Help a man with no plan.

[patriot_missile]

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Im starting college next year and i plan to take the following courses in the 1st semester:

Calc 3: 9:35-10:25 MWF lecture

Phys1: 11:35-12:25 MWF lecture, 2:05-4:25 Tu lab

Chem 1: 12:35-1:25MWF lecture, 2:05-4:25 M lab

Intro to Minerology: 11:35-12:25 TuTr lecture, 2:35-5:25 F lab

This will be 14credits, and i wonder if this schedule seems good or too hard or easy?? Also after the 1st semester (in canada) i must choose a major. So i can't decide whether to do biochemistry or chemistry with a concentration in geochem? Here is their program in biochemistry starting in sophomore year: http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/biochem/undergraduate/honours.html

That means if i take 2 geology classes, such as intro to minerology and into to petrology in 1st year, i'll have to take close to 90credits in mostly biochem classes in the next 3 years. So maybe i should refrain from the geology classes, so i wouldnt burn out?? My mom says i should just major in Biology to keep my avg up. But i say screw that.

Also i don't plan to have a career in chemistry. But in case I do, I don't know what to do with its B.S. degree. I looked at some job ads and it says you must be a Ph.D in order to have your own lab or in order to explore some geological sites and be paid for it. Does it mean a B.S. degree in chemistry is useless financially->i.e. you don't get to work on your own research project or make your own plans for mineral explorations? Also I'd look into forensic scince after graduation, but if working for a police dept, it also takes many years before you gain any respect. So should i really not count on getting a real job out of the science degree?

 

[Horseradish99]

Three words...

SIMMA DOWN NOW.

Your first semester (and year for that matter) of college is all about exploring your options. That sounds like a challenging schedule, but nothing you won't be able to hack. If you are thinking science is your path, then this schedule will be a great intro to that. McGill is a great school... why not take an English or Political Science class. Freshman year is also a great time to take general requirements or maybe honors courses in interesting things. You don't have to jump right into heavy science.

Take a breath. You don't have to choose a major right away. Choose a major you will like, not one that will be the easiest for you to "get by" in. If you aren't sure whether that is chemistry, biochemistry, geology, physics, or underwater basketweaving, give it some time. Yes, if you plan to go to med school, you are going to need to start off with some general chemistry and maybe some zoology. Other than that, there's no hurry to get all those classes in.

Hope that helps/makes sense.

ENJOY college, don't stress about it. That's what grad school is for.

🙂 Scott

 

[patriot_missile]

Ok thanks! I decided that I'll take these classes and then major in biochem. If I don't go to med school or start a business, I don't know what I'll do though. Because all these things such as Ph.d, Med school, Military, etc are too much of a commitment.
I mean with a B.S. degree if i don't go through 4 years of med school or a ph.d, how is a forensics job for a police dept different? There I'll still be a nobody in 4 years-my salary will still be small and vacation will still be <1month. And I don't think there are any other jobs you could get with a chemistry degree.

 

[Chronotropic]

Dial it down dude. All you need to worry about at this point is enjoying your first semester of college and doing well in classes.

As for what to do with a BS in chem. Well your right in that it would be quite difficult to find a well paying job. I've heard of people landing nice positinos after years of experience in the field. If all else fails you could pursue a masters in chem. I think the pay for that is around 50-60K.

 

[mellotron]

How about chemical engineering? You'll be very marketable come graduation, yet you can go back to school in any fasset after if you wish. And if it's not for you, you can switch your major to chemistry or biochem. Besides, engineers and scientists are in mostly the same classes the first 2 years anyways.

 

[patriot_missile]

True, I just need to register for my classes, rent an apt, and enjoy! I just need to talk about my career plans with my parents, explain why they should write me a check for education!

Chem Engineering in my school is a completely different major from Chemistry. They take lots of general engineering and math classes. On the other hand they don't even have any biology or physics requirements. And that major has so many credits, that im afraid it would screw my average.

As for a $50-60k job in some chemical/pharmaceutical company, i think that blows. I could make that without any college education. And working for a big company means i go to work every day and have to suck up to my boss🙁

I would like to learn more about the DEA or FBI or NYPD jobs for the chemists (forensics)- but all my friends tell me that any job for a govt sucks. They don't want you to be better than average at anything, that includes happiness!

I guess their no equivalent for the chemists to the Web Developers' work from home for a small company?

 

[sleep deprived]

You know what, I was in a similar situation. I loved science, math, and had trouble picking 1 major. So I just went ahead and got a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology. If you really love it, it won't be a problem for you. You sound excited about the classes you have, you sound motivated, why not just have 2 majors? Hey, you can even have 2 majors and a minor if you like. But do it because you really love it, not just so that you look good for med. school applications. Good luck.

 

[Polar girl]

As for a $50-60k job in some chemical/pharmaceutical company, i think that blows. I could make that without any college education.

That's like 75-90k canadian. There's not that many jobs without college that pay that well.

 

[phar]

Hey, don't let geek life ruin your "best years of life".....The first years of college is about fun....go test the different flavors of chicks in your college, party, beer, etc......again, first years in college is about fun,,,,FYI, medicals schools don't really look at your first or second year in college....Please, don't increase the # of geeks in college...

I had 2.2gpa in my freshman and i partied like an animal at harvard. Now, i have been accepted to some medical and pharmacy school. One of the interview asked about my freshman year, i told him the truth!...he looked kind of geeky to me and so was not impressed by answer but i still got accepted.

 

[patriot_missile]

I just got this from my parents. My mother talked to some acquaintances, doctors, and they say that if i want to be a doctor i better major in biology. So she now says if i major in anything other than biology she does not pay anything for my college. Then my dad says he'll pay, and they start yelling at each other (mother is dominating). And my dad says i won't get a 3.5 gpa anyway. Then they argue about how dumb i am, even though my SAT scores say different. And then she also says that even if my dad pays, she'll call the school and get me kicked out. And then my sister who hates me, also starts talking with them, calling my father an dingus for assuming im not a complete ****** but only 1/2 ******, all in efforts to get me mad.

Why do i have to take all this ****?? I think it's better for me to just move to some place and live/work with a friend, he'll give me some things. I guess trying to become an "intellectual" is too much of a sacrifice.

 

[dumbest premed]

Originally posted by patriot_missile
I just got this from my parents. My mother talked to some acquaintances, doctors, and they say that if i want to be a doctor i better major in biology. So she now says if i major in anything other than biology she does not pay anything for my college. Then my dad says he'll pay, and they start yelling at each other (mother is dominating). And my dad says i won't get a 3.5 gpa anyway. Then they argue about how dumb i am, even though my SAT scores say different. And then she also says that even if my dad pays, she'll call the school and get me kicked out. And then my sister who hates me, also starts talking with them, calling my father an dingus for assuming im not a complete ****** but only 1/2 ******, all in efforts to get me mad.

Why do i have to take all this ****?? I think it's better for me to just move to some place and live/work with a friend, he'll give me some things. I guess trying to become an "intellectual" is too much of a sacrifice.

Dude...I had similar problems with my parents during my senior year of high school. They were all pissed at what I was doing both socially and academically(choice of major) and were threatening not to pay for my education unless I did what they told me to do.

So what did I do?

I haven't spoken to them since. I told them to go f*ck themselves, moved out, and have been paying for myself ever since then mainly through loans. I'm very happy about what I did too. My gpa is very high, I have plenty of excellent EC's, and most of all my college experience has totally kicked ass so far. Don't let your parents control your academic pursuits. Your future happiness is worth an extra job or a few extra loans.

And your classes for next year seem okay...take whatever you're interested in during your freshman year. Just keep yourself between about 14-18 credits per semester and you should be fine. If you like science...make sure you take plenty of science classes. As long as you have the biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics classes along with a decent GPA you can apply to medical school whenever you feel like it with ANY major. It's true that there are many premed Bio majors....but you can major in any science or nonscience major and still have the same chances of getting accepted. I'm a biochem major and I know pleny of english, chem, psychology, and economics majors who plan to apply to medical school as well.

The bottom line is to take whichever classes/major that you are interested in, drink beer, get laid, and just overall have fun during college. I'm a junior who followed what I was interested in and I wouldn't change a thing about what I did.

 

[YaFwiendToluene]

This schedule is ridiculous...calm down there bro....seriously...and for starting your first semester of college..HOW are you already in Calculus 3?? If your engineering....which it seems like you are....I'd take

Calc 1, Gen chemistry 1, an engineering class and a humanities class....

thats it.

College is harder than you think bro.....ease yourself into it.

By the way, pick a major that you will enjoy....BTW: Everybody and their mother is a biology major......be diverse.

 

[patriot_missile]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yes, I'll definitely move out this summer. But I'll take the college money from my parents anyway. I mean they have these fights almost every day, and the next morning they all apologize and tell me how i can do anything i want and they'll still support me. It just gets on me that every time they have a fight they use "you're stupid, we know you'll fail and become a bum without us".

I think the first year is almost the same whatever major i choose, it says for faculty of science you should take in 1st year:
2 semesters calculus, 2 of chem, 2 of physics, and 1 of biology. I took some calculus in h.s., so i'd like to take calc 3 instead. So i must only decide on my 1 elective this semester.

What worries me the most is that if I don't receive a high gpa this semester, then my parents win. So i need either a 4.0 or nothing. If i do get a 4.0 in the 1st semester, then my parents will not be able to insult me any more. I will not take a humanities class, because im not good at those.

I thought "intro to mineralogy" is an easy class, because it's about identifying various rocks, and every friday they have a lab, going to a nearby hill to collect rocks, etc. But I don't know what I'll tell my parents, because all i hear from them is "he'll take some useless class and screw his average". They're partly right, because unless I major in geochem or geophysics this class is unnecessary.

Anyway sorry to complain here. I am just lots confused. I think the schedule i posted is what i'll take, and i was just "brainstorming" on this messageboard.

 

[Chronotropic]

Originally posted by patriot_missile


As for a $50-60k job in some chemical/pharmaceutical company, i think that blows. I could make that without any college education. And working for a big company means i go to work every day and have to suck up to my boss🙁

For someone coming out of school with no experience in the work field that is some serious cash. I don't know many 24 year olds who make that much.

And if you do become a doc you'll have to go to work pretty much every day as well. Don't buy into the golfing doc image. You'll probably be worked to the bone in pretty much whatever specialty you chose. And while you may not have to suck up to a boss if you have a private practice you will have to deal with insurance companies which is just as bad.

If money is really that much of a concern you could also get a ms, work for a biotech company while getting a MBA from a prestigous school in the area.

 

[Chronotropic]

oh yeah just an idea. Your major is not written in stone the moment you chose it. If I were you I would say I was a bio major then take classes that really interest you. By the time you start taking upper division classes you'll probably be in you Jr year and should be able to secure scholarships and grants to pay for college.

 

[QHamp]

Don't let those humanities scare you. All you have to do is be able to sit through a lecture and then regurgitate information for an exam. An intro to Psych or something along that line might give you a lil' boost.

You seem to be quite good at not selling yourself short. Take a look at the last line of my sig if you would😉

Best of luck. 🙂

 

[Valinor]

Why do you guys think that schdeule is excessive? 14 credits barely qualifies as full time; he'll have plenty of time to relax.

 

[Asclepius]

There's a reason why most schools don't require that you declare a major until late your sophmore year or Junior year... you need to have more exposure to different arenas of academia and higher levels of study. Take your gen. ed. classes; try some philosophy, anthropology, geology, etc. then see where you want to go. Remember the liberal arts motto: "when you are graduated you are not trained, you are trainable." Follow what inspires you and helps you discern what you are successful at. If this course still takes you to med. school then you will be more confident in your decision, the ad'com's will admire your depth, and your gpa will likely be higher than if you had taken classes that didn't excite you.

Remember your place in life - a rising college student, not a med school applicant, and obey your duty to the time present. Enjoy yourself, and make your decision in a year or so after you have some time to think without the parents yelling over your shoulder. Good luck...

 

[mellotron]

Originally posted by patriot_missile
I will not take a humanities class, because im not good at those.

Dude, now see, you were MEANT to be an engineer! 😉

 

[Polar girl]

I don't know about Canadian med schools, but you have to take a certain number of humanities courses to get into almost all American med schools. They don't want someone who can't write worth ****, and can't do anything but science.

 

[patriot_missile]

Thanks all! I am not going to take writing this year, because i'd like to get a 4.0gpa in 1st semester, to increase my confidence.

I now firmly decided between these 2 majors:
http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/anatomy/undergrad/programs.html
or
http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/biochem/undergraduate/honours.html

They're both similar and they both require that before i declare a major in 2nd year (u-1), i take chemistry,physics and a semester in biology. Yes, i have to declare a major in 3rd semester, and even in 1st and 2nd semester, i must take prerequisites to this major. But i noticed that instead of calc3, i can take statistics course (it's a prerequisite to both programs). So the only course im not sure about in 1st semester is "intro to mineralogy". It's not needed for either program, and i don't know if it's easy enough to give me an A.

My parents suggest i take intro to psychology or some history class, because they say that's easier than a science class. But i feel safer with science. It's not that i hate all humanities, just that i don't get good grades in it ever.

I guess im a little worried about 2nd year (u-1), if i am to take biochemistry. Where would i fit in the writing course?
These would be my required courses:

BIOL-200 F Molecular Biology 3credits
CHEM-222 F Organic Chemistry I 4
BIOL-202 F Basic Genetics 3
CHEM-257a F Analytical Chemistry 2
PHGY-209 F Mammalian Physiology I 3


CHEM-222 W Organic Chemistry II 4
CHEM-204 F Physical Chem. for Biol. Sci. I 3
BIOC-212 W Mol. Mechanisms of Cell Function 3
CHEM-257b W Analytical Chemistry 2
PHGY-210 W Mammalian Physiology II 3

And possibly in addition to this i would have to take another physics course (it says so in requirements), i guess there would be hardly a room for a 3cr writing course?

I still think it's better to get a high gpa without the writing class this semester and think about the hardships later, rather than have explaining to do to my parents in january.

 

[Random Access]

Originally posted by patriot_missile
As for a $50-60k job in some chemical/pharmaceutical company, i think that blows. I could make that without any college education. And working for a big company means i go to work every day and have to suck up to my boss🙁

I would like to learn more about the DEA or FBI or NYPD jobs for the chemists (forensics)- but all my friends tell me that any job for a govt sucks. They don't want you to be better than average at anything, that includes happiness!

I guess their no equivalent for the chemists to the Web Developers' work from home for a small company?

So basically, you want to be your own boss or have a slack job? Low commitment? High pay? Lots of vacation? Don't we all? Get real, dude.

And who's hiring you for $50-60K without a college education? Maybe you're talking Canadian dollars? You could make more than that with experience and with a PhD or something like that.


-RA

 

[FZISHN]

posted by PHAR-
Hey, don't let geek life ruin your "best years of life".....The first years of college is about fun....go test the different flavors of chicks in your college, party, beer, etc......again, first years in college is about fun,,,,FYI, medicals schools don't really look at your first or second year in college....Please, don't increase the # of geeks in college...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You know, for a guy who had to work his way to earn money for Harvard and pay for child support, I am surprised you had all this time to party and drink beer.

Kudos!

 

[phar]

Originally posted by FZISHN
posted by PHAR-
Hey, don't let geek life ruin your "best years of life".....The first years of college is about fun....go test the different flavors of chicks in your college, party, beer, etc......again, first years in college is about fun,,,,FYI, medicals schools don't really look at your first or second year in college....Please, don't increase the # of geeks in college...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You know, for a guy who had to work his way to earn money for Harvard and pay for child support, I am surprised you had all this time to party and drink beer.

Kudos!

FYI....i was on a full scholarship but still ended with about $10,000 in loans for other needs.


AGAIN, read all my posts before you freaken judge on just one post which makes you sound really stupid.

Don't assume every college kid is like you who spends 24hrs at the library and ain't got social skills.

You are a classic geek!!!

 

[FZISHN]

1. I am not a college kid. Happy you read my posts as well.
2. You have 340 posts since 3-9-03, Mr. Social Life.
3. I have read all about your "social skills" on numerous forums.
4. And I am not disrespecting your daughter. I am just asking some questions. If I was insulting her, you would know.

 

[phar]

Originally posted by FZISHN
1. I am not a college kid
2. You have 340 postss since 3-9-03
3. I have read all about your "social skills" on numerous forums.

1) I graduated and not in school
2) You are a bully. I have beaten a couple of bullies before.
3) I work about 50hrs a week(two jobs..adult shop and telemarketing job) and have access to computer almost every i go except the bars...And i drink on a daily basis.
4)I live with 5 cool guys. One of them is laughing at you. He said you must live in the library in 24hrs or are an 11-year old(go to bed it is late).
4) SDN contains alot of people who need reality check..you are a classic example.
5) I have not read any of your old posts because it is point less

 

[phar]

Originally posted by Slickness
By adult shop do you mean a porn store? Crazy.

yes...i just got hired recently.

 

[FZISHN]

According to phar, I am an 11 year old bully. I am honored you give me this much power!

And it's pointless to read my ~40 posts when you have posted 350 or so and expect other people to read all of them. Completely logical.

Drinking is expensive unless you are so hot that women buy you your drinks. Good thing you got into the free Ph.D programs.

I am thrilled you live with 5 guys. hmmmm.

Later phar!