Is it risky to not take any pre-med classes freshman year first semester?

[mariashr]

Sorry, I'm still pretty naive about the whole process.
I've made 5 tentative schedules but I've only really been able to work physics into one of them and sometimes I'll be able to fit in the course itself but not the lab or discussion that goes with it.

Also, I've been using ratemyprofessor a lot, and there is a chem class with a teacher that's had all negative reviews that I might be able to fit in or I could wait until next semester to take it with a teacher that has pretty much all positive reviews.

And if you have any other advice, I'd greatly appreciate it!

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[Soulstice]

It's not "risky" but you'll be behind. To matriculate for medical school (and to take the MCAT) you need a year each of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Most people try to finish these by the end of sophomore (or junior) year, so not taking any pre-med science prereqs for a semester can leave you behind. You can take summer classes to make it up, but I'd see what your school's schedule is like. Does your school offer introductory classes in the spring semester (mine is on a rotating basis, so some 101 classes are offered in the fall only and then 102 classes only in the spring)? Does your school or another one close by offer the prereqs over the summer?

Find a way to get your science prereqs done by the end of sophomore or junior year, because you'll need them done before you take the MCAT. That is, if you plan to graduate and matriculate after four years.

 

[ponyo]

I used my freshman year to get all the English, social sciences & math reqs out of the way. Over the course of sophomore & junior years I've finished all of the rest of the requirements, except for biochemistry lab, which I'm pretty sure most schools don't ask for anyway. (I'm applying with a gap year but not b/c of the prereqs)

If there are certain prereqs you'd rather not deal with this year, just do the other ones first. Make sure though that you research all the upper level courses and their prereqs, especially the ones in your major--you'll want to take those prereqs early so that you won't be screwed waiting until Sr. year spring to take a ton of major requirements.

 

[MyCarIsDirty]

I can't imagine not having finished Bio and Chem 1 and 2 by the end of freshman year. I feel like that would put you behind by one semester. I don't think having to put in more effort than others around you for the same grade for one semester is worth pushing everything back.

I think it would be important to have all of the basics down in your first year, so that classes like genetics and microbiology can be taken your sophomore year. Also, you would hopefully be taking both Organics then. Physics can be thrown in sohpomore year or junior year if you have math to take freshman year.


Besides, all of that extra work will make sure you know the material that much better than the people that waited to take it later. Not only will you be ahead of them, but you'll already be more prepared for the MCAT.


Hope my opinion helps.

 

[NickNaylor]

I'd say that as long as you can complete the necessary courses before you take the MCAT and your graduation isn't hindered, it shouldn't matter. But not taking prereqs will probably make consideration #1 difficult.

 

[NightGod]

Sorry, I'm still pretty naive about the whole process.
I've made 5 tentative schedules but I've only really been able to work physics into one of them and sometimes I'll be able to fit in the course itself but not the lab or discussion that goes with it.

Also, I've been using ratemyprofessor a lot, and there is a chem class with a teacher that's had all negative reviews that I might be able to fit in or I could wait until next semester to take it with a teacher that has pretty much all positive reviews.

And if you have any other advice, I'd greatly appreciate it!

If I had to pick just one class to be sure I finished my freshman year, it would be Chemistry. OChem is the only class with a firm pre-req, so not finishing Chem your freshman year means you absolutely aren't going to be able to have all your pre-reqs done by the end of your sophmore year, which throws things off track for applying to med school at the end of your junior year if you want to take some upper level science classes before you sit the MCAT.

tl;dr: start with chem, build your schedule from there

 

[mariashr]

Oh, thank you everyone! I guess I'll take chem and work the rest of my courses around that - thank you!

 

[911 Turbo]

You can use myedu along with ratemyprofessor for finding out how hard your classes/professors are

 

[Tapepsi]

It can be done but is not ideal. I didn't begin taking my prereqs until sophomore year when I officially became premed, and while I was able to get into med school right out of college, it was definitely a LOT of work. I took bio and chem sophomore year, o. chem during the summer, and then physics my junior year.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I did the same, but keep them grades high, you don't wanna be at a 3.0 you're freshman year and then take chem and bio w labs and get a low or a average grade.

 

[Person0715]

It can be done, but if you are planning on entering medical school right after undergrad, you will have to cramp the pre reqs in a span of four semesters. You can probably push the courses not required for the MCAT back to senior year, but it will take careful planning and determination.