Not sure what to do with my freshman schedule...

[coolcucumber91]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Okay, in my freshman fall term, I am currently taking 16 credits (Calculus 1, Chemistry 1 w/ lab, Intro to Psychology, English, and a research honors program class). I know that usually, ppl take Biology 1 their 1st semester. At first, I decided to use my AP credit to exempt from Biology 1 w/ lab and just start from Biology 2 spring semester. However, I realized that this may not be good for my preparation for the MCATs, plus for most schools they don't count AP exempted classes. But, the only teacher that's left to take Biology 1 is super-hard, like the hardest teacher in the whole school (even organic chem!). I know this sounds really sissy of me, but I don't want to take her. I heard it's extremely hard to get an A, and medical schools look at grades a lot...

So, should I just man up and take Bio 1 and take calculus later so I can stay at 16 credits? Or, should I just exempt Bio 1, take a different biology class next yr that's will help my knowledge for the mCATs so I can have a yr of biology, and then audit Biology 1 in the summer so I won't miss anything.

Sorry for the long post and thank you!

 

[JamesJr]

Why not take Bio 1 in the spring semester?

 

[Astarael]

Why not take Bio 1 in the spring semester?

I agree. Waiting a semester to start the biology pre-req won't set you behind even a little bit, unless you are majoring in biology. It might even be to your benefit, because then you will have had a semester to get used to studying for college level classes (I realize that AP classes are college level courses, but there's a difference between taking a few AP classes and taking all college level courses in residence).

 

[coolcucumber91]

Unfortunately, the only teacher available for Bio 1 in the spring is the crazy hard teacher... 🙁

 

[orthomyxo]

Man up and own that class. Besides, it can't be that hard, it's just an intro class.

 

[Procyon]

You could always wait to take intro bio until your sophomore year if you think it'll make that much of a difference. I actually decided to be a bio major last spring semester, but since they only offer Intro Bio I in the fall at my school, I'm not taking it 'till this fall. It had its pros and cons. Obviously the cons are starting my major late, and probably having to deal with a difficult semester down the line somewhere, because I'll need to do my major requirements less spaced out. But if you're not a bio major, that shouldn't even be a concern for you. Just do things however you want. On the bright side, waiting a year for bio, I got to take some really cool gen. ed classes that helped give me direction in declaring two different minors in the humanities that I enjoy. 👍

So yeah. It's really not that big a deal. Even if you're a bio major. 🙂

 

[lorenzomicron]

if you dont want to take her, dont take her.

 

[coolcucumber91]

Although it's an intro class, it's very hard to get an A. In rate my professors, she got like the lowest rating in terms of easiness. Like 9/10 people say to not that this class if you hope to get an A even when you study hard. Plus I went to the orientation and someone in the honors program confirmed that she is amazingly hard. I hope to keep my GPA as high as possible. I'm a hard worker, but not exactly the smartest.

 

[EMS5]

I agree. Waiting a semester to start the biology pre-req won't set you behind even a little bit, unless you are majoring in biology. It might even be to your benefit, because then you will have had a semester to get used to studying for college level classes (I realize that AP classes are college level courses, but there's a difference between taking a few AP classes and taking all college level courses in residence).

Waiting one semester on the biology pre-req isn't going to hurt you. I took principles 1 and 2 (general bio) during my freshman year, and this fall I won't be taking any biology at all, instead taking physics and chem. Oh and by the way I am a bio major, and it doesn't even jam up my course schedule as a junior/senior. Just make sure you enroll early enough to pick out a professor you will enjoy. good luck😀

 

[werd]

it's okay to wait to take bio until your sophomore year. that's what i did. my opinion is you should probably take the bio class, even if it's hard.

 

[KTownGT]

it's okay to wait to take bio until your sophomore year. that's what i did. my opinion is you should probably take the bio class, even if it's hard.

The average freshman was barred from taking Bio 1 or 2 at my college until their sophomore year.

OP, if you can sit down and study and manage your time well, your schedule looks fantastic for a first semester. If on the other hand, you are horrible with time management/studying(like I was the first year, ugh) than take gen chem in the spring.

 

[PreMedder]

Okay, in my freshman fall term, I am currently taking 16 credits (Calculus 1, Chemistry 1 w/ lab, Intro to Psychology, English, and a research honors program class). I know that usually, ppl take Biology 1 their 1st semester. At first, I decided to use my AP credit to exempt from Biology 1 w/ lab and just start from Biology 2 spring semester. However, I realized that this may not be good for my preparation for the MCATs, plus for most schools they don't count AP exempted classes. But, the only teacher that's left to take Biology 1 is super-hard, like the hardest teacher in the whole school (even organic chem!). I know this sounds really sissy of me, but I don't want to take her. I heard it's extremely hard to get an A, and medical schools look at grades a lot...

So, should I just man up and take Bio 1 and take calculus later so I can stay at 16 credits? Or, should I just exempt Bio 1, take a different biology class next yr that's will help my knowledge for the mCATs so I can have a yr of biology, and then audit Biology 1 in the summer so I won't miss anything.

Sorry for the long post and thank you!

I don't think it's "sissy" of you at all. Despite what others here may say - IMO, I don't think there is anything wrong with playing the game.

Your sched. was like mine last fall - calc and chem - definitely doable. No reason to opt out of intro bio - just take it soph year with the easier prof. You'll thank yourself down the line.

 

[coolcucumber91]

I don't think it's "sissy" of you at all. Despite what others here may say - IMO, I don't think there is anything wrong with playing the game.

Your sched. was like mine last fall - calc and chem - definitely doable. No reason to opt out of intro bio - just take it soph year with the easier prof. You'll thank yourself down the line.

So do you mean i take physics, bio, and organic chem all in sophomore yr? Even with an easier professor, wouldn't that be super hard?

Also, I don't think Calculus will be a problem, since I took it in high school

 

[Procyon]

So do you mean i take physics, bio, and organic chem all in sophomore yr? Even with an easier professor, wouldn't that be super hard?

Also, I don't think Calculus will be a problem, since I took it in high school

Why would you need to finish all of your pre-reqs by the end of your sophomore year? I'd say a pretty large percentage of pre-meds take at least one of the pre-reqs during their junior year.

 

[PreMedder]

So do you mean i take physics, bio, and organic chem all in sophomore yr? Even with an easier professor, wouldn't that be super hard?

Also, I don't think Calculus will be a problem, since I took it in high school

Well you are assuming you have to finish them all by the end of your soph year... if you are deadset on doing this (which their certainly are advantages to doing), then you would probably want to squeeze in bio/gen chem/calc first semester (since you already took calc it will be an easy A) and drop out psych. Or if you're not dead set on it, see below:

Why would you need to finish all of your pre-reqs by the end of your sophomore year? I'd say a pretty large percentage of pre-meds take at least one of the pre-reqs during their junior year.

 

[Quaero]

Okay, in my freshman fall term, I am currently taking 16 credits (Calculus 1, Chemistry 1 w/ lab, Intro to Psychology, English, and a research honors program class). I know that usually, ppl take Biology 1 their 1st semester. At first, I decided to use my AP credit to exempt from Biology 1 w/ lab and just start from Biology 2 spring semester. However, I realized that this may not be good for my preparation for the MCATs, plus for most schools they don't count AP exempted classes. But, the only teacher that's left to take Biology 1 is super-hard, like the hardest teacher in the whole school (even organic chem!). I know this sounds really sissy of me, but I don't want to take her. I heard it's extremely hard to get an A, and medical schools look at grades a lot...

So, should I just man up and take Bio 1 and take calculus later so I can stay at 16 credits? Or, should I just exempt Bio 1, take a different biology class next yr that's will help my knowledge for the mCATs so I can have a yr of biology, and then audit Biology 1 in the summer so I won't miss anything.

Sorry for the long post and thank you!

What is the grade distribution for that class? I have taken many of the so called "hard" classes with difficult professors and ended up enjoying them with a good grade. Remember, you don't have to be the best. Just be above most people.

 

[coolcucumber91]

Well you are assuming you have to finish them all by the end of your soph year... if you are deadset on doing this (which their certainly are advantages to doing), then you would probably want to squeeze in bio/gen chem/calc first semester (since you already took calc it will be an easy A) and drop out psych. Or if you're not dead set on it, see below:

I'm a psychology major so I can't skip it 😉

I heard that physics is not as important as the other MCAT subjects and that even a strong high school knowledge will suffice. Can anyone confirm this? So if this is true, I guess I can take in junior yr, but isn't that the yr I'm supposed to study for the MCATs? Is it a good idea to add physics?

 

[moxche]

Listen to me,

Finish your lecture pre-reqs (chem, bio, physics, orgo) by sophomore year and take the MCAT the summer before junior year. Trust me, this is one of the best decisions you'll ever take. You do not want to stress over the exam during the school semester. Even if you decide to take a gap year, this MCAT will still be valid for that application cycle.

 

[coolcucumber91]

Listen to me,

Finish your lecture pre-reqs (chem, bio, physics, orgo) by sophomore year and take the MCAT the summer before junior year. Trust me, this is one of the best decisions you'll ever take. You do not want to stress over the exam during the school semester. Even if you decide to take a gap year, this MCAT will still be valid for that application cycle.

So would it mean that my junior yr courseload would be lighter?