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does taking 10 credits during your last semester of college look bad? I'm still taking 5 classes.
Freshman Spring!
Orgo I- 3 hours lecture and 4 hour lab per week
Chin 200- 4 hours per week
Intro to Buddhism- 3 hours per week
Social Psychology-3 hours per week
Trying to take things light since I'm taking orgo as a freshman (most universities have sophomores taking orgo) and I'm looking to work in a lab this semester and/or this summer. Just curious, would social psychology still be considered a science class? It does carry concentration credit for a BS degree in psych. I'm just wondering because some national research/internship programs make you list all science coursework, and I want to have as much as possible without overloading.
Sophomore Spring (19 cr)
Orgo II (4 cr)
Genetics (4 cr)
Sensation & Perception (3 cr)
Hindu Philosophy (3 cr)
Gen Ed (1 cr)
Research (4 cr ~12 hr/wk)
I'm sure there are other people that have asked something similar, but I can't spend hours skimming through 31 pages of schedules. So here's my question: the way I see my schedule panning out, I will be taking Physics starting in fall of 2015 with the intention of taking the MCAT May of 2016, hopefully right after finals. Would that be problematic...studying for the MCAT while still taking physics? Or should that help me, since I will be fresh off of year of physics?
I don't think it'll be a problem. This is physics 2 right?
Yes. Though I am trying to take Physics this upcoming fall at my local CC since my university only offers calc based physics and I don't want or need to take a year of calc (which is mandatory for the physics class, either prior or concurrent).
Looking ahead for next year, I need some feedback on how this may work out:
Soph Fall (19-20 cred)
Orgo I w/ Lab (4 cred)
Calc-based Physics I w/ Lab (4 cred)
Contemporary World (3 cred)
Cell Bio/ Genetics/ Virology (3 cred- don't know which one to pick yet)
English Class (3 cred)
Undergraduate Research (2-3 cred)
Soph Spring (16-17 cred)
Orgo II w/ Lab (4 cred)
Calc-based Physics II w/ Lab (4 cred)
English Class (3 cred)
Nutrition (3 cred)
Undergraduate Research (2-3 cred)
I'm a little unsure about taking 20 credits (11 credits are decently hard science classes I guess) with two 3 hour labs and 6-9 hours of research a week. I'm doing 17 credits now with an additional 9 hours of research a week for no credit but I am taking easy classes (bio, chem, stats, humanities, psych)- currently killing it.
Also, I know it varies from school to school, but any opinion on which science elective to choose from (cell bio, genetics, virology)?
You didn't take English during your freshman year? That research for credit isn't going to help (I mean it won't hurt if you're confident in doing well, but it's clogging up space you can free up or add something else).
Assuming all the electives are doable, definitely go for either cell bio or genetics (leaning towards cell bio).
Sophomore Fall (Total: 18-19 credit)
-Gen Chem 1 w/lab (5 credit)
-A&P 1 w/lab (4 credit)
-Zoology w/lab (4 credit)
-Physic 1 w/lab (4 credit)
-Research (1-2 credit)
My only question is: Should I take physics my sophomore year or junior year? My sophomore year will be all science classes so im not sure if this would be a good idea. If I took it my junior year I would have to take it with orgo and biochem. Watdo?
I feel rather confident with it! At my school, students are required to make their own research projects in order to do any type of research and i've been working on mine on my own time since the beginning of my freshman year. And yes, I already had my english credit covered from dual credit courses and apparently the only prereqs for A&P and zoo was bio 1, physics prereqs was algebra, and gen chem was passing chem 101 with a C or doing well on a placement exam. I'm not positive about when to take physics though. What would your personal preference be? Taking it with orgo and biochem junior year, or with my science heavy schedule next semester?Like I mentioned to another member, I don't advise research for credit (unless you feel confident/love it etc.). However, your science-only schedule is a bit unusual. Your only prereqs in freshman year were bio 1 and 2 and English? I mean, your schedule is fine as it is, but the science-only thing is weird
I feel rather confident with it! At my school, students are required to make their own research projects in order to do any type of research and i've been working on mine on my own time since the beginning of my freshman year. And yes, I already had my english credit covered from dual credit courses and apparently the only prereqs for A&P and zoo was bio 1, physics prereqs was algebra, and gen chem was passing chem 101 with a C or doing well on a placement exam. I'm not positive about when to take physics though. What would your personal preference be? Taking it with orgo and biochem junior year, or with my science heavy schedule next semester?
Sophomore Fall (Total: 18-19 credit)
-Gen Chem 1 w/lab (5 credit)
-A&P 1 w/lab (4 credit)
-Zoology w/lab (4 credit)
-Physic 1 w/lab (4 credit)
-Research (1-2 credit)
My only question is: Should I take physics my sophomore year or junior year? My sophomore year will be all science classes so im not sure if this would be a good idea. If I took it my junior year I would have to take it with orgo and biochem. Watdo?
I feel rather confident with it! At my school, students are required to make their own research projects in order to do any type of research and i've been working on mine on my own time since the beginning of my freshman year. And yes, I already had my english credit covered from dual credit courses and apparently the only prereqs for A&P and zoo was bio 1, physics prereqs was algebra, and gen chem was passing chem 101 with a C or doing well on a placement exam. I'm not positive about when to take physics though. What would your personal preference be? Taking it with orgo and biochem junior year, or with my science heavy schedule next semester?
Thank you both! Physics sounds better for sophomore year hahaI think this is more school dependent, but we were specifically advised against taking organic chemistry and physics together at our school because of the workload. I think physics and general chemistry is fine. Also, I don't know about your school, but at my school, organic chemistry was a prerequisite for biochemistry. My suggestion is to take something during the summer if you have concerns. Don't rush your prerequisites. You should strive not only to receive an A, but to truly master the content for the MCAT.
Can anyone confirm this? O: I know they've added chemistry to the physics section, but thats all ive heard.Physics will help, but if you're taking the new MCAT, I heard they're removing 2nd semester, so I think you'll be good as long as you have a good professor/really understand the material.
Can anyone confirm this? O: I know they've added chemistry to the physics section, but thats all ive heard.
Sophomore Fall:
Partial Differential Equations and Applications (Med-Hard)
Intro to Chemical Engineering Analysis (Medium-Hard)
Intro to Computing (Very Easy)
Biochemistry I (Easy-Medium)
Molecular Biology (Medium) or Cell Biology (Medium)
Biostatistics (Easy)
Organic Chemistry I Lab (Medium)
18 Credits.
Btw, should I take Molecular or Cell Biology first? Thanks!
Looks good. It doesn't matter which one, but cell bio is useful
After further contemplation, I think taking PDE the semester after is a better choice.
Revised Schedule:
Intro to Chemical Engineering Analysis (Medium-Hard)
Intro to Computing (Very Easy)
Biochemistry I (Easy-Medium)
Cell Biology (Medium)
Biostatistics (Easy)
Organic Chemistry I Lab (Medium)
Physical Chemistry I Lab (Medium)
16 cred
might as well join in!
Summer:
Intro to Latin-3
Pre Cal 2-3
Genetics (maybe?)-3
Maybe 1 more 3 credit class
Fall:
General Microbiology & Lab-4
Chem 2 & Lab-4
Calculus 1-4
Intermediate Latin 1-3
Argumentation and Debate-3
After further contemplation, I think taking PDE the semester after is a better choice.
Revised Schedule:
Intro to Chemical Engineering Analysis (Medium-Hard)
Intro to Computing (Very Easy)
Biochemistry I (Easy-Medium)
Cell Biology (Medium)
Biostatistics (Easy)
Organic Chemistry I Lab (Medium)
Physical Chemistry I Lab (Medium)
16 cred
I honestly don't recommend two labs (that's just me - I hate labs and their annoying reports), but if you like it and feel you can do well, go for it.
Btw, should I take Molecular or Cell Biology first? Thanks!
Can anyone confirm this? O: I know they've added chemistry to the physics section, but thats all ive heard.
As of right now this is the best schedule I could come up with given my scenario.
Current GPA: 3.1 (109 credits so far)
Summer 2014 (CC classes):
1st session-
- General Chemistry I + Lab
- Pre-Calculus
- (possible filler course/ GPA boost)
2nd session-
- General Chemistry II + Lab
- Calculus
- (possible filler course/ GPA boost)
Fall 2014 (university classes): *graduation semester*
- General Biology I + Lab
- Organic Chemistry I + Lab
- Physics I + Lab
- Spanish ( UG requirement to graduate )
Spring 2015 (university classes): *informal DIY post bac*
- General Biology II + Lab
- Organic Chemistry II + Lab
- Physics II + Lab
- Sociology
- Start studying for MCAT
Summer 2015 (CC class):
1st session-
- Biochemistry
- (possible filler course/ GPA boost)
- Study for MCAT
At end of session take MCAT (around July 1st-2nd week)
July 2015- Apply to medical schools.
GAP Year:
- continue gaining experience in field
- possibly take more courses during 2nd summer session/fall to boost my GPA
How does this schedule look? I am not going to be working on the side or have any other responsibilities. I will devote my full energy and FULL-TIME into trying to get a 4.0 science GPA. I will have completed 50 additional credits to my GPA with the above schedule which will be ~1/3 of the end total of 165 credits. I can raise my GPA to 3.4 at max with these classes.
Will this be enough?
Just looking for multiple opinions. Maybe a non-trad who has completed all the pre-reqs and MCAT in same amount of time as I plan to do?
I think it is a mistake to take Intro Bio, O-Chem, and Physics all together. Try 2 at a time if you are already having problems.
@knv2u ... why are you up so late? We need to find you a girlfriend, mate.
more like 6 in the summer, more than likely I wont be able to take genetics due to the pre req of Biology 3 at my schoolThere is not enough information given. How long are the summer sessions? Are you taking all of this together at once? 12 credit hours at once in a condensed session would be problematic if taken all at once.
Looks fine to me.
more like 6 in the summer, more than likely I wont be able to take genetics due to the pre req of Biology 3 at my school
Fall Semester:
NEU403 (Neuroscience lab) (1 credit)
(Honors) Either Neuro cell molec or Neuro Genetics (3 credits)
Biochem (3 credits)
An easy honors course (3 credits)
LAT101 (3 credits)
13 credits (might take one more class what do you think?)
Ok guys. I got one more question. My school has a single 2 credit introductory biology lab for the intro bio series, would I have to take an extra upper division biology lab or will I be ok by just taking the 2 credit one? I really don't want to email schools asking about their flexibility regarding this, but I also don't want to know I screwed up by not taking the extra lab. Thanks!
Summer Session:
Physics 2 calc/based 5 credits
Intro to Psych 4 credits
Fall Junior:
Biochemistry 3 credits (no lab)
Ochem 2 3 credits
Organic lab 4 credits
Genetics 3 credits
Intermediate Swimming 1 credit
Weight training 1 credit
I will not be working, but I will be doing research about 6 hours a week and will try to do other ec's. I may need a language french for my major which is 5 credits, i'm thinking of puting Genetics for the next semester. I intend to take the mcat in the spring, should I hold genetics for the next semester? thoughts?
Ok guys. I got one more question. My school has a single 2 credit introductory biology lab for the intro bio series, would I have to take an extra upper division biology lab or will I be ok by just taking the 2 credit one? I really don't want to email schools asking about their flexibility regarding this, but I also don't want to know I screwed up by not taking the extra lab. Thanks!
In terms of course load, I think you are fine. With regards to specific courses, there are a lot of variables and my response would depend on your major. If you want to take advanced organic synthetic methods for fun or for your major, then fine, but realistically I don't see where an Organic III class (which is essentially what you would be taking, at my university at least, it's a graduate level class) will be overly useful for medical school. Between the two, I would take advanced genetic analysis or a human genetics course if your school has one (there are a lot of topics in this not covered in an introductory/intermediate level genetics course such as LOD scores, more on disease mapping, etc.). I could see this being helpful in medical school. With regards to p-chem, there are some schools that recommend it such as Stanford and Harvard HST, so I would take that over Native Mandarin. (I am also assuming that this is a class for native speakers, in which case, I don't think medical schools will really care about this at all, so unless you are taking it for fun or your own edification, I would stay away).Junior Fall:
Immunology
Native Mandarin OR Physical Chemistry
Advanced Organic Synthetic Methods OR Advanced Genetic Analysis
Medical Impact of Basic Science (Upper level biochem elective)
Literature Seminar OR Global Health Seminar
Independent Research
Summer Session:
Physics 2 calc/based 5 credits
Intro to Psych 4 credits
Fall Junior:
Biochemistry 3 credits (no lab)
Ochem 2 3 credits
Organic lab 4 credits
Genetics 3 credits
Intermediate Swimming 1 credit
Weight training 1 credit
I will not be working, but I will be doing research about 6 hours a week and will try to do other ec's. I may need a language french for my major which is 5 credits, i'm thinking of puting Genetics for the next semester. I intend to take the mcat in the spring, should I hold genetics for the next semester? thoughts?
Fall Semester:
NEU403 (Neuroscience lab) (1 credit)
(Honors) Either Neuro cell molec or Neuro Genetics (3 credits)
Biochem (3 credits)
An easy honors course (3 credits)
LAT101 (3 credits)
13 credits (might take one more class what do you think?)
It may be at least semi appropriate to interject this here.
I'll be taking Psychological Statistics over the summer. M-F 10-11:40 AM for about a month. I've never taken a stats course before. Can anyone enlighten me on what to expect in terms of material and difficulty? Thanks!
It may be at least semi appropriate to interject this here.
I'll be taking Psychological Statistics over the summer. M-F 10-11:40 AM for about a month. I've never taken a stats course before. Can anyone enlighten me on what to expect in terms of material and difficulty? Thanks!
It's school-specific. Ask your friends at your school who have taken it, or look at prof reviews.
Fall 2014
Intro to Chemistry 1 with Lab*
Introductory Statistics*
Animal Behavior*
Health Care Management: Healthcare Systems
Literature class on Karl Marx
Spring 2015
Biochemistry*
Intro to Chemistry 2 with Lab*
Cognitive Neuroscience (possibly)*
Health Care Management: Clinical Issues
Intro to Psychology or Human Chronobiology*
* = course counts for BCPM GPA
Thoughts?
You'
No idea why you need a swimming or weight training classes, but go on ahead. You're fine. Genetics isn't important so feel free to delay whenever