Summer Classes or Internship?

[CornellMan]

Just wanted your opinions. So I am a current freshman, and I haven't taken the required general chemistry courses yet. I was considering taking it over the summer, but I recently learned that I might get this internship at a research institution. I already checked, and it is logistically difficult (night impossible) to take the chemistry over the summer along with the internship. So if I take the internship, I'll need to take general chemistry as a sophomore and orgo as a junior. Does this put me behind the 8-ball in terms of my pre-medical career? Would it be more beneficial to simply stay at my university over the summer, take the Chem (along with another course), volunteer at a clinic, and possibly do research? Or would it be better to jump on the opportunity of this internship as a freshman and take the chemistry as a sophomore? Any suggestions as to what I should do? Thanks in advance for the advice.

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[Sophocles]

I don't think it would put you behind the curve, per se, but there are a myriad of variables to consider. I think it depends on when you want to apply and what you want to do. Gap years are becoming more and more common; if you do this and apply in your senior year then it would probably help your application if you take this internship-my opinion. I think it would be difficult to finish orgo your junior year, prepare for the MCAT, and apply that summer, but that's just me. People do it all the time; I think it would be rushing it.

Me personally, I think a gap year helps out a lot of applicants and can really boost your application. That's what I would suggest. Go to the internship, apply your senior year, and take a year off to do something cool-travel, TFA, etc.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I don't think it would put you behind the curve, per se, but there are a myriad of variables to consider. I think it depends on when you want to apply and what you want to do. Gap years are becoming more and more common; if you do this and apply in your senior year then it would probably help your application if you take this internship-my opinion. I think it would be difficult to finish orgo your junior year, prepare for the MCAT, and apply that summer, but that's just me. People do it all the time; I think it would be rushing it.

Me personally, I think a gap year helps out a lot of applicants and can really boost your application. That's what I would suggest. Go to the internship, apply your senior year, and take a year off to do something cool-travel, TFA, etc.

Do this. Chemistry or Physics is a bad idea over the summer. Its just too much with the labs. Its fairly easy to make a decent grade, but believe me that is ALL you will do over the summer.