Prerequisites in the Summer?

[yes2es]

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I've searched the forums and I can't find an exact answer to this one. I've seen on here that people do not recommend taking prerequisites in the summer. Can someone please explain to me exactly why that is so? Thanks!

 

[randombetch]

They prefer that you take them with a full course load so that they can gauge how well you can handle a large workload. They also don't like seeing people from solid undergrads going to easier schools to take prereqs for higher grades.

 

[Abby_Normal]

I've searched the forums and I can't find an exact answer to this one. I've seen on here that people do not recommend taking prerequisites in the summer. Can someone please explain to me exactly why that is so? Thanks!

There are two main reasons I've heard against it. One is that summer courses can be quite unforgiving; because everything is so condensed, it can be hard to recover if you fall behind or get off on the wrong foot. The other is that you should have a good reason to do it, rather than just spreading out your course load. In other words, if you (for no clear reason) take a light spring semester, a summer course, then a light fall semester, it might make med schools question your ability to manage a heavy workload.

However, if you have a good reason (double major, scheduling conflict, etc), I do not believe taking summer courses would be a real problem. Because of my double major, I had to take some courses over the summer and I chose physics and then orgo. I these for the summer because basic science courses would transfer more easily than the courses I needed for my other major. None of my professors seemed to think it would be an issue, because I was obviously a full course load and my grades were good at my regular college.

 

[Handinhand]

I had to take OCHem II and Lab this past summer. I took O Chem in the spring though, and wanted to take II while stuff was still fresh. I got an A in lecture though, so I doubt it'll be held against me. Summer OChem is much worse than a regular semester, especially when you take lab along with it.

 

[Shinobiz11]

I was planning on doing this for physics (biochem degree needs higher level physics) but when I learned about a 2 month period of learning I reconsidered.

 

[dudechiefboss]

I took physics I and II this past summer (got A's) because I was taking the MCAT at the end of the summer. The courses are taught at a fast pace, but I always felt the exams during the summer sessions are easier than regular semester exams. As long as you are keeping busy (i.e volunteering/work/shadowing), I don't think it is a deal breaker for medical school.

 

[dudechiefboss]

Just curious, would you re-take a pre-req course during a full semester or during the summer?

IMO, summer. (1 month and you are done)

 

[oaklandguy]

Summer has it's pros and cons. The nice thing is you usually only take 1 course, maximum of two courses and you can really focus on them... it is accelerated but that helped me on my finals because I didn't have to think back to four months before hand come finals times. Teachers seemed more laid back in the summer too, and I just had an overall good experience taking summer science classes. Everyone is different though.

 

[dazedanconfused]

What if you take courses over the summer to get done faster? is that a legitimate reason that med schools would except? I was planning on using my summers in that manner, but if a lot of you all agree that apart from the work being harder that it would not be the best idea then I guess I will just use my summers for research and shadowing/volunteering

 

[MexicanDr]

Will be taking Chem II w/lab during the summer to be able and start Ochem in the fall.

 

[Stratego]

I took OChem I&II with lab over the summer (10 semester hours), did fine, and no one ever asked about it. I did not work. I did not have fun. Doing well required giving all my attention to the subject. It was worth it.

 

[bigbutrealdreams]

I took physics I and II this past summer (got A's) because I was taking the MCAT at the end of the summer. The courses are taught at a fast pace, but I always felt the exams during the summer sessions are easier than regular semester exams. As long as you are keeping busy (i.e volunteering/work/shadowing), I don't think it is a deal breaker for medical school.

If you are from NYC, could you tell where you took the courses?

 

[Toutie]

If you are from NYC, could you tell where you took the courses?

Do you realize you are not only replying to a post from more than 6 years ago...but you asking someone who hasn't posted on this site in over 6 years.

 

[bigbutrealdreams]

Do you realize you are not only replying to a post from more than 6 years ago...but you asking someone who hasn't posted on this site in over 6 years.

how do you see that?

 

[Toutie]

how do you see that?

The date of the post is at the bottom of the post...and if you click on the posters name it will tell you he last time he posted. When I saw how old the post was, I checked on the poster to see if maybe he was still an active poster on here.

Hopefully someone who is active on here will be able to answer your question for you.

 

[bigbutrealdreams]

The date of the post is at the bottom of the post...and if you click on the posters name it will tell you he last time he posted. When I saw how old the post was, I checked on the poster to see if maybe he was still an active poster on here.

Hopefully someone who is active on here will be able to answer your question for you.

thanks. i am new, sorry.

 

[md-2020]

FWIW I blatantly took my orgo at a directional state school rather than my regular UG and not a single interviewer has mentioned or asked about it.

I don't think they bother to care about this.

 

[Goro]

Au contraire! Despite my best efforts to argue that CC coursework can be as rigorous as any at a four year school, I still have to arm wrestle at Adcom meetings to salvage candidates who took CC coursework (most commonly to save money).

But the appearance of reality is often more important than reality itself, and if you go to a decent school, but all the pre-reqs are taken at CCs, it looks like you're trying to avoid the weeding courses, not save money.

In summer between my SO and JR years, I signed up for summer Physics 1A. After hearing about vectorial analysis for only two horus, I immediate went to the Registrar's office and bailed on the class!

Suggest NOT taking Orgo in the summer.

FWIW I blatantly took my orgo at a directional state school rather than my regular UG and not a single interviewer has mentioned or asked about it.

I don't think they bother to care about this.

 

[md-2020]

Au contraire! Despite my best efforts to argue that CC coursework can be as rigorous as any at a four year school, I still have to arm wrestle at Adcom meetings to salvage candidates who took CC coursework (most commonly to save money).

But the appearance of reality is often more important than reality itself, and if you go to a decent school, but all the pre-reqs are taken at CCs, it looks like you're trying to avoid the weeding courses, not save money.

In summer between my SO and JR years, I signed up for summer Physics 1A. After hearing about vectorial analysis for only two horus, I immediate went to the Registrar's office and bailed on the class!

Suggest NOT taking Orgo in the summer.

Maybe I should have been clearer. I know that CC coursework sometimes raises questions, but do adcoms really haggle over normal, 4-year summer courses? I'd imagine there's plenty of reasons why they might be necessary (graduation, money, location) while not being related to "taking the easy way out". No?

 

[Goro]

Ahhh...summer courses at a 4 year school? Never.

Maybe I should have been clearer. I know that CC coursework sometimes raises questions, but do adcoms really haggle over normal, 4-year summer courses? I'd imagine there's plenty of reasons why they might be necessary (graduation, money, location) while not being related to "taking the easy way out". No?