pre-req schedule (good idea?)

[aspiringDR24]

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Below is the schedule im thinking about to finish up my pre-reqs over the next two years.

Fall 2012
Bio 1
Chem 1

Spring 2013
Bio 2
Chem 2

Fall 2013
Orgo 1
Physics 1
Anatomy 1

Spring 2014
Orgo 2
Physics 2
Anatomy 2

I will already have my LOR and shadowing/volunteer work done by Spring of 2014. I plan to take the MCAT shortly after classes in 2014, apply and hopefully matriculate in 2015. Do you think this is a good idea? Or should I try to get some courses out of the way over the summer to make studying for the MCAT easier during Spring of 2014?

 

[ShoTyme]

Below is the schedule im thinking about to finish up my pre-reqs over the next two years.

Fall 2012
Bio 1
Chem 1

Spring 2013
Bio 2
Chem 2

Fall 2013
Orgo 1
Physics 1
Anatomy 1

Spring 2014
Orgo 2
Physics 2
Anatomy 2

I will already have my LOR and shadowing/volunteer work done by Spring of 2014. I plan to take the MCAT shortly after classes in 2014, apply and hopefully matriculate in 2015. Do you think this is a good idea? Or should I try to get some courses out of the way over the summer to make studying for the MCAT easier during Spring of 2014?

If you are not working, you should definitely try to condense this schedule so you will have a light load in Spring 2014. IMO you will not be able to effectively study for the MCAT while taking those classes.

Fall 2012
Bio 1
Chem 1
Phys 1

Spring 2013
Bio 2
Chem 2
Phys 2

Summer 2013
Orgo 1
Orgo 2


Fall 2013
Anatomy 1
Neurobiology (this class was essential for my biological understanding) Obviously not required

Spring 2014
Anatomy 2

This is what I would probably do. Or even skip Anatomy entirely. I did. I haven't taken the MCAT yet though. That comes next week. If you are working as well, then obviously that changes things a little bit. I would have been better served having taken the MCAT earlier than I am now but I was not able to condense my schedule any more than I did.

Just make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to study for the MCAT. It's a full-time job if done correctly imo. Good luck.

 

[cabinbuilder]

If you are not working then I would put the all the fall classes together and all the spring classes together, forget the anatomy and nuero bio and be done in one year. I did it all in one year and worked full time.

Medical school is 30+ credits a semester you have to show you can take a full load and do well. 2 classes a semester isn't going to cut it.

 

[FCMike11]

If you are not working then I would put the all the fall classes together and all the spring classes together, forget the anatomy and nuero bio and be done in one year. I did it all in one year and worked full time.

Medical school is 30+ credits a semester you have to show you can take a full load and do well. 2 classes a semester isn't going to cut it.

Not to hijack but I have similiar question, my schedule is planned to be the same as his (except for 2013 summer semester hoping to take physics 1 & orgo 1).

RN will be working fulltime nights next semester taking chem 1, bio 1 and just an additional bachelors required course. Due to location and work reasons am taking inorganic chem and bio sequences at CC. An then just to remove doubt would take physics and orgo sequence and university (20 miles away). Would you guys suggest I insert physics for this upcoming semester at CC? Is the benefit of finishing earlier > proving myself with taking some of the sciences at a 4 year vs 2 year?

As well what about being the first I am taking these classes, would the 3 together while fulltime be too much?

 

[ShoTyme]

Would you guys suggest I insert physics for this upcoming semester at CC? Is the benefit of finishing earlier > proving myself with taking some of the sciences at a 4 year vs 2 year?

I'm not going to touch this one.

As well what about being the first I am taking these classes, would the 3 together while fulltime be too much?

Only you know what you can handle. You will get diverse opinions. It comes down to taking as much as you can while still getting straight A's. You decide.

 

[ShoTyme]

If you are not working then I would put the all the fall classes together and all the spring classes together, forget the anatomy and nuero bio and be done in one year. I did it all in one year and worked full time.

Medical school is 30+ credits a semester you have to show you can take a full load and do well. 2 classes a semester isn't going to cut it.

Very true. It can be done. The problem comes when trying to do the MCAT. If I hadn't taken Neuro, then I wouldn't have a clue as to what the hell was going on in the Bio section of the MCAT. Neuro at least gives me a fighting chance. It can certainly be done without it though. I just don't think I'm smart enough to have pulled it off.

 

[augeremt]

Try to switch out physiology for anatomy, if that's possible at your school. I was able to take it without needing anatomy as a prereq and it was incredibly helpful for the MCAT. I also found biochem helpful but that's not for everybody.

If your job allows, take summer classes (see ShoTyme's schedule suggestion). It eases up your load when you get closer to studying for the MCAT but it's also a full-time job. So that also depends on your real job situation.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Well, I have a personal hatred against neuro and I can't imagine ever taking it when I didn't have to. Biochem was the worst, hardest course at my medical school and it was the one class with the most students remediating. It's not on the MCAT but is important further along the journey.

I will add that when I did all the classes in one year, I was doing GPA repair so everything was review and I had already taken the MCAT prior to that time. A lot different if you have never taken the classes before.

 

[aspiringDR24]

Ya, I've never taken these courses before so it's important that I get a grasp for it and get all As because I need to raise my undergrad GPA and have a good upward trend. But, if I can do that then my sGPA will be great b/c it's a 4.0 right now from undergrad. (albeit with just two courses though)

 

[ShoTyme]

Ya, I've never taken these courses before so it's important that I get a grasp for it and get all As because I need to raise my undergrad GPA and have a good upward trend. But, if I can do that then my sGPA will be great b/c it's a 4.0 right now from undergrad. (albeit with just two courses though)

The last science course I had taken before a year and a half ago was before many premeds were even alive. So I too needed to make sure I had a solid foundation. Biochem I'm sure would help. I didn't recommend it because I haven't taken it. I'm sure it would be helpful for the MCAT though. I have found through my test prep that the level of biology knowledge tested far surpasses what was taught to me in General Biology 1 and 2. Whatever way you choose to go, I would definitely recommend at least one upper level bio class before taking the MCAT. And personally, I enjoyed neuro. Good luck!