Summer classes?

[med17g]

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How do medical schools view summer classes?

 

[Jennyfishy]

if you were to take an ochem class in the summer vs the school year and did the same in both scenarios, they would view it the same way. If they didn't, I doubt it'd be that significant of a difference

 

[muddyduck7]

A couple summer classes (even if they are away from your undergraduate institution) are fine. I could be wrong, but I think ADCOMs are not too fond of applicants taking a lot of prereqs over the summer (e.g. physics 1 and 2 as well as orgo 1 and 2 etc). If you take a bunch of summer classes at "less rigorous" institutions, it can look as though you are trying to avoid taking difficult classes (e.g. taking non calculus based physics when your college only offers calculus based physics). And to be perfectly honest, you will not get the same education out of summer classes. Again, a couple of prereqs are fine, but don't over do it. It can become pretty obvious when people cherry pick classes...

 

[A7X]

It's fine.

 

[AquiVoy13]

A couple summer classes (even if they are away from your undergraduate institution) are fine. I could be wrong, but I think ADCOMs are not too fond of applicants taking a lot of prereqs over the summer (e.g. physics 1 and 2 as well as orgo 1 and 2 etc). If you take a bunch of summer classes at "less rigorous" institutions, it can look as though you are trying to avoid taking difficult classes (e.g. taking non calculus based physics when your college only offers calculus based physics). And to be perfectly honest, you will not get the same education out of summer classes. Again, a couple of prereqs are fine, but don't over do it. It can become pretty obvious when people cherry pick classes...

I agree with this. It's fine to take a few summer classes, but it may not look great to consistently take summer classes. It may look like you're trying to avoid a regular course load during the academic year.

Some schools prefer you to take summer classes at your university, or at least another four university. I would try doing this. My friend was told this by a few adcoms during a medical school fair thing... but she was also told by a few ("less competitive") schools that it would be perfectly acceptable to take physics/ math at a community college. So it depends on the school, but to be safe, I would recommend taking it at your university (unless money is an issue, of course).

If you end up taking a few courses over the summer at your school or one of equal caliber and do well, I don't think med schools will view them any differently. Just make sure to also do other things besides class. Good luck.

 

[The Milkman]

I ended up taking orgo 1 one summer and physics 2 another summer, each along with another class that same summer. But I did just as well in them as I did their counterparts that I took in the school year. So based on what people are saying its not a big deal at all? They were at my university too.

 

[AquiVoy13]

I ended up taking orgo 1 one summer and physics 2 another summer, each along with another class that same summer. But I did just as well in them as I did their counterparts that I took in the school year. So based on what people are saying its not a big deal at all? They were at my university too.

You're fine, I really wouldn't worry about it.

 

[The Milkman]

You're fine, I really wouldn't worry about it.

Yeah, I never was worried at all until I saw this thread and it just had me wondering

 

[Plue00]

I'm taking orgo 1 + 2 and the labs this summer at another school.

I did really well in orgo 1 and my homeschool was much more expensive, I'd have to pay for housing and not to mention, a lot harder than the local school I'm taking it at. There are a bunch of other kids from my school and other top 25s taking orgo here because of the same reasons.

Better to get As in a prereq at an easier school than to get Cs at a hard school.

 

[bacctobacc]

Depends where you take it.

I am taking a year of chem (3 quarters/2 semesters) in 9 weeks right now and it's absolutely bananas. I am also taking it at a place known for their rigorous science classes.

If you're aiming on taking an intensive class like that at a well known institution, you better believe it will be treated with the same respect as a class during the year.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/students/gradstudy/health/guide/part1/questions