does it look bad to take premed requirements in the summer?

[zbruinz]

If i were to take premed requirements at my 4 year university (not CC) would med schools frown on that?

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[OctoDoc]

I don't think adcoms care what you took when. Only where and what grade. Just don't take the more demanding courses during the summer, if you can help it. You may be doing yourself a disservice. You want to absorb the material such that you don't have to relearn it for the MCAT.

 

[zbruinz]

okay, i was thinking of the first quarter of bio.

 

[OctoDoc]

okay, i was thinking of the first quarter of bio.

Go for it.

 

[mbadoc]

I have been out of college now for almost two years and looking back, I realize how important summers are...My advice to college kids: use your summers wisely! meaning, college is the last opportunity where you have real summer breaks! you should use them to explore the world, explore another career/industry, do something interesting. Don't spend your precious summers sitting in a classroom... that would be my advice.

I know there are a lot of reasons why one would want to take pre-med classes over the summer, (ie lighten up course load for the school year, able to focus on the subject, able to pursue more majors, etc.) but think of the big picture, a work/extracurricular experience over the summer could change your outlook on life and influence your career path!

 

[Kuba]

I think you should be ok as long as you take them at your univeristy and not an easier school (Community college.) However, I think there is a chance an adcom may put a red flag next to the grade.

 

[zbruinz]

I think you should be ok as long as you take them at your univeristy and not an easier school (Community college.) However, I think there is a chance an adcom may put a red flag next to the grade.

Why would they do that if it's at my university.

 

[Kuba]

Because generally summer classes are easier. An adcom might think you took it in the summer because you wanted it to be easier.

 

[mbadoc]

If you are gunning for the top schools, you will be going against applicants who had interesting and unique summer experiences. I think you should look for other opportunities than taking classes during your summers....

 

[skypilot]

Do whatever it takes to get that high GPA including taking premed required courses in the summer if it helps you to get As in the courses.

The most important thing is to maintain those high numbers.

 

[NCF145]

Because generally summer classes are easier. An adcom might think you took it in the summer because you wanted it to be easier.

Ha! Taking Human Physiology in the summer is much harder at my school than in the fall/spring. Instead of having 4 months to cover an entire textbook, I had 6 weeks to read over 1,000 pages of The Textbook of Medical Physiology by Guyten and Hall (if you've used this book you know how dense the info in it is) and be responsible for all of the info in it. I've never had to work so hard in a class.

 

[Chris127]

I'm taking Organic I and a lab this summer (so I dont have to take Organic with 6 other courses to worry about)

 

[jbrice1639]

i took bio I and II and physics I and II (all in one summer) at my school and no one ever questioned that on my app. i took biochem another summer as well. i think it's a great way to knock out some of the low level classes

 

[Twitch]

I'm taking BioChem I during a short 5 week summer. Not sure why some Adcoms think summer classes are easier. My school doesn't cut down on the amount of material during a shorter semester.

Personally, I think you have to work harder to make the same grade during the short summer classes than a regular semester since you're covering the same amount of material in 5 weeks rather than 4 months.

 

[OctoDoc]

I'm taking BioChem I during a short 5 week summer. Not sure why some Adcoms think summer classes are easier. My school doesn't cut down on the amount of material during a shorter semester.

Personally, I think you have to work harder to make the same grade during the short summer classes than a regular semester since you're covering the same amount of material in 5 weeks rather than 4 months.

I, too, took biochem in 5 weeks. Also anatomy in 5 weeks. Neither class was watered down. In fact, my anatomy instructor said, "You are all going to get the same number of credits for this course as those taking it during the school year, so you should have to do the same work." We covered the entire 26-chapter anatomy textbook in 5 weeks.