Should I wait until I am a senior?

[Avhockey11]

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As of now I am sophomore that will be entering my second semester. My freshman year I attended cc and refrained from taking any med school required classes their. My worries are trying to complete all of my pre med classes before I take the MCAT. As of now I have only completed Inorg Chem 1 and Calculus 1. Should I try and cram the pre med classes all into three semesters worth of work? My only concern is that my gpa may not be as high as spreading the classes out. Summer classes aren't really an option because I don't have the funds. What should I do?

 

[Bluto385]

As of now I am sophomore that will be entering my second semester. My freshman year I attended cc and refrained from taking any med school required classes their. My worries are trying to complete all of my pre med classes before I take the MCAT. As of now I have only completed Inorg Chem 1 and Calculus 1. Should I try and cram the pre med classes all into three semesters worth of work? My only concern is that my gpa may not be as high as spreading the classes out. Summer classes aren't really an option because I don't have the funds. What should I do?

I would suggest treating this Spring semester as a test run. I wouldn't advise "cramming" pre-med courses to anyone, but with enough discipline and time management, I have seen people take unbelievable course loads and still excel. If you're not sure you can do this, try taking two sciences & a math + 2 others, or 3 sciences + 2 others (the others being general requirements for any undergrad). Use careful consideration with heavier sciences like Organic because these can be pretty time consuming and you don't want to overwhelm yourself. Consult with older students at your university to look over your schedule to see if its manageable; the difficulty of certain classes are unique to each school.

 

[Avhockey11]

Thanks, I am planning on taking Bio 1, Chem 2, and Physics 1 next semester w/ two humanities course. I believe I'll be able to do it, I am just really wanting a 4.0 this semester ( aren't we all).

 

[Jas1360]

Thanks, I am planning on taking Bio 1, Chem 2, and Physics 1 next semester w/ two humanities course. I believe I'll be able to do it, I am just really wanting a 4.0 this semester ( aren't we all).

If you are a math type person, that should be a good schedule. I always found physics and inorganic chem as easier classes because there was a lot of math and if there was any memorization required it didn't really feel like it.

 

[Bluto385]

Thanks, I am planning on taking Bio 1, Chem 2, and Physics 1 next semester w/ two humanities course. I believe I'll be able to do it, I am just really wanting a 4.0 this semester ( aren't we all).

That sounds manageable. Just stay on top of your workload and readings in a timely manner and you should be fine.

I have a site that might help you when the time comes. Covers every major topic in chemistry and physics on youtube, free of charge. Helped me out a lot, so maybe it will do the same for you.

http://www.freelance-teacher.com/videos.htm

 

[Avhockey11]

Another question I have is wether I should take algebra or calculus based physics? I know algebra based is all that is required, but I do find physics interesting and would like to take the calc based course. Is calc based that much harder than algebra? I received a B in Calc, but thats because I had a problems with things like optimization questions. I was really good at deriving and integrating equations. Is it much harder to get an A in calc physics in relation to algebra physics, especially with a loaded semester? Will I have to take Calc 2 if I want to take calc physics 2? (The calc physics 1 course is on mechanics, waves, and Thermodynamics, and the 2nd is on electricity, magnetism, and light.)

 

[Jas1360]

Another question I have is wether I should take algebra or calculus based physics? I know algebra based is all that is required, but I do find physics interesting and would like to take the calc based course. Is calc based that much harder than algebra? I received a B in Calc, but thats because I had a problems with things like optimization questions. I was really good at deriving and integrating equations. Is it much harder to get an A in calc physics in relation to algebra physics, especially with a loaded semester? Will I have to take Calc 2 if I want to take calc physics 2? (The calc physics 1 course is on mechanics, waves, and Thermodynamics, and the 2nd is on electricity, magnetism, and light.)

Sounds like you should take the calculus based physics. I regret taking the algebra based physics because I liked understanding where a few of the equations came from. There were a couple equations that are given in algebra based physics that could easily be derived and you will learn that in the calculus based version. Plus, there is always talk of requiring calculus based physics so it would be good to know you would never have to worry if that change ever took effect.

 

[Geebeejay]

Thanks, I am planning on taking Bio 1, Chem 2, and Physics 1 next semester w/ two humanities course. I believe I'll be able to do it, I am just really wanting a 4.0 this semester ( aren't we all).

The tough part of this schedule is the labs. It may not seem like a lot now, but 3 labs in a semester is a LOT and you're gonna be spending a lot of time in the labs and writing the papers. 3 labs I believe (i forget) was the most I ever did in a semester, and it sucked (I got through it, but it sucked trust me). Food for thought before you set this plan in motion.

edit: nevermind, the most labs I had in a semester was 2, which I did many times, but in one particular semester I had a few 1-credit mandatory courses, and one was similar to a lab. Still worth mentioning that 3 labs will probably be zero fun at all.

 

[Avhockey11]

The thing I am most worried about is getting an A. Is it that much harder to do in calc physics than algebra? Also, will I be able to apply what I learned in calc phys for the MCAT?

 

[ReptarBar]

^ yes, it is much harder. do NOT, i repeat do NOT, take calc-based physics if you do not have to.

it is designed for engineers and physics majors. calc-based physics is useless for the mcat while algebra-based is exactly what's on the mcat.

also, it will not enhance your application at all. adcoms are looking for something called "physics" and that's that.

i know it sounds more interesting, but you need to keep your gpa up.