hey, i was going to come to AUC in january 09, and i wanted to take a 2-3 courses (300-400 level electives) that would best prepare me. can anyone tell me what the hardest courses are in the first semester, or how many students generally fail these courses so i can take precaution and get a better foundation...thanks

We'll probably have different professors and a different schedule by the time you get here. Plus the way they teach in med school differs from the way they teach in undergrad.

But if you have to take electives anyway, your 1st sem. classes at AUC are antatomy/embryology, biochem/genetics/cell bio (all rolled into a course called MCB I and II during 1st and 2nd semester), and histology.

Having some idea of any of these never hurts - but you will see a different emphasis when you get here.

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"Not if I don't see you first, sonny..."

I would take biochem and an anatomy class to get jump started on first semester.

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if i had to choose one, take biochem... at least then you'll have a good background while taking the class

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Me fail English? That's unpossible. - Ralph Wiggum

biochem would be good......some people have a tough time with genetics too.

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AUC 5th Semester
Undergrad: UC Riverside

The classes aren't hard it's just a lot of material. You have three or four classes which means that many tests to study for. Keeping up on the material I think is the hardest part.

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Bookite, MD, DC
AUC SOM

Emergency Medicine Resident
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I'd go with biochem too. A lot of people fail classes, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Lots of people fail, but most others don't. And, their failure has nothing to do with your success (or lack thereof).

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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish. --Unknown

IMO it depends on where your strengths lie. If you're good with math, and have difficulty with the more integrative stuff, I'd say Physio. But most people have trouble with the biochem, genetics duo.

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Suffering is optional.

Don't worry about 1st semester, you'll make it. Get a jump on pharmacology. You don't want to be in the position of having to do very well on the shelf exam. Pharm was easily the most difficult class I took at AUC.

they were asking about first semester......dont freak them out by talking about the pharm shelf!

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AUC 5th Semester
Undergrad: UC Riverside