Upperdiv vs Lowerdiv Ochem

[lee0539]

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Okay I am retaking Ochem since I got C+ in lectures and C in lab (i took chem too early when I wasn't very studious). Due to schedule conflict I can only retake part 1 and 3 of the 3 part series, but I can take lower division Ochem lab for part 2 and complete the Ochem lab, but for upperdiv they are together so I wont be able to take lab seperately. I was wondering if I should bother taking upperdiv Ochem which is usually for chem/biochem majors, but I dont need it for those reasons. I just want to know if Adcoms considering upperdiv to be harder and if getting an A in upperdiv is much more impressive then in a lowerdiv. Or do Adcoms not care which one I take and they consider them the same (in which case its easier for me to take lower division since it fits my schedule better).

As a side note should I just take upperdiv science courses in pharmacology or things like molecular biology instead of retaking Ochem? Would that look better?

 

[binghamkid]

Lee,

If I remember correctly, you went to UCLA. I wouldn't worry about taking the upper division courses unless you need them. While it would be nice to retake as many ochem courses as possible to demonstrate proficiency, it's not necessary to go out of your way to pick up an upper division ochem course just to demonstrate proficiency. You may be better off just taking these classes over against a community college or CalState summer program.

If you are really up for the challenge though, go for it by all means. However, schools won't consider the upper division all THAT heavily to merit taking the course. Remember admissions is based on your overall package. If some other part of your application demonstrates proficiency in ochem (like your PCAT score in chemistry subsection), then they'd be less worried about your ochem grades.

As for taking upper divisions in pharmacology, they're really not necessary. You can if you want, but the adcoms won't really consider them all that heavily. Take coursework you're interested in and do well in them. That's more important in the long run. If you're really interested in pharmacology and want to learn about it, then by all means. But like you said, getting an A in an upper div is much more difficult.

 

[lee0539]

Lee,

If I remember correctly, you went to UCLA. I wouldn't worry about taking the upper division courses unless you need them. While it would be nice to retake as many ochem courses as possible to demonstrate proficiency, it's not necessary to go out of your way to pick up an upper division ochem course just to demonstrate proficiency. You may be better off just taking these classes over against a community college or CalState summer program.

If you are really up for the challenge though, go for it by all means. However, schools won't consider the upper division all THAT heavily to merit taking the course. Remember admissions is based on your overall package. If some other part of your application demonstrates proficiency in ochem (like your PCAT score in chemistry subsection), then they'd be less worried about your ochem grades.

As for taking upper divisions in pharmacology, they're really not necessary. You can if you want, but the adcoms won't really consider them all that heavily. Take coursework you're interested in and do well in them. That's more important in the long run. If you're really interested in pharmacology and want to learn about it, then by all means. But like you said, getting an A in an upper div is much more difficult.

hmm thanks..yea I'm the UCLA guy lol.. I guess I'll just stick with taking the lower div Ochem since I would really hate to have a 4 hour gap between two classes and I have to take lower div lab next quarter because Ochem conflicts with biochem which I need to take for Western. Since I'm not taking PCAT for Fall 08 admissions (I am for 09 if I dont get into cali schools), I need to show that I mastered the material. I did well in chem 153A/L, but Western needs the entire series and I was maxed out on units.