physics and ochem together?

[sylus]

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I am currently a sophomore and was planning to take Physics in the spring but I am also currently at a community college and from what I have heard some med schools frown upon or even do not accept pre-reqs not taken at a 4 year institution. Would it be a better idea to wait and take both the Physics and O Chem sequences together next year? Will it be rough at all to be taking Physics and O Chem 2 while also studying for the MCAT, or might it actually help? 😕

 

[Auron]

I'm in a similar situation except I'm wondering if organic 2 and Anatomy w/lab is too much in one semester...

 

[premedmind]

If you end up transferring to a competitive 4 year, DO NOT take orgo and physics together...it's possible to pull it off but of course it all depends how difficult the courses are known to be at your school. At my school it just wasn't possible for me..

 

[eellen3]

I did it and I've always been bad at physics--I just had to work hard and made an A in both. In the end I was happy because it helped me for the MCAT.

 

[Livingapparatus]

if you have already taken the full gen chem sequence at community college you dont want to take organic at a community college only because adcoms will think you were evading the university. But i dont see why not take your first section of physics at the community.

Also check the med schools that you are applying to they will say on there site if they will take community college credit or not. From what ive found they want you to take most of your prereqs at a university.

 

[skyeblue0610]

I'm taking both this coming summer. Ochem at my home university and physics at a CC

 

[sully677]

I am taking

Ochem 2 with lab
Calc physics with lab
Calc 2
English
Religion

next semester. It is definitely possible.

 

[Drogba]

I am taking

Ochem 2 with lab
Calc physics with lab
Calc 2
English
Religion

next semester. It is definitely possible.

How can you say something is possible based on a prospective schedule? To the OP of course it will be rough, especially with MCAT prep on top of everything I'd imagine. You just gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[sully677]

Because I know several people who can do it.

Thanks Drogba for your useless input towards me.

 

[Drogba]

Because I know several people who can do it.

Thanks Drogba for your useless input towards me.

I just find a logical disconnect in offering a non-actualized experience as evidence of the possibility of something like you did. Plus, I find it strange when people look for excuses to show off their courseloads. Perhaps, if you were taking these classes now, posting your schedule would be relevant.

 

[almo88]

I'm taking:

Ochem II w/lab
Physics II w/lab
+ 8hrs of other crap

It's doable! No worries!

 

[osli]

Might as well take them both together. The combination is nothing like the pace of med school, so you need to (a) get used to it and/or (b) see if you come up short now rather than later.

 

[futuredrcrawfor]

I have Organic 2 and Physics 1 together now- not a big deal- but I find physics easy

Next semester- Histology, Ecology, Physics 2...I think that might be harder than this semester?

But seriously if you can't take 2 rigorous science classes together you need to stay clear of medical school.

 

[DoctaJay]

I am currently a sophomore and was planning to take Physics in the spring but I am also currently at a community college and from what I have heard some med schools frown upon or even do not accept pre-reqs not taken at a 4 year institution. Would it be a better idea to wait and take both the Physics and O Chem sequences together next year? Will it be rough at all to be taking Physics and O Chem 2 while also studying for the MCAT, or might it actually help? 😕

The MCAT is the great equalizer, and at that, the MCAT isn't even all of your application. The combination of a good MCAT, good grades (I went to a very very very small college in alabama), meaningful ECs, good LORs, etc. That's what it takes when you apply to medical school. Its always nicer to go to a 4 year college, but if finances don't allow then do what you can.

 

[MattEvers]

I've never understood why people ask questions like this.

No disrespect towards the OP, but what do you think med school will be like?

 

[Bacchus]

OP, it is plausible. I took Physics and orgo together and did well. I was not studying for the MCAT but I had an additional science course and math course both semesters that took up time as well. It will be more advantageous for you to take the courses before taking the MCAT (or most of the course if you're taking in April) than not taking them at all and teaching yourself. The classes are going to help you a great deal, especially for some of the more fuzzy concepts.

As a sidenote, does anyone know off the top of their head when the April registration starts?

 

[tmac11]

It is definitely possible. I just took Org 1 and Physics 1 this past quarter. However, as premedmind mentioned, I would check the difficulty of the courses at your prospective university. If you get a chance, talk to some of the students about the courses so you have a better idea of what it will be like. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Dayfed]

I'm taking Ochem 1 and Phys 1 Calc based right now. It's definitely doable. I'm in the B+/A- range for both, which I think is just fine, considering how difficult the classes are for people. I'm also taking 17 credits right now, so you gotta factor that in. I'd go for it, especially if you're like me and want to consentrate on your major your in later years.

 

[NoUse4aName1286]

I did it, did fine in both, and had only 300 and 400 level classes when taking ochem 2 and physics 2 (including cell bio).

 

[KeyzerSoze]

I've never understood why people ask questions like this.

No disrespect towards the OP, but what do you think med school will be like?

That seems to be a popular point of view on this thread (and others), but it ignores the fact that you can get through medical school as a C student, whereas in undergrad you need to get A's in most science classes in order to get into medical school.

 

[Rotinaj]

Why would med schools frown upon pre-reqs taken at a 2 year institution? Seems like financial discrimination to me. I don't have the money to waste paying 3 times the tuition for larger classes and professors that are less accessible. The classes are the same difficulty at both institutions, and your MCAT should show that you've mastered the material. I wouldn't want to go to a school that is that close-minded.

(Not bitching at the OP, just at the concept that med schools would be so bigoted)

 

[Bacchus]

State schools are cheap and 4 year.

 

[sylus]

I've never understood why people ask questions like this.

No disrespect towards the OP, but what do you think med school will be like?

You make a good point, I do know what it'll be like, I actually was moreso trying to ask if it would be better to have most of the pre-reqs done before you start studying for the MCAT or if you might benefit from taking the course while you're studying since the material will be fresh. If that makes sense... I'm not good with the clarity today, apparetly sickness and sleep deprivation don't go together. Who knew? 👍

 

[sylus]

Why would med schools frown upon pre-reqs taken at a 2 year institution? Seems like financial discrimination to me. I don't have the money to waste paying 3 times the tuition for larger classes and professors that are less accessible. The classes are the same difficulty at both institutions, and your MCAT should show that you've mastered the material. I wouldn't want to go to a school that is that close-minded.

(Not bitching at the OP, just at the concept that med schools would be so bigoted)

I have no idea, I didn't think it should matter much, but I was reading an admission website for somewhere (maybe Case Western?) and they specified 4 year institution so that's what got me concerned.

 

[Dendrite]

I am currently a sophomore and was planning to take Physics in the spring but I am also currently at a community college and from what I have heard some med schools frown upon or even do not accept pre-reqs not taken at a 4 year institution. Would it be a better idea to wait and take both the Physics and O Chem sequences together next year? Will it be rough at all to be taking Physics and O Chem 2 while also studying for the MCAT, or might it actually help? 😕

I took Phy I and II while taking Orgo I and II, respectively in my second year. It is definitely possible. I had a bit of a tough time because I had no prior exposure to Physics, but if you are savvy with math, you should not have a significant problem.

And with MCAT prep, all it takes is determination to review the material for around 4 hours a day - it is tough, but possible.

And I recommend taking the courses at a university, because med schools are not big fans of taking core pre-reqs at CC's.

 

[45408]

If you end up transferring to a competitive 4 year, DO NOT take orgo and physics together...it's possible to pull it off but of course it all depends how difficult the courses are known to be at your school. At my school it just wasn't possible for me..

I would imagine a pretty significant number of current med students had to take organic chem and physics concurrently, for at least a semester. I had organic 1 with physics 2, and it wasn't that bad. If you're planning on medical school, you'd better be able to handle a lot of material at once.

 

[45408]

That seems to be a popular point of view on this thread (and others), but it ignores the fact that you can get through medical school as a C student, whereas in undergrad you need to get A's in most science classes in order to get into medical school.

Give me a break. That's like saying that lots of the players in the NFL are second-string and third-string players, whereas in high-school, if you want to get into the NFL, you need to be a starter. A mid-range student in medical school is capable of clobbering at least 90% of the students in an undergrad physics class. The very principle of a Bell curve dictates that there will be low, medium, and high range students in any class, but you REALLY need to remember that EVERY student in med school was in the high range of their undergrad classes. I'll tell you right now that I've failed a med school exam in the past (I went on to give the final a beatdown), but I was in the top 5-10% of my gen chem, organic chem, and physics classes. The level of mastery isn't even comparable.

 

[dazlindz]

you could just take both and then drop one if it's too much to handle

i went for that kind of mentality my second year (i took physics, ochem, social sciences, chinese) and it worked out fine for me. well, ok, so i wasn't as social. but i got through with no problems. then again, this is a really individual thing that you'll have to work out for yourself.

 

[osli]

Give me a break. That's like saying that lots of the players in the NFL are second-string and third-string players, whereas in high-school, if you want to get into the NFL, you need to be a starter. A mid-range student in medical school is capable of clobbering at least 90% of the students in an undergrad physics class. The very principle of a Bell curve dictates that there will be low, medium, and high range students in any class, but you REALLY need to remember that EVERY student in med school was in the high range of their undergrad classes. I'll tell you right now that I've failed a med school exam in the past (I went on to give the final a beatdown), but I was in the top 5-10% of my gen chem, organic chem, and physics classes. The level of mastery isn't even comparable.

Are you sure your post was meant as a response to the one you quoted? I'm not following the point you are making, or at the very least I don't understand how it is different from the point of view you quoted. 😕

 

[beauregard]

I have them together. It's bad news. Very bad news.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Give me a break. That's like saying that lots of the players in the NFL are second-string and third-string players, whereas in high-school, if you want to get into the NFL, you need to be a starter. A mid-range student in medical school is capable of clobbering at least 90% of the students in an undergrad physics class. The very principle of a Bell curve dictates that there will be low, medium, and high range students in any class, but you REALLY need to remember that EVERY student in med school was in the high range of their undergrad classes. I'll tell you right now that I've failed a med school exam in the past (I went on to give the final a beatdown), but I was in the top 5-10% of my gen chem, organic chem, and physics classes. The level of mastery isn't even comparable.

On the other hand, any med student who has less than a 4.0 BCPM GPA (pretty much any med student, in other words) was not near the top of their class in at least some of the sciences courses they took.

 

[45408]

On the other hand, any med student who has less than a 4.0 BCPM GPA (pretty much any med student, in other words) was not near the top of their class in at least some of the sciences courses they took.

Sure, but they were probably near the top in a majority of their classes.

Are you sure your post was meant as a response to the one you quoted? I'm not following the point you are making, or at the very least I don't understand how it is different from the point of view you quoted. 😕

I took it to mean that one can get through med school with lower standards than is possible in undergrad (a C versus an A), but I stated that the appearance of the disparity is just an artifact of the selection process.

 

[da8s0859q]

it's possible to pull it off but of course it all depends how difficult the courses are known to be at your school. At my school it just wasn't possible for me..

Period, end of story.

I took physics 1+2 w/ labs over the summer, am taking ochem 2 + biochem 1 w/ labs right now, and took A&P 2 + ochem 1 w/ labs last semester.

I'm almost batting As all around for this term (also includes pathophysiology and another course), and I've got a 3.9 overall. I mention this only to point out that it's not solely because of the fact that, y'know, I'm a friggin' genius (cymbal crash here) or some garbage like that, nor is it only because the profs are easy; as usual, the truth is somewhere in between.

Had I not known what the professors/classes were like before registering to take those things concurrently, there's a good chance I would have done things differently. Similarly, I would not have done something like orgo 2 + biochem + pathophys + a&p + neurobio in the same semester because I value my sanity.

So basically, weigh your own ability to rock those two classes against the reputation they/their professors have at your school, and plan accordingly.

$.02.

 

[skyeblue0610]

I have them together. It's bad news. Very bad news.

Is the Physics calc based? That might be the problem.

I'll be taking Ochem I/Physics I and Ochem II/Physics II over the summer and studying for the MCAT and working but I can balance

 

[Twiigg]

Yeah... Next year I will be taking physics as well as Organic Chemistry. I just hope hard work will pay off as I have come to the realization I will not have much of a social life sophomore year. Plus, shadowing, E.C., and volunteer work... ARGH!

 

[hermit]

Why would med schools frown upon pre-reqs taken at a 2 year institution? Seems like financial discrimination to me. I don't have the money to waste paying 3 times the tuition for larger classes and professors that are less accessible. The classes are the same difficulty at both institutions, and your MCAT should show that you've mastered the material. I wouldn't want to go to a school that is that close-minded.

(Not bitching at the OP, just at the concept that med schools would be so bigoted)

Your experience is the exception to the rule. I've attended several different 4 years and 2 years. The CCs were a joke. Don't get me wrong, I've had easy 4 year instructors too, but the CCs were ridiculous. Although I am but one example, I am willing to bet that medical schools have learned through experience that CC courses simply do not equate to their university counterparts.

Look at it from the perspective of the medical school. If 5000 people apply for your 150 spots, you are afforded the luxury of being selective. Why even take a chance on a CC laden transcript when there are so many qualified university applicants?

 

[Enthalpy430]

I'm currently taking Organic I with lab and Physics II with lab. While I only have those 8 hours this semester, I also have a full-time job, and am a research assistant/grader for a lecture professor.

It's really not all that bad. The only problem I have is that Physics II isn't too terribly interesting to me. It's certainly doable.

 

[FutureSurg2019]

I just transfered to UCI from a CC, and have found that there isn't really a "big" change, in reference to course work difficulty. Physics is physics, and o chem is o chem, no matter where you take it, its the same material. The biggest change that you'll find is that you are no longer unique. You become a number at a university and the only way to stand out is to do extremely well in your classes. My advice would be to take as many courses at the CC as possible before transfering. It's cheaper, and you will probably feel more comfortable taking these courses at a school that you are familiar with and hopefully have built a routine there. There are plenty of courses that you will still need to take at the university level to show that you can hack it there (biochemistry, genetics, upper division major courses, etc).

Also, physics and o chem both require lots of time. If you are studious and can manage your time well, you should be fne taking them together. I'm currently taking Ochem 1 and physics 1 and have found that time managment is the hardest part to get down, especially when there are two midterms in the same week! Well, good luck and I hope you figure it out.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Ochem and Physics is totally possible but I'm wondering why you're worried about it...

Heck, I did it with biology and managed all A's (I'm not exactly Einstein).

What is the hardest semester you have had so far?

Your experience is the exception to the rule. I've attended several different 4 years and 2 years. The CCs were a joke. Don't get me wrong, I've had easy 4 year instructors too, but the CCs were ridiculous. Although I am but one example, I am willing to bet that medical schools have learned through experience that CC courses simply do not equate to their university counterparts.

Look at it from the perspective of the medical school. If 5000 people apply for your 150 spots, you are afforded the luxury of being selective. Why even take a chance on a CC laden transcript when there are so many qualified university applicants?

^ Agreed.

I was talking to a few kids who transfered here from the CC and they told me that the OChem in CC doesn't require you to memorize "stupid reactions/mechanisms or do any synthesis". The prof just gave out notes and for the test he practically made a copy of his notes with words missing that you had to plug in. 😱

We have the worst physics department here but it's still better than the CC where people easily ace the class and have no idea what is going on.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

I have phys II and organic I together right now and its very doable.

 

[osli]

Your experience is the exception to the rule. I've attended several different 4 years and 2 years. The CCs were a joke. Don't get me wrong, I've had easy 4 year instructors too, but the CCs were ridiculous. Although I am but one example, I am willing to bet that medical schools have learned through experience that CC courses simply do not equate to their university counterparts.

Well, I'll add my experience as another anecdotal exception to your "rule." Courses I took at a CC were probably some of the most difficult courses I've had, even ones that weren't "supposed" to be (general chem anyone?). Diff EQ at CC was an absolute killer. Linear algebra at university was an absolute joke. Quality of teachers at my CC seemed higher on average, or perhaps that was just the smaller class size and more intimate student contact.

 

[sylus]

What is the hardest semester you have had so far?

I guess the hardest was Gen Bio, Gen Chem, Calc 1 which wasn't that bad- I didn't do as well as I should have but that had more to do with my horrible study habits than it did my ability to handle it. I'm just worried because while I've developed much better study habits and work ethic and am pretty confident that I can handle it, I haven't yet put it to the test with science/math classes.