Next 2 semesters

[dazedanconfused]

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I just wanted some other opinions on my schedule I have chosen. I have 2 semesters left at my local cc and wanted to know the best course of action to take. Here is what I was thinking:
Semester I: (14 hrs.)

Gen Chem II
Organic Chem I
Pre-calculus
English

Semester II: (11 hrs. without stats)
Organic Chem II
Calculus
Bio I
?????????? Stats maybe?

That schedule adds up to 14 hrs. the first semester and 11 the second semester. It seems reasonable to me, but what I am concerned about is the Bio I to Bio II transition from a cc to a 4 year university. If this cc is a sister college of the 4 year university they should have pretty similar curriculums right? I also do not like that I only have 11 hrs. the second semester, but I can not think of another class I could take that would be beneficial and still possible with O. Chem II.

Any comments or feedback is welcomed, because like I said I just wanted some fresh eyes on this one. I have been wracking my brain over how to organize it for weeks now.
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[IH8ColdWeath3r]

I wouldn't take gen chem II the same semester as Ochem I. It's best to take Ochem I AFTER you take Gen Chem. One, depending on the type of student you are, it will be overwhelming. Second, I would recommend taking your Bio I and II at the CC and save the organics for the 4 year University. I did this at a CC and I made A's in both Gen Chem I and II and Ochem I and II and now im a tutor for organic. It's not that you NEED gen chem II for organic I, but some of the concepts like thermodynamics and kinetics (which are in gen chem II) are presented at the beg of Ochem I.

If your a bio major, taking the intro bio classes will help you more because once you transition to the university, you wont have to worry about taking the pre-req bio classes and can jump straight into the upper div classes like genetics, physiology, biochem, etc that will help you graduate earlier and prepare you for the MCAT. I did this, and it has worked out terrificly for me, and I was in a similar situation as you. good luck

 

[dazedanconfused]

I wouldn't take gen chem II the same semester as Ochem I. It's best to take Ochem I AFTER you take Gen Chem. One, depending on the type of student you are, it will be overwhelming. Second, I would recommend taking your Bio I and II at the CC and save the organics for the 4 year University. I did this at a CC and I made A's in both Gen Chem I and II and Ochem I and II and now im a tutor for organic. It's not that you NEED gen chem II for organic I, but some of the concepts like thermodynamics and kinetics (which are in gen chem II) are presented at the beg of Ochem I.

If your a bio major, taking the intro bio classes will help you more because once you transition to the university, you wont have to worry about taking the pre-req bio classes and can jump straight into the upper div classes like genetics, physiology, biochem, etc that will help you graduate earlier and prepare you for the MCAT. I did this, and it has worked out terrificly for me, and I was in a similar situation as you. good luck

That does sound like a pretty solid plan; however, how hard would O. chem I and gen chem II be? I mean I wouldnt know what to replace O. chem for starters, and plus wouldnt O. chem and say Biochem, genetics, or any other higher level bio classes be more of a workload?

 

[IH8ColdWeath3r]

That does sound like a pretty solid plan; however, how hard would O. chem I and gen chem II be? I mean I wouldnt know what to replace O. chem for starters, and plus wouldnt O. chem and say Biochem, genetics, or any other higher level bio classes be more of a workload?

Let me restate, I took Ochem I and Ochem II at my 4 year university. Unfortunately, you are coming from a CC, which in my opinion is a major disadvantage, especially if your in a state where there are a few state schools. The fact is that, your at a disadvantage coming from CC and it doesn't "look as good". This is why I took 17 and 18 hrs my first two sem at my 4 year school and made 4.0 both sem to prove that I can handle the tough load, and that my CC grades were not a fluke.

You will impress the ADCOMs by doing this, but I wouldn't take 17 and 18 hrs if you know your grades will suffer. Also, its better to take the major pre-med courses at a 4 year university and leave the basics (ie core curriculum) for CC. I have heard that most med schools don't like to see major classes like OCHEM, GENETICS, etc. taken at a CC because of the reputation of a CC (I know, it sucks and is so unfair). Honestly, my CC was just as hard if not harder than the 4 year university I am at now, but hey, what can you do?

You want to arrive at the 4 year university and take off running. Take tough classes, make the best grades you can, and show that CC was no fluke and that you are capable of handling a heavy load. And btw, Gen chem II and Ochem I is not bad, but from experience I must say that Ochem I is not hard, it is just very time consuming to learn the material and really master the concepts. How are your grades at the CC? what's your oGPA and sGPA?

 

[dazedanconfused]

Yeah I have heard that most schools are like that. I have looked at my top school and on their site they say they do not have a preference where I take my pre-requisites as long as I do not dual enroll once I get to a 4 year university. I did read that they say most adcoms like to see at least one semester of 16hrs. of sciences to show you can handle the workload. Not sure how many med schools like seeing that, but a couple of semesters of 14 hrs. would be pretty similar dont you think?
Oh and right now my GPA is 4.0 sGPA and oGPA

 

[dazedanconfused]

not sure if this is too soon, but bump lol. Still looking for some fresh opinions.

 

[dazedanconfused]

last bump before I officially let this thread die lol.

 

[christina30]

there's a reason most schools have gen chem as a prereq for organic. don't do it.

 

[JenniferRU]

Like mentioned above don't take orgo along with gen chem.. also it would be wise to save just a few pre-reqs for the four year university you transfer to.
Good luck

 

[dazedanconfused]

It is looking more and more like I cant take orgo with chem anyway because it would be on a sister campus, and there is no way I could get there in time. Thanks for the opinions everyone, they are very much appreciated.

 

[NeuroPhD2010]

Wouldn't it be more logical to take Calc 1 after takin Precalc rather than Stats? Precalc and stats are very different. In addition, precalc will not prepare you well for stats. Take Calc 1 and then take stats later on if need be. If I am not mistaken, more schools require calc than stats as well.

 

[NeuroPhD2010]

My apologies..I did not notice that you had already mentioned taking calculus until now.

 

[docelh]

My advice would be to finish up the Gen Chem sequence, and leave the Bio and O-chem for the four year state U. You probably should take the math at your CC, as that could help you in physics later on.

Aren't there some General Education humanities, language, or social sciences courses you can knock off instead?

 

[dazedanconfused]

My advice would be to finish up the Gen Chem sequence, and leave the Bio and O-chem for the four year state U. You probably should take the math at your CC, as that could help you in physics later on.

Aren't there some General Education humanities, language, or social sciences courses you can knock off instead?

I dont know about leaving my bio for the 4 year, because I will wont to be taking classes for my major as soon as I enroll, so I am most likely going to change orgo to bio and just finish it up. I would take some humanities etc..., but I really do not need any that are given at my cc. Plus I looked at their site and a lot wouldnt transfer. Still, thanks for all the opinions guys.