Sincere Advice Needed

[med etudiant]

Salutations. I need some advice! I am currently constructing my Spring 2010 semester schedule. So far I have signed up for two upper level Bio classes, a gym credit, and a non-science class. I am also planning on taking a Kaplan class and (finally) taking the MCAT. Here's my question: I really want to take a French class (I already have taken my language requirement, but I still want to learn French) but it conflicts with one of the Bio classes (cardio phys.) I'm thinking that since I will be in the Kaplan class and studying for the MCAT, I should just drop the cardio phys. class and take French. Is this a good/bad idea? I want to take a light load due to the MCAT but is cardio phys. that beneficial for med school? Thanks!

[devildoc8404]

You will have plenty of physiology & pathophysiology coming out of every orifice during medical school.

If your science GPA doesn't need a boost, then I say take the French and kick tail on the MCAT. Good luck!

[jameslynton]

Take French. Would throw in some Spanish also.

[med etudiant]

med schools won't look down on a semester with only 1 science class?

[jameslynton]

med schools won't look down on a semester with only 1 science class?No they will not. By your senior year you have finished the important stuff. What they do care about is well rounded, very good verbal abilities (this is where taking other languages than English helps) and you did well in the pre-reqs.

[med etudiant]

Thanks James! SDN members (in the Post Bac Forum) seem to disagree. For Spring 2010 I'm taking: -Upper level Bio Class -Film Class -French -Gym Credit They recommend that I drop the film class and take another Bio class. I purposely took a (really) easy semester to (finally) take the MCAT (I'm taking an ((overpriced)) Kaplan class). James- do you think this is still ok? Anyone else? Thanks!

[med etudiant]

-----bump----- :-)

[jameslynton]

Thanks James! SDN members (in the Post Bac Forum) seem to disagree. For Spring 2010 I'm taking: -Upper level Bio Class -Film Class -French -Gym Credit They recommend that I drop the film class and take another Bio class. I purposely took a (really) easy semester to (finally) take the MCAT (I'm taking an ((overpriced)) Kaplan class). James- do you think this is still ok? Anyone else? Thanks!My son got early acceptance at a US school on Oct 15(yes that is early acceptance folks). He did not have a single high level Biology class - just the pre-reqs from University of Virginia Post Bac program. I am a bit leary of what you get on the pre-med stuff on SDN as that they are competitive students and general give incorrect info to sand bag you. You want a low stress semester before the MCAT - as that the test got harder and it takes longer to prep for it this year and next. I would take the film class and French. With the exception of Physiology (general and exercise) - I found all my higher level Biology classes (12) to be of little use to me. Most are hard and time wasters. I have only had one good upper level Biology Prof (he was in Physiology). In general I have not been impressed with most biology departments. I was just at UCONN and their biology depart is about average. University of Akron's department is OK (meaning about average also). Their Chemistry department is outstanding. If you have the pre-req's do the classes that are fun for you. You will do better in them.

[med etudiant]

My son got early acceptance at a US school on Oct 15(yes that is early acceptance folks). He did not have a single high level Biology class - just the pre-reqs from University of Virginia Post Bac program. I am a bit leary of what you get on the pre-med stuff on SDN as that they are competitive students and general give incorrect info to sand bag you. You want a low stress semester before the MCAT - as that the test got harder and it takes longer to prep for it this year and next. I would take the film class and French. With the exception of Physiology (general and exercise) - I found all my higher level Biology classes (12) to be of little use to me. Most are hard and time wasters. I have only had one good upper level Biology Prof (he was in Physiology). In general I have not been impressed with most biology departments. I was just at UCONN and their biology depart is about average. University of Akron's department is OK (meaning about average also). Their Chemistry department is outstanding. If you have the pre-req's do the classes that are fun for you. You will do better in them.

Thanks. I'll probably keep the schedule the way it is.

[swimchick]

JL's advice is right on. I also took the Kaplan MCAT course and it takes up a lot of time. I took a 12 credit semester, but it might as well have been an 18 credit semester. I think you have the right idea with taking it easy.

I never listen to the users on SDN (save for those associated with my post-bacc program). Sadly, I've found the users of SDN's post-bacc forum to be a lot nicer to deal with than the ones on the pre-allopathic SDN forum :rolleyes:

JL: congrats on your son's success! Hopefully this will be year I get to join the ranks of the U.S. med students:)