Need Advice on Soph. Schedule

[biochemgrad]

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So I'll be registering for Summer and Fall 2017 Semesters this March 6; that's when registration opens. I attend University of Alabama in Huntsville, and my major is Bio and Chem
I've considered 2 schedules:
Schedule 1:
Summer 2017: Cell Biology (4h)
Fall 2017:O-Chem I , General Phys. w/Calc I, and Human A&P I (each is 4h) + Intro Bio Research (3h, required to take Fall 2017)
Spring 2018: O-chem II, General Phys. w/Calc II, and Human A&P II (still 4h) + (Intro. to Molec. Understanding of Bio. Systems. or Qualitative Analysis (both 3cr)

With Schedule 1, I can have fulfilled prereqs. to take Biochemistry I (prereqs are O-Chem I & II, and Intro. Bio Sytems or Qualitative Analysis). This does seem like a difficult schedule though.

Schedule 2:
Summer: Cell Biology (4h)
Fall 2017: O-Chem I, General Phys. w/Calc I (4h each) + Quantitative Analysis, Intro Bio Research (each 3h)
Spring 2018: O-Chem II and Gen. Phys. Calc II (4h each) + (Psych 101 or Social Sci 101 (3h each)), and Intro Molec Undst. Bio Systems.

This schedule seems easier, and in this schedule 2 I would have 14hrs/semester as opposed to 16hr/semester. In addition I would take Biochem, A&P, MicroBio, and other GenEds.

Any thoughts? Should I change the format? Also, I already have 33 hrs.

-Biochemgrad

 

[Mednight]

Honestly it's personal preference, but taking on so many credit hours at once is a hassle.

How have you done in previous semesters? Have you ever taken this much courseload in a previous semester?

Pros of Schedule 1: Getting harder and lengther courses out of the way. Showing med school commitee that you can take on a heavy courseload. Prereqs done!
Cons: Heavy courseload. High chances of burnout leading to a decline in grades.

Pros of Schedule 2: Less courseload. Chances are greater in receiving better grades. More time for other activities(personal, academic, work) Basic general ed courses.
Cons: Prereqs aren't complete and being that youre a sophomore that should be okay.

 

[deleted781806]

Does your school not generally do the physics sequence *after* the chemistry sequence? It seems like it's a bit much to handle all at once with the overlap of Orgo and Physics. We took our physics sequence in our junior year after taking our chemistry classes freshman and sophomore years. You should probably put yourself into a position where you can take Biochemistry your junior year though, however that works out best (this is only true if you would like to matriculate immediately after graduation). Because it's a good course for MCAT prep. Anatomy & Physiology is another important course to have taken before MCAT non-sense starts up.

I would recommend against overloading your course-load and burning out though!

 

[biochemgrad]

Does your school not generally do the physics sequence *after* the chemistry sequence? It seems like it's a bit much to handle all at once with the overlap of Orgo and Physics. We took our physics sequence in our junior year after taking our chemistry classes freshman and sophomore years. You should probably put yourself into a position where you can take Biochemistry your junior year though, however that works out best (this is only true if you would like to matriculate immediately after graduation). Because it's a good course for MCAT prep. Anatomy & Physiology is another important course to have taken before MCAT non-sense starts up.

I would recommend against overloading your course-load and burning out though!

UAH, as an engineering school, usually has its students take Physics I during the Spring of Freshman year or, for Pre-Med students, they would take it along with O-chem II in spring of sophomore year. Also I just realized schedule 2 Fall 2017 would be impossible because Physics I and Quantitative analysis are at the same time this fall semester.

 

[kanseou]

Medical school application need a real long plan. The only thing that you can not change after graduate is GPA.
You can change EC, MCAT and other spec. So. The GPA is most important factor.
The average new MD student ages is 23.
Get a good GPA, If you really want to go MD school in your life.

 

[prehealthadvisor55]

Either is fine. A&P aren't prereqs, so take them whenever. Opinions on having them pre-MCAT vs post-MCAT will vary. So do what you prefer and won't feel like an overload that will cause a hit to your GPA.

 

[biochemgrad]

Either is fine. A&P aren't prereqs, so take them whenever. Opinions on having them pre-MCAT vs post-MCAT will vary. So do what you prefer and won't feel like an overload that will cause a hit to your GPA.

Thanks for the advice. I think I would like to do A&P because I would enjoy it, and Physics might be able to wait till Spring of Sophomore year.