Is it worth pairing Orgo/Physics to take MCAT right after sophomore year?

[vitaebellaa]

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> I am entering my sophomore year and have been fussing with my schedule. I know the "traditional" route is to take Orgo I/II with labs sophomore year and then Physics I/II junior year. The advantage to this is obviously spacing out Orgo and Physics. If one wanted to apply that cycle, he or she would have to the MCAT in the Spring second semester junior year. A disadvantage is that one would be preparing for the MCAT during the semester.

> I, personally, would feel much more comfortable preparing for the MCAT during a break. I would hate to burn myself out and see both a dip in my GPA and MCAT score as a result. I am considering pairing Orgo and Physics (Calc based -- all the non calcs are closed 🙁) so I can start preparing for the MCAT all next summer and take the MCAT in the Fall of Junior year. As of right now, the only other classes I would be taking are 2 humanities so it would be a lightish load (at 15 credits)

I'd love to here input from those who have taken either route. Why did you decide to map out your schedule the way you did? Was it worth it? I am sorry if this has been discussed before (I did a search, promise) but I am curious to see what everyone's opinions are. Thanks guys!

 

[jm192]

ALOT of if not most people @ my university take Physics/Organics together.

 

[apumic]

It's very doable. You might want to add something like genetics, cell, or physio as well to help prep for the MCAT.

 

[jm192]

It's very doable. You might want to add something like genetics, cell, or physio as well to help prep for the MCAT.

I think a physiology class is SUPER high yield for the MCAT.

 

[Dbate]

Is Physiology a better class to take than Genetics for MCAT prep? Because my schedule only allows me to take one or the other and not both. Sorry to the OP for hijacking your thread.

 

[thebillsfan]

Is Physiology a better class to take than Genetics for MCAT prep? Because my schedule only allows me to take one or the other and not both. Sorry to the OP for hijacking your thread.

i definitely think so

 

[zeppelinpage4]

I'm currently registered to take calc-based physics and organic for sophomore year as well. We're also expected to take genetics so I am registered for that too.

Most professors have told me that it is very tough but it's also the typical schedule for science majors/pre-meds at my school so I suppose it's doable if you put the time and work in.
I have yet to take the course load however, so I can't personally say what it's like but many science majors at my school will take both at the same time.

 

[Damia]

.

 

[jm192]

Is Physiology a better class to take than Genetics for MCAT prep? Because my schedule only allows me to take one or the other and not both. Sorry to the OP for hijacking your thread.

Without a doubt. 99% of the time on practice tests and both actual tests I took I saw ONE Genetics question.

Physio courses cover a TON of the bio section of the MCAT. I think it's the BEST Bio Class you can have pre-MCAT.

 

[cbrons]

get it done as fast as you can, so much less stress later on

 

[metallica81788]

All the people I saw doing it at my school are in my upcoming med school class, if that means anything to you.

It helped me a lot to get the prereqs finished by the end of sophomore year. I could take the MCAT over the summer and have plenty of time to study (even thought I didn't) and not have to worry about school at the same time.

Too many premeds get into the mindset of they can't handle that many sciences or that they have to take the MCAT junior spring, but it can be done differently and better.

 

[whimsical]

All the people I saw doing it at my school are in my upcoming med school class, if that means anything to you.

It helped me a lot to get the prereqs finished by the end of sophomore year. I could take the MCAT over the summer and have plenty of time to study (even thought I didn't) and not have to worry about school at the same time.

Too many premeds get into the mindset of they can't handle that many sciences or that they have to take the MCAT junior spring, but it can be done differently and better.

+1
I ended up taking my test in June, but it made my junior year that much easier.

 

[vitaebellaa]

Is Physiology a better class to take than Genetics for MCAT prep? Because my schedule only allows me to take one or the other and not both. Sorry to the OP for hijacking your thread.

haha no, don't worry about it 🙂 helped me as well

from what i'm hearing, it can really make life easier (if I do well in both). if I can take the classes with just the two easy humanities and nothing for my major, I will definitely keep my schedule. thanks everyone

 

[Corpsman Up]

I took an odd route. So far, I have scheduled my courses around how burnt out I have felt. I was sick of gen chem, so I took a quarter off and replaced it with physics 1. I paired Bio I and II with Gen Chem I and III, physics I and II with calc, and will be taking physics III with micro and orgo I in the fall (im dreading fall).

I know a lot of people that pair physics with gen chem and bio with orgo, but it just depends on how well you feel you can do in them and how much work each one entails. for example, at my school bio lab and physics lab require very little work, but chemistry is a complete nightmare

 

[snorlax]

I'm currently registered to take calc-based physics and organic for sophomore year as well. We're also expected to take genetics so I am registered for that too.

Most professors have told me that it is very tough but it's also the typical schedule for science majors/pre-meds at my school so I suppose it's doable if you put the time and work in.
I have yet to take the course load however, so I can't personally say what it's like but many science majors at my school will take both at the same time.

I also took Physics, Ochem, and Genetics at the same time. Genetics was more demanding than I expected, and it was a very stressful quarter. But I survived and you can too. You just have to be be amazingly organized to pull it off 👍

 

[justinbaily]

I took organic sophomore year and then physics I and II during junior year. I wasn't trying to avoid taking them together, it just worked out that way. I took the MCAT at the end of May in the summer after my junior year and I averaged 39 over all of the AMCAS practice tests, so it certainly didn't hurt me. I thought that this approach was the best way to do it because I was able to simultaneously study from my physics textbook and my BR material, which gave me a really strong handle on non-calc based physics.

Why are you in such a rush? I would spread everything out, especially if you are a biology major. Cell, molec and biochemistry were very helpful classes to have taken before the MCAT, and junior year is when you start to get a firm grasp on upper-level science.

Edit: By the way, I would really try to get into the non-calc based physics classes. My classes were taught in a highly conceptual, MCAT-friendly way, while my calc-based friends were focused on difficult math problems.

 

[UC pre med]

When you guys talk about physics, your talking about the general/ lower division physics right? Because im finishing all that up in my freshmab year. Is there any other physics that i need to take? Thanks.

 

[Frazier]

When you guys talk about physics, your talking about the general/ lower division physics right? Because im finishing all that up in my freshmab year. Is there any other physics that i need to take? Thanks.

Yes, if you really wanna be a rockstar you can wow the adcoms with:

PHYS 534: Applications of Physics in Daily Premed Volunteer Activities.

 

[vitaebellaa]

Edit: By the way, I would really try to get into the non-calc based physics classes. My classes were taught in a highly conceptual, MCAT-friendly way, while my calc-based friends were focused on difficult math problems.

I am going to try and get into a non-calc based physics section. I go to a small school (that tries to accommodate 2x as many students than it has the capacity to IMO 😡) so im about 50 on that waitlist for a lecture capped at 75

I did well in calc I, but I am not a huge fan. I think that I am going to try calc based physics out first before I make the switch. Its an honors section so it is a small class but with a lot tougher competition, so we'll see.

 

[Pewter]

ALOT of if not most people @ my university take Physics/Organics together.

But you need to be aware that Organic Chemistry is a shrinking section on the MCAT.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

I also took Physics, Ochem, and Genetics at the same time. Genetics was more demanding than I expected, and it was a very stressful quarter. But I survived and you can too. You just have to be be amazingly organized to pull it off 👍

Glad to hear that it's possible to manage, almost a relief since it looks almost impossible right now.
I'm supposed to have some very tough genetics professors so it certainly will be a demanding semester.

If you don't mind me asking, did you have any free time that semester for other activities/friends?
I don't party or anything but there were a few clubs I really wanted to continue with and I don't want to be constantly studying.

 

[snorlax]

Glad to hear that it's possible to manage, almost a relief since it looks almost impossible right now.
I'm supposed to have some very tough genetics professors so it certainly will be a demanding semester.

If you don't mind me asking, did you have any free time that semester for other activities/friends?
I don't party or anything but there were a few clubs I really wanted to continue with and I don't want to be constantly studying.

Yeah I still free time to continue participating in my activities, mainly chamber orchestra and teaching music. I also spent a lot of time practicing piano that quarter.

I don't think my social life changed at all that quarter, but I did spend a lot of my free time sleeping. Studying for all those classes is exhausting! You will definitely emerge from the semester with amazing study habits. 🙂

 

[jpatel]

Its def possible. Those people who will not recommend it are those who spend all day reading in library.

 

[justinbaily]

What?