Harvard Extension vs. BU Org Chem and Physics

[mydream11]

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Hi,

Have you taken Organic Chem and/or Physics at BU or Harvard Extension school? Is on easier than the other? Any professors you liked/disliked?
Any info is appreciated!!! 🙂

 

[Moki]

If your main criteria is "easy," I don't think you will be happy at HES. In my experience, all of the core classes require you to work both hard and smart in order to do well (or be very gifted). Physics is a hard subject for me, so I found the class very challenging. With a lot of work, I did well in it, though. Organic Chem is taught by a great teacher at HES.

 

[Xcited392]

I took orgo at BU last year. My teacher was Rubio and he was hillarious. He makes everything so interesting and fun. FYI, he used to teach orgo at HES a few years back. The book is useless and he teaches straight from his lecture notes (which are conveniently uploaded online for you to print out). Tests are all from those notes and he has sample exams for you to study. Still, the class was pretty hard, for me at least. As far as grades, he drops your lowest exam and curves at a 75, so the average grade tends to be in the C to B range. Still, it is very possible to do well in the class. Lab was fun, despite inconsistent grading among lab TAs. However, lab grades are scaled to make it even. The average overall lab grade is usually a B.

I can't comment about other teachers, but I had a friend who had another teacher for orgo, and he made a comment that Rubio tests are more detailed than his. In the end, I feel like I might have gotten a better preparation for the MCAT.

Tip: Rubio's class fills up quickly, so you will have a hard time getting in it.

 

[mydream11]

Any profs in particular that are easier at BU, HES, or some other Boston school? Also, I heard that the lab for Organic Chem at BU is killer b/c of the lab prof... is that really true? What kind of exams does she give?