Pre-Reqs taking forever

[ElleInfinite]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I feel like it's taking forever to finish the pre-requirements because they too have pre-reqs to complete before you can take them. For example, you cannot take organic chemistry before general chemistry II. You can't take physics without Pre-calc & Trig classes. I'll finish with everything next year in December but feel like it could've been done quicker if there weren't so many obstacles to class scheduling 🙁 Anyone else feel this way?

 

[Zelda840]

Can you take algebra-based physics instead?

 

[ElleInfinite]

Can you take algebra-based physics instead?

Unfortunately that still requires Pre-calc and Trig :/

 

[Zelda840]

Really? Oh, that stinks. 🙁 At my school the only prereq is algebra.

 

[ElleInfinite]

lucky!! I'm going to try and see If I can talk to an adviser about bypassing the additional math classes then

 

[FutureDrB]

I feel like it's taking forever to finish the pre-requirements because they too have pre-reqs to complete before you can take them. For example, you cannot take organic chemistry before general chemistry II. You can't take physics without Pre-calc & Trig classes. I'll finish with everything next year in December but feel like it could've been done quicker if there weren't so many obstacles to class scheduling 🙁 Anyone else feel this way?

Depending on your location, you need to look around at other schools if that's an option. Luckily, where I am we have 4 universities and twice as many community colleges, all with different requirements as far as pre-reqs for pre-reqs.

This may sound cheesy, but I've attended 7 different colleges (currently taking classes at 3 different colleges), just to avoid the mess you stated. I looked for colleges that didn't make you take say Math before Physics, etc.

EDIT: I should add a disclaimer here that I am not suggesting you do this unless you have a firm grasp of the foundational material required for your pre-req classes.

 

[ElleInfinite]

Depending on your location, you need to look around at other schools if that's an option. Luckily, where I am we have 4 universities and twice as many community colleges, all with different requirements as far as pre-reqs for pre-reqs.

This may sound cheesy, but I've attended 7 different colleges (currently taking classes at 3 different colleges), just to avoid the mess you stated. I looked for colleges that didn't make you take say Math before Physics, etc.

EDIT: I should add a disclaimer here that I am not suggesting you do this unless you have a firm grasp of the foundational material required for your pre-req classes.

Thanks for sharing your strategy! I just submitted a transient student application to do physics at another school. Fingers crossed it gets approved! I'm glad to know others have attended different colleges in order to get the courses done efficiently. I'm currently taking Statistics online at another college and was able to bypass requirements with that choice but It didn't occur to me that a Physics course with lab might be offered online. I got lucky and found one with good recommendations on rate my professor.

P.S. I completely understand that you're not advocating that I take short cuts unless I'm prepared for the classes. I'm taking intro to chem now and feel like it was a great choice because it has built up my confidence for future chem courses.

 

[FutureDrB]

Thanks for sharing your strategy! I just submitted a transient student application to do physics at another school. Fingers crossed it gets approved! I'm glad to know others have attended different colleges in order to get the courses done efficiently. I'm currently taking Statistics online at another college and was able to bypass requirements with that choice but It didn't occur to me that a Physics course with lab might be offered online. I got lucky and found one with good recommendations on rate my professor.

P.S. I completely understand that you're not advocating that I take short cuts unless I'm prepared for the classes. I'm taking intro to chem now and feel like it was a great choice because it has built up my confidence for future chem courses.

Good deal.
Make sure the science classes you're taking online don't reference anywhere that they were online courses (ie. your transcript).
I've heard/read that pre-reqs that were online classes aren't accepted, especially labs. (I'm not sure if this is true or not, but it makes sense since most people would assume an online class/lab wouldn't provide you with the "hands-on" experience that an in-person class would.)
But, with that said, I took several that were all online. BIOL 1 & 2 as well as CHEM 1 & 2
I did however order copies of my transcripts to ensure they didn't say they were online classes.

 

[ElleInfinite]

Good deal.
Make sure the science classes you're taking online don't reference anywhere that they were online courses (ie. your transcript).
I've heard/read that pre-reqs that were online classes aren't accepted, especially labs. (I'm not sure if this is true or not, but it makes sense since most people would assume an online class/lab wouldn't provide you with the "hands-on" experience that an in-person class would.)
But, with that said, I took several that were all online. BIOL 1 & 2 as well as CHEM 1 & 2
I did however order copies of my transcripts to ensure they didn't say they were online classes.

Good looking out 🙂 I'll do the same just in case!

 

[hawkbit]

And if you can get in summer classes... that really cuts time down. Just finished Organic 1, will be done with Organic 2 in six weeks!

 

[Shjanzey]

Try having a full-time job mixed in. Took me 5 years to gather the pre-requisites by doing night classes. My sympathy meter didn't rise very much 😛

 

[cabinbuilder]

Try having a full-time job mixed in. Took me 5 years to gather the pre-requisites by doing night classes. My sympathy meter didn't rise very much 😛

Me too, worked 2 jobs. Took me 7 years to get my bachelors. Then 3 yr gap. then a post bacc year then 3 years applying before getting in.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I feel you OP, only it's taking me forever to finish grad school since I'm working and commuting to school. My choice to do grad school, but I planned on being done sooner.

Good advice to look at other schools and take classes accordingly. Definitely watch taking prereqs online, schools want to know you did those in person in most cases. I also second summer classes. They're often shorter and more intense, but I found I usually did better. I think my brain works better when I can study in sunshine rather than being cooped up in the dead of winter. Smaller class sizes and more interaction with instructors and TAs helps too.

 

[QofQuimica]

You are going to spend a minimum of seven years in medical training once you matriculate. If you are not a person who is able and willing to delay gratification for periods of time on the order of a decade, this may not be the best career choice for you. That being said, I'm guessing you're more just venting than anything, and if so, fair enough. My suggestion is that you focus on each step one at a time instead of looking at everything all at once where you can't help but feel overwhelmed by the length of the entire training path. As long as you're making progress forward (completing prereqs, doing well in classes, amassing good clinical experience, etc.), then you are advancing toward your dream, and you will eventually get there. Just keep plodding along, and don't psyche yourself out. This is a career pathway that favors the tortoises of the world, not the hares.

 

[ElleInfinite]

Try having a full-time job mixed in. Took me 5 years to gather the pre-requisites by doing night classes. My sympathy meter didn't rise very much 😛

I do have a full time job at a cancer hospital and go to night school as well. This summer has been the worst because I'm taking 8 classes (most of which are accelerated) in order to finish quicker. No sympathy required. Just venting because I'm tired.

 

[Shjanzey]

I do have a full time job at a cancer hospital and go to night school as well. This summer has been the worst because I'm taking 8 classes (most of which are accelerated) in order to finish quicker. No sympathy required. Just venting because I'm tired.

Somehow this doesn't sound right. Even with just a normal load you would have 12 - 15 hours. You are saying that you have at least 24 credit hours over summer? Or do you include a 1 hour lab as an extra class?

 

[ElleInfinite]

Somehow this doesn't sound right. Even with just a normal load you would have 12 - 15 hours. You are saying that you have at least 24 credit hours over summer? Or do you include a 1 hour lab as an extra class?

Yes I have 8 classes which total 22 credit hours this summer and no I am not counting lab as an extra class. I was able to stagger some from other colleges so that 3 just finished and I have 5 left. A lot of these are accelerated.

P.S. a couple of these classes are 2 credit hours. One of them is for my major because it was required and the other was an EMS class I wanted to do.

 

[Shjanzey]

How is it possible to do 22 hours of school with a full time job?

 

[ElleInfinite]

How is it possible to do 22 hours of school with a full time job?

Some are online or after work. It's hard but obviously possible because I'm doing it and I'm not special. I got VERY organized this semester and have multiple systems to keep track of deadlines. I also fully utilize weekends for catch up and don't sleep much. I'm not doing this again if I can help it because it's easy to feel burned out. Fall will be a more relaxed schedule.

 

[achieve1]

You are going to spend a minimum of seven years in medical training once you matriculate. If you are not a person who is able and willing to delay gratification for periods of time on the order of a decade, this may not be the best career choice for you. That being said, I'm guessing you're more just venting than anything, and if so, fair enough. My suggestion is that you focus on each step one at a time instead of looking at everything all at once where you can't help but feel overwhelmed by the length of the entire training path. As long as you're making progress forward (completing prereqs, doing well in classes, amassing good clinical experience, etc.), then you are advancing toward your dream, and you will eventually get there. Just keep plodding along, and don't psyche yourself out. This is a career pathway that favors the tortoises of the world, not the hares.

Good way to put it =)

I'm planning on starting pre-reqs this coming Fall, and hoping it does not go beyond 3 years (i'll be working full-time as well). I think the duration and timing of the whole process affects a lot of us non-trads more because we may have tons of other responsibilities outside of academics that we have to concern ourselves with constantly. Life can also put us in some unexpected circumstances causing us to make some difficult decisions regarding our future...

just gotta take it a day at a time.

 

[coogs08]

What 8 classes are you taking over the summer?? That sounds unbelievable.

 

[ElleInfinite]

Good way to put it =)

I'm planning on starting pre-reqs this coming Fall, and hoping it does not go beyond 3 years (i'll be working full-time as well). I think the duration and timing of the whole process affects a lot of us non-trads more because we may have tons of other responsibilities outside of academics that we have to concern ourselves with constantly. Life can also put us in some unexpected circumstances causing us to make some difficult decisions regarding our future...

just gotta take it a day at a time.

I agree. As a non-trad I feel like I want to make up for lost time and I'm also worrying about other responsibilities. Good luck this year!! You can do it. Just make sure you have supportive people around you.

 

[ElleInfinite]

What 8 classes are you taking over the summer?? That sounds unbelievable.

It's starting to sound like an inquisition in here. I think I've explained enough to shjanzey because it seems no answer I give will satisfy you or the other poster. Isn't this forum supposed to be supportive?

 

[QofQuimica]

It's starting to sound like an inquisition in here. I think I've explained enough to shjanzey because it seems no answer I give will satisfy you or the other poster. Isn't this forum supposed to be supportive?

I think it's more that some of your colleagues are amazed because it's such a heavy course load and they want to understand how you're doing it, not that they're intending to put you through an inquisition.

 

[coogs08]

It's starting to sound like an inquisition in here. I think I've explained enough to shjanzey because it seems no answer I give will satisfy you or the other poster. Isn't this forum supposed to be supportive?

Sorry, didn't mean to make it sound like an 'inquisition'...why so defensive? I just remember taking 6 courses over a full-16 week semester while not working and it was ridiculous...I can't imagine working full-time and taking even more courses in a condensed time period. But you're obviously a much better student than me to handle so much while working a full-time job.

If you are taking 8 classes at a time then your pre-reqs should be finished in less than a year which is nothing...it usually takes a few years for most of us non-trads. Best of luck to you.

 

[cloud86]

I'm sorry that you have to answer all of those questions ElleInfinite. I know the feeling of taking that much work load. I'm currently taking 9 classes and have a full time job as a developer. I'm trying to finish all of my prereqs this summer.

 

[threesparrows]

I'm sorry that you have to answer all of those questions ElleInfinite. I know the feeling of taking that much work load. I'm currently taking 9 classes and have a full time job as a developer. I'm trying to finish all of my prereqs this summer.

Are you guys making As in all 8 or 9 of your classes? It's very unusual to take such a heavy course load, especially if it's mostly science. But if you're having success, kudos to you!

 

[achieve1]

I'm sorry that you have to answer all of those questions ElleInfinite. I know the feeling of taking that much work load. I'm currently taking 9 classes and have a full time job as a developer. I'm trying to finish all of my prereqs this summer.

curious...how do you work full-time plus take 9 courses at once...?

 

[wholeheartedly]

Guys, it's really not all that impossible to do this IF your schools summer session is set up right. (Now that's not to say I recommend doing it at all. I had two science classes and the rest were higher level psych classes). I took 23 credits in the summer between my junior and senior year. It was a bit insane, but possible, not really enjoyable, except micro was fun.

It depends on how the courses were staggered. I don't remember exactly how it was set up but there was a two week long May session, and two six week summer sessions as standard options but also 12 week long online classes and some other random duration in person courses. So I did a mix of in person and online and had it staggered just right after careful review of syllabi and expected workload. I did manage As but it did suck. Full time work was possible. Pulling something like this off requires careful planning and really knowing yourself and your abilities/limitations.

I reiterate, though, I DO NOT recommend most people do this. I was doing two degrees and had a half tuition scholarship for exactly four years, so I wanted to graduate before the scholarship ended. Cramming those courses into one summer (plus classes every other summer) let me graduate on time. If not the suck during the summer, the biggest reason I advise against doing this is the burnout will really kick your rear during the next fall and spring. If you're also trying to apply to med school or study for the MCAT during the year following a summer like that, your brain will be pretty well toasted.

 

[chocposit]

I'm taking 2 prereq summer science classes with labs while working and volunteering and I. AM. DYING. Maybe I'm just dumb, but I am never doing this again. I know people who are taking twice my load and well.... let's just say I'll never be those kinds of people.

But hey, everyone is different. But that's what makes us fantastic, right? Right?

 

[Shjanzey]

I think it's more that some of your colleagues are amazed because it's such a heavy course load and they want to understand how you're doing it, not that they're intending to put you through an inquisition.

I find it almost impossible to believe, mainly because if you are working full time then that implies a traditional 9-5. So then how do you fit 9 classes in between that schedule? The best I could do was 1 early class, and one evening class. Then the other 7 are all online? Okay that is fine, but now that all your weekday evenings are already shot, you only have 2 days on the weekend to get the other 7 classes done. The math doesn't add up.

At the very least maybe some embellishment is occurring. Such as their job load isn't really full time, or maybe there are only 4 classes as opposed to 8. I don't know, but when the numbers are that inflated it is hard to swallow.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I find it almost impossible to believe, mainly because if you are working full time then that implies a traditional 9-5. So then how do you fit 9 classes in between that schedule? The best I could do was 1 early class, and one evening class. Then the other 7 are all online? Okay that is fine, but now that all your weekday evenings are already shot, you only have 2 days on the weekend to get the other 7 classes done. The math doesn't add up.

At the very least maybe some embellishment is occurring. Such as their job load isn't really full time, or maybe there are only 4 classes as opposed to 8. I don't know, but when the numbers are that inflated it is hard to swallow.

Mine wasn't embellished. It did suck however. It's possible if the classes are staggered. ie you don't have all the classes at once. It also depends on how much time you need for studying outside of class and the difficulty of the course.

Just to lay out how this is possible, this is my course list for the summer between my junior and senior year, I don't remember the staggering exactly but something like this. Psych courses were all reading and writing intensive. Comp was a joke. Micro was a challenge.

BIOL 4501 General Microbiol 4.00 (in person 6 weeks, June session, all morning, lecture and lab)
COMP 3150 Adv Writ:Science 3.00 (indep. study 12 weeks across summer starting in June)
PSY 3081 History, Systems 3.00 (June session, online)
PSY 3112 Psychology of Religion 3.00 (July, online)
PSY 3445 Transpersonal Psy 3.00 (July, online)
PSY 3611 Learning and Behavior 4.00 (July, in person?)
PSY 5098 Psy Trans and Spirit Journey 3.00 (in person all day 7 days, May session)
TERM GPA : 3.942 TERM TOTALS : 23.00

So roughly 10 credits at any given time. Plus a flexible job that's non 9-5 and yes it works.

 

[Shjanzey]

Mine wasn't embellished. It did suck however. It's possible if the classes are staggered. ie you don't have all the classes at once. It also depends on how much time you need for studying outside of class and the difficulty of the course.

Just to lay out how this is possible, this is my course list for the summer between my junior and senior year, I don't remember the staggering exactly but something like this. Psych courses were all reading and writing intensive. Comp was a joke. Micro was a challenge.

BIOL 4501 General Microbiol 4.00 (in person 6 weeks, June session, all morning, lecture and lab)
COMP 3150 Adv Writ:Science 3.00 (indep. study 12 weeks across summer starting in June)
PSY 3081 History, Systems 3.00 (June session, online)
PSY 3112 Psychology of Religion 3.00 (July, online)
PSY 3445 Transpersonal Psy 3.00 (July, online)
PSY 3611 Learning and Behavior 4.00 (July, in person?)
PSY 5098 Psy Trans and Spirit Journey 3.00 (in person all day 7 days, May session)
TERM GPA : 3.942 TERM TOTALS : 23.00

So roughly 10 credits at any given time. Plus a flexible job that's non 9-5 and yes it works.

This looks workable, especially if you have a flexible work schedule. I have to keep reminding myself that not everyone is coming at it from my approach. When I went back for pre-requisites, I already had my undergrad. The only classes I needed were hard sciences, usually with labs. I found that in most cases the local CC would only offer only one time slot for those classes that would fit my schedule. O-Chem was notorious for filling up quickly and only having 2 professors. I also never knew you could stagger over the summer.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Just to reiterate, I do not recommend doing what I did. I only did it to finish before my scholarship was up. I also had to get special authorization to do it. I also wasn't planning on applying to Med school so maintaining a high GPA wasn't critical when I did it.