Do you really need martial arts?
Maybe you could drop that and take a 3/4 credit elective.
Maybe you could drop that and take a 3/4 credit elective.
-
CycleTrack and SDN are teaming up to make medical school admissions more transparent and accessible! Read the announcement to learn how we’re supporting the future of CycleTrack’s free application-tracking tools .
The Official "How Does This Schedule Look" Thread
Started by Wolfman89
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
Yeah, I have to have 2 recreation credits to graduate. It's pass/fail though and there's no outside homework. You basically just have to show up to pass.
Do you work just weekdays or weekends as well? Calc is normally 4 credits no? The schedule looks straightforward, but it definitely calls for an efficient use of time.
Maybe you can take some summer courses to lighten the load
Looks pretty good. Ochem shouldn't take much of your time, focus on the foundations and the rest will come easy.
So I've posted here before, but this is what my schedule looks like for this fall:
Physics 141 with lab
Human Physiology (300 level)
QTM 100 (Essentially Statistics)...new class for Neurosci&BehavBio majors who declared recently, but apparently an easy class.
Comparative Lit, 200 level class
Volunteer 3 hr at Children's Hospital once a week
Probably work less this semester, ~6 hours (3 days) a week
^^so that I can volunteer at Autism center (2-3 hours/ a week)
I'm VP of a volunteer organization...and might be in some type of dance group. (might stick with tap or try out for our African dance troupe 🙂
Also, I did SMDEP this summer, and we covered A&P, Orgo, Micro/Path, Stats and Physics, so I have a decent idea of it all. Also took a practice MCAT....considering I haven't taken Physics, and the only science courses I've taken are Bio/ Chem (freshman) and Orgo (soph) ...and Neurobiology (soph)..and I guessed on ~10 due to timing, I got a 14.
With that, when do you think I should take the MCAT? Planning to apply to the next cycle... I need to take BioChem since ~3 Texas schools require it. (Texas resident, but out-of-state). Ideas, thoughts? Thanks.
Physics 141 with lab
Human Physiology (300 level)
QTM 100 (Essentially Statistics)...new class for Neurosci&BehavBio majors who declared recently, but apparently an easy class.
Comparative Lit, 200 level class
Volunteer 3 hr at Children's Hospital once a week
Probably work less this semester, ~6 hours (3 days) a week
^^so that I can volunteer at Autism center (2-3 hours/ a week)
I'm VP of a volunteer organization...and might be in some type of dance group. (might stick with tap or try out for our African dance troupe 🙂
Also, I did SMDEP this summer, and we covered A&P, Orgo, Micro/Path, Stats and Physics, so I have a decent idea of it all. Also took a practice MCAT....considering I haven't taken Physics, and the only science courses I've taken are Bio/ Chem (freshman) and Orgo (soph) ...and Neurobiology (soph)..and I guessed on ~10 due to timing, I got a 14.
With that, when do you think I should take the MCAT? Planning to apply to the next cycle... I need to take BioChem since ~3 Texas schools require it. (Texas resident, but out-of-state). Ideas, thoughts? Thanks.
I'm thinking of dropping the English course...leave me at 13 hours for the semester..will that hurt me in anyway? I made a semester by semester plan of what courses i'll take though undergrad and senior year had plenty of space, so wouldn't mind postponing the english till then.
Does anyone like adcomms care about 13 hr semesters? My bad if it's a silly question lol
4
487806
For a science-centric schedule, you're fine.
You're fine.
You're fine.
You're fine. I'd take the MCAT no later than May 2014.
Freshman Schedule
Bio 111 w/ lab (Principles of Biology) - 4 credits
Convo 100 (lecture series?) - .5 credit
FT - 1 credit
LE 101 (leadership) - 3 credits
Calculus or Gen Chem. w/ lab - 4 credits or 5 credits with chem
P.E. - 3 credits
Psy 101 - 3 credits
Total - 18.5 to 19.5
Too much? Most of the classes are ones the college makes me do so they're like the easily passed ones 👍 and only 3 of my classes require books
Bio 111 w/ lab (Principles of Biology) - 4 credits
Convo 100 (lecture series?) - .5 credit
FT - 1 credit
LE 101 (leadership) - 3 credits
Calculus or Gen Chem. w/ lab - 4 credits or 5 credits with chem
P.E. - 3 credits
Psy 101 - 3 credits
Total - 18.5 to 19.5
Too much? Most of the classes are ones the college makes me do so they're like the easily passed ones 👍 and only 3 of my classes require books
Biological Psychology - 4 units
Circadian Rhythms - 4 units
Medical Microbiology - 4 units
Microbiology Lab - 4 units (12 hrs/wk tho)
Introductory Calculus - 0 units (retaking because UCD med doesn't accept AP math credit)
Volunteering at hospital - 4 hrs/wk
Preliminary total: 16 units (24 hrs/wk of lecture+lab, I don't plan on going to calc lecture 😀) + 4 hrs/wk
Here's where I'm looking for advice...
I'm debating about adding an independent research lab for 2 units and it's 6 hrs/wk. I'm a psychology major but I haven't gotten chummy with any of my psych professors and I'm in desperate need of a nonscience LOR 🙁 I would work for a prof that I previously took a class with and did outstandingly well in.
Alternatively (or along with the research lab?!) I also need more clinical hours because I go home summers (aka my summers don't contribute to my app) and I was thinking of bumping my volunteering to 8 hrs/wk instead of 4.
Thanks for any replies! I'm a senior and plan to apply next cycle. I will be taking a gap year.
Circadian Rhythms - 4 units
Medical Microbiology - 4 units
Microbiology Lab - 4 units (12 hrs/wk tho)
Introductory Calculus - 0 units (retaking because UCD med doesn't accept AP math credit)
Volunteering at hospital - 4 hrs/wk
Preliminary total: 16 units (24 hrs/wk of lecture+lab, I don't plan on going to calc lecture 😀) + 4 hrs/wk
Here's where I'm looking for advice...
I'm debating about adding an independent research lab for 2 units and it's 6 hrs/wk. I'm a psychology major but I haven't gotten chummy with any of my psych professors and I'm in desperate need of a nonscience LOR 🙁 I would work for a prof that I previously took a class with and did outstandingly well in.
Alternatively (or along with the research lab?!) I also need more clinical hours because I go home summers (aka my summers don't contribute to my app) and I was thinking of bumping my volunteering to 8 hrs/wk instead of 4.
Thanks for any replies! I'm a senior and plan to apply next cycle. I will be taking a gap year.
Just looking for opinions regarding this schedule:
Total of 18 credit hours:
Biology 1 (3 credits)
Biology 1 Lab (1)
Organic Chemistry (3)
Human Anatomy w/Lab (4)
Introduction to Statistics (3)
Intermediate Spanish II (3)
Research seminar (1)
For Human Anatomy w/Lab, I selected the section with the lab portion being online instead of live; was this a good idea?
Any thoughts?
Thank you in advance!
Total of 18 credit hours:
Biology 1 (3 credits)
Biology 1 Lab (1)
Organic Chemistry (3)
Human Anatomy w/Lab (4)
Introduction to Statistics (3)
Intermediate Spanish II (3)
Research seminar (1)
For Human Anatomy w/Lab, I selected the section with the lab portion being online instead of live; was this a good idea?
Any thoughts?
Thank you in advance!
Let me know what you guys think. Will be studying ~30-40 hrs a week (hopefully) for MCAT (taking in Jan) plus 10 hours of research. Going for an easy courseload this semester, no sciences.
- English 2 writing class (3)
- Honors Seminar (2)
- Spanish 2 (4)
- German Civ. Class (3)
-Communications requirement (3)
- English 2 writing class (3)
- Honors Seminar (2)
- Spanish 2 (4)
- German Civ. Class (3)
-Communications requirement (3)
4
487806
Freshman Schedule
Bio 111 w/ lab (Principles of Biology) - 4 credits
Convo 100 (lecture series?) - .5 credit
FT - 1 credit
LE 101 (leadership) - 3 credits
Calculus or Gen Chem. w/ lab - 4 credits or 5 credits with chem
P.E. - 3 credits
Psy 101 - 3 credits
Total - 18.5 to 19.5
Too much? Most of the classes are ones the college makes me do so they're like the easily passed ones 👍 and only 3 of my classes require books
You're fine.
Does it have to be research for credit? Couldn't you ask around professors? That way you have a lot more flexibility without the risk of being graded subjectively. Of course, it's your call.
Did you start your clinical volunteering recently? If so, I'd first focus on the research and once you get used to it, you can bump your hours up.
Online anatomy lab is fine. Anatomy isn't even a prereq for most schools (though few schools oddly require it - Check the MSAR).
You're fine.
Freshman Fall
Intro to Chem-3 hours/week; no lab; pass/fail
Intro to Neuroscience- 3 hours/week; no lab
SOC0300 Inequalities and Health-2.5 hours/week
Chinese 0100-4 hours/week
Intro to Chem-3 hours/week; no lab; pass/fail
Intro to Neuroscience- 3 hours/week; no lab
SOC0300 Inequalities and Health-2.5 hours/week
Chinese 0100-4 hours/week
Seems doable but maybe a little much for a freshman. Is that a junior level Soc class? If it is you might not want to take it in your first semester. Intro to neuroscience is a junior level class at my uni and freshman are prohibited from taking it but your school might have it easier than mine.
Looks good, no labs all lectures. Should be a good start. Good luck!
This should be a good and allow you sufficient spare time to study for the MCAT.
Good luck!
I dropped an English class and my schedule is now:
Ochem 1
Biology 1
Calculus 1
Intro biochem research (1 hr seminar course)
Total: 13 hrs
Will be volunteering in a hospital, part of two health/premed clubs as well. Guessing I have no excuse but to make all As there. Carrying a lighter load to adjust to a new school and also no science courses in a year.
Ochem 1
Biology 1
Calculus 1
Intro biochem research (1 hr seminar course)
Total: 13 hrs
Will be volunteering in a hospital, part of two health/premed clubs as well. Guessing I have no excuse but to make all As there. Carrying a lighter load to adjust to a new school and also no science courses in a year.
Haha it's not an actual biochem class but it's a requirement for biochem majors in their first semester. It's a 1 hour seminar course where all you do is listen to guest speakers and such.
Looks good! A little science heavy but absolutely do-able. Good luck!
SOC0300 is actually a first-year seminar (meaning only open to freshman). Intro to Neuro is a recommended biology course for first semester freshman (among other bio courses, but those have labs). Was it a lot of work and memorization at your uni? I can't imagine that an intro course differs in difficulty from university to university.
Thanks, I thought I might be behind by not taking a lab course. I just thought it would be too much work while I get acclimated to my new surroundings.
Perfect! You are all set.
Freshman Schedule
Nervous that it's not solid. Had orientation late so by the time I went in, basically everything was closed. I had to haggle to even get into bio.
Principles of Biology I-4 credits
Principles of Biology I Laboratory - 0 credits
Rhetoric and composition I-3 credits
Introduction to Literature - 3 credits
College Algebra - 3 credits
introduction to Psychology - 3 credits
First year studies: the utc experience (basically a class helping freshman transition into college life) - 1 credit
Total of 17 credits.
Please let me know your opinions, some classes may open up beg of august, so I would like to get tips if what to put in or remove.
Thank you!
Nervous that it's not solid. Had orientation late so by the time I went in, basically everything was closed. I had to haggle to even get into bio.
Principles of Biology I-4 credits
Principles of Biology I Laboratory - 0 credits
Rhetoric and composition I-3 credits
Introduction to Literature - 3 credits
College Algebra - 3 credits
introduction to Psychology - 3 credits
First year studies: the utc experience (basically a class helping freshman transition into college life) - 1 credit
Total of 17 credits.
Please let me know your opinions, some classes may open up beg of august, so I would like to get tips if what to put in or remove.
Thank you!
Merci beaucoup!
I think it looks fine. Only thing: if those English courses won't be taking up too much of your time and you know that they aren't difficult, then I think you'll be fine.
For your first semester this looks like pretty good. Just remember there will be some transition and adjustment time so try and stay on top of everything. Good luck.
Quick questions: 1. Has anyone had an inordinately difficult time getting classes and 2. will an extremely light schedule have a negative effect on my future app?
I am a senior at an overcrowded state school in the throes of a budget crisis. Currently I have 8 units for fall (all 400-level bio classes... each class only offered ~15 seats so I am very lucky to have gotten what I did). Every other semester I have taken anywhere from 18-15 units, so I plan on filling my extra time with MCAT prep and continuing to work at my research position, but in a greater capacity. I'm just worried that this precipitous drop in academic load will look slightly suspicious.
Thank you in advance for any input!
I am a senior at an overcrowded state school in the throes of a budget crisis. Currently I have 8 units for fall (all 400-level bio classes... each class only offered ~15 seats so I am very lucky to have gotten what I did). Every other semester I have taken anywhere from 18-15 units, so I plan on filling my extra time with MCAT prep and continuing to work at my research position, but in a greater capacity. I'm just worried that this precipitous drop in academic load will look slightly suspicious.
Thank you in advance for any input!
It wont be perceived bad as long as you do well and keep busy with your free time. ADCOMS know the state of economy and how it affects students at state and government funded schools.
D
deleted550985
Obviously this is a tentative schedule, but I think it will at least work as far as major requirements/prerequisites go. I started in the Spring semester, so will graduate in December 2016 and matriculate in Fall 2017. A few questions:
1) How does my spacing of the classes relevant the MCAT look? Note that BIOL 265 (Ecology) in Fall 2015 should be Biochemistry instead.
2) Are any semesters too heavy/light? Is it okay to have a light credit load in Spring 2016 to prepare for the MCAT?
3) Are my hour goals for ECs realistic?
4) Does my plan for taking the MCAT half way through my senior "year" make sense?
5) Should I rearrange my classes or take additional classes to be in school during the summers?
Thanks in advance!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1) How does my spacing of the classes relevant the MCAT look? Note that BIOL 265 (Ecology) in Fall 2015 should be Biochemistry instead.
2) Are any semesters too heavy/light? Is it okay to have a light credit load in Spring 2016 to prepare for the MCAT?
3) Are my hour goals for ECs realistic?
4) Does my plan for taking the MCAT half way through my senior "year" make sense?
5) Should I rearrange my classes or take additional classes to be in school during the summers?
Thanks in advance!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Last edited by a moderator:
4
487806
Obviously this is a tentative schedule, but I think it will at least work as far as major requirements/prerequisites go. I started in the Spring semester, so will graduate in December 2016 and matriculate in Fall 2017. A few questions:
1) How does my spacing of the classes relevant the MCAT look? Note that BIOL 265 (Ecology) in Fall 2015 should be Biochemistry instead.
2) Are any semesters too heavy/light? Is it okay to have a light credit load in Spring 2016 to prepare for the MCAT?
3) Are my hour goals for ECs realistic?
4) Does my plan for taking the MCAT half way through my senior "year" make sense?
5) Should I rearrange my classes or take additional classes to be in school during the summers?
Thanks in advance!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Your schedule is fine, but your long-term plans in college will change. Focus on your first year before tackling on the rest.
D
deleted550985
Things will change without a doubt, and I'm sure my post is mostly prompted by neuroticism. I'm feeling pretty good about this year though, I nearly got a 4.0 my first semester and don't think that this Fall will be too much more difficult. I also already have my volunteering for the Fall set up, so I'm good to go.
I mostly wanted to have a 4 year plan to figure out when I was going to take the MCAT and the classes to prepare for it to minimize review. Plus my school requires me to make one.
This looks very doable. Are you a graduating senor?
Yeah pre-loaded all my hard classes so now i'm trying to finish my general ed credits which i've put off. Courseload is easy but I generally also work 20 hours/week and spend ~10/hrs a week at research (which the Honors course is going to involve a lot).
Oh I see. Well taking all of that into consideration then I think your schedule is fine. Good luck.
Fall 2013:
Cell & Molecular Biology + Lab = 4 credits
Organic Chemistry I + Lab = 4 credits
Calculus-Based Physics + Lab = 4 credits
Calculus + Lab = 4 credits
Perspectives in Literature = 3 credits
TOTAL = 19 credits
Every single bio, biochem, or chem (w/ bio minor) major at my school has 19 credits this semester. I'm not sure if that's how other schools are, but that's how it is for mine.
I may be tutoring as a job. I'm not sure how many hours a week, but I would think less than 18 because of this schedule. I'm a biochem major with an MD/PhD trajectory, so... There's the issue of research. As a freshman I wasn't able to do research because the upperclassmen got the first choice (and I would assume sealed the deal while I was in high school). There were just no spaces. I go to a small private school. I could only get in with the biochemist, but she requires me to take orgo I and cell/molec bio before I can do research with her... So I would be starting in the spring with her regardless. Unless I can get another person.
Do you think it would be worth it to take that English class in the winter and swap it out for 1-3 credits of research? I'd obviously have to ask around to find someone with a spot, but... Is it worth it if I can only be in that lab for the fall? Just to get some experience? Then stay with the biochem lab for a long time? I just have no idea what to do about this.
Cell & Molecular Biology + Lab = 4 credits
Organic Chemistry I + Lab = 4 credits
Calculus-Based Physics + Lab = 4 credits
Calculus + Lab = 4 credits
Perspectives in Literature = 3 credits
TOTAL = 19 credits
Every single bio, biochem, or chem (w/ bio minor) major at my school has 19 credits this semester. I'm not sure if that's how other schools are, but that's how it is for mine.
I may be tutoring as a job. I'm not sure how many hours a week, but I would think less than 18 because of this schedule. I'm a biochem major with an MD/PhD trajectory, so... There's the issue of research. As a freshman I wasn't able to do research because the upperclassmen got the first choice (and I would assume sealed the deal while I was in high school). There were just no spaces. I go to a small private school. I could only get in with the biochemist, but she requires me to take orgo I and cell/molec bio before I can do research with her... So I would be starting in the spring with her regardless. Unless I can get another person.
Do you think it would be worth it to take that English class in the winter and swap it out for 1-3 credits of research? I'd obviously have to ask around to find someone with a spot, but... Is it worth it if I can only be in that lab for the fall? Just to get some experience? Then stay with the biochem lab for a long time? I just have no idea what to do about this.
Fall 2013:
Cell & Molecular Biology + Lab = 4 credits
Organic Chemistry I + Lab = 4 credits
Calculus-Based Physics + Lab = 4 credits
Calculus + Lab = 4 credits
Perspectives in Literature = 3 credits
TOTAL = 19 credits
Every single bio, biochem, or chem (w/ bio minor) major at my school has 19 credits this semester. I'm not sure if that's how other schools are, but that's how it is for mine.
I may be tutoring as a job. I'm not sure how many hours a week, but I would think less than 18 because of this schedule. I'm a biochem major with an MD/PhD trajectory, so... There's the issue of research. As a freshman I wasn't able to do research because the upperclassmen got the first choice (and I would assume sealed the deal while I was in high school). There were just no spaces. I go to a small private school. I could only get in with the biochemist, but she requires me to take orgo I and cell/molec bio before I can do research with her... So I would be starting in the spring with her regardless. Unless I can get another person.
Do you think it would be worth it to take that English class in the winter and swap it out for 1-3 credits of research? I'd obviously have to ask around to find someone with a spot, but... Is it worth it if I can only be in that lab for the fall? Just to get some experience? Then stay with the biochem lab for a long time? I just have no idea what to do about this.
Hmmm well first this is a good size load if you are doing tutoring on the side plus other things but it is doable, just a little busy. However, if you are an MD/PhD then you will certainly need to get research in. It is becoming very common for people to take two years off after undergrad to do research full time before entering MSTP programs. If this is what you want to do then you might want to consider looking into taking some time to build up your research background.
Some other person on another thread suggested that, even if I started research in the fall, I would still be behind other people in terms of amount of research. Another person suggested that if I start in the fall and work a certain numbers of hours during school and full time in the summers that I could pull it off.
Yeah it is true that some people pull it off but I would count on that. As you may know it's not really the quantity it about the quality of research that matters. What is also important is what your expectations and goals are in terms of where you want to matriculate what their averages are for md-phd programs. You should look into the md phd thread for more advice.
Fall:
Physics I w/ lab
Physiology and Anatomy w/ lab
Gender and sports (elective)
Greek Hero (elective)
All of this while studying for a January MCAT.
Physics I w/ lab
Physiology and Anatomy w/ lab
Gender and sports (elective)
Greek Hero (elective)
All of this while studying for a January MCAT.
This is nice. You should have plenty of time to prepare for the MCAT and still do well in all your classes. 👍 Good luck!
4
487806
That should be an easy breeze. Good luck.
And post drawing gifs in the 2019 thread, will ya?
Fall:
Biochem (4 credits)
Algebra-based Physics (5 credits)
Eukaryotic Pathogens (3 credits)*
Advanced Moral Philosophy (3 credits)*
Philosophy of Science (3 credits)
Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
Honors Thesis credit (1 credit)
*denotes graduate-level class :/
I'm planning on working on my thesis about 15 hours/week. I also work 2 other jobs 8 hours/week each. Involvement with ECs will definitely be limited this semester.
Biochem (4 credits)
Algebra-based Physics (5 credits)
Eukaryotic Pathogens (3 credits)*
Advanced Moral Philosophy (3 credits)*
Philosophy of Science (3 credits)
Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
Honors Thesis credit (1 credit)
*denotes graduate-level class :/
I'm planning on working on my thesis about 15 hours/week. I also work 2 other jobs 8 hours/week each. Involvement with ECs will definitely be limited this semester.
it's a good load but it will limit your free time if you are working about 16 hrs/week + 15 hrs/week on thesis. However, it is doable 👍
4
487806
You're fine.
