Course Load-Realistic?

[Shuff89]

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I am trying to decide between a couple of postbacc programs and one that I want to go to is set up with you taking Gen Chem and Bio the first year, and Organic and Physics the second. However, I want to be able to apply the summer/fall of my second year so my schedule would look like this:


Fall 1: Biology 1, General Chemistry 1, Physics 1
Spring 1: Biology 2, General Chemistry 2, Physics 2
Summer 1: Organic Chemistry 1, MCAT
Fall 2: Organic Chemistry 2, submit applications


Is this a realistic schedule? The program directors seem to think this is an exceptionally difficult course load, but if I don't have a job and am only going to school, I am having trouble understanding the difficulty of taking the courses and doing well. I understand that I will have to study, but I figure since I'm planning on going to med school anyway that that's a given. Any advice would be really appreciated!

 

[deleted248403]

No, the latest accepted MCAT for a given year is typically the end of august, beginning of September. Thus if you wanted to apply this Fall for matriculation Fall 2013 - then you would have to take the MCAT by end of August/beginning of September.

So you'd need to move the MCAT to the summer. That is a tough courseload, and you'll need time to study for the MCAT. I personally wouldn't do it.

Better to take the extra time and get As then pull all Bs and be done sooner.

 

[PetPony]

I'm taking ochem 1, bio 1, physics 2 and animal science classes next semester. If you plan on putting all your time into it, it can be possible.

 

[thlaxer]

The one year schedule would look more like:

Summer 2012: Gen Chem 1/2
Fall 2012: Bio 1, Physics 1, Orgo 1
Spring 2013: Bio 2, Physics 2, Orgo 2
Spring/Summer 2013: MCAT, Application

Taking the MCAT and applying near the application deadlines isn't a smart choice.

One-year programs exist and people are successful in them, so obviously it's possible to do. But not everyone can succeed in this environment. A fair amount of people struggle when taking "just" two classes.

I agree with robflanker that you should take the two year route unless you are absolutely positive you can handle these science classes. For me and most of my classmates, they're harder than most of the undergrad courses we took in other subjects. Also: doing the two year route will give you significantly more time to pursue ECs, e.g. volunteering, research (if that's something you're interested in). Just my thoughts.

 

[deleted248403]

The one year schedule would look more like:

Summer 2012: Gen Chem 1/2
Fall 2012: Bio 1, Physics 1, Orgo 1
Spring 2013: Bio 2, Physics 2, Orgo 2
Spring/Summer 2013: MCAT, Application

Taking the MCAT and applying near the application deadlines isn't a smart choice.

One-year programs exist and people are successful in them, so obviously it's possible to do. But not everyone can succeed in this environment. A fair amount of people struggle when taking "just" two classes.

I agree with robflanker that you should take the two year route unless you are absolutely positive you can handle these science classes. For me and most of my classmates, they're harder than most of the undergrad courses we took in other subjects. Also: doing the two year route will give you significantly more time to pursue ECs, e.g. volunteering, research (if that's something you're interested in). Just my thoughts.

+1 to that academic plan - its the traditional one-year plan

As Napaholic said, you get more time to beef up your app with the two year plan. Med school is more than just GPA and MCAT; you gotta have the ECs

 

[DrMidlife]

...I want to be able to apply the summer/fall...

You're missing some key information in your planning.

The MD app season opens on June 1. It doesn't matter, not even a tiny little bit, when the app season ends. The best plan for applying would have you taking the MCAT by April, so that you have your score by June, so that you can submit as early as possible. If your plan has you submitting after July, you're asking for trouble.

See the reapplicants forum for lots and lots of stories about people who did everything right except applied in August or later. Apply early.

Getting A's and killing the MCAT are top priorities. I suggest it's a mistake to view speed as a top priority.

Best of luck to you.