I was just wondering if it looks bad to take science classes over the summer, or online courses. I have taken organic chemistry 1 and 2, biology 2, and plan on taking genetics and biochem over the summer. (genetics and biochem will be online courses)
I have also taken 2 psychology courses online over the summer.
I have not heard of summer classes being an issue, but online classes vary depending on the DO school. I haven't encountered a DO school where genetics/biochem was a prerequisite - if they are, you will want to contact the school directly to find out if they will accept them.
I've taken several courses online. None of the classes online are indicated as "online" on my transcript. Not sure how your college labels them. They just look like normal classes, I believe.
i can't remember which, but i'm pretty sure i saw a school that required biochem. and, according to my handy dandy "where to apply" spreadsheet (with stuff directly from school websites), vcom says "Six (6) additional science hours are required (Faculty recommend courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, or Genetics to enhance the students' success in medical school)"
Just like how Universities consider the difficulty of your curriculum, they will consider that summer classes are in general a little bit easier than semester classes....if you have extenuating circumstances as to why you are taking them it would be one thing
but as somebody said...i don't think genetics and biochem are prereqs....just often recommended
I think summer and online classes are becoming more viable options for non-traditional students. For those of us with full time jobs and families, sometime this is our only choice. Not all of us have the luxury of attending school as our full-time job, ya know? I think that schools should appreciate the hardwork and your evidence of trying, like slicedbread said - extenuating circumstances!
I'm not sure about the stigma associated with the classes, but I imagine it might be difficult to get a decent LOR from a prof that "taught" you and online course, and depending on how the summer class is structured, it might be tough to establish a substantial connection with a prof in a fast-paced summer course.
I've taken organic 1 and 2, stats, physics 1 and 2, elementary french 2, general chemistry 2, and psychology in the summer. I haven't had any problems with it and I would think adcoms would be slightly impressed I took 14 credits in physics, stats, and French in 12 weeks over the summer because they are all somewhat intense classes with lots of homework.
wow...I can't imagine taking genetics or biochem online... good luck with that, on the other hand, I never heard that it looks bad to take science classes over the summer
agreed with dozitgetchahi ....
I took my OCHEM series over the summer...ya 12 weeks total so real rough.. Never was asked about it and didnt seem to matter.
Online varies as many have said. When I applied to DMU I had not taken biochem and it was only offered at my school in the fall. The scenario may have occured where I had an acceptance but no way to take the class. I called DMU and they said they take many online Biochem's as long as its from a recognizable accredited school.
