<p>My son will be entering his freshman year at Drew University. For many, many years, my son has been fascinated by the brain, biology and psychology - thus, is interested in Drew's Neuroscience program. They suggest a freshman take the basic Bio 7 class and Chem 6 their first semester, and Bio 9 and Chem 7 the second semester. Originally, my son had registered for both, but after thinking about things, thought that 2 sciences with labs might be a bit stressful for his first semester at college. He is a brilliant, enthusiastic student who LOVES biology but has difficulty with chemistry and sciences which are more math intensive (physics too). So, he pulled out of the chemistry class and opted for Philosophy (he loves that too)... thinking it would be interesting and less intensive. Now, with college less than a week away, he's panicing about making the wrong choice - and worried he should take the Chemistry along with the Bio... he "doesn't want to fall behind." I told him it might be better to go slowly and do WELL, rather than be overstressed with 2 lab sciences his first semester/year. WHAT DO YOU THINK?</p>
<p>Most biology/pre-med people take chem and bio their first semester. Taking 2 pre-reqs a year is what you really need to do in order to take the MCAT and apply to med school on time. I would suggest just diving in and making sure the other courses he is taking are as easy as they can be</p>
<p>I've been reading information (here) that says that lots of non-science (English , Philosophy, etc.) majors do well on the MCATs - Is this true?</p>
<p>As a humanities major myself, I would not know, but I only completed my chemistry requirement as well as my mathematics requirement (not all med schools require calculus, but because our lowest physics sequence requires Calc II).</p>
<p>As a rising sophomore, the main piece of advice I can give is to NOT RUSH into it. If there is another class that catches his eye that he's just interested in, by all means, take it! There is no other time than the undergrad years to pursue and learn about other things.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how the schedule works out with the new MCAT (since more testing days are offered per year) but I am a proponent of completing med school prereqs in 2 years. That usually involves taking intro bio AND gen chem freshman year and physics + orgo sophomore year.</p>