and get an easy A. Audit differential equation classes if you like but don't spend time making it manditory that you attend class and perform well. Again, spend the time you save on an EC.

For the most part this is all common sense, figure out how to make the system easy on you. Good luck.

hey all.. i'm about to start my freshman year and i'm confused about what i should do about class selection. my first semester is on pass/fail. i heard that med schools don't like you taking premed reqs on pass/fail, but would this be an exception because its my school's policy?

i also don't know what i should use AP credit for. i can get out of physics I and either take a harder version of physics I (and take the harder version of physics II second semester when i'm not on p/f), go to physics II on p/f, or take physics II second semester when i'm on grades. another optiono would be to take an advanced standing exam for physics II and i could also get out of that if i pass the test. i just don't know what option med schools would frown upon.

the same confusion remains for biology (using AP credit), and multivariable calc (i can test out of it to take differential equations first semester, or retake multivar calc first semester to take diff equations on grades second semester)...

i'm limited to 4 classes for my first semester, and i already know i'm going to be taking a writing class and an advanced intro chemistry class (since im on p/f)...

can someone please help me? i know a lot of you are going to say to check with individual med schools, but i'm not quite sure which i'll be applying to so i need some general guidelines. oh, also, if it makes any difference, i'm looking to md/phd programs...

thanks for your help

p.s. i wish i knew more about med schools to do more than ask questions and actually help other people out! but i guess with time that'll come

 

[ssk123]

hey all.. i'm about to start my freshman year and i'm confused about what i should do about class selection. my first semester is on pass/fail. i heard that med schools don't like you taking premed reqs on pass/fail, but would this be an exception because its my school's policy?

i also don't know what i should use AP credit for. i can get out of physics I and either take a harder version of physics I (and take the harder version of physics II second semester when i'm not on p/f), go to physics II on p/f, or take physics II second semester when i'm on grades. another optiono would be to take an advanced standing exam for physics II and i could also get out of that if i pass the test. i just don't know what option med schools would frown upon.

the same confusion remains for biology (using AP credit), and multivariable calc (i can test out of it to take differential equations first semester, or retake multivar calc first semester to take diff equations on grades second semester)...

i'm limited to 4 classes for my first semester, and i already know i'm going to be taking a writing class and an advanced intro chemistry class (since im on p/f)...

can someone please help me? i know a lot of you are going to say to check with individual med schools, but i'm not quite sure which i'll be applying to so i need some general guidelines. oh, also, if it makes any difference, i'm looking to md/phd programs...

thanks for your help

p.s. i wish i knew more about med schools to do more than ask questions and actually help other people out! but i guess with time that'll come

you're a freshman? Take it easy. P/F??? nice.
no but seriously, your school must have a pre-med advisor. See what they think... i know a ton of people who graduated from MIT and got into excellent schools.. i'm sure the advisors know how to best tackle the p/f system.

good luck!

 

[streetlight]

haha i'll try to take it easy. i just don't want to get screwed over later because of decisions i made before i even started. would med schools look down on me taking advanced physics I during p/f and dropping to regular physics II during second semester?...and does anyone else have advice?

thanks to all that have posted so far - there's just too many choices haha

 

[kermitdfrog]

haha i'll try to take it easy. i just don't want to get screwed over later because of decisions i made before i even started. would med schools look down on me taking advanced physics I during p/f and dropping to regular physics II during second semester?...and does anyone else have advice?

thanks to all that have posted so far - there's just too many choices haha

You should do a search for Johns Hopkins Med and undergrad first semester pass/fail, because I remember seeing something with them involving first semester pass/fail grades. Your ticket to med school is not going to be taken away because you switched to a lower level of physics in your freshman year. I would however be cautious about not taking certain pre reqs because of AP credit, as I believe that can cause some issues. I would just meet with an MIT premed advisor and have them schedule your courses, as I'm sure they've come across any question you have in regards to class scheduling and pre reqs/first year courses.