Organic Chemistry with Genetics. Is this wise?

[txlonghorn2314]

For the past 3 semesters I have successfully made 3 consecutive 4.0's bring my cumulative gPa from a 3.18 to a 3.53 and my sGpa at 4.0 (I was a business management major for three years)

Because I am 22 now and wanting to graduate/take mcate/apply to med school within the next year and a half, it will require taking 45 hours of pure sciences in one year! On top of this I am also doing 15 hours a week of biomedical research as well as volunteering 3-6 hours a week. I'm wondering if this is overkill, or should I spread it out a little more.

This year specifically, I am taking:

Ochem1
Ochem1 Lab
Genetics
English 2 (Ive been putting it off, its not difficult but very time consuming)
Evolution and Ecology
TA for Intro to Bio.
Biochem Research

In order to make another 4.0 this semester, would it be wise to drop genetics since that and ochem alone will require a TON of time for an A?

There's a lot going on, including the fact that I plan on proposing to my longterm girlfriend this year, so just feeling a little lost at the moment with everything.

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[AdrianVeidt]

I took genetics, organic, physics and 2 other classes all in the same semester. Ended up with the lowest semester GPA of my entire undergraduate career. Don't do it unless you are extremely confident in your abilities.

 

[Mavii]

OP,

You're the one who just completed 3 consecutive 4.0 semesters, so I'm pretty sure you know exactly what you're capable of. If you feel like you struggled to maintain that 4.0 in the last few semesters, and the classes were of the same difficulty, then probably not. But if you feel you whizzed by and this will be your first challenge, then go for it. At the end of the die, only you know what you can and cannot do, just don't overdo it!

 

[Dirtyshadow]

Me personally, I would drop anything else besides genetics. Evolution and ecology would be the class to drop. At my UG university, genetics was the foundation of all the main bio courses you'll be taking. You could also think about dropping English and then electing to take an easy "give-me" science course which all schools have. Then just take English during the summer.

 

[Dirtyshadow]

I took genetics, organic, physics and 2 other classes all in the same semester. Ended up with the lowest semester GPA of my entire undergraduate career. Don't do it unless you are extremely confident in your abilities.

Luckily, he's not taking physics 2. OP, out of your course load, most work will come from studying orgo mechanisms and maybe orgo lab write ups. TBH, genetics is not that bad of a class. The courses that killed my time were the ones that required practicing different problems/formulas/mechanisms (Chem1-2, physics 1-2, Orgo). Most bio classes are pretty much memorizing (cramming) study guides for tests. You have a perfect science GPA, but it would be more beneficial to show the adcoms that you can still do well with science heavy course-loads.

 

[bigdogrob4284]

It seems reasonable to me. It all depends on how the classes are at your school though. At my school, genetics is easy, but at others it is a high workload class. Definitely talk to upper classmen and ask what they thought of the workload for your 2 bio courses.

 

[mcloaf]

Genetics isn't too bad. If your ecology has lab practicals that'll be way more work than genetics most likely.

 

[AdrianVeidt]

Luckily, he's not taking physics 2. OP, out of your course load, most work will come from studying orgo mechanisms and maybe orgo lab write ups. TBH, genetics is not that bad of a class. The courses that killed my time were the ones that required practicing different problems/formulas/mechanisms (Chem1-2, physics 1-2, Orgo). Most bio classes are pretty much memorizing (cramming) study guides for tests. You have a perfect science GPA, but it would be more beneficial to show the adcoms that you can still do well with science heavy course-loads.

Out of those 3 science classes, I got the best grade in physics. Don't try to sabotage OP; that's a difficult schedule and it's more important to do well in as many classes as possible rather than taking as many as possible.

You're out of your mind if you think it's more important to take a bunch of science classes and risk a perfect GPA than to do whatever needed to keep that perfect GPA.

 

[CrimsonKing]

Don't drop it. If you can't manage a load like this, how do you expect to handle med school?

 

[Bangersandmash]

Out of those 3 science classes, I got the best grade in physics. Don't try to sabotage OP; that's a difficult schedule and it's more important to do well in as many classes as possible rather than taking as many as possible.

You're out of your mind if you think it's more important to take a bunch of science classes and risk a perfect GPA than to do whatever needed to keep that perfect GPA.

I took Orgo 1 with lab, physics 1 and genetics all at the same time with a roman lit class and managed a 4.0 that semester. I didn't have tons of free time, but I managed. Everyone is different and anything is possible if you work hard enough, so you shouldn't try to discourage OP either.

 

[txlonghorn2314]

Genetics isn't too bad. If your ecology has lab practicals that'll be way more work than genetics most likely.

Genetics at my school is notoriously referred to as the most difficult bio class. I have talked to many many upper level science students and even post grads who say that that class was the biggest nightmare, specifically because there are only two professors at my school that teach the course, and both have AWFUL reputations. Thats why if I want to make an A in genetics, it will require A LOT.


Out of all this, I haven't even mentioned studying for the MCAT.


I know that I am capable of doing this, I am very hard working and driven, but on the other hand, is it worth the crazy amount of time, stress, cramming, strain on my relationship, and possibility of hurting my GPA/fully understanding the material, when I have the option to push back one more semester to graduate and not be as jammed all year so I can make those grades? (I'm taking micro, physics1 and 2 over the summer, ochem 2, cell phys, zoology, human anatomy in the fall).

I do truly appreciate all of ya'lls responses.🙂

 

[sunflower18]

Genetics at my school is notoriously referred to as the most difficult bio class. I have talked to many many upper level science students and even post grads who say that that class was the biggest nightmare, specifically because there are only two professors at my school that teach the course, and both have AWFUL reputations. Thats why if I want to make an A in genetics, it will require A LOT.


Out of all this, I haven't even mentioned studying for the MCAT.


I know that I am capable of doing this, I am very hard working and driven, but on the other hand, is it worth the crazy amount of time, stress, cramming, strain on my relationship, and possibility of hurting my GPA/fully understanding the material, when I have the option to push back one more semester to graduate and not be as jammed all year so I can make those grades? (I'm taking micro, physics1 and 2 over the summer, ochem 2, cell phys, zoology, human anatomy in the fall).

I do truly appreciate all of ya'lls responses.🙂

Yikes. I wouldn't want to pair a class that is notoriously a GPA killer with those other hard classes. Do you have to take genetics for your major?

 

[487806]

Genetics at my school is notoriously referred to as the most difficult bio class. I have talked to many many upper level science students and even post grads who say that that class was the biggest nightmare, specifically because there are only two professors at my school that teach the course, and both have AWFUL reputations. Thats why if I want to make an A in genetics, it will require A LOT.

Is it required? Don't take it if it's not.

 

[txlonghorn2314]

Yikes. I wouldn't want to pair a class that is notoriously a GPA killer with those other hard classes. Do you have to take genetics for your major?

Yes, unfortunately it's required. If I crammed all of this as originally planned, I would graduate in May 2014, study for the MCAT for 90 days and take it in August. If I decided to drop genetics and save that and another bio like zoology, still study for the MCAT all summer and take it in August/ apply to med school, and then take those last 2 classes in the following fall and graduate.

Would this be a more ideal plan? Or should I just try and gun it like the original plan. I think me actually typing this and reading it is giving me the answer on its own haha, but your inputs do help.

 

[sunflower18]

Yes, unfortunately it's required. If I crammed all of this as originally planned, I would graduate in May 2014, study for the MCAT for 90 days and take it in August. If I decided to drop genetics and save that and another bio like zoology, still study for the MCAT all summer and take it in August/ apply to med school, and then take those last 2 classes in the following fall and graduate.

Would this be a more ideal plan? Or should I just try and gun it like the original plan. I think me actually typing this and reading it is giving me the answer on its own haha, but your inputs do help.

Wait, I'm not quite following your timeline. When do you plan to apply? Are you thinking about taking the MCAT the August of your application year?

 

[Dirtyshadow]

Out of those 3 science classes, I got the best grade in physics. Don't try to sabotage OP; that's a difficult schedule and it's more important to do well in as many classes as possible rather than taking as many as possible.

You're out of your mind if you think it's more important to take a bunch of science classes and risk a perfect GPA than to do whatever needed to keep that perfect GPA.

Your point is what? What you scored in your classes have no relevance to this post. Sabotage the OP...really? Of course its a difficult schedule, he is having to cram in pretty much all of his pre-med courses in 1 year. I can relate to this as I was a psych major til year 3 and pretty much did the same. What do you think its going to be like next semester? I am assuming he would be taking Orgo 2 or Biochem along with some upper level bio or A&P courses and physics (if he hasn't already). It's not like its going to get easier later. He doesn't have time to lollygag around in an evolution course. Genetics is typically a pre-requisite to most relevant bio courses. I stand by my original stance. Take it now rather than later. In fact, unless he are conducting his own research in the lab, cut down the hours to a minimum. His classes and GPA are more important than a larger number of research hours.

 

[Dirtyshadow]

Yes, unfortunately it's required. If I crammed all of this as originally planned, I would graduate in May 2014, study for the MCAT for 90 days and take it in August. If I decided to drop genetics and save that and another bio like zoology, still study for the MCAT all summer and take it in August/ apply to med school, and then take those last 2 classes in the following fall and graduate.

Would this be a more ideal plan? Or should I just try and gun it like the original plan. I think me actually typing this and reading it is giving me the answer on its own haha, but your inputs do help.

This is a bad idea. If I am understanding this right, you want to take the MCAT in august of application season. The score will be sent out September. This means your AMCAS application wont be verified til probably October or later. This late application will hurt you more than a sub-par GPA.

Also, you are going to get engaged? I was married during this "cram year" of my life and it was very rough. I don't know if its a good idea to put such strain in a marriage so early.

The most comfortable and safe choice would be to stay in school longer. Maybe acquire the minor in BIO, spread out your classes, spend more time studying for the mcat while taking smaller course loads. You'll have a lot more time to do shadowing and other things that may help your application.

 

[Mehd School]

Don't drop it. If you can't manage a load like this, how do you expect to handle med school?

You're joking, right?

 

[Aerus]

Don't drop it. If you can't manage a load like this, how do you expect to handle med school?

I mean, you make a valid point, but the thing is, in med school, you just need to pass. 😎

 

[amad01]

I mean, you make a valid point, but the thing is, in med school, you just need to pass. 😎

Not to mention drop all them EC's

 

[BK2681]

For the past 3 semesters I have successfully made 3 consecutive 4.0's bring my cumulative gPa from a 3.18 to a 3.53 and my sGpa at 4.0 (I was a business management major for three years)

Because I am 22 now and wanting to graduate/take mcate/apply to med school within the next year and a half, it will require taking 45 hours of pure sciences in one year! On top of this I am also doing 15 hours a week of biomedical research as well as volunteering 3-6 hours a week. I'm wondering if this is overkill, or should I spread it out a little more.

This year specifically, I am taking:

Ochem1
Ochem1 Lab
Genetics
English 2 (Ive been putting it off, its not difficult but very time consuming)
Evolution and Ecology
TA for Intro to Bio.
Biochem Research

In order to make another 4.0 this semester, would it be wise to drop genetics since that and ochem alone will require a TON of time for an A?

There's a lot going on, including the fact that I plan on proposing to my longterm girlfriend this year, so just feeling a little lost at the moment with everything.

OP,

I am in the same situation as well. I'm taking Ochem 2 (Honors), Physics 2 (Life-Science Major Oriented), Genetics, O Chem Lab, Physics 2 lab, and Italian 3. Physics 2 (Life Science Major) is algebra based so it is substantially easier than Physics 2 (Engineering Major oriented) that is calculus based. I have heard that Ochem 2 is normally easier because one is already in the habit of learning/remembering mechanisms. However, it is Genetics that I am most worried about this semester because I haven't taken a biology course since Intro Bio freshmen year, though I'm currently planning on sticking it out with my current schedule. I've made a 4.0 2 consecutive semesters with a 3.93 (cGPA). I think with your past trend of 4.0's that you'll be fine.

 

[mcloaf]

I mean, you make a valid point, but the thing is, in med school, you just need to pass. 😎

Well, that depends on if you choose the right med school or not.

 

[Ashley1989]

I'm doing it right now along with another upper division 400 level bio class. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[mrhypothalamus]

You should definitely reconsider medical school if you cannot handle this work load.

 

[leonardoson]

Take all of them and show committee members that you can handle a hard workload.

 

[ak-aka-dak]

 

[trev5150]

Congratulations on your first post, @mrhypothalamus. This thread has been dead nearly four years. Please don't describe how you managed this miraculous feat of thread necromancy. @leonardoson good work jumping in on that.

The date is at the bottom of each post, folks.

 

[WedgeDawg]

please read the dates before you post