How difficult would the following schedule?

[698344]

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Hey guys, after looking through my possibilities quite a bit, I've come up with a schedule that will allow me to have all of the pre-reqs to take the MCAT in late August, before Junior year. I would really prefer to have a whole Summer to devote to the MCAT, and in the worst case scenario, if I don't feel prepared, I can push it back to sometime in Junior year.

First Semester: (17 credit hours)
Gen Chem I
Bio I
English
Human Anatomy
English ( Possible for me to cut English or Anatomy out if I'm having trouble adjusting to college)

Second Semester: (13 credit hours)
Gen Chem II
Bio II
Physics I

Third Semester: (14 credit hours)
OChem I
Physics II
Intro Psych

Fourth Semester: (12 credit hours)
Ochem II
Biochem
Intro Sociology

I'll be 4 credits behind schedule to graduate, but I will be able to make them up easily through the many GECs i'll have left. Junior and Senior year will include Math, upper level sociology and psych, and GECs. So, does this sound like a schedule I'd be able to maintain a high GPA with given I study hard? Is it reasonable and not too difficult?

EDIT: Oops, messed up the title.

 

[698344]

Hey guys, after looking through my possibilities quite a bit, I've come up with a schedule that will allow me to have all of the pre-reqs to take the MCAT in late August, before Junior year. I would really prefer to have a whole Summer to devote to the MCAT, and in the worst case scenario, if I don't feel prepared, I can push it back to sometime in Junior year.

First Semester: (17 credit hours)
Gen Chem I
Bio I
English
Human Anatomy
English ( Possible for me to cut English or Anatomy out if I'm having trouble adjusting to college)

Second Semester: (13 credit hours)
Gen Chem II
Bio II
Physics I

Third Semester: (14 credit hours)
OChem I
Physics II
Intro Psych

Fourth Semester: (12 credit hours)
Ochem II
Biochem
Intro Sociology

I'll be 4 credits behind schedule to graduate, but I will be able to make them up easily through the many GECs i'll have left. I'll also have a less rigorous schedule in my last two years and will have time to devote to my applications. Junior and Senior year will include Math, upper level sociology and psych, and GECs. So, does this sound like a schedule I'd be able to maintain a high GPA with given I study hard? Is it reasonable and not too difficult?

EDIT: Oops, messed up the title.

 

[Lancer]

You keep asking others to help determine whether you will succeed with your schedule, and only you can determine that. If you're a strong student, you can take 3 sciences and 1 or 2 other courses in a semester and be perfectly fine, but that's something you'll have to find out.

I never understood the people who tried to plan out their four years of college classes during their freshman year or before entering college. You have to leave yourself some flexibility. Not to sound negative or anything, but most of the ones I knew who had their four years planned out are no longer premed. I would just plan out your first semester or two and then go from there, and figure out what you can or can't handle. Noone else can tell you whether you can do well with your schedule.

 

[698344]

You keep asking others to help determine whether you will succeed with your schedule, and only you can determine that. If you're a strong student, you can take 3 sciences and 1 or 2 other courses in a semester and be perfectly fine, but that's something you'll have to find out.

I never understood the people who tried to plan out their four years of college classes during their freshman year or before entering college. You have to leave yourself some flexibility. Not to sound negative or anything, but most of the ones I knew who had their four years planned out are no longer premed. I would just plan out your first semester or two and then go from there, and figure out what you can or can't handle. Noone else can tell you whether you can do well with your schedule.

You're right that only my experience will tell me how I should plan and what I'm capable of taking. I guess i'm just anxious and really want to find out. Sorry for the repeated questions!

 

[Lawpy]

You're right that only my experience will tell me how I should plan and what I'm capable of taking. I guess i'm just anxious and really want to find out. Sorry for the repeated questions!

Your schedule is very doable. However, i would advise you to opt out of biology major (unless you really really enjoy it). I say this only because you are able to wipe out the prereqs early on so you should spend your free electives and last two years pursuing in areas you really like. This is why i recommend majoring something different just to explore the interests that you may not have time to pursue in medical school and beyond.

I'm not sure what you are majoring in, so i assumed it was biology. Reading the post makes it seem you are either a psych or math major, so that's great (though psych and chem majors are also fairly common)

 

[698344]

Your schedule is very doable. However, i would advise you to opt out of biology major (unless you really really enjoy it). I say this only because you are able to wipe out the prereqs early on so you should spend your free electives and last two years pursuing in areas you really like. This is why i recommend majoring something different just to explore the interests that you may not have time to pursue in medical school and beyond.

I'm not sure what you are majoring in, so i assumed it was biology. Reading the post makes it seem you are either a psych or math major, so that's great (though psych and chem majors are also fairly common)

Yeah I'm currently a Bio Major and I really do like Biology as a class. Not sure what else I would major in, but I'm sure I'll find some new interests in college.

 

[Lawpy]

Yeah I'm currently a Bio Major and I really do like Biology as a class. Not sure what else I would major in, but I'm sure I'll find some new interests in college.

That's good. In that case, you could do a minor or maybe a second major in something else. Your schedule indicates that you have the potential and drive to succeed in the prereqs and the MCAT so it is only advantageous to pursue other interests and expand that in your ECs.

For biology, you can take something similar to biochemistry (as it combines biology, chemistry and math with a medical focus) or neuroscience (combines biology, chemistry, psychology, math, computer science and philosophy).

While adcoms do not care about majors or minors, they do care that you follow your passions and interests in something outside of medicine. As an upcoming freshman, i would start off slow and spend your time getting adjusted to college, make new friends and be active in class/get to know your professor. But most importantly, be organized and avoid engaging in activities that can land you into trouble.

Around your second semester once you have adjusted, you can join activities you find of interest and perhaps work on your clinical and shadowing exposure. But remember that medicine is a marathon, not a sprint (pardon the cliche), so take as much time as you need to succeed and enjoy.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Major in what you like - I'm majoring in a branch of biology (physiology) and I absolutely love it. Doing what you like will make the ride a lot easier.

Only thing I'd be wary of here is taking physics at the same time as ochem, as both are very time intensive, but you'll need to make that judgement for yourself.

 

[698344]

That's good. In that case, you could do a minor or maybe a second major in something else. Your schedule indicates that you have the potential and drive to succeed in the prereqs and the MCAT so it is only advantageous to pursue other interests and expand that in your ECs.

For biology, you can take something similar to biochemistry (as it combines biology, chemistry and math with a medical focus) or neuroscience (combines biology, chemistry, psychology, math, computer science and philosophy).

While adcoms do not care about majors or minors, they do care that you follow your passions and interests in something outside of medicine. As an upcoming freshman, i would start off slow and spend your time getting adjusted to college, make new friends and be active in class/get to know your professor. But most importantly, be organized and avoid engaging in activities that can land you into trouble.

Around your second semester once you have adjusted, you can join activities you find of interest and perhaps work on your clinical and shadowing exposure. But remember that medicine is a marathon, not a sprint (pardon the cliche), so take as much time as you need to succeed and enjoy.

Thanks for the great advice! It's much appreciated! I'll also have some volunteering to do, and I'm going to an OOS school. I have about 50 hours of clinical experience so far through high school. Do you think I should take it easy and just try to find volunteering/research opportunities in the second semester? or should I start right away?

 

[698344]

Major in what you like - I'm majoring in a branch of biology (physiology) and I absolutely love it. Doing what you like will make the ride a lot easier.

Only thing I'd be wary of here is taking physics at the same time as ochem, as both are very time intensive, but you'll need to make that judgement for yourself.

Yeah, I've heard that before, that's why I'm only taking those to with psychology ( apparently the first psych is very easy). Either way, I know it'll be tough.

 

[Lawpy]

Thanks for the great advice! It's much appreciated! I'll also have some volunteering to do, and I'm going to an OOS school. I have about 50 hours of clinical experience so far through high school. Do you think I should take it easy and just try to find volunteering/research opportunities in the second semester? or should I start right away?

It's important to realize that high school activities aren't considered by medical schools. Which means your clinical volunteering is sadly set to zero, unless you can continue with that experience in college.

As of now, i wouldn't recommend pursuing any activities in your first semester since it's too much pressure. Ease off a bit and only pursue them after you have adjusted to college, so around second semester

 

[698344]

It's important to realize that high school activities aren't considered by medical schools. Which means your clinical volunteering is sadly set to zero, unless you can continue with that experience in college.

As of now, i wouldn't recommend pursuing any activities in your first semester since it's too much pressure. Ease off a bit and only pursue them after you have adjusted to college, so around second semester

Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks for filling me in.

 

[aalamruad]

That's good. In that case, you could do a minor or maybe a second major in something else. Your schedule indicates that you have the potential and drive to succeed in the prereqs and the MCAT so it is only advantageous to pursue other interests and expand that in your ECs.

For biology, you can take something similar to biochemistry (as it combines biology, chemistry and math with a medical focus) or neuroscience (combines biology, chemistry, psychology, math, computer science and philosophy).

While adcoms do not care about majors or minors, they do care that you follow your passions and interests in something outside of medicine. As an upcoming freshman, i would start off slow and spend your time getting adjusted to college, make new friends and be active in class/get to know your professor. But most importantly, be organized and avoid engaging in activities that can land you into trouble.

Around your second semester once you have adjusted, you can join activities you find of interest and perhaps work on your clinical and shadowing exposure. But remember that medicine is a marathon, not a sprint (pardon the cliche), so take as much time as you need to succeed and enjoy.

Don't double major. Med schools don't care, and you're clearly interested in biology and not passionate about any other major options, so don't spend a ridiculous amount of unnecessary effort for virtually no reward. That said, a minor could be pretty cool.

 

[deleted393595]

Hey guys, after looking through my possibilities quite a bit, I've come up with a schedule that will allow me to have all of the pre-reqs to take the MCAT in late August, before Junior year. I would really prefer to have a whole Summer to devote to the MCAT, and in the worst case scenario, if I don't feel prepared, I can push it back to sometime in Junior year.

First Semester: (17 credit hours)
Gen Chem I
Bio I
English
Human Anatomy
English ( Possible for me to cut English or Anatomy out if I'm having trouble adjusting to college)

Second Semester: (13 credit hours)
Gen Chem II
Bio II
Physics I

Third Semester: (14 credit hours)
OChem I
Physics II
Intro Psych

Fourth Semester: (12 credit hours)
Ochem II
Biochem
Intro Sociology

I'll be 4 credits behind schedule to graduate, but I will be able to make them up easily through the many GECs i'll have left. Junior and Senior year will include Math, upper level sociology and psych, and GECs. So, does this sound like a schedule I'd be able to maintain a high GPA with given I study hard? Is it reasonable and not too difficult?

EDIT: Oops, messed up the title.

Looks good, but push Human Anatomy to sophomore year since that class requires a lot of memorization and work.

 

[Goro]

You're the only person on this planet who can answer this question.

Hey guys, after looking through my possibilities quite a bit, I've come up with a schedule that will allow me to have all of the pre-reqs to take the MCAT in late August, before Junior year. I would really prefer to have a whole Summer to devote to the MCAT, and in the worst case scenario, if I don't feel prepared, I can push it back to sometime in Junior year.

First Semester: (17 credit hours)
Gen Chem I
Bio I
English
Human Anatomy
English ( Possible for me to cut English or Anatomy out if I'm having trouble adjusting to college)

Second Semester: (13 credit hours)
Gen Chem II
Bio II
Physics I

Third Semester: (14 credit hours)
OChem I
Physics II
Intro Psych

Fourth Semester: (12 credit hours)
Ochem II
Biochem
Intro Sociology

I'll be 4 credits behind schedule to graduate, but I will be able to make them up easily through the many GECs i'll have left. Junior and Senior year will include Math, upper level sociology and psych, and GECs. So, does this sound like a schedule I'd be able to maintain a high GPA with given I study hard? Is it reasonable and not too difficult?

EDIT: Oops, messed up the title.

 

[moemoekyun]

You can take ochem 2 and biochem together? At my school, ochem 2 was the prereq for biochem. Are you also considering the labs? The chem labs were separate from lecture at my school, I took orgo lab 2 semesters after orgo 2. Also, bio majors at my school needed at least calc 1. Bio was also a prereq for Anatomy. I would check with your school/adviser if you haven't already to make sure you can actually take the schedule you propose. I worked for my school's chemistry department, and students always had issues with getting into a class due to prereq issues.
Like everyone else is saying, it's your decision. Just be flexible, you never know what will happen, and don't feel like you need to take all the classes in 2 years. Several classmates of mine had differing schedules and succeeded, hopefully me too.

 

[Grace184]

When I took my classes, I took 16-18 credits every semester, uphill, both ways! No but really. I didn't have this "let's make a schedule everyday and see what SDN thinks!" All my classes were pre determined. As are med school classes. Life's tough, get a helmet.

 

[698344]

You can take ochem 2 and biochem together? At my school, ochem 2 was the prereq for biochem. Are you also considering the labs? The chem labs were separate from lecture at my school, I took orgo lab 2 semesters after orgo 2. Also, bio majors at my school needed at least calc 1. Bio was also a prereq for Anatomy. I would check with your school/adviser if you haven't already to make sure you can actually take the schedule you propose. I worked for my school's chemistry department, and students always had issues with getting into a class due to prereq issues.
Like everyone else is saying, it's your decision. Just be flexible, you never know what will happen, and don't feel like you need to take all the classes in 2 years. Several classmates of mine had differing schedules and succeeded, hopefully me too.

Yeah, when I say ochem, it's including lab. I'm only allowed to take Biochem if I'm done with Ochem 1 and concurrently/done with Ochem2. I feel kind of pressured to finish off my pre reqs so I can take the MCAT in late August. Knowing myself, I would benefit greatly from having 3 months to study with no distractions. Thanks for commenting!

 

[moemoekyun]

Yeah, when I say ochem, it's including lab. I'm only allowed to take Biochem if I'm done with Ochem 1 and concurrently/done with Ochem2. I feel kind of pressured to finish off my pre reqs so I can take the MCAT in late August. Knowing myself, I would benefit greatly from having 3 months to study with no distractions. Thanks for commenting!

Long as you know what you're doing. One of my friends had to stay extra 2 semesters because of the way the classes were set up and she did not schedule appropriately. I don't know your background, and what you're doing can be reasonable or unreasonable to anyone. Just remember that there's more to med school than the mcat, and try to have some fun, taking orgo 2 and biochem does not sound fun.
Anyways, just a tip for the MCAT, whenever you start studying, get practice tests. imo, those were the most useful resource.

 

[698344]

Long as you know what you're doing. One of my friends had to stay extra 2 semesters because of the way the classes were set up and she did not schedule appropriately. I don't know your background, and what you're doing can be reasonable or unreasonable to anyone. Just remember that there's more to med school than the mcat, and try to have some fun, taking orgo 2 and biochem does not sound fun.
Anyways, just a tip for the MCAT, whenever you start studying, get practice tests. imo, those were the most useful resource.

Thanks for the tip! I figure, if I work hard and get all of my pre-reqs and MCAT done in the first few years. The last two will seem like a breeze in comparison. Only classes left for my major would be Calc and Stats.

 

[goldy490]

I wouldn't advise taking 3 lab sciences concurrently. Also, Bio, Chem, and anatomy concurrently in the first semester plus 2 English classes? College is not as easy to adjust to as some may think. Bio, english, and especially anatomy are all very time intensive (lots of memorizing or writing papers/reading books), to stack gen chem in there too could be a disaster waiting to happen. I had a good friend who overloaded his first semester and literally flunked out, it can happen to anyone. Take anatomy closer to your MCAT so it's fresh in your mind too. Hope that helps!

 

[698344]

I wouldn't advise taking 3 lab sciences concurrently. Also, Bio, Chem, and anatomy concurrently in the first semester plus 2 English classes? College is not as easy to adjust to as some may think. Bio, english, and especially anatomy are all very time intensive (lots of memorizing or writing papers/reading books), to stack gen chem in there too could be a disaster waiting to happen. I had a good friend who overloaded his first semester and literally flunked out, it can happen to anyone. Take anatomy closer to your MCAT so it's fresh in your mind too. Hope that helps!

I think i'll look into dropping Anatomy for first semester and just have it be Biology, Chemistry and English, and a less intensive literature class . I know it's going to be difficult, but knowing myself, I'll greatly benefit from having a whole summer to study for the MCAT without distractions as opposed to trying to study during the school year. If I don't feel confident at the end of the Summer, I also give myself extra time to take it.