What would you do in this situation?

[jajun5]

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Just wanting to get some feedback on a certain predicament I found myself in.
😕
I am a current junior and am preparing to graduate a semester early because I have internships lined up already for the upcoming spring semester in NY. (also wanted to keep cost of college down) These internships seem like once in a lifetime opportunities-will be working with a lady, who designed for (red) campaign at Gap, on a project called MEND for a nonprofit organization called Invisible Children--create luxury bags with women in Uganda. Also will be interning at a stock photo agency who has clients such as NY magazine, Interview Mag...etc.
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Although my GPA isn't as competitive as most med school applicants, I am still looking to apply to medical school,but wanted to take some time off to explore world outside of science. Here's the tricky part. I'll be taking two advanced molecular cell biology courses including a lab. most med schools require a 2nd semester of Organic chemistry so I would have to squeeze that into my already heavy schedule. I know that by taking a chemistry class, not only will I do bad in that, it'll bring down either bio courses i need to boost up my major gpa.


What would you do in this situation?
- Stay the extra semester and take time to complete the organic course to get it out of the way and lose both internships?
or
- Graduate semester early, gain valuable life experience and take organic at some other institution?

 

[glamqueen]

Option C - Don't take one of the advanced mol bio courses and take Ochem 2 instead.

 

[jajun5]

I'm required to take both Mol cell classes + 3 more classes. So, not much room to move.

 

[crixyphoid]

Graduate, start working then eventually take Ochem at another university. You don't need ochem 2 lab, just class. Ochem 2 is easier than Ochem 1 especially if you got an A or B in Ochem 1.

 

[glamqueen]

My school required a year of Ochem plus a year of labs...pretty much every school out there with a few exceptions also require this. I would then just take it later at another university, but take the course plus lab.

 

[jajun5]

cool--appreciate your feedback.

 

[doctor712]

Graduate, start working then eventually take Ochem at another university. You don't need ochem 2 lab, just class. Ochem 2 is easier than Ochem 1 especially if you got an A or B in Ochem 1.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that you need the required Labs that come with Bio/Phys/Chem/Ochem. So if it's offered, I believe you DO need to take Ochem 2 lab for med schools...

Also, my 2nd Bachelors school combines Ochem labs 1 and 2 into Ochem 2 lab that is twice the credit hours of Ochem 1 or 2 alone. So, you dont take Ochem lab with Ochem 1 but a WOWZER with Ochem 2.

Keep your prereq requirements in mind when planning....

And GOOD LUCK!
D712

 

[montessori2md]

Why do you have to graduate prior to the internships? Can't you take time off and go back after the internship? Maybe it's not what you want, but it makes more sense than tanking your GPA to rush out of school.