Yes or No: Biochemistry over the summer

[pioneer22]

Hi all,

I am wishing to take a course over the summer, and want to free up some space for the fall semester; that being said, I was wondering if I should take biochemistry over the summer. It is a four week version, which covers the same material as the semester course.

Thoughts? Has anyone taken it over the summer?

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[Dr. Stalker]

Supposedly one of the big driving forces in changing the MCAT was to incorporate biochemistry and medical schools really want to take a students that excelled in it.

I'm by far no expert, however, admissions may look negatively upon taking biochemistry in the summer. At my university the summer class is ridiculously easy compared to the course offered in the fall, which is why students take it then.

Playing it safe, I suggest you take biochemistry during your fall semester. To free up time in the fall, can you take another (preferably non-science) class during the summer instead?

Good luck.

 

[gamieg]

yes. it's tough and intensive, but I personally find focusing on one course over the summer beneficial. it won't hurt you if you do well.

 

[pioneer22]

Thanks for the responses so far

 

[Vitani]

Unless the adcoms know your schools specific coding, how would they know it was online?

 

[Lost In Transcription]

Biochem is becoming more important.

Why risk it? Just take it normally.

 

[pioneer22]

Biochem is becoming more important.

Why risk it? Just take it normally.

My school offers two biochem classes for each department....
so my plan was to take it during the summer for the biology department version of Biochemistry to get the basics down, then take the Chemistry departments version again in the school year, so I would be familiar with the material the second time around...

 

[Dr.Sticks]

not entirely true. There still a bias against summer prereqs by a large fraction of adcoms. While a single course will unlikely to have a major negative impact, it needs to be considered with rest of application preperation

Wait what
Why?

 

[Lost In Transcription]

My school offers two biochem classes for each department....
so my plan was to take it during the summer for the biology department version of Biochemistry to get the basics down, then take the Chemistry departments version again in the school year, so I would be familiar with the material the second time around...

Hm. Sounds like a lot of money. I would instead take a slighly lighter load and then do the real biochem. The content will actually be different. Ochem is usually a better review TBH. Do the classes you have to push off for boochem onto the summer!

 

[pioneer22]

Hm. Sounds like a lot of money. I would instead take a slighly lighter load and then do the real biochem. The content will actually be different. Ochem is usually a better review TBH. Do the classes you have to push off for boochem onto the summer!

Ok. Ochem, biochem and physics at once will be doable?

 

[Lost In Transcription]

Ok. Ochem, biochem and physics at once will be doable?

No. Def not (though i did do this once for a separate ochem class...)

What year are you again?

 

[abc1014]

I don't recommend it if you plan on engaging heavily in other activities over the summer. This is especially true if the summer biochem course at your institution is notorious for being intense (we had our last exam and comprehensive final on the same day, one week after another exam). Ultimately I did well in the class, but I didn't really have the time to absorb the material for long-term comprehension.

 

[pioneer22]

interesting that 70% have said yes so far

 

[mwsapphire]

Supposedly one of the big driving forces in changing the MCAT was to incorporate biochemistry and medical schools really want to take a students that excelled in it.

I'm by far no expert, however, admissions may look negatively upon taking biochemistry in the summer. At my university the summer class is ridiculously easy compared to the course offered in the fall, which is why students take it then.

Playing it safe, I suggest you take biochemistry during your fall semester. To free up time in the fall, can you take another (preferably non-science) class during the summer instead?

Good luck.

At our school summer classes= death because of the accelerated pace.

Also, another question @gonnif , is taking a pre req summer before you matriculate a good idea? Say, I only take one semester of physics ( because at almost every school I plan on applying to , AP Credit is accepted.) But a school that doesn't take AP credit accepts me, would it be seen negatively to take another semester of physics over the summer ( it is offered)

 

[mwsapphire]

If you are asking if after you have been accepted, would taking a required prereq the summer immediately prior to matriculation be a reasonable strategy?
While that was previously a common tactic, it has become far more risky and much less viable than it has in the past. This is because medical schools are both starting earlier in the summer (most by early August, many in July, a few in June) and are requiring pre-matriculation requirements be completed earlier (many by June, some even by January of matriculation year). Failure to successfully complete pre-matriculation requirements on time risks your acceptance being deferred or rescinded, which would leave you with no recourse

http://weill.cornell.edu/education/admissions/app_req.html (Emphasis Added)
8. Validity of courses. To fulfill an admissions requirement, courses must have been satisfactorily completed within 10 years of application. We recommend that one or more advanced science course(s) be completed within 5 years of application. All premedical required course work should be completed by January 31 of the year for which admission is sought.

If the school policy says that I need only take it before August/September? This is only for like 1 or 2 schools out of like 23. What if I took a second semester of physics spring of senior year, the semester would have begun by January 31st, but I would not have been done with physics yet. I'm currently freaking out *just* a bit.

 

[buckeyegal1129]

From personal experience, I took courses over the summer to lighten up course loads when I studied for the MCAT. Granted it was physics 1 and 2 and anatomy, but none of the schools I applied to said it was an issue. Definitely think this is dependent on institution because my university pushed for pre-med students to take courses over the summer to allow time for research and MCAT prep. I think it's up to you and where you're looking to apply

 

[mwsapphire]

1) I am sure the schools do not say August/September but rather prior to actual matriculation, so I would suggest that means by end of July. And completing means on a official transcript that can be presented to the medical school. yes, I have had a student complete a course but not get a transcript in time and was forced to defer.
2) I would imagine that being registered by Jan 31 would be sufficient, but again, that is up to the school. Since a large fraction of applicants will not know of their acceptance until after Jan 31, it is unlikely this would be an issue. You may have to submit a formal waiver, which is nothing more than a letter to the dean, just so the school can CYA.

To explain further, schools accreditation includes setting admission and matriculation policies, publishing those policies, and adhering to those policies. Therefore if they set a Jan 31st date, they need to stick to it or have a waiver process in place for their record keeping on their re-accreditation. Even so, too many waivers to the policies may raise minor issue during accreditation

Guess I'm taking two semesters of physics senior year ._.
Well, it should be a breeze after taking AP.
I am doubling up on Bio courses at some point Junior year, so hopefully this won't wreck my schedule.

 

[SouthernGent]

I did it. 3hrs a day, 5 days a week. It sucked, it was intense, but I wouldn't have done it any other way. It gave me great freedom later on with my schedule (Double major and in Band), and it allowed me to go all in on mastering a class that provided the foundation and mechanics for advance classes later on.

 

[buckeyegal1129]

I did it. 3hrs a day, 5 days a week. It sucked, it was intense, but I wouldn't have done it any other way. It gave me great freedom later on with my schedule (Double major and in Band), and it allowed me to go all in on mastering a class that provided the foundation and mechanics for advance classes later on.

Agreed, the only thing I have heard people say about summer classes is that they are more intense than regular semester versions (I'm sure there are summer instructors that end up teaching less but I've not heard of this being an issue in science courses)

 

[Dr. Stalker]

At our school summer classes= death because of the accelerated pace.

Also, another question @gonnif , is taking a pre req summer before you matriculate a good idea? Say, I only take one semester of physics ( because at almost every school I plan on applying to , AP Credit is accepted.) But a school that doesn't take AP credit accepts me, would it be seen negatively to take another semester of physics over the summer ( it is offered)

I'm aware of the accelerated pace. Same thing at my school. I mean 14 weeks of lecture condensed into 4 weeks is extremely difficult. Again, speaking about my own school, the summer class is still easier because they have different professors than those in the fall. The summer exams are straightforward; memorize all the steps and regulation of glycolysis, and thy shall be rewarded. Average on summer exams (I was a summer biochem TA) was in the mid 60s. During the fall semester it was in the low 40s. Despite being "at a slower pace." For these reasons (and I guess I can only speak on behalf of my own school), I'd steer away from summer core pre-med classes. It looks like "you're taking the easy way out" even if you aren't.

 

[pandorasbox]

I took both physics 2, physics lab and biochem in the summer at my school. It was fine and no one ever asked about it and I have acceptances to schools now. Just do well and get an a. I was also a neuro major so I did take upper level sciences during regular school years too though so they could see I am capable of doing well either way. If you are a humanities major I'd suggest maybe not doing your science courses over the summer.

 

[mwsapphire]

I'm aware of the accelerated pace. Same thing at my school. I mean 14 weeks of lecture condensed into 4 weeks is extremely difficult. Again, speaking about my own school, the summer class is still easier because they have different professors than those in the fall. The summer exams are straightforward; memorize all the steps and regulation of glycolysis, and thy shall be rewarded. Average on summer exams (I was a summer biochem TA) was in the mid 60s. During the fall semester it was in the low 40s. Despite being "at a slower pace." For these reasons (and I guess I can only speak on behalf of my own school), I'd steer away from summer core pre-med classes. It looks like "you're taking the easy way out" even if you aren't.

Low 40's?? Was it scaled?

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Low 40's?? Was it scaled?

No.
An A was a 90+
A-87+
If you scored "Average" (40s) you'd receive a failing letter grade.

 

[westsidestoryz]

not entirely true. There still a bias against summer prereqs by a large fraction of adcoms. While a single course will unlikely to have a major negative impact, it needs to be considered with rest of application preperation

I took ochem I and II during summer with labs. As in all four classes. Is that still bad?

 

[westsidestoryz]

did you get all As because you are a great student or because it was easier in short summer session? I cant tell without seeing you overall application. And even if I do the see the difference now, it doesnt matter as you already have the course completed and on your application. cant change it so move on to what you can affect

It wont come up during interviews, would it? I really did work my a$$ off for 8 straight weeks

 

[mwsapphire]

No.
An A was a 90+
A-87+
If you scored "Average" (40s) you'd receive a failing letter grade.

Where did you go to school???Isn't the average grade in a class supposed to be at least a C-?

 

[Beezlebub]

Ok. Ochem, biochem and physics at once will be doable?

Ochem is useless unless you need a GPA boost and to fill a prereq, then I'd suggest just taking it alone, since a lot of premeds have a problem with Ochem for some reason. Biochem is definitely useful for med school in general. Keep in mind that summer courses are packed in couple mo's instead of an entire semester.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Where did you go to school???Isn't the average grade in a class supposed to be at least a C-?

I'll DM you the school.

My university had an extremely high # of premeds. Of the 500 kids in biochemistry, 490 were all premed. The departments of biochemistry and biology were notoriously anti-premed, so they set their averages for core pre-med classes in an unusual manner, such as an average in the 40s as a failing grade.

 

[Dagrimsta1]

Don't do it. Chances are the course will either be compressed and/or topics will be removed from the course. B/C is not the course to skimp on... Med school teaches B/C and the MCAT tests it HARD BODY. If you said physics, I agree take that **** and get it over with.

 

[pioneer22]

Don't do it. Chances are the course will either be compressed and/or topics will be removed from the course. B/C is not the course to skimp on... Med school teaches B/C and the MCAT tests it HARD BODY. If you said physics, I agree take that **** and get it over with.

what do you mean HARD BODY? intensely?