Question regarding Summer Courses!!!!

Started by NeuroRed
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

NeuroRed

Full Member
2+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hey all --

For reference below, I just finished my 2nd year.

I decided to take Genetics and Psychology over quarantine this Summer to make room for upper division courses prior to MCAT / admissions, as well as to appear more productive since all of my planned activities have been canceled. I am currently doing very well in both courses, but I am worried about how this will be perceived in admissions since I've heard that there is a stigma against summer coursework.

While technically these 2 courses are not hard requirements for the majority of medical schools (I believe only a sparse few require Psychology) and I really only took them to polish up my MCAT skillset / fulfill prereqs, I know that they are highly important courses to take prior to admission. I am worried that I have screwed myself over by taking it over the summer and subjecting myself to the possibility that an AdCom will look down on this.

I will be expanding on my genetics work with a course in Molecular Biology next Fall, and I also plan to take a Medical Sociology course to compliment my Psych course before MCAT as well, so this isn't my only exposure to genetics-related / social science coursework. I was curious what your input is (will an AdCom interpret my summer courses as a negative feature of my transcript) as well as any possible solutions to remedy my situation. Thank you so much!
 
I honestly do not see a problem here at all. THey are not hard requirements, and you will further take more advanced courses anyway. I even took Organic chemistry I and II, and PHysics II in summer, and they didnt seem to care, because i had harder courses later. Dont worry about it. Just make sure you get good grades, and definitely do not do P/F on these, even if your school offers.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I would be careful about doing >2 prereqs over the summer as it is a condensed period of time and will be more difficult than if the courses were spread out over a semester. But do as you wish