Pre-req suggestions

[wildlifer]

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Hello all!

So... I have decided that I would like to apply during the next cycle in 2016 for C/O 2021. I need to take Physics I & II, Biochemistry, and Genetics, as well as retake Bio II.

I can start taking classes in January between a local state university and a community college. I plan on taking the Physics sequence and the Bio at the CC and the rest at the university. I will only be able to take two classes in January due to scheduling and work. ( I am paying out of pocket for these at the moment). The combo could be: Biochem and Physics I, Biochem and Bio II, or Physics I and Bio II.

Which combo should I go with? I know that as long as all pre reqs are finished by the end of the spring semester prior to matriculation it doesn't matter, but do you think one combo may give more weight than the other when it comes time for applications?

I am also wondering if I should take an additional upper level course, like immunology, pathophysiology, etc. I would be part of the low GPA club. 2.96 from my first bachelors, 3.72 from my second bachelors, so my cGPA between the two is around a 3.21 ish(?) and my science is around 2.88 ish (?). If my calculations are right and I get As in these 5 courses I could raise my science gpa to just at a 3.0.

Thoughts?

 

[Devastating]

I don't think the order you take them would matter as far as weight since they would all be included within your "last 45 hr" GPA (once they are completed anyway, I know some schools won't factor classes in progress at time of application/completed after that spring or summer into GPA calculations). So, I would go with whatever combos you'd feel more comfortable with in terms of the workload between the 2 classes/how difficult you find the subjects (e.g. in my case I would probably pair biochem with Bio II because biochem is challenging for me, and physics can have a high workload!)

Another upper level course would look good, if you know you can swing an acceptable grade and not hinder your science GPA (goes without saying).

 

[hazelmoo]

I would go with either physics 1 and Bio 2, OR biochem and Bio 2. I would not recommend taking physics and biochem at the same time. Biochem is tough! Another science class would look good!

 

[dabree55]

Do not take Physics I and Biochem at the same time unless you want to cry every night or unless you are really good at math and can do physics in your sleep. I am currently taking biochem and anatomy and it is taking up a huge amount of my time. Take biochemistry with Bio 2 for sure. Also I definitely recommend taking another science class. I took a parasitology over the summer online. It was very interesting and a quick 3 credit science class I could add to my resume.

 

[deleted676737]

Lol. I'm taking immunology (with lab), medicinal chem, biochem, genetics (with lab), and a sociology class all this one semester.

That being said, I could not imagine having both physics 1 and biochem at the same time. Unless those are literally the only two classes you're taking... and even then, if you have other commitments...

 

[Vdubs03]

I agree with what everyone else has said... I'm currently taking Physics 1 with lab, Biochem, A&P 1&2, and senior seminar. The A&Ps and seminar are going great, but the combo of biochem and physics is pure torture.

 

[Devastating]

Biochem and Physics are definitely my worst areas not counting math subjects 😛 I took those by themselves over last summer and fall (will probably take Phys 2 in the spring).

 

[Jess Monster]

Did you take any physics in the past (like in high school)? If so, you might not find Physics 1 to be so overwhelming. I could advocate that you start Physics immediately since it's a sequence course. I would also suggest you do your re-take immediately as well. So that's a vote for Physics 1 and Bio II.

As for upper level courses, try to take as many as you can. Immunology is a good one to take, though it can be challenging. Histology is a good course. Advanced physiology and anatomy courses are always useful. You can take other science courses too that aren't necessarily upper level - like an introductory entomology or ecology course.

 

[wildlifer]

Thank you all so much for responding! I really appreciate your input. I haven't taken a Physics course since senior year of HS...so like 11 years ago (ugh I feel old). I will probably adhere to your suggestions and not pair Physics and Biochem together!

 

[dabree55]

Thank you all so much for responding! I really appreciate your input. I haven't taken a Physics course since senior year of HS...so like 11 years ago (ugh I feel old). I will probably adhere to your suggestions and not pair Physics and Biochem together!

I had never taken a physics class in high school so college physics was my first physics experience ever and I got an A in physics I and II because I put in the time and effort to learn it. You can absolutely rock the class if you put your mind to it! And clearly you are a driven person if you are trying to be a vet : D Good luck!!!!

 

[WildZoo]

+1 to the immunology recommendation...it's just fascinating stuff 🙂 But I'm biased because the Immuno professor at my school was well-known for being one of the best professors in the Biology department

 

[deleted676737]

+1 to the immunology recommendation...it's just fascinating stuff 🙂 But I'm biased because the Immuno professor at my school was well-known for being one of the best professors in the Biology department

See, mine... isn't. 😳 I enjoy immunology as a subject, but I feel like the professor can really make or break it. The class I am in is fine now, but I remember at the beginning of the semester, my professor's extremely disorganized PowerPoints and poor wording on tests really didn't do much to help us out while we were already drowning in terminology soup.

Immunology is cool, but there's definitely a hump at the start of it because there's so much in the way of unfamiliar nomenclature, lots of different signaling pathways, and, at first, it feels very overwhelming. Granted, if you have a great professor, this may not be quite as a severe an issue for you. I still recommend the class for sure, but just keep that in mind. 🙂

 

[wildlifer]

I had never taken a physics class in high school so college physics was my first physics experience ever and I got an A in physics I and II because I put in the time and effort to learn it. You can absolutely rock the class if you put your mind to it! And clearly you are a driven person if you are trying to be a vet : D Good luck!!!!

Thank you for the kind words! I definitely plan on rocking all of the classes I need to take. May require me only to take 1-2 at a time in order to do that while still working full time, but hey if that is what gets me an acceptance, than that is all that matters!! 🙂

See, mine... isn't. 😳 I enjoy immunology as a subject, but I feel like the professor can really make or break it. The class I am in is fine now, but I remember at the beginning of the semester, my professor's extremely disorganized PowerPoints and poor wording on tests really didn't do much to help us out while we were already drowning in terminology soup.

Immunology is cool, but there's definitely a hump at the start of it because there's so much in the way of unfamiliar nomenclature, lots of different signaling pathways, and, at first, it feels very overwhelming. Granted, if you have a great professor, this may not be quite as a severe an issue for you. I still recommend the class for sure, but just keep that in mind. 🙂

I absolutely agree. Regardless of the class subject, a professor can really make it or break it for me. Example, for my wildlife bio degree, I had to take a Natural Resource Law class. The material is rather dry and not all that exciting. But the professor was just amazing, got to know you as a person (helps it was a small college), and just overall an enthusiastic professor. I got an A without even fretting much even though the material was not always the most intriguing. Another example, freshman year my Bio I & II sequence. I had two professors for those courses. One professor would teach half of the semester and then the remainder would be taught by the other professor. Both had different styles of teaching and grading, so it was just a horrible set up, and I struggled immensely, but yet I like biology type courses.

Anyway , sorry, that was a tangent. I will definitely keep your points in mind about immunology! 🙂

 

[VetMedVetMed]

Do not take Physics I and Biochem at the same time unless you want to cry every night or unless you are really good at math and can do physics in your sleep. I am currently taking biochem and anatomy and it is taking up a huge amount of my time. Take biochemistry with Bio 2 for sure. Also I definitely recommend taking another science class. I took a parasitology over the summer online. It was very interesting and a quick 3 credit science class I could add to my resume.

Can you tell me what school you took parasitology at and the course info? :/ sounds so cool! Even better that it would be online!

 

[Starry-chan]

Do not take Physics I and Biochem at the same time unless you want to cry every night or unless you are really good at math and can do physics in your sleep. I am currently taking biochem and anatomy and it is taking up a huge amount of my time. Take biochemistry with Bio 2 for sure. Also I definitely recommend taking another science class. I took a parasitology over the summer online. It was very interesting and a quick 3 credit science class I could add to my resume.

It seems everybody likes parasitology.

I want to know what I'm missing out on!!!

Tell Starry why it's cool 😀