No Gen Chem freshman year

[Boon Doctor]

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Hi guys, first post here but I've been reading forever. Most of the questions I have are usually answered through this forum, but I have one that has been unanswered: I am a freshman. I registered late for the Fall because I couldn't make my mind up on whether to attend college or not, so I was unable to get into Chem I for the Fall. Come Spring, I'm still in the same situation because I again registered late. I am in the Guard as a Combat Medic so I have to go to Basic Training this summer and won't be able to take any Summer courses. So, this leaves me taking Chem I & II during my Sophomore year and I guess my question is: Is it necessary to have completed Orgo I & II by the time I take the MCATs in April? (which would require me to take Orgo I during the next summer) Has anyone else tried to take Orgo during the summer? Doesn't that sound like suicide??? Any advice would be extremely helpful.

Thanks.

 

[finch]

Is your school's summer term a full term, or is it condensed into less time? I took orgo 2 over the summer at my school, and it wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was nice to have only orgo to worry about, instead of a full load of classes to distract me. However, the summer term at my school is basically the same length as a fall or winter term. If your school condenses summer semester into significantly less time than a normal term (i.e. half the length of a normal term) than your proposition would be somewhat harder. However, as long as you can keep yourself clear of other responsibilities and distractions and just live, breathe and dream orgo I think it would be doable even in a condensed semester.

 

[RDickerson]

Hi guys, first post here but I've been reading forever. Most of the questions I have are usually answered through this forum, but I have one that has been unanswered: I am a freshman. I registered late for the Fall because I couldn't make my mind up on whether to attend college or not, so I was unable to get into Chem I for the Fall. Come Spring, I'm still in the same situation because I again registered late. I am in the Guard as a Combat Medic so I have to go to Basic Training this summer and won't be able to take any Summer courses. So, this leaves me taking Chem I & II during my Sophomore year and I guess my question is: Is it necessary to have completed Orgo I & II by the time I take the MCATs in April? (which would require me to take Orgo I during the next summer) Has anyone else tried to take Orgo during the summer? Doesn't that sound like suicide??? Any advice would be extremely helpful.

Thanks.

Something you might want to try is to talk to your professor. I *WAS* on a 7 year D.O./B.S. program at my local University and HSC, but orientation was late so, EVERY chemistry was taken. I went to talk to the chem I professor, explained to him my situation, and he got me in. Lots of professors are like that, so I mean I'd go talk to one.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi guys, first post here but I've been reading forever. Most of the questions I have are usually answered through this forum, but I have one that has been unanswered: I am a freshman. I registered late for the Fall because I couldn't make my mind up on whether to attend college or not, so I was unable to get into Chem I for the Fall. Come Spring, I'm still in the same situation because I again registered late. I am in the Guard as a Combat Medic so I have to go to Basic Training this summer and won't be able to take any Summer courses. So, this leaves me taking Chem I & II during my Sophomore year and I guess my question is: Is it necessary to have completed Orgo I & II by the time I take the MCATs in April? (which would require me to take Orgo I during the next summer) Has anyone else tried to take Orgo during the summer? Doesn't that sound like suicide??? Any advice would be extremely helpful.

Thanks.

Do not try to take the MCAT without finishing Orgo. I saw a lot of it on my particular form. And do not take orgo over the summer in any sort of compressed schedule unless your other science grades indicate that you are a very strong science student. The summer pace does not provide you time to work things out or get extra help if you need it. My only suggestions to you are either (1) take the August MCAT and get AMCAS done by the preceding June, and bear the disadvantage of being a later applicant (which is MUCH less than the disadvantage of losing a few points on the MCAT due to not having had orgo), or (2) push out your application cycle a year and take the MCAT the following April. Good luck.

 

[DoctorPardi]

I am a junior right now finishing general chem II this semester. I will take organic my senior year and the MCAT in august before my 2nd senior year lol.

I would be taking the april mcat of my senior year if it wasn't for the fact that, I will be taking in fall : organic, physics and physiology and spring: organic, physics and molecular cell biology. So the problem is I wouldn't have time to study for the MCAT.

I think missing out on 3 weeks of organic isn't going to kill you, especially since you will be studying for the MCAT. Also consider this, most people have organic a year behind them and have to refresh it to take the MCAT, you will be primed for organic in april. So I think with MCAT study you will be better off taking the MCAT in april of the spring you are taking organic II , instead of putting off until august in which case you will be a late applicant and all of the problems that go with that.

My recommendation here is based on the idea that you can study for the MCAT while taking organic, that is, if you aren't taking 2 + other upper level science courses. If you are taking organic, and say physiology + an easy elective, I say go for it. I would do it, but I don't think my schedule will allow me the appropriate amount of time to study for MCAT and my classes.

 

[erin682]

I didn't take gen chem until my sophomore year either, but as I wasn't pre-med at the time so it didn't worry me. I took o-chem in my jr year and the mcat in april of that same year. I actually think it worked out well b/c by april you have pretty much covered all the basics of o-chem that you need for the mcat and its all fresh in your mind so you don't have to relearn as much. I got a 33 on the mcat so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[shantster]

There's always a fair number of pre-meds at my school that don't start taking chemistry classes until sophomore year and so they are taking Orgo their junior year, and don't feel disadvantaged at taking the MCAT. It's common for people to change into being pre-med from another major that doesn't require chemistry, so it's not too uncommon to take the MCAT without completing Orgo. I just wouldn't take the MCAT without at least taking Orgo I and being in the Orgo II class though.

 

[gdbaby]

I would follow RDickerson's advice. Ask the professor if you can be in the Gen Chem class. So many people end up dropping that there is almost always room.

 

[Boon Doctor]

First, thanks to everyone for your responses.

I talked to the professor today, and she basically told me that it is a physical issue because the classroom fits exactly 100 students. And guess what, I tried to sit in on the lecture and every seat was taken. Hopefully she scares the crap out of one of them and in turn opens a spot for me.

I can't believe that I am begging & praying to take Chemistry! I probably shouldn't worry so much because according to the Department Secretary, I am the only one expressing interest in waiting for spot -- and I have until Wednesday, which is the last day to drop/add.

Now concerning the class that I am going to drop...
Should I go ahead and buy the book for the class and treat the situation like I'm never getting into Chem I?

Also, I will take Law2Doc's advice and not do Orgo I in the summer because at my school, the session is only 6-weeks long.