Should I Take Physics Or Organic Chemistry My Sophmore Year????

[Miss155]

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Hi

Do you think it is better to take Physics or Organic Chemistry your sophmore year to better prepare you for the MCAT? Could you also list the pro and cons.

 

[HollyJ]

Um, you're really going to need both classes for the MCAT. Really.

I guess if you have to pick one, take physics, since there's been more physics than orgo on the MCAT lately, but I think that it's a pretty crazy idea to sit for the test before you have at least a year of bio, chem, physics, and orgo.

Sorry.

 

[mlw03]

i did both and managed ok, but if you don't wanna do that then i'd say take orgo now and physics junior. physics requires a lot of formulas that you'll have to memorize for the mcat and and i had to "re-learn" a lot of my physics. the downside of doing it that way is that you're "reviewing" material for the mcat that you may not have even covered yet in your physics lectures. perhaps consider doing:
fall sophomore year: orgo 1
spring sophomore year: orgo 2 and physics 1
fall junior year: physics 2

 

[Amy B]

I think most people take organic I and physics I in the fall and then Organic II and Physics II in the spring. Then they take the MCAT in April and/or August of that same year. I would guess the overwhelming majority of applicants follow this timeline.

Even though most people aren/t through with part 2 of those classes they still ususally have covered enough to take the MCAT.

 

[umass rower]

I agree, take both. It'll be a lot of hardcore science, but contrary to popular belief, intro physics is easy. But I would suggest that if you do take both, go a little bit light with other classes-- knock off some gen. eds or something so that you don't overload your head.

 

[Giving My .02]

I did both!

 

[UCLAstudent]

I did o-chem freshman/sophomore year, and I started physics sophomore year after I had finished o-chem. I am taking my final quarter of physics in the fall, so I'll have finished it before I start studying for the MCAT. I think that the order really doesn't matter, as long as you complete both before the MCAT.

 

[91Bravo]

I have to concur with my colleagues. There is no reason why you can't take both at the same time. In fact, I would also recommend taking physics and organic chem as close to the MCAT as possible so you will experience the least possible 'memory decay.' If that means waiting until your Junior year, that's fine. There's other courses you can take in the meantime. Try an upper level biology course or P-chem.

 

[Miss155]

Hi

So you think it is a real bad idea to take physics your sophmore year. I will be done with all my pre-med preq by 1st semester of my junior year, hopefully by God's grace. I want to take genetics, physiology, and biochemistry in my junior year.

 

[vixenell]

I'm a sophomore, and I'm taking orgo, phys, and genetics this year.. not just to knock out prereqs before upperlevel classes, but because i pretty much have to to fulfill my major requirements. I've talked to lots of people who have done the same thing, and as long as you actually spend time studying, you'll do fine. If you're accustomed to partying >3 nights a week, then I'd take them one at a time.

 

[Smitty75]

If you only want to take one sophomore year, take physics.

I took both physics and orgo junior year, and took the MCAT that april. I found that I had covered all of the organic that I needed for the MCAT, but not all of the physics. This may just have been my particular school, but I feel that the MCAT stresses the stuff you learn early in orgo (stereochem, E1, SN1, SN2, E2, etc...) but puts equall weight on all of gen physics. This is NOT to say there isn't other stuff from orgo. This is merely an observation of a trend.

 

[Dr. Xavier]

Take both w/ an easy non-sci class.

 

[Miss155]

Hi

I am done with Gen. Chem, but I didn't take Bio my freshman year. I am almost done with all my gen. ed at my school. This semester I want to take physics, bio, cal, and non-sci class. Is that feasible? So thats why I want to take organic with upper level biology classes my junior year. Do you need Gen. Chem for organic? Thanks.

 

[drkingdingaling]

You should take whatever your daddy tells ya
I dont know if your mama told you yet but Im your daddy
And damn it I say take orgo.

 

[logos]

I'm a sophomore, and I'm taking orgo, phys, and genetics this year.. not just to knock out prereqs before upperlevel classes, but because i pretty much have to to fulfill my major requirements. I've talked to lots of people who have done the same thing, and as long as you actually spend time studying, you'll do fine. If you're accustomed to partying >3 nights a week, then I'd take them one at a time.

Almost exactly the same as my schedule...orgo, phys, mol gen, and a micro class.....first quarter is gonna suck...but its all about keeping up the discipline and getting **** done so you can go out and have some fun...

 

[Dr. Xavier]

I would recommend taking g-chem before 0-chem.

 

[Miss155]

Hi

I know you need gen chem befor o-chem, I was just asking because there might be a year span between gen chem and o-chem. Thanks.

 

[Dr. Xavier]

Okay then, a year span isn't that bad. You just need to know some basic g-chem for o-chem.

 

[Miss155]

Hi

Thanks.

 

[Magickal_Raven]

Just out of curiosity...

Are those who say that took both and did well referring to physics with or without calc.? I've been told that any will do for the MCAT, yet I can't choose because in my university those who major in any of the natural sciences have to take physics with calc. I'm taking ORGO I now, but I'm insecure as to whether or not I should take physics I on the spring term (I'm a sophomore) because everyone here seems to fear this class.

RAVEN