Is the heavy course load worth it?

[UponReflection]

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I would like to be ready to take the MCAT the fall of my junior year so ideally I would like to have the bulk of my pre-med courses done by the end of my sophomore year. However, this would mean taking biochemistry/cellular function and structure, organic chemistry, and physics all at the same time. Most students at my school take physics junior year while studying for the MCAT and take the MCAT in the spring/summer, but I am thinking I would be better off having a summer I could dedicate to studying for the MCAT. Is the heavy course load worth it? Am I better off waiting to take the MCAT and studying during the school year?

 

[AttemptingScholar]

It will be difficult, but possible. Have you been doing well in you science classes so far?

Neuroscience majors at my school take Intro to Neuro, Microbio, OChem, and Physics all together sophomore year and they're still alive.

 

[rolliespring]

Proceed with your initial plan. If you feel like the load is too heavy at the beginning and your GPA might take a major dip I suggest you drop a class. You could always take it at the end of winter break if you spread out your studying. But again that's up to you.

 

[Dox4lyfe]

I'll be taking biochem,ochem2 and physics as well. There's no way to objectively say whether or not you can handle it. Worst comes to worst you'll end up dropping physics the day before the withdrawal deadline and you'll have to take it the following semester. Make sure to prioritize biochem and ochem though.

 

[The Broccoli Industry]

Rising junior here. I took Organic Chem, Biochem, Physics, stats and a physiology class my sophomore fall (while pledging a social fraternity as well lol). I got a 4.0 and even had quite a lot of free time (most of it went to pledging). If you study effectively and manage your time well it's definitely possible.

Best decision I've ever made. Studying for the MCAT right now is so much easier. Makes MCAT studying much more enjoyable since I'm just reviewing stuff I've already learned.

My diagnostic MCAT CHEM/PHYS section was a 130 and I largely attribute it to the fact I took Orgo, Physics, Biochem, Physiology and a few other upper level bio sciences my sophomore year. Taking all those courses together at the same time also really helps you draw interdisciplinary connections, which helps with understanding and memorizing. (Ex: knowing the physics of NMR and mass spec in orgo as opposed to just memorizing trends and rule). This is critical for the MCAT.


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