In a predicament.

[Funke]

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Here is my plan:

Summer 2014:
Organic I

Fall 2014:
Physics II
Organic II

January 2015: MCAT
Spring 2015: Bio II

The schedule for summer and fall just came out. We have four organic professors at my school, three of which are fine, and one of which every has said avoid at all costs. Guess who is the only professor teaching Organic I this summer, AND Organic II this fall?

The problem is, organic is the only class I could fit in this summer. Because of my work schedule, I can't do Bio II or Physics II this summer. Even if I did though, I'd still be missing Orgo II before the MCAT.

Here's my question:

Would you guys rather take a horrible Orgo professor for BOTH organics, or would you rather have a really good Orgo professor for Orgo I, but in trade not have taken Orgo II before the MCAT?

 

[CollegeGirl94]

I would do the horrible professor. In my university, all learning is up to the student. As long as you know what you have to learn, you should be fine.

 

[Funke]

Right, and I don't mind teaching myself as a student should do some for every class, but one of the major complaints was that his tests didn't make sense and that he was a very subjective grader.

 

[dayman]

It really helps having covered all the subject of the MCAT in classes prior to taking it, even if it means having a horrible professor. If you know why he is rated so poorly maybe you can figure out a way to succeed in the class.

 

[Elevencents]

I'd personally take the good Orgo I professor. A solid foundation is needed for Orgo II and I did not have Orgo II prior to the MCAT and did just fine.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

Right, and I don't mind teaching myself as a student should do some for every class, but one of the major complaints was that his tests didn't make sense and that he was a very subjective grader.

Well then take the good professor, teach yourself Orgo II material, and be ahead of the game when you take the class?

 

[Funke]

Well then take the good professor, teach yourself Orgo II material, and be ahead of the game when you take the class?

I think I'm leaning toward this because I'm afraid of what his grading might do to my GPA. I have a 4.0, and I would be quite upset if that was brought down merely because of a subjective grader or poorly written tests.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Are you taking the old MCAT? From what I remember, if there's one class you could do without prior to taking it, Orgo II was near the top of the list. The mechanisms and reactions you learn in it aren't super emphasized on the test.

 

[Funke]

Yep I will be taking the old MCAT. I originally chose to not take Bio II before the mcat, because I can easily teach myself the biology via memorization. I'm more concerned about not taking Orgo II, but I do have all the Berkeley Review books, so I can use those to have a good structural basis for teaching myself some Orgo II if I needed to.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Yep I will be taking the old MCAT. I originally chose to not take Bio II before the mcat, because I can easily teach myself the biology via memorization. I'm more concerned about not taking Orgo II, but I do have all the Berkeley Review books, so I can use those to have a good structural basis for teaching myself some Orgo II if I needed to.

Check the MCAT discussion forum for a more recent opinion, but in my two experiences taking the MCAT (2011 and 2012), I don't think I used a single reaction from Orgo II. The MCAT doesn't even require you to memorize mechanisms (usually they'll give it to you and ask something about it, IIRC), so I think you could do without taking Orgo II for the MCAT and try and get the good Orgo professor.

 

[Funke]

As opposed to this professor, we have one guy who apparently is really amazing. He's teaching Orgo I in the fall, so honestly I think I might be better off just taking Orgo I before the MCAT with the really good professor, and make sure to do plenty of passages in Orgo to make up for it. I think I'll see if I can get into any research at my university this summer, or if not I'll just use the time not working to study the heck out of my Berkeley books. Thanks for the help guys!