Your opinions on course selection?

[dhara]

I got into the life science program of biological sciences at university of toronto...i was just wondering if any of you guys could help me pick out my courses for first year...courses that are prerequisites and those that might help raise my GPA...i want to get into med school (if that helps)...thanks in advance

[jameslynton]

For the first year - don't do more than one science per semester. Take easy courses until you have the pace of college studying. Also be careful. I did great my first semester, got the courses I wanted and did well. The next semester, was hell. I had two bad teachers, bad times for the courses and joined a frat. I did poorly. My suggestion is take courses you like from teachers you like. If you don't like a teacher - drop the class and take it from some one else. You don't have to do your medical school pre-req's at first. I suggest you do them your second thru fourth year.

Here is pre-med hell - physics - chemistry - calculus in one semester. Avoid this at all costs! Don't take physics until you have finished all your math. Do them your senior year! Also take English classes where you learn critical thinking and learn very good reading skills. If you are confused about this - buy the examkrackers MCAT verbal books and read and practice them before you walk in the door.

[tennisball80]

I appreciate your advice.

Thank you very much !

Originally Posted by jameslynton

For the first year - don't do more than one science per semester. Take easy courses until you have the pace of college studying. Also be careful. I did great my first semester, got the courses I wanted and did well. The next semester, was hell. I had two bad teachers, bad times for the courses and joined a frat. I did poorly. My suggestion is take courses you like from teachers you like. If you don't like a teacher - drop the class and take it from some one else. You don't have to do your medical school pre-req's at first. I suggest you do them your second thru fourth year.

Here is pre-med hell - physics - chemistry - calculus in one semester. Avoid this at all costs! Don't take physics until you have finished all your math. Do them your senior year! Also take English classes where you learn critical thinking and learn very good reading skills. If you are confused about this - buy the examkrackers MCAT verbal books and read and practice them before you walk in the door.

[jameslynton]

BTW - I did three quarters of pre-med hell - chemistry, physics and calculus so I know what I am talking about. I worked like 60ish+ hours a week in class and studying - had three labs per week and a 2.5 gpa average for the lot. I had to stay in school due to the draft. I don't recommend anyone do this! It took me years to overcome the disillusionment and lack of confidence I felt about myself. It was just too hard. If you have to take less classes per semester to do well in them - then do it! If it takes you five year to graduate with a 3.8 average do it. Medical schools don't care how long you took they only care about the GPA. Think!