Summer = Break?

[Undecided94]

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I am planning out my courses for a biology major. All of my summers are full including summer 2011. As a dual enrollment student, I never took a summer off and I was just wondering if that's normal.

At one point, the constant classes with no break drove me up the wall and I had to take a semester off from science classes. I don't want that to happen again but I want to finish my degree in a timely manner.

What do you guys think and what do you plan on doing?

 

[the duck]

I am planning out my courses for a biology major. All of my summers are full including summer 2011. As a dual enrollment student, I never took a summer off and I was just wondering if that's normal.

At one point, the constant classes with no break drove me up the wall and I had to take a semester off from science classes. I don't want that to happen again but I want to finish my degree in a timely manner.

What do you guys think and what do you plan on doing?

Before you plan out your entire college career, wait until you are actually in college. I'm sure you'll find, unless your triple majoring or something, that you won't need to fill up every summer with courses. Are you planning on taking the minimum number of units to be full time each semester, that could be messing up your calculation? You should be taking more than the minimum. Wait until you go to a counselor once you start college, you can plan your courses a lot better than

 

[Undecided94]

I'll definitely wait to see an counselor.

I finished my two years of general courses through dual enrollment and I figured that I should be more serious about my academic map. Even with taking summer classes, I'd finish in three years. I am taking the maximum amount of classes. I'm not sure why it's taking me so long (I started my math & English on college level).

Maybe I should stay in college for an extra fours years?

 

[Long Way to Go]

I'll definitely wait to see an counselor.

I finished my two years of general courses through dual enrollment and I figured that I should be more serious about my academic map. Even with taking summer classes, I'd finish in three years. I am taking the maximum amount of classes. I'm not sure why it's taking me so long (I started my math & English on college level).

Maybe I should stay in college for an extra fours years?

Could you possibly detail which classes you have taken (and their credit count) and what your projected schedule looks like?

 

[Undecided94]

This is what I completed in my two years of dual enrollment:

Sum:College algebra, Comp 1,
Fall: Biology 1, Gen Psych, American History 1, Comp 2
Spring: Microbiology, Anatomy & physiology 1, American History 2
Sum: Nutrition, developmental psych, anatomy & physiology 2, Humanities
Fall: Intro to chem, pre calc, economics, humanities
Spring (currently): Government, humanities, & Speech

This is what I have left to take for a biology degree (I realize my course load for the summer is just me asking for a mental breakdown so I will fix it):

Summer 2011
BSC2011 with lab 5
CHM1045 with lab 4
MAC1114 2

Fall 2011
CHM1046 4
MAC2311 4
MAP2480 1

Spring 2012
CHM2210 3
PHY2053C/2048C 3-5

Summer 2012
CHM2211 3-5
PHY2053C/2048C 3-5
STA2171 4

Fall 2012
PCB3063 3
Biology course with lab 3-5
BSC3938 1

Spring 2013
PHY2054C 4
BSC3402L 2
BSC3930 1

Summer 2013
BOT3015 2
Biology Area course 3–5
Biology Elective 3

Fall 2013
PCB4674 3
Biology course with lab 3–5
Biology Area course 3–5

 

[hmockingbird]

You have significantly under 12 credits/semester for each semester unless you have not counted other classes you want/need to take like core classes. The normal minimum full time course load at most schools is 12 credits, but I would say most people take around 15. Rearrange the classes to the appropriate credits/semester and you will find it will not take as long as you thought, unless you are only planning on enrolling part time.

 

[Undecided94]

Thank you for your help! I didn't even consider 12 credit hours per semester. I guess I can take some fluff classes. I'm not sure what my university offers so I'll look over that with a counselor at a later date. I rearranged my academic map but this time for a chemistry degree. It seems more reasonable:

Summer 2011
CHM1045 with lab 4
MAC1114 2

Fall 2011
CHM1046
MAC2311 4
BSC2011 with lab 5

Spring 2012
CHM2210 3
PHY 2048 3-5
Mac2312

Summer 2012
CHM2211 3-5
PHY2049 3-5


Fall 2012
CHM4410
MAC 2313
CHM 3120

Spring 2013
CHM 4411


Summer 2013
CHM 4610
4130

Fall 2013
CHM 4610
CHM 4130

 

[hmockingbird]

OK but I still don't think you understand what I was saying. In order to be considered a full-time student at most universities (affecting things like scholarships, room and board, etc.) you are REQUIRED to take at least 12 credits/semester. Unless you are planning on taking electives all of those semesters you still don't have enough credits. Electives are fine, and you could also consider another major or a minor since you've knocked out most of your core, but I just wanted to make sure you understood the full time student concept. Taking more credits/semester will also give you time in the summer to do things like research, jobs, ECs, travel, etc.

 

[Undecided94]

hmockingbird,

I see what you're saying. I plan on being full time so I will fill up my academic plan with electives and have each semester equal to 12.

I have always wanted to study abroad and I know how important research is so I will take your advice and take more academic courses during the fall/spring so I can have a summer off to do those things. The only problem with this idea is that most of the classes I have left are sequences (i.e. Chem 1 & 2) so I'm not sure if I can bunch them up so I can have free summers (This is where my adviser comes in).

I guess my schedule won't be overwhelming. Thanks again for your help.🙂

 

[the duck]

Im slightly confused, how old are you? I'm assuming since this is in H.sdn your in high school at the moment? In which case it would be normal for you to take 4 years to finish your Bachelors. Graduating in 3 years isn't a advantage really. Again, your schedule you have planned out only includes difficult science courses, you need to be taking more classes then that each semester.

 

[Undecided94]

the duck,

I'm 16. I started college at the age of 15. It's a program I found out about my sophomore year of HS. I will get my HS diploma & AA at the end of this semester. I only have difficult science classes in my academic map because I don't know what electives are offered at the college I am attending and I have completed the general classes most students would take. Why isn't it in my best interest to graduate in 3 yrs?

 

[MilkmanAl]

Why isn't it in my best interest to graduate in 3 yrs?

Normally, the answer is "because college is awesome, and you want to enjoy it to its fullest." However, I think that ship may have already sailed for you with the starting college at 15 thing and all. You might as well just keep hammering away and finish med school by 22 or whatever. College won't be terribly enjoyable when everyone else in your "grade" is 5 years older than you. I'd also wager that someone who starts college so young probably doesn't get the same satisfaction out of life in general that everyone else does, so by all means, go for pure academics.

 

[hmockingbird]

hmockingbird,

I see what you're saying. I plan on being full time so I will fill up my academic plan with electives and have each semester equal to 12.

I have always wanted to study abroad and I know how important research is so I will take your advice and take more academic courses during the fall/spring so I can have a summer off to do those things. The only problem with this idea is that most of the classes I have left are sequences (i.e. Chem 1 & 2) so I'm not sure if I can bunch them up so I can have free summers (This is where my adviser comes in).

I guess my schedule won't be overwhelming. Thanks again for your help.🙂

Ok, just wanted to make sure - yeah, plan with your advisor about sequences. There are some you can take at the same time, especially if they are different subjects depending on how much you want to load up. No summer = Bio and Chem intro first year, Orgo and Physics intro classes 2nd year. Also you should be able to study abroad during the regular school year if you wanted, considering how many classes you will have done already. Again that's something to talk to an advisor about because some programs work better with pre-med classes than others if you needed to take a sequenced class then (depends on where you want to go, what your school accepts, foreign language vs. English etc).

 

[Undecided94]

Normally, the answer is "because college is awesome, and you want to enjoy it to its fullest." However, I think that ship may have already sailed for you with the starting college at 15 thing and all. You might as well just keep hammering away and finish med school by 22 or whatever. College won't be terribly enjoyable when everyone else in your "grade" is 5 years older than you. I'd also wager that someone who starts college so young probably doesn't get the same satisfaction out of life in general that everyone else does, so by all means, go for pure academics.

You made some good points. I don't get to enjoy college like everyone does. When I go to parties with my friends, I have to ask my mom, my friends drive me & they watch me like a hawk if they see alcohol around. I'd rather just get school over with now.

I hope the desire to be a crazy college student doesn't come out while I'm in dental school 🙄 After all I'm still a normal human being. I've heard of dental schools not accepting applicants because they're young and need time to mature. I hope that's not the case for me.

 

[Undecided94]

Ok, just wanted to make sure - yeah, plan with your advisor about sequences. There are some you can take at the same time, especially if they are different subjects depending on how much you want to load up. No summer = Bio and Chem intro first year, Orgo and Physics intro classes 2nd year. Also you should be able to study abroad during the regular school year if you wanted, considering how many classes you will have done already. Again that's something to talk to an advisor about because some programs work better with pre-med classes than others if you needed to take a sequenced class then (depends on where you want to go, what your school accepts, foreign language vs. English etc).

haha I don't think any advisor would allow me to take those classes in the summer. I don't know what I was thinking. The chemistry major seems more appealing to me & I'll definitely find out if I can take some of those chm classes together. I know I can take a few science courses abroad so it would be great if I could do that during a fall or spring semester. I'm so excited about that.

 

[kcin]

"After all I'm still a normal human being. I've heard of dental schools not accepting applicants because they're young and need time to mature. I hope that's not the case for me."

I don't mean to be a jerk, but after reading your posts in this thread, you seem to fall into that category. You're scrambling around like a chipmunk on crack, trying to plan out your entire life when you're sixteen years old. You need some perspective and time to mature. Hopefully you'll get there by the time you finish college.

 

[Undecided94]

OK that hurt... I didn't really plan on just "rushing" through this. When I heard of the opportunity I just jumped on it because it sounded cool at the time. I still get to hangout with my HS friends, participate in HS activities, and I plan to study abroad.

Thanks for telling me the truth though. I can't get rid of what I've done. A lot of people tell me it's a mistake but I don't really have a lot of regret. I already get teased about how i'm "The smart one", nerd, superhuman, and I've already heard all that so this isn't what this thread is about.

I didn't want to go into college without a plan because i've learned from past experience. I had such a tough time one semester that I wanted to change my major & even quit school. I think it's best that I do this now & I hope I do mature & find my place while in college.

 

[the duck]

OK that hurt... I didn't really plan on just "rushing" through this. When I heard of the opportunity I just jumped on it because it sounded cool at the time. I still get to hangout with my HS friends, participate in HS activities, and I plan to study abroad.

Thanks for telling me the truth though. I can't get rid of what I've done. A lot of people tell me it's a mistake but I don't really have a lot of regret. I already get teased about how i'm "The smart one", nerd, superhuman, and I've already heard all that so this isn't what this thread is about.

I didn't want to go into college without a plan because i've learned from past experience. I had such a tough time one semester that I wanted to change my major & even quit school. I think it's best that I do this now & I hope I do mature & find my place while in college.

I I started younger too, I'll be transferring as a junior in college next year at 18, started taking a few classes at community college at 15. Have you maybe considered taking a year off now, their are lots of interesting constructive things you could do, and that might help show dental school adcoms that you have something more than school behind you? It would also let you catch up more socially with the people you will be around. I find the age thing really became a lot less noticeable once I hit 17 or so... Though the fact I'm tall also helped with that.

 

[Undecided94]

I'm surprised you did the same thing. Are you taking a year off? I'm pretty tall too so people never ask for my age or assume that I'm young.

I don't think it's a good idea for me to take a year off because I want to travel abroad & minor in a foreign language. That along with a biology major would probably result in me graduating with the class of 2015 anyways.

Good luck & no matter what people tell you, your academic accomplishments are amazing. How many people can tell you that they started college at the age of 15? We're handed the opportunity and the initial intent is not too rush through life. I did it because I wanted something more challenging and it seemed cool. Good luck with what you decide to do.

 

[the duck]

I'm surprised you did the same thing. Are you taking a year off? I'm pretty tall too so people never ask for my age or assume that I'm young.

I don't think it's a good idea for me to take a year off because I want to travel abroad & minor in a foreign language. That along with a biology major would probably result in me graduating with the class of 2015 anyways.

Good luck & no matter what people tell you, your academic accomplishments are amazing. How many people can tell you that they started college at the age of 15? We're handed the opportunity and the initial intent is not too rush through life. I did it because I wanted something more challenging and it seemed cool. Good luck with what you decide to do.

I decided not to take a year off, but I did my first 2 years worth of courses spread out over 3, so I'm going to be transferring at 18. I'm going to be going to school outside of the town I live in, so I'll be living in dorms, and more or less pretending I'm a freshman. Because I'm trying to squeeze all my pre-reqs in with my upper division courses (I'm a psych major) I'm guessing its gonna take me another 3 years to finish all my coursework anyway, and I'm kinda anxious to get out of the house. My advice would be to get a car, or some other mode of getting to parties w/o parents. Getting drunk is good

Best of luck on your journey, may I ask why your wanting to go to dental school over medical school?

 

[DrReo]

the duck,

I'm 16. I started college at the age of 15. It's a program I found out about my sophomore year of HS. I will get my HS diploma & AA at the end of this semester. I only have difficult science classes in my academic map because I don't know what electives are offered at the college I am attending and I have completed the general classes most students would take. Why isn't it in my best interest to graduate in 3 yrs?

I'd finish in 3 yrs. Faster the better. If you're not first, you're last 😉. Did a similar thing and have no regrets (neither does my student loan wallet!). Make sure you do research and have volunteering. Admission committees do not want to see someone who just sprinted a marathon without getting the other cushion. You need to show that you're mature and able to multitask, if you will.

 

[Undecided94]

the duck, I'm excited to move away too. I have been to a few college parties & decided that they're not for me. I will party but I won't stay up till the morning hours & I definitely won't drink. I'd advise you not to get too involved. After one party I was physically ill for a whole week.

My reason for choosing dentistry is rather cheesy. To make it short, I have always loved going to the dentist. I was fascinated with it as a child and still am. I shadowed a dentist & I loved it! I can't wait to be a dentist.

DrReo, It's great to hear that you finished early & you did fine. I do plan on finishing in three years & I will participate in other activities including studying abroad.

 

[the duck]

the duck, I'm excited to move away too. I have been to a few college parties & decided that they're not for me. I will party but I won't stay up till the morning hours & I definitely won't drink. I'd advise you not to get too involved. After one party I was physically ill for a whole week.

My reason for choosing dentistry is rather cheesy. To make it short, I have always loved going to the dentist. I was fascinated with it as a child and still am. I shadowed a dentist & I loved it! I can't wait to be a dentist.

DrReo, It's great to hear that you finished early & you did fine. I do plan on finishing in three years & I will participate in other activities including studying abroad.

Eh. I'm actually a rather big fan of alcohol, and other such substances. Anything in moderation, right?. But if you don't like that, each to his own, drinking to be cool is stupid, if you don't like it don't.

Also, I'm guessing you caught a cold or flu at said, party. Hangovers don't last a week!

 

[Undecided94]

Eh. I'm actually a rather big fan of alcohol, and other such substances. Anything in moderation, right?. But if you don't like that, each to his own, drinking to be cool is stupid, if you don't like it don't.

Also, I'm guessing you caught a cold or flu at said, party. Hangovers don't last a week!

hmm just don't get addicted to it lol. I guess anything in moderation is fine. I did catch something at the party because caught it later on. It scared me from going to parties as much but I think that will change. It was an out of town party so I slept on a bed with friends both nights & I know I won't be doing any of that in college so I should be fine.