Heavy Semester + PCATS

[NexusMD]

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Hey all, my spring 07 semester looks like this.
Physics 1 with lab
Genetics
Organic Chemistry 1 wit Lab
Honors 3 credit class
1 credit Seminar class.

This totals up to about 16 credits. I am also hoping to work about 10 hours a week, and also start studying for pcats in June. Is this a good idea? Should I not work? Or drop a class and take it later? Or what? Anyone have ideas? I can probably drop genetics and take it in the summer, or just keep my schedule and not work.

Thanks for the advice anyone 🙂

 

[grincheola]

You should be fine. It will prepare you for the riggers of pharmacy school. I've taken worse before and came out on top. Is your school notoriously hard?

 

[NexusMD]

You should be fine. It will prepare you for the riggers of pharmacy school. I've taken worse before and came out on top. Is your school notoriously hard?

I dunno what you call hard. I can give u statistics for my class from pickaprof tho 😉
Genetics = 28% get an A
Physics 25% get an A
Organic 1 = 10% get an A
Honors Seminar = 84% get an A
1 credit class = 90% get an A

I am obviously not worried about the honors or the 1 credit class 😉, but the other ones I need to do well on.

 

[Utterdevotion]

Though the tough schedule will definitely prepare you for pharmacy school, I want to say that doing well in school and on your PCATs should be a major priority. So I would suggest not working, if you think you cannot handle all three. I wouldn't drop genetics because that is on the PCATs.

The hardest thing about PCATs is putting aside time to study for it. Schoolwork never ends/feels more pressing, and if you add work, you may become too tired to get around to studying for PCATs. So in the end, it's all about balancing time and motivation!

Good luck!

 

[NexusMD]

Though the tough schedule will definitely prepare you for the riggers of pharmacy school, I want to say that doing well in school and on your PCATs should be a major priority. So I would suggest not working, if you think you cannot handle all three. I wouldn't drop genetics because that is on the PCATs.

The hardest thing about PCATs is putting aside time to study for it. Schoolwork never ends/feels more pressing, and if you add work, you may become too tired to get around to studying for PCATs. So in the end, it's all about balancing time and motivation!

Good luck!

Genetics is on the pcats? Really? I didnt know that. I know that the hardest part of this whole situation is actually getting the studying done. I can see why working would make it difficult to get everything done as well. I guess I have to weigh my options a bit more.
Thanks for the input.

 

[lvp0021]

Genetics is on the pcats? Really? I didnt know that. I know that the hardest part of this whole situation is actually getting the studying done. I can see why working would make it difficult to get everything done as well. I guess I have to weigh my options a bit more.
Thanks for the input.

If your school system allows extended add/drop period, you can try doing all everything for about a week and see if you can handle it or not; if not, then cut some of them. Yes, PCAT does have some genetics... mainly crossing experiments where you have to calculate genotypic/phenotypic ratios involving mendel and nonmendel inheritance patterns. Also, DNA/RNA materials will always be on there (PCAT) and this will be taught in more detail in every genetics course. Besides, I think genetics is a base for biochem, med chem, cell biol, and other upper level biol so it's crucial that you get a hand of genetics. Besides, some schools require upper level biol classes and genetics is one of their recommendations ( for ex, U of Oklahoma).

 

[NexusMD]

If your school system allows extended add/drop period, you can try doing all everything for about a week and see if you can handle it or not; if not, then cut some of them. Yes, PCAT does have some genetics... mainly crossing experiments where you have to calculate genotypic/phenotypic ratios involving mendel and nonmendel inheritance patterns. Also, DNA/RNA materials will always be on there (PCAT) and this will be taught in more detail in every genetics course. Besides, I think genetics is a base for biochem, med chem, cell biol, and other upper level biol so it's crucial that you get a hand of genetics. Besides, some schools require upper level biol classes and genetics is one of their recommendations ( for ex, U of Oklahoma).

Yea, my school has a 2 week add/drop period. I think I will try it out and see how it goes. In reality, im not that scared for genetics because I've always been really good at bio stuff. I feel that if I put in the work, I can do fairly well in that class. Physics has always been confusing, so I dont know about that.

I think I may just stop working, because that seems to be a better idea. It'll allow me to get my work done, just less cash. No big deal I guess.

 

[red-corvette]

riggers? sounds like we're talking about sailing. but yes, while that schedule doesn't sound particularly hard, it should still help prepare you for the rigorous pharmacy courses ahead.

for spring im taking physics with lab, organic II with lab, speech, and anatomy. And working 20 hours/week, 10 hours each on saturday and sunday. because my classes are scheduled in an erratic fashion throughout the week, I was not able to group them tightly together into a few days. which translates into me having 0 days off for 4 months straight. And cleaning and cooking for my family. its not going to be easy but its worth it.

on second thought, I think everyone here could agree to that last statement. cheers

 

[WVUPharm2007]

PCAT preparation is overrated. Either you know the stuff or you don't. I didn't prepare at all and I did above average compared to those admitted into my school. It certainly shouldn't skew how you plan on taking courses.

 

[misstofu]

i just think Genetics and physics are the hardest out of all, it took me like 4 days to study for my genetics final and only half of a day to study for my ochem II.. =) but i dont think genetics is a requirement for pharmacy right?

 

[NexusMD]

i just think Genetics and physics are the hardest out of all, it took me like 4 days to study for my genetics final and only half of a day to study for my ochem II.. =) but i dont think genetics is a requirement for pharmacy right?

4 days? Thats a lot! They way I usually study though is I start studying the weekend before the exam (regardless of whether the test is on a monday or friday or inbetween). This usually gives me plenty of time to get my subject down before the test. It's worked for me so far 🙂

 

[dgroulx]

The semester I took the PCAT, I was taking Organic I + lab, Physics I + lab, Genetics + lab, Botany + lab, and Calculus I. I worked as a computer programmer part time about 2-3 hours per day. I ended up with an A in every class except Genetics (B+). Time wise, it was a little less stressful than my first year of pharmacy school. I took PCAT practice exams and brushed up on my basic sciences about 2 weeks before the test. The test is just general knowledge that you should have learned and retained. You're not studying new material for the PCAT.

 

[fidelio]

wow those are some easy As! Well, except O Chem.

But hmmm... I think you can handle the load, but then again, I don't know you. If you're really uncomfortable with it, drop something. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Farmercyst]

Depends on your ability to retain information. I took 8 semester units and 8 quarter units from Aug-Dec worked 20 hours/week and took two comprehensive exams for my BS. Also had my second kid 7/31 ended up with A's in Anat/Phys, Pharmacy Calcs, Intro to Pharmacy Technology, and B's in Bioinorganic Chemistry and Cell Physiolgy. In the end my GPA stayed about the same (3.58 vs 3.57 cum and 3.50 vs 3.49 science) and I passed both my Organic Comp (ACS) and my Analytical Chem comp (also ACS). It's not easy, and I barely slept all quarter, but it can be done.

 

[senzabee]

Hey all, my spring 07 semester looks like this.
Physics 1 with lab
Genetics
Organic Chemistry 1 wit Lab
Honors 3 credit class
1 credit Seminar class.

This totals up to about 16 credits. I am also hoping to work about 10 hours a week, and also start studying for pcats in June. Is this a good idea? Should I not work? Or drop a class and take it later? Or what? Anyone have ideas? I can probably drop genetics and take it in the summer, or just keep my schedule and not work.

Thanks for the advice anyone 🙂

That schedule doesn't seem that hard, I really don't think you should have a problem. I think studying for your ochem class is basically studying for the chemistry section on the PCAT. Then you can just review some general biology and calculus, and you're set for the PCAT. Like some others said, the PCAT isn't something you can really study months and months for. You just need the background knowledge, and it's all up to you to make it work.

And it depends on what your strengths are. If you're not strong in physics, you might have a hard time because ochem will take a good chunk of your time. And genetics shouldn't be that hard, I definitely don't think that class will be your major problem. It's doable, and if you want to prepare yourself for the rigorous studying during pharmacy school, you better start now. Good luck with your semester I think you'll be okay.

 

[NexusMD]

Im more worried about physics then Ochem because my Orgo professor is supposed to be the best at my school. My physics teacher however doesnt speak english well (hes indian, but so am I so that may not be a problem). But I've heard nightmare stories from his class. Also my genetics professor is supposed to be real good, but fairly difficult. The other 2 classes (honors and the 1 credit seminar) are jokes, I am not worried about those at all.

As for the PCATs, im not worried about the math section too much. I'm more afraid of the verbal and reading sections. Gen chem, bio, and orgo (which I will be taking) I feel fairly confident about. Writing section should not be a big problem either I hope.

Looks like everyone thinks its doable, so I shouldnt worry too much 🙂 Thanks guys

 

[howsoonisnow]

I took O-Chem, Anatomy & Physiology, Calculus, and Spanish last semester while working 40 hours. Not really a problem if you properly budget your time. And I agree with the person who said studying for the PCAT is a waste of time. I didn't study AT ALL and got an 87 composite. You either know the stuff or you don't. And all of the genetics stuff was just basic from general biology. You'll be fine.