Optional Biology Lab Suggestions Needed

[deleted582535]

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I couldn't find a post about this since it's kind of specific, but hopefully some of you can give me some insight. I'm a c/o 2018 applicant, but I've only been given alternate status or haven't heard back from interviews yet (both of which I'm ecstatic about).

Next quarter, I'm considering crashing a biology lab course restricted to pre-med students. Other health science students can only make it into the class if they attend the lab until someone drops out. I've heard the lab is very difficult and isn't required for most veterinary schools.

I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not to crash the class, and I'd love to hear you guys' input. I think it would be a good idea to do it just in case, but I don't know if it's worth the stress. Any suggestions from you all would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MEA3885]

I would say it depends on what other classes you're taking. If you have a light load, go for it, it shows ambition and will look great on your final transcript. If you're trying to do a bunch of other intense classes maybe rethink it. Just my opinion.

 

[ChittyBang]

It would look good if you need to reapply next cycle. But if you get in this cycle I would think it would just be a great, and preparatory, experience.

 

[jmo1012]

1. whats the lab?
2. whats your interest in the class other than it would look good for vet school?
3. whats the trade off for taking a lab that will require a lot of time? volunteer work? shadowing? job? anything?
4. as someone who has completed 2.5 years of absurdly difficult vet school classes, i encourage you to enjoy life while you can haha. the killing yourself every second just gets 100x worse when you get to vet school!

 

[deleted582535]

1. whats the lab?
2. whats your interest in the class other than it would look good for vet school?
3. whats the trade off for taking a lab that will require a lot of time? volunteer work? shadowing? job? anything?
4. as someone who has completed 2.5 years of absurdly difficult vet school classes, i encourage you to enjoy life while you can haha. the killing yourself every second just gets 100x worse when you get to vet school!

Thanks for all the responses, everyone! I really appreciate it.

1. The lab is an introductory, lower-division experimental biology lab that's worth 2 units. If I take this class next quarter, I'll take 12 units. If I don't take this class, I'll take 15 units instead. However, I would like to fulfill the prerequisite, even though it's only needed for some vet schools.
2. I've heard the lab has the same procedures as a biochemistry lab that I've already taken, so I don't thinking taking it will really deepen my knowledge.
3. It would probably just take away from the time I normally spend on my other classes. And my joy.
4. Haha thanks for the reality check. It's a weird feeling hoping I'll get there, where I'll be killing myself even more...

 

[pp9]

Why are the no strictly pre-vet classes, huh?

 

[jmo1012]

Thanks for all the responses, everyone! I really appreciate it.

1. The lab is an introductory, lower-division experimental biology lab that's worth 2 units. If I take this class next quarter, I'll take 12 units. If I don't take this class, I'll take 15 units instead. However, I would like to fulfill the prerequisite, even though it's only needed for some vet schools.
2. I've heard the lab has the same procedures as a biochemistry lab that I've already taken, so I don't thinking taking it will really deepen my knowledge.
3. It would probably just take away from the time I normally spend on my other classes. And my joy.
4. Haha thanks for the reality check. It's a weird feeling hoping I'll get there, where I'll be killing myself even more...

is there any chance you'll apply to those schools? looking at their oos stats and coa etc and what it will cost you to apply there in addition to the other schools on your list, is it financially worth it?

everything you've said up to this point makes it seem like this really isnt worth it. pretty much the only thing in its favor is that some schools require it for admissions selection otherwise you're taking fewer credits, taking a class that won't have any "advanced" weight, putting in time and effort for something you don't think you'll gain a whole lot from, and something that may even put strain on getting good grades in other classes.

if it were me, i'd skip it and take something more impressive. i didn't take animal nutrition in undergrad and decided that what that was worth to apply to a couple of schools didn't outweigh the overall costs. if i eventually felt like i needed to take it, i would have, but for my first round of applications it definitely wasnt worth it to me. also keep in mind that you could take something like this at community college if need be later. it doesn't sound like anything that would be hard to find and i doubt a second thought would be given to the fact that you took it elsewhere at a different time.

cute dog 🙂