Freshman here- need advice!

[ribs98]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,
I am currently an Animal Science major freshman at Texas A&M University. I just wanted some advice to see if I'm on the right track in terms of my future course load.

I am planning on graduating a semester early as I came in with a lot of AP credits and will be taking some basic classes at community college. I'm concerned that my course load will seem not to be rigorous enough to dental school admins.

Expected science course load and then total overall expected credit hours:

Freshman year:
1st semester:
Chem 101 w/ lab
~14 credit hours total

2nd semester:
Chem 102 w/lab
~16 credit hours total

Sophomore year:
1st semester:
Biol 111 w/ lab
Organic Chemistry w/ lab
~14 credit hours total

2nd semester:
Biol 112 w/ lab
Organic Chemistry 2 w/ lab
~14 credit hours total

Junior year:
1st semester:
Biochemistry 1
Genetics 2/ lab
~13 credit hours total

2nd semester:
Biochemistry 2
Microbiology w/ lab
Physics 1 w/ lab
~13 credit hours total

Senior year:
1st semester:
Physics 2 w/ lab
A&P
~15 credit hours total

Is this course load not rigorous enough? Are there enough upper level biology classes?

Thank you!

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

Hi,
I am currently an Animal Science major freshman at Texas A&M University. I just wanted some advice to see if I'm on the right track in terms of my future course load.

I am planning on graduating a semester early as I came in with a lot of AP credits and will be taking some basic classes at community college. I'm concerned that my course load will seem not to be rigorous enough to dental school admins.

Expected science course load and then total overall expected credit hours:

Freshman year:
1st semester:
Chem 101 w/ lab
~14 credit hours total

2nd semester:
Chem 102 w/lab
~16 credit hours total

Sophomore year:
1st semester:
Biol 111 w/ lab
Organic Chemistry w/ lab
~14 credit hours total

2nd semester:
Biol 112 w/ lab
Organic Chemistry 2 w/ lab
~14 credit hours total

Junior year:
1st semester:
Biochemistry 1
Genetics 2/ lab
~16 credit hours total

2nd semester:
Biochemistry 2
Microbiology w/ lab
Physics 1 w/ lab
~13 credit hours total

Senior year:
1st semester:
Physics 2 w/ lab
A&P
~15 credit hours total

Is this course load not rigorous enough? Are there enough upper level biology classes?

Thank you!

You'll be fine. If it comes down to it and you want extra biology classes you could switch out BioChem 2 for another upper bio. One thing I would make sure you check is whether or not your intro level bio labs and micro lab count as seperate lab hours, if not you need to find bio labs that do.

Potential bio classes to switch for BioChem2 - cell bio, histology, itchyology (fish), etc.

 

[ribs98]

Biochem 2 is required for my major. And intro biology and micro have separate labs.

 

[ribs98]

Looks pretty darn good to me...maybe add in Cell Bio or a different upper level like Histology or Immunology. Any reason why you're not taking BIO111/112 your freshman years?

I considered it but I/m just hesitant i guess... The professors being offered for biology aren't very good next semester and that just put me off it. However I have taken AP Biology too already so I am considering just taking it.

 

[ribs98]

Any reason why the professors aren't very good?

I'm just going based off of ratemyprofessor... probably not the best idea lol. I know my university has other professors that people have recommended but none are teaching next semester:/ But i honestly do think I am just gonna go ahead and take Bio111 next semester. I haven't been struggling with chemistry really so thats not an excuse for me anyways at this point.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

I AP'd out of bio and I don't regret it at all, it's really basic and in some schools is also a weed out. So if I were you I would skip it.

That would also allow you to fit in another bio course further along the line.

That being said I had the following bio classes, bio 1 (ap) bio 1 lab, genetics, mbio, mbio lab, and a ecology research class. I had no problems getting interviews in Texas with those classes, that being said I definitely haven't been accepted yet,but I don't think your current schedule would be a problem as long as yoy met the requirements and keep a high gpa.

 

[Mason91]

My junior and senior semesters were made entirely of upper-level science courses. You don't need more science classes?

 

[ribs98]

I AP'd out of bio and I don't regret it at all, it's really basic and in some schools is also a weed out. So if I were you I would skip it.

That would also allow you to fit in another bio course further along the line.

That being said I had the following bio classes, bio 1 (ap) bio 1 lab, genetics, mbio, mbio lab, and a ecology research class. I had no problems getting interviews in Texas with those classes, that being said I definitely haven't been accepted yet,but I don't think your current schedule would be a problem as long as yoy met the requirements and keep a high gpa.

I didn't get the credit as I didn't bother studying for the exam as I want to retake it in college. Thanks! And good luck, hope you get an acceptance!

 

[ribs98]

My junior and senior semesters were made entirely of upper-level science courses. You don't need more science classes?

Postive. I'm an animal science major- not a biology major.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

I didn't get the credit as I didn't bother studying for the exam as I want to retake it in college. Thanks! And good luck, hope you get an acceptance!

Sorry I just assumed!

 

[Henry Killinger]

Holy smokes I haven't even planned out next semester yet XD

Only special advice I would give is to give it your all in General Bio, General Chem, and Organic Chem. Makes the DAT much less of a headache

 

[ribs98]

Sorry I just assumed!

No worries!

 

[ribs98]

If you take Bio with chem, you can open an opportunity to take Cell Bio (highly recommended) your sophomore year. I'm pretty sure you can handle it based on how prepared you seem as a freshman...but it could be too much if you're not sure where your confidence is at. Do whatever you feel confident will be best for you and your GPA 😉!!

Thanks for the help!

 

[ribs98]

Holy smokes I haven't even planned out next semester yet XD

Only special advice I would give is to give it your all in General Bio, General Chem, and Organic Chem. Makes the DAT much less of a headache

Lol, I'm a bit of a control freak so gotta have everything planned out in advance 🙂 and yes will do, I plan on taking the DAT summer of sophomore year while it's all fresh in my mind!

 

[ribs98]

Had another question- how important is getting a leadership position in a club? Is it a must to have held an officer position or is being an active member of 2-3 clubs plus outside volunteering enough?

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Had another question- how important is getting a leadership position in a club? Is it a must to have held an officer position or is being an active member of 2-3 clubs plus outside volunteering enough?

Just do it if you'll have fun with it. I was the treasurer of the dental club at my school, because my friends were involved with the club leadership. I had fun. Would I have done it if I would have hated it? No way. But it fun, and I got asked about it in interviews. Plus it's something to put in the leadership column of your application.

 

[Samin23]

I got to TAMU. That looks like the typical science schedule for a student here. You may have to make some changes, but it's a good outline