Question Regarding Summer classes - dropping med school guarantee

[Dreaming big]

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Hey,
So as some of you may know, I have a guaranteed seat at the Albany medical college through the Union Bs/MD program. After being here for 4 months tho, i dont think i can live in albany for another 7 years. Thus, I am dropping my acceptance.

Instead of this, I am going to be graduating in three years. I know that many people are against this, but I cannot afford the other was so this is the only way to go. As such, I am going against peoples opinions and taking the MCATs next JANUARY because I will be applying in June. My question for summer classes is this:


Option 1: Take 3 core classes over the summer, 9 credits which would take out 3 classes which I would take later on. Classes would be like philosophy, and some other classes.

Option 2: Take Orgo 1 & 2 in the summer. This way, I would have completed Orgo before I take the MCATs in January and would have more time to devote to orgo (because it is the only class I am taking at the time). I would probably do better in orgo this way too. So when I take the MCATs, the only pre-req I would be missing is 2nd semester physics.


In terms of cost, option 2 would cost a extra $1000 over option one, but thats ok. What would you guys do out of THOSE TWO CHOICES? I need advice of all you SDN'ers.

**I have made up my mind about graduating in three years and cannot take the MCATs at a different time so please do not comment about that**

 

[wanderer]

Out of the 2 option 2 is better. You'd be shooting yourself in both feet if you take the MCAT without completing orgo and physics, whereas you'd only be shooting yourself in one foot if you take it with only physics 2 remaining.

 

[loveoforganic]

Agree with the above, exact wording included.

 

[Ativanigans]

Out of the 2 option 2 is better. You'd be shooting yourself in both feet if you take the MCAT without completing orgo and physics, whereas you'd only be shooting yourself in one foot if you take it with only physics 2 remaining.

Probably wont matter since OP is already shooting him/herself in the face by graduating in 3 years.

 

[bamtuba]

Probably wont matter since OP is already shooting him/herself in the face by graduating in 3 years.

Holy crap.

I have never LOL'd like I just did after reading the progression that culminated in this post.



PS- OP, don't do it. But you told us not to tell you that, so nevermind.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Option 3: Take the MCAT in April with no pre-reqs left to take, aside from the last few weeks of Physics 2, which is not as heavily tested; once you have electromagnetism, you'll have 90ish% of what you need out of Physics 2 for the MCAT. While it's nice to get the MCAT out of the way in January so you can focus on your personal statement and stuff leading up to your application, it would be silly to take an exam for which you haven't learned all of the material. Just start on your personal statement and such over winter break and you'll be able to apply on June 1 no problem.

BTW, if "I can't afford a 4th year" is code for "I'm scared of accruing another year of debt," then you should be more scared of screwing up your GPA/MCAT and/or having to apply multiple times by cramming all your classes/ECs into a year less than everyone else. Debt is something we all deal with, and it would be far worse to try and bite off more than you can chew and wind up having to take a 4th or even 5th year anyways because your hurt your GPA/haven't gotten enough ECs. If it's code for "I want to get the heck out of Albany ASAP," then transfer. The number of students who truly can't afford a 4th year of college is very small. You will, of course, make your own decisions.

 

[Depakote]

Option 3: Take the MCAT in April with no pre-reqs left to take, aside from the last few weeks of Physics 2, which is not as heavily tested; once you have electromagnetism, you'll have 90ish% of what you need out of Physics 2 for the MCAT. While it's nice to get the MCAT out of the way in January so you can focus on your personal statement and stuff leading up to your application, it would be silly to take an exam for which you haven't learned all of the material. Just start on your personal statement and such over winter break and you'll be able to apply on June 1 no problem.

BTW, if "I can't afford a 4th year" is code for "I'm scared of accruing another year of debt," then you should be more scared of screwing up your GPA/MCAT and/or having to apply multiple times by cramming all your classes/ECs into a year less than everyone else. Debt is something we all deal with, and it would be far worse to try and bite off more than you can chew and wind up having to take a 4th or even 5th year because your hurt your GPA/haven't gotten enough ECs anyways. If it's code for "I want to get the heck out of Albany ASAP, then transfer. The number of students who truly can't afford a 4th year of college is very small. You will, of course, make your own decisions.

agreed.

rushing to apply is a great way to find yourself doing multiple application cycles. (I'm speaking through experience here)

 

[TexasPrincess]

Option 1.

I was lucky to take Orgo 1 and 2 with a great teacher. My experience with summer classes is that they really are accelerated. You want to learn the material well and get a great grade. If you can, take it over the year instead. I like the April MCAT suggestion. You can take the MCAT without the last part of orgo 2, as well. You can self study it.

It might be possible to transfer now to any school you want to. Other schools are cheaper and located in different locales.

Good luck!

 

[Dreaming big]

Option 3: Take the MCAT in April with no pre-reqs left to take, aside from the last few weeks of Physics 2, which is not as heavily tested; once you have electromagnetism, you'll have 90ish% of what you need out of Physics 2 for the MCAT.

I've taken AP physics E&M so I have somewhat of a background in physics already - would it be possible to self study that part?

BTW, if "I can't afford a 4th year" is code for "I'm scared of accruing another year of debt," then you should be more scared of screwing up your GPA/MCAT and/or having to apply multiple times by cramming all your classes/ECs into a year less than everyone else. Debt is something we all deal with, and it would be far worse to try and bite off more than you can chew and wind up having to take a 4th or even 5th year anyways because your hurt your GPA/haven't gotten enough ECs.

Well, for EC's

Pre-College (which doesnt matter) - 2 published papers, 600 hrs vol @ hospital, 100 Hours Shadowing

College (ATM)- A few clubs, working on a paper ATM, 100 vol hours @ diff hospital, and going to be volunteering at same pre-college hospital over summer, 15 hrs shadowing, big brother big sister.

So for the EC's, I have the main things to go for.

As for the GPA, I think that taking the orgo in the summer would help raise my GPA cause I could concentrate more on it.

And the Albany thing is 65K a year (Union College w/ room and board * 4 years). I am also not able to take any more loans out, so the last year would be cutting it close to me not having money to pay for it via loans.

Option 1.

I was lucky to take Orgo 1 and 2 with a great teacher. My experience with summer classes is that they really are accelerated. You want to learn the material well and get a great grade. If you can, take it over the year instead. I like the April MCAT suggestion. You can take the MCAT without the last part of orgo 2, as well. You can self study it.

It might be possible to transfer now to any school you want to. Other schools are cheaper and located in different locales.

Good luck!

The summer teacher here is considered a "better" teacher, so I don't think I would learn less from taking it in the summer.

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Another reason I want to take in january is so that I would have a month off before to study all out to prepare for the MCAT's. Is it offered in February?

 

[teddy bear doc]

It sounds like you already have your mind made up to take the mcat in January and organic in the summer. If that is the case, why are you asking what you should do? Just do what you have clearly already decided to do and best of luck to you.

 

[sgtbrushes]

BTW, if "I can't afford a 4th year" is code for "I'm scared of accruing another year of debt," then you should be more scared of screwing up your GPA/MCAT and/or having to apply multiple times by cramming all your classes/ECs into a year less than everyone else.

This. I really hope you thought for a good long time before dropping your BS/MD acceptance. Did you drop because you don't want to live in Albany for 7 years or because you didn't want two more semesters of undergraduate debt? Cause if you get accepted to med school, two more semesters of undergrad debt really isn't going to make you any poorer in the long run.

Take your time, get As and a high MCAT.

 

[Dreaming big]

This. I really hope you thought for a good long time before dropping your BS/MD acceptance. Did you drop because you don't want to live in Albany for 7 years or because you didn't want two more semesters of undergraduate debt? Cause if you get accepted to med school, two more semesters of undergrad debt really isn't going to make you any poorer in the long run.

Take your time, get As and a high MCAT.

I want to leave albany (Schenectady actually) because I don't like it; w/o the guarantee, I want to graduate in 3 years because I can't take out any more loans.

 

[MilkmanAl]

If that's the reason, why don't you consider transferring to a state school? Less pressure and less money sounds like a win/win situation, given the info you've provided.