Do they usually take it second semester sophomore year? If so is this to help allow for a summer MCAT test? Additionally do they take it the same time as organic chemistry 2? Finally would you recommend taking biochem before the MCAT?
When do students usually take biochem?
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I almost did this. Many people do so they can have a full summer to study and matriculate with no gap year.
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I took it the semester immediately before taking the MCAT. It worked out well that way since the MCAT tends to be biochem heavy.
I ended up doubting if I could handle the workload and still get enough other experience. Now I'm planning on one gap year with biochem during my 3rd year (beginning it now) and its much less stressful.
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A decent number of schools have moved away from requiring organic chemistry II, and this course also isn't useful for the MCAT. For example, Tufts University Pre-health advising no longer recommends that students take organic chemistry II: Course Requirements | Tufts Student Services
If you're goal is to take the MCAT the summer after sophomore year, maybe consider a variation on Gonnif's schedule: take Chem and Bio Freshman year, and then take Physics, Orgo I and Biochem sophomore year, delaying Orgo II to the following year or skipping it entirely depending on target medical schools.
There could be a problem if you want to take one or more gap years however as you're going to start running into MCAT expiration policies for some schools.
If you're goal is to take the MCAT the summer after sophomore year, maybe consider a variation on Gonnif's schedule: take Chem and Bio Freshman year, and then take Physics, Orgo I and Biochem sophomore year, delaying Orgo II to the following year or skipping it entirely depending on target medical schools.
There could be a problem if you want to take one or more gap years however as you're going to start running into MCAT expiration policies for some schools.
Definitely before MCAT and after Orgo, but it also depends on your major/course load/professor etc...
For example, as a biochem major I have to take 1 full year of biochem through the chem department, so I took it during my junior year. I know bio majors at my school who did not take the 1 semester biochem through bio department before taking the MCAT because the professor wasn't helpful.
For example, as a biochem major I have to take 1 full year of biochem through the chem department, so I took it during my junior year. I know bio majors at my school who did not take the 1 semester biochem through bio department before taking the MCAT because the professor wasn't helpful.
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I would recommend against taking Orgo II at the same time as Biochem, unless you're really confident with chemistry and also retain a lot of Orgo I. For the MCAT and med school, knowing biochem is much more useful.
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I'm going to have to disagree with some of the other posters on this one. I took biochemistry and organic chemistry last semester, along with two other science courses. Although my non-volunteering took a hit, I was able to keep up with my clinical volunteering and shadowing. Made As in all four. It's doable, but you have to be dedicated. I didn't have any free time.
