I recently graduated high school and took Gen chem 1 and 2 my senior year. The teacher was not very good and the class was basically an easy A. I am scheduled to be taking O Chem this upcoming fall in my freshman year. I have been studying Gen Chem concepts over the summer to prepare myself. I am wondering if I am better off just retaking Gen Chem or going through with taking O Chem.
Should I retake Gen Chem 1 and 2
- Thread starter binky23
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
- Messages
- 14,146
- Reaction score
- 22,788
To clarify, you are saying you took dual-enrollment Gen Chem while in highschool? Like it was for college credits?
Yes, my apologies for not clarifying.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
- Messages
- 14,146
- Reaction score
- 22,788
I don't think you need to retake GenChem, but I also don't think you should dive straight into Ochem during freshman year, it's usually one of the most difficult premed "weed-out" classes. I'd maybe do Bio as a freshman and then Ochem as a sophomore.
I feel like having a gap year between the 2 courses would place me at a disadvantage, causing me to forget a good amount of material.
I agree. Take some introductory science courses, e.g. Biology, and establish good study habits. After you've developed that, go ahead and tackle OChem.
My main advice for the future would be to pace out your science courses, especially if you're not a science major, so that you maintain the highest GPA possible.
There is very little overlap between general chemistry and organic chemistry.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
- Messages
- 14,146
- Reaction score
- 22,788
It isn't very disadvantageous imo, what you cover in Organic does not draw very heavily from Gen Chem (e.g. arrow pushing vs molarity calculations)
What is disadvantageous is being brand new to college and immediately starting one of the most difficult prereqs
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
- Messages
- 14,146
- Reaction score
- 22,788
This, he said it better!
I have heard that physics was also a
fairly difficult course like O Chem.
Do you suggest I take another science like physics or take another elective.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
- Messages
- 14,146
- Reaction score
- 22,788
Bio on its own should be fine, you're already ahead of schedule!
Unfortunately I would need to replace O Chem with something due to me needing 15 credits per semester to keep my scholarships.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
- Messages
- 14,146
- Reaction score
- 22,788
Oh you def need to take a full course load, I just mean you don't need to be doubling up on prereqs. Something like Bio + Calc/Stats + gen eds like english and humanities is a good start
I would only have 12 credits if I did not replace o Chem. I already took English for dual in high school. My current scheldue is bio+religion+stats+o Chem
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
- Messages
- 14,146
- Reaction score
- 22,788
Don't you have a ton of gen eds required though? Like maybe not specific classes, but "15 credits in humanities" or something like that?
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2017
- Messages
- 618
- Reaction score
- 525
If it's Calc based then you can wait, algebra based are a lot easier. Also, physics 1 isn't that bad. Physics 2 might be. Do you have BC credit? Also, psych is a helpful course.
I already took psych and sociology in highschool for dual( I took a fair amount of dual lol). No, I only took calc AB
I'm not sure I'll get all that figured out, your input was much appreciated!
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2017
- Messages
- 618
- Reaction score
- 525
Then how does this sound: Calc2, stat, bio and religion?
Im planning on taking calculus for life sciences my 2nd semester. I'm a biomedical science major and this is the only calc class I need.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2016
- Messages
- 2,432
- Reaction score
- 3,045
I took AP Chem in 1998, then took Orgo in 2016. That's over 15 years later - no chemistry classes in between (and no gen chem). I got an A+ in both Orgo 1 & 2. One gap year won't kill you and will likely put you at an advantage. For comparison, I took Linear Algebra my freshman year (spring 2000) right after taking AP calc and Calc 3. I got a D. The class was just too advanced, I was enrolled in too many classes (20 hours) and I had not mastered how to study. If you really want to take a class similar to general chemistry, try analytical chem (if your school offers it). I've heard that is very similar to Gen Chem, but goes a little faster.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2016
- Messages
- 2,432
- Reaction score
- 3,045
Yes, could be. It depends on the school and how good you are with math and physics concepts. Do you plan to take calculus based or algebra based? I took calc based and it killed me, but algebra based physics is a little easier. Since you are not an engineering major, I don't believe you'll need calc-based for med school. If you need an additional class, can you fit an intensive writing English class in without overdoing your schedule? Most med schools require two and it might be nice to get at least one of those out of the way.
Why would you retake it if you got an A? I'm confused.
OP was concerned with not being properly prepared to tackle OChem since their previous GChem class was "easy".
I would take algebra based but the two teachers I can choose from are absolutely horrible according to many reviews. I don't believe I would need another writing course for med school, I thought 6 English credits were only needed
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2016
- Messages
- 2,432
- Reaction score
- 3,045
Six should be enough for med school - did you get those while in Dual Enrollment? I think those will suffice. If they're from AP credit, I recommend taking them again as many schools want them to be taken on a college campus (one school even requires two semesters of English and NO organic chemistry????). And, I won't lie, teachers can make a pretty big difference to the courses so I understand that decision. What is horrible about the teachers? Terrible teaching or terrible grading? I usually try to figure out what people don't like about them.
Whatever you do, absolutely go to office hours as often as possible, and especially any time you have any questions. That will help you develop a relationship with your professors (who will later be writing your letters of evaluation) and will help you keep up with your classes.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2017
- Messages
- 618
- Reaction score
- 525
I agree. You should find out if it's the grading or teaching. When you get to college, you'll realize a lot of your professors suck in different ways. If they're not good at teaching, it shouldn't be a problem (or at least it wasn't for me) because most people self-teach themselves the material anyways and just go to lecture to see what concepts the professor emphasizes for exam purposes. Those who aren't good at self-teaching end up struggling a lot and then go online and write terrible reviews.
Yes I received those English credits in dual enrollment. The reviews for the teachers are saying they are abysmal at teaching but grade with a great curve( top 30 percent in class get an A) and you can have a 3x5 card for each exam. I also forget to mention that I will be commuting to the university mon-fri, I will not be living on campus. However the lab for the physics course is very difficult and a tough grader
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2016
- Messages
- 2,432
- Reaction score
- 3,045
Dual enrollment should count - I'll update if I see any schools I'm applying to that will not accept it. Any other posters here have experience with it? I was exclusively AP, so I really only know the medical schools that accept or don't accept those credits.
Curves can be good or bad depending on the school. I went to a school that curved DOWN (not a great experience -especially when you have a solid A only to find out that it is now a B). Assuming this is a school with average students, it will likely work in your favor. It seems that you've already gotten a taste of what it is like to have a poor instructor, but the sad truth is that most professors, especially at large research-oriented state schools, are not necessarily great instructors and you will be spending a significant amount of time learning material on your own. As a non-engineering biomedical pre-med, your main goal should be to get great grades. While physics does play into the MCAT, you can easily reteach yourself what you need to know for that. It might not seem ideal at this point, but I would recommend taking the algebra-based physics class and teach yourself the material if you feel the professors are deficient. The goal is to get an A and learn enough material that you can get a good score on the MCAT - if these professors fill one of those requirements (easy graders), then you are better off taking it now. Also, there's always a chance that you sign up for a class thinking you'll have one professor only to have it changed at the last minute (happened to me on multiple occasions and it was never a good change).
Living off campus stinks - I'm doing that now with my post-bac and it's a completely different experience than what I had during my undergrad days. My recommendation is to try to get early classes. Then pack a lunch AND dinner (or know where to get food on campus) and stay on campus all day to get all of your work done. I have gotten a lot more work completed on campus than I do at home. Good luck!
so you would suggest that I do take the physics course my freshman year? All of your insight has been much appreciated
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2016
- Messages
- 2,432
- Reaction score
- 3,045
I would recommend moving forward and taking physics this year - assuming the professors are not ridiculously hard graders. Plan on using Khan Academy or other online lectures to help supplement the material. Once you have a full year of school under your belt, take Organic Chemistry and review some concepts from Gen Chem over the summer before. Good luck!
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2017
- Messages
- 792
- Reaction score
- 779
I agree with them if you got your A in gen chem no need to retake. Focus on bio classes your freshman year, you can even start to study O chem on the side while your taking your other classes. There are free o chem textbooks online and there will be a tutoring center. Your whole reason for taking those g chems in highschool was totally get ahead. Purchase some O chem MCAT books and get an early start on it. Like they said before, there is really very little overlapping with gen chem and o chem.
Sent from my MHA-L29 using SDN mobile
I am going to be focusing on bio and physics(I believe algebra based) my freshman year. I was gonna have to take this physics course my junior year anyways so im thinking it would be more advantageous just to take it now when my schedule is relatively easy.
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2017
- Messages
- 792
- Reaction score
- 779
Good idea. If your a non engineering major it will be trigonometry based.
Sent from my MHA-L29 using SDN mobile
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2017
- Messages
- 1,715
- Reaction score
- 1,830
No, that would be too much of a risk. What if you don't get A's in the retakes? Yes, I've seen that happen. The college profs might be a jerk, you might not survive the curve, who knows. Don't retake. Self study later. Get a used gen chem book and self study later.
Fall freshman year is full of adjustments, particularly if this will be the first time living away from home. If you can't figure out a General Ed course to take, then just take any EASY class for interest.
Look at it this way....you need 15 credits for your scholarship. What if you find Bio or Physics very difficult because taking both at the same time means not having enough time to devote to the difficult class. You can't drop one because of your scholarship. You don't need to take both now, so don't put yourself into a bad situation from the beginning!
So many freshmen who only got A's in high school suddenly find that they're getting their first B's and C's. That can really hurt the premed path.
You have a HUGE advantage with all of your DE credits. Don't' trip yourself up by loading too much per semester. Take it easy, get your A's and your GPA will be set.
Take a philosophy class, like deductive logic. That's good for any career path.
Fall freshman year is full of adjustments, particularly if this will be the first time living away from home. If you can't figure out a General Ed course to take, then just take any EASY class for interest.
Look at it this way....you need 15 credits for your scholarship. What if you find Bio or Physics very difficult because taking both at the same time means not having enough time to devote to the difficult class. You can't drop one because of your scholarship. You don't need to take both now, so don't put yourself into a bad situation from the beginning!
So many freshmen who only got A's in high school suddenly find that they're getting their first B's and C's. That can really hurt the premed path.
You have a HUGE advantage with all of your DE credits. Don't' trip yourself up by loading too much per semester. Take it easy, get your A's and your GPA will be set.
Take a philosophy class, like deductive logic. That's good for any career path.
Last edited:
My options are either to take physics or take sports and culture and like dodgeball. I would prefer to get physics out of the way instead of taking it my junior year because my junior year seems very hectic. I would have cell biology, animal physiology, biochem, and physics my junior year.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2017
- Messages
- 1,715
- Reaction score
- 1,830
What are the prereqs for animal physiology? And is that req'd for your major?
The prereq is bio which I'm taking this year and yes I am required to take this course for my biomedical science degree
I don't really feel like I am overdoing it. I feel like my classes are not that bad at all except for physics(which I will be preparing for in the next couple weeks before school starts). Bio, stats, and religion I presume will not be that difficult.
Uhh not if you want to master ochem. Gen chem concepts sprinkled throughout all of ochem.
That is good advice for the memorize it crowd.
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 1,819
- Reaction score
- 2,153
A social psych class would be helpful, as would an ethics class along the way.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2017
- Messages
- 1,715
- Reaction score
- 1,830
Right.
@binky23 If you've been reading this forum awhile, then you likely have seen many troubled GPAs, and a common theme is, "but I have an upward trend." Sure, they might, but their modest overall GPAs are still an issue for many med schools.
Do you know why many had troubled GPAs their first year? Because they often grossly underestimated the transition between high school and college.
Why can't you take physics sophomore year? That's the old traditional premed schedule (bio, chem freshman year, orgo, physics sophomore year).
I believe they are saying
i would prefer to take it my freshman year so I would take genetics and o Chem my sophomore year and cell biology, animal physiology, and biochem my junior year.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2016
- Messages
- 2,432
- Reaction score
- 3,045
It seems that everyone has different ideas on the difficulty of physics. How do you feel about math and how far have you gotten? How do you feel about geometry? That will be a substantial part of your first semester of physics. The second semester is a bit more abstract.
It's hard for me to gauge how difficult the transition will be for you with those classes. Were your dual enrollment classes at high school or were they at a community college? Getting used to having class only two or three times a week and teaching yourself the material will be an adjustment. My freshman year first semester included physics with calculus, Calc 3, a sophomore level intro to chemical engineering class and my writing requirement. And it KILLED Me. But - your success will depend on your previous experience, the difficulty levels of the classes at your university, and your ability to transition. None of us will adequately be able to predict how you'll do or tell you what to do.
Good luck!
It's hard for me to gauge how difficult the transition will be for you with those classes. Were your dual enrollment classes at high school or were they at a community college? Getting used to having class only two or three times a week and teaching yourself the material will be an adjustment. My freshman year first semester included physics with calculus, Calc 3, a sophomore level intro to chemical engineering class and my writing requirement. And it KILLED Me. But - your success will depend on your previous experience, the difficulty levels of the classes at your university, and your ability to transition. None of us will adequately be able to predict how you'll do or tell you what to do.
Good luck!
I am not the best at math. I took calc 1 in high school and got B's and yes the dual enrollment classes I took were in higshchool. However for about a month in higshchool we went on this schedule where we had 3 of our classes one day and the other 3 the next and I enjoyed this style a lot more than going to the same classes everyday.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2017
- Messages
- 1,715
- Reaction score
- 1,830
Why, during your soph year, will you have a semester with only one science, yet during freshman year, you want to take two sciences each semester?
The 1st semester of my sophomore year I will be taking genetics and O Chem and the 2nd semester is Evolution and O Chem. I am taking 2 sciences both semesters
