too much science for a semester?

[pioneer22]

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Hi,

For next fall, I am planning on the following schedule; let me know how you think it will be—I know orgo requires a lot of time, and I took AP Physics (algbased) in HS.

Fall:
Organic Chem 1 + lab — 4 CU
Physics 1 + lab (likely calc-based) — 4 CU
Math course (either Calc 3, statistics or discrete mathematics) —3 CU
Intro Object Oriented Programming — 4 CU

(possibly, another biology / premed course, like Biochem, Physio, or Genetics, or maybe humanities course, like intro Philosophy for the GPA bump) — 3 CU

total: 15-18 CU (dep. on the parentheses option)

What do you guys think? I know Biochem is very important for MCAT, but I don't want to overload the sciences.

Thanks

 

[Lannister]

Only you know what you can handle, but if I was in this situation I would not add that extra science class on. What year are you? Are you in a rush to get the pre-reqs done?

 

[pioneer22]

I will be a sophomore...I am in a sort of rush, i guess....I want to have all prereqs done by end of soph year, to take mcat september of Junior fall

 

[pioneer22]

Only you know what you can handle, but if I was in this situation I would not add that extra science class on. What year are you? Are you in a rush to get the pre-reqs done?

I will be a sophomore...I am in a sort of rush, i guess....I want to have all prereqs done by end of soph year, to take mcat september of Junior fall

 

[Arjun Watane]

I was in a similar position. Seems like you're a CS major? I am. My opinion: Skip the math class and add biochem. Much more manageable around exam time. The math class will need extra time to comprehend stuff that will suck time away from the other classes.

 

[TXMED_1695]

If you're asking other people if you should signup for a hard schedule - then you shouldn't do it. You should know your retention methods and if you can handle the load. Personally, I never took over 16 hours, and I can not imagine having 1 more class added to the list. I took OC, Physics 1, and Calculus 1 during the same semester, and I didn't have any problems. I wouldn't do anything too wild as a Sophomore though.

Hi,

For next fall, I am planning on the following schedule; let me know how you think it will be—I know orgo requires a lot of time, and I took AP Physics (algbased) in HS.

Fall:
Organic Chem 1 + lab — 4 CU
Physics 1 + lab (likely calc-based) — 4 CU
Math course (either Calc 3, statistics or discrete mathematics) —3 CU
Intro Object Oriented Programming — 4 CU

(possibly, another biology / premed course, like Biochem, Physio, or Genetics, or maybe humanities course, like intro Philosophy for the GPA bump) — 3 CU

total: 15-18 CU (dep. on the parentheses option)

What do you guys think? I know Biochem is very important for MCAT, but I don't want to overload the sciences.

Thanks

 

[deleted781806]

Why are you in a rush to take the MCAT in the September of your junior year? I think it is usually advisable to spread out your course-load so as to not be overwhelmed, and I would also recommend the biochemistry course as it will prove to be very helpful.

 

[honey0102]

For me personally it helped to take the MCAT before junior year, so I could focus on it over the summer, and then focus on other things in junior year. I'd suggest trying to see if you can switch math and programming for lower-intensity classes. Maybe you can take math at a later time? You want to be sure you are able to dedicate enough time to your sciences-not just so you get a good grade but also so you understand the material

 

[Save a life]

I once took:
Physics
Ochem
Calculus
Technical writing
And while working part time.

I pulled off an A in all those, albeit one was an -A.

Honestly, I feel like taking too many hard classes and doing work/EC's is why students, including myself, sometimes get B's or B+'s. If you can don't do it. Although they say med school is holistic admissions, it's much easier to be a student with a near 4.0 and some okay EC's than a student with a 3.5 or lower and outstanding EC's.

So if you don't want to have B's on your transcript bringing your gpa down, don't take on too much.

 

[pioneer22]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I would preferably only take 1 CS or Math course next semester, but if I major in CS, I need to take CS and Discrete Math to stay on track for graduation.

 

[pioneer22]

Have many taken 3 science classes concurrently? Feasibility of this?

 

[blackroses]

Have many taken 3 science classes concurrently? Feasibility of this?

I took 3 science classes (or more) at a time throughout almost my entire undergrad career and maintained a good GPA. YMMV. The fact that you're evidently very concerned about taking 3 science courses at once indicates it's probably a very bad idea for you.

 

[JulioJones]

Have many taken 3 science classes concurrently? Feasibility of this?

I decided on Medical school after freshman year so took 1 semester of 3 science, 1 math, all with labs for 18 credits. It was challenging and it worked out that all the tests were usually in the same week, however I managed and was able to do more the other weeks. You'll certainly be limited in extra curriculums, or your grades could suffer as a result. However if you manage your time well, it will pay off in the long run. It allowed me to keep pace and take the MCAT on time, and then my senior year I was able to take a lighter load as a result and that was valuable for interview season.

Ultimately if you're confident in yourself as a student it can be done. That being said, I was studying more then, than currently in medical school so just be prepared to buckle down. ( biochemistry/orgo was not part of it. Orgo is a class where it either works for you or it is a pain to grind it out. If I was ever unsure I couldn't handle a course load, I would sign up for the maximum, knowing I could drop 1 the first week if it seems like it would be too much, so could be worth it to try that)