Need some advicing on class

[Roxlo]

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Hi there, I'm currently a sophmore who will be going into the spring semester.

Currently I am signed up for:
-Physics 2 with lab
-Gen Chem 2 with lab
-Calc 2
-Genetic Analysis


I am a chem major, and I have already taken both orgo 1 and 2. I am planning to study for the MCAT over the summer to take it at the start of fall of junior year. I was wondering:

-Is it advisable to drop genetic analysis and take biochemistry instead?
-Will biochemistry be more useful than genetic analysis as far as the MCAT goes? Are either strongly recommended?
-If I do take biochemistry, will I be completely overwhelmed with work? I heard that it is 10x harder than orgo, and with 3 other tough classes and 2 labs I'm not sure if I can handle that, lol.

Thanks!

 

[Supernerd]

Hi there, I'm currently a sophmore who will be going into the spring semester.

Currently I am signed up for:
-Physics 2 with lab
-Gen Chem 2 with lab
-Calc 2
-Genetic Analysis


I am a chem major, and I have already taken both orgo 1 and 2. I am planning to study for the MCAT over the summer to take it at the start of fall of junior year. I was wondering:

-Is it advisable to drop genetic analysis and take biochemistry instead?
-Will biochemistry be more useful than genetic analysis as far as the MCAT goes? Are either strongly recommended?
-If I do take biochemistry, will I be completely overwhelmed with work? I heard that it is 10x harder than orgo, and with 3 other tough classes and 2 labs I'm not sure if I can handle that, lol.

Thanks!

I thought the first semester of biochem was helpful for the MCAT. I took biochem my junior year and took the MCAT that winter break... Only one pedigree on my test and no other genetics! (or A&P for that matter... all evolution stuff). There are genetics on the MCAT, don't get me wrong, but I guess I don't think you HAVE to take it. Then again I'm a biochem major 😛

I find it strange you're a chem major who has already taken orgo but still hasn't done gen chem... retake? IMO Orgo is harder than biochem, I think you could do it. But if you want to really ace your classes, why not take biochem next year?

You're only a sophomore and I think you're ahead of the game! Keep up the good work and best of luck

 

[Dookie2010]

the genetics on the MCAT are very basic, so you should be fine with what you learned in general bio. Biochem was somewhat helpful for the MCAT, as it gives you a deeper understanding of many concepts tested, and could make some questions easier that might require more time/thought from someone who hasn't taken biochem. But it's really luck of the draw when it comes time for your test whether it would help or not, so I wouldn't say either is "strongly recommended".

I agree with the other poster, you're only a sophomore so it's great you're thinking ahead. In your case, however, I would vote that you take neither genetics nor biochem, and instead opt for an easier humanities oriented course. You have a killer schedule already with two lab courses and calc, definitely do not take BioChem if it's notoriously difficult at your school. If you did become overwhelmed, it could be a hard blow to your GPA, which would likely be more negative for medical school admissions than not taking biochem or genetics. Most medical schools have humanities requirements, which as a chem major are courses that you wouldn't automatically be taking. Plus it would give your brain a nice break from your science heavy other courses. Some schools do require genetics and/or biochem, but I would say for this term, you're better off taking neither and waiting to take them at a later time.

 

[armybound]

I'd drop calc 2 unless it's required for your major.

 

[WorldChanger36]

I would take the Biochem but it is quite difficult so be ready to put your time into it.
Calc 2 counts for BCMP so if you need to bring this up it is a good class but if you don't get rid of it. Calc 2 is very time consuming, if you haven't taken stats you could consider that.

 

[Malice]

Based on the thread title, don't take spelling classes.

 

[sustentacular]

Based on the thread title, don't take spelling classes.

That's not good advicing.

 

[Supernerd]

That's not good advicing.

 

[Roxlo]

LOL oops, it was real late when I wrote this last night.

Anyways, I'm not re-taking gen chem 2, thats just the order my school goes by (Gen chem 1--> Orgo 1 and 2 --> Gen chem 2)

I figured I would need calc for pchem. Surely I can't get by with only 1 semester of calc? I should be fine in calc, anyways.

I'm thinking about dropping genetics, but the class is known to be "easy" at my school, so I'm not sure. Biochem on the other hand is known as killer.

 

[rafflecopter]

I figured I would need calc for pchem. Surely I can't get by with only 1 semester of calc? I should be fine in calc, anyways.

Most medical schools only require a semester of statistics and a semester of calc. An exception is Harvard, which does require 2 semesters of calc.

 

[Roxlo]

What is more beneficial for the MCAT, genetics or molecular biology?

 

[rafflecopter]

What is more beneficial for the MCAT, genetics or molecular biology?

Neither. Examcrackers.

 

[Roxlo]

Neither. Examcrackers.

haha yeah I've heard good things about it. I'm going to be going through the series over the summer to take the MCAT at the start/before of junior year

 

[MPHL]

I'm a chem major as well. Biochemistry has been the easiest class in the major thus far-- it's a joke of a class if you understood Ochem 2 mechanisms and molecular biology. LOL