Taking a pre-req in a compressed schedule (i.e. in the summer)

[Smiler]

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Hey all, I was hoping to get your opinions regarding taking pre-requisites (such as chem and physics) in a compressed schedule, i.e. during 4 week intersession or summer course. Also, is it a good idea to start my post-bacc schedule off with a compressed class? Some say no, but others say yes b/c it fully immerses you in the subject matter.

I want to consider taking 2 pre-reqs in compressed schedule b/c it will let me finish post back in under 2 years while only requiring me to take 2 science courses in Spring I, Fall I, and Fall II. Below is the schedule I am considering. I had to change it around since last time I posted b/c I am not crazy about taking 3 science courses in 1 semester. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

Intersession: Chem I (4 week course)
Spring I: Chem II & Physics II (physics I is not pre-req)
Summer: Physics I (4 week course)
Fall I: Bio I & Orgo I
Spring II: Bio II, Orgo II, study for MCAT
Take MCAT in May or June

 

[LaughingGas]

Hey all, I was hoping to get your opinions regarding taking pre-requisites (such as chem and physics) in a compressed schedule, i.e. during 4 week intersession or summer course. Also, is it a good idea to start my post-bacc schedule off with a compressed class? Some say no, but others say yes b/c it fully immerses you in the subject matter.

I want to consider taking 2 pre-reqs in compressed schedule b/c it will let me finish post back in under 2 years while only requiring me to take 2 science courses in Spring I, Fall I, and Fall II. Below is the schedule I am considering. I had to change it around since last time I posted b/c I am not crazy about taking 3 science courses in 1 semester. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

Intersession: Chem I (4 week course)
Spring I: Chem II & Physics II (physics I is not pre-req)
Summer: Physics I (4 week course)
Fall I: Bio I & Orgo I
Spring II: Bio II, Orgo II, study for MCAT
Take MCAT in May or June

It all becomes your ability to how well you adapt to school doing science courses, but 4 week for even basic chem would be very intense if you have 0 idea how to study for science. Also how much material you can retain in rushing whole semester material in 4 weeks.
Unless you are working, 2 science class per semester looks pretty bad.

 

[deleted248403]

Unless you are working, 2 science class per semester looks pretty bad.

Not really.

As long as you are doing something productive, other classes, volunteering, reserch or as you mentioned working - its not bad.

 

[Smiler]

Thanks. But I'm more interested in hearing your thoughts about taking pre-reqs in a compressed schedule.

 

[nycsoul87]

Thanks. But I'm more interested in hearing your thoughts about taking pre-reqs in a compressed schedule.

I think Gen Chem is simple enough that I think it's definitely doable in the summer. However, you need to stay on top of everything- this means making sure to complete all assignments ahead of time, reading ahead,etc. You really need to be a "active learner" in order to make it work. (Coming from a guy who is about to take Orgo 1 and 2 + lab in the summer...)

 

[KickStart]

Physics in four weeks, good luck with that! I had a terrible time in eight but I was also taking other classes, so....

 

[Jlaw]

I took Orgo 1 and 2 over the summer and actually really enjoyed it. Its intense but you learn alot in a short period of time and honestly you take the midterm and final so soon after covering the material that things are still very fresh. I also liked the smaller class sizes which allowed for much more interaction with the professor and an overall laid back atmosphere.

Just remember, whatever you do, don't fall behind. Keep on top of the reading, homework, and other assignments because you will be covering basically a chapter a day and work will pile up very quickly. If you have to cut back on work, volunteering, etc to make time then do it.

I also don't agree with laughing gas as far as 2 sciences per semester looking bad. Adcoms know that most post baccs are older and have other things going on in there lives other than school...be it work, family, volunteering, etc.

 

[lizzo76]

Why does being what amounts to a half-time student look bad unless you're working? Totally disagree. Adults have other things going on, not all of which makes it into an application, but adcoms still realize this. Many, and perhaps most people, even those who are not working, cannot devote a couple years (beyond college, and in advance of the full-time years in med school) to being a full-time student. I don't think anyone expects them to do that while picking up prereqs. Something like, "I'm renovating my house" is not going to make it into an application, but it's a valid reason why being a full-time student is somewhat out of the question, as are financial considerations... some people do not want to take out loans for the post-bacc time but cannot afford to pay for 3 or 4 classes each semester, and need draw it out. And, even pre-med students who are still in college don't usually take physics, chem, and bio altogether in one semester.

 

[deleted248403]

Thanks. But I'm more interested in hearing your thoughts about taking pre-reqs in a compressed schedule.

Physics II before Physics I is foolish - even if its not a prereq

Physics I teaches a lot of basic concepts about how to approach physics problems, and without that - you'll struggle in Physics II in my opinion.

My Physics II tests/hw/problem sets frequently required me to use some minor things learnt in Physics I (kinematics for example)

 

[Jlaw]

Yeah like Rob said, don't take Physics 2 before physics 1. Most colleges require physics 1 as a pre req anyway. Even if they don't you are going to find that you are at a disadvantage without some of the physics 1 concepts and formulas.

Most schools have 2 summer sessions and offer the full year course over two months. Why not just take Physics 1 in summer 1 and Physics 2 in summer 2?

 

[Smiler]

Jlaw, that is why I originally started this thread. I am unsure about whether it is wise to take courses such as physics and chem in the summer. I have been told that it is very risky to do b/c there is just so much info covered at such as fast pace. But at the same time, I have read that courses offered in the summer tend to be easy. I want to get through my postbac as fast as possible, but I also want to do very well.

 

[Jlaw]

Physics 1 and 2 or Chem 1 and 2 over the summer aren't especially diffciult, just accept the fact that whatever classes you take over the summer will take over you life, you're going to have to work hard for two months and put most other things to the side. At my school summer classes met 3 days a week and we covered approximately 1 chapter per class, the midterm was after two weeks and the final after 4. Labs met twice a week usually. During the week I used my outside of class time to read the chapters for the next day and do any assignments that were due. On the weekend I reviewed what had been covered that week, worked on homework and practice problems, and prepared for the next week. It sucked but 8 weeks later Orgo 1 and 2 were both over and I had A's in both.

My opinion is that most teachers are a bit more lenient during the summer. Curves tender to be larger, tests are more straightforward, and some assignments tend to be skipped to save time.

Now, as for your schedule, I don't think you can start classes now, complete all your pre reqs and take the MCAT this time next year unless you are willing to double up summer courses or triple up regular semester courses. This is going to be difficult to do even before factoring in MCAT prep...you would need to be a very strong student. I wouldn't recommend it for most because as a post bacc you need to get A's and there is little room for error.

When do you plan on starting classes? When do you want to take the MCAT? When do you need to apply by?

 

[Smiler]

Jlaw,
I am not thinking about starting postbac this summer. In fact, I am currently in my second year of law school but plan on going to med school after I graduate (and work for a year or 2 so I don't come off as a degree collector). I am asking about postbac because I am trying to develop a post-law school plan that gets me into med school as quickly as possible without sacrificing my grades. Speaking of which, you mention that as a postbac I need all A's. Do adcoms hold postbacs to a higher standard when it comes to gpa's? Does this apply equally to both MD and DO schools? Lastly, you say it is hard to get all my pre-reqs done in a year and study for mcat. What type of schedule do you recommend? As I said, I would like to create a schedule that gets me through my postbacs as quickly as possible without sacrificing grades. As a side note, my undergraduate gpa is a 3.86, in case that helps you at all better evaluate my situation. Thanks.

 

[smiley27]

Maybe you should come back when the time is a little more appropriate, in 3 years.

I think this the second thread you started in the last week of similar topics, the other one you bumped up twice for more responses. If you notice the first page of threads in the postbac section of SDN it's almost all school-specific threads and not people asking individual-specific advice. You certainly have every right to start your threads but i think with some more research you can find the answers to your own questions as a lot of others have.
What is thread about? Taking summer science classes? Come on man, would they offer them if students prior to you have all failed? Surely some can hack it and some can't. There are multiple formal postbac programs with one year tracks that utilize the summer sessions to squueze in a class.

 

[Smiler]

Why bother? I'm here now.

 

[smiley27]

All i'm meaning to say is that you apparently made the wrong choice about studying law- you haven't even worked as an attorney but are already planning a career change.
And right now you're planning your class schedule for 3 years from now? Reading this thread is like reading the occasional high schooler come and ask where the best place is to rotate to match into ortho.

When the time is right SDN will still be here.

 

[Jlaw]

Yeah I think you are getting way ahead of yourself. If you have 3 years until you apply why are you worried about compressing schedules and taking summer classes? If its really something you want to do then work as an attorney, take a science class or two at night and complete the pre reqs over two years, then study for the MCAT for a few months and apply to schools. Volunteer and shadow in your free time to make sure this is something you really want to do and you will be good to go.

As far as grades go- A's are expected. A "B" here and there won't kill you but as a post bacc you are probably a part time student so if you can't get a 3.5+ then you aren't really showing you can handle a medical school type workload.