<p>I'm an incoming freshman planning on pursuing pre-med and majoring in either chemistry or biology. Has anybody taken Bio 110, Chem 102, and Calc 155 all at the same time first semester? We're you successful? A lot of people are saying that this course load + the writing seminar is too difficult for an incoming student. I do have an AP background in all 3 however.</p>
<p>Im not sure if this will be helpful, but my son is also an incoming freshman pursuing pre-med. He is planning to major in molecular biology and minor in Spanish, and has registered for Bio 110, Chem 102, Calc 155A and Spanish 201W (and will take the writing seminar in the spring). His CASPAR adviser did caution him that these particular courses are some of the most time-intensive classes, but he just graduated from a full IB high school and is used to a tremendous homework load. His high school curriculum included two years of IB Physics, IB Bio and HL Math (equivalent to BC Calc) and he had honors chem as a sophomore. Calc 155A should be a review for him, so he is hoping that starting there instead of in the higher level will allow more time to spend on chemistry. Plus, it seemed that in order to take orgo and physics sophomore year the only other choice would be take Calc 155 alongside orgo and physics, which doesnt really seem like a preferable option. Hopefully he is not wrong in feeling prepared! It would be interesting to hear from some current students as to their experiences.</p>
<p>What’s your background in chem/calc?</p>
<p>There’s a drop period for the first three weeks (I think) of class. If you decide it’s too much, you can drop any of the classes during the drop period without consequence. </p>
<p>Those three are certainly manageable if you take them seriously. Incoming students often don’t take them seriously. Study and don’t fall behind!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>I took both AP chem and AP Calc AB this year.</p>
<p>students who made a 5 on the Chem AP exam have a choice at Vanderbilt…I met some taking orgo freshman year. There are pluses and minuses to this option. I believe it was at 8am (negative! ha) especially when your sleep schedule you high roller kids maintained in high school tends to get disrupted when you integrate into dorm living. My sons were up daily at 6am like Trojans in high school and this schedule tends to disintegrate in college into something else.<br>
Some orgo AP 5 freshman I met (one was a Spanish major premed) liked the fact that orgo was All Freshmen…in this plan re grading and curves but this is the total extent of my second hand knowledge. Perhaps an actual Vandy student who made a 5 on the AP Chem exam and made a decision for or against the freshman org plan can offer their experiences. My comments were gathered in a five minute chat with a new freshman three years ago. These things tend to shift and change in all institutions and the more recent the information the better.</p>
<p>3 pre-med weed out classes first semester turns a lot of pre-med students into business majors. Your first semester involves many changes: away from home, freedom, new choices…study chem or go to the frat party tonight, new friends, roommates, homesick…etc. Vandy classes are not like high school and your classmates are all as smart as you. IMO its smart to take it slow first semester then ramp it up next semester after you have adjusted to college life.</p>
<p>I don’t recommend skipping to Orgo. There are a lot of VERY bright students who skip straight to Orgo, so students tend to score higher and the curve actually doesn’t help you. People actually traditionally get bad grades in the freshman orgo class, to the point where the class has an extended drop period that lasts until you get your first test grade back, which is actually pretty funny.</p>
<p>If you take it your second year, you take it with ALL the pre-med students; this means lower average scores and a more helpful curve. </p>
<p>Anyways if you have taken AP Chem and AP Calc AB, you have covered almost everything you will see in the entire year of Chem and the first semester of 155. Most people don’t take all three of these at once though. May be in your best interest to hold off on one.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>I agree. Skipping to orgo freshman year would not exempt me from a second year of chemistry as most medical schools do not accept AP credit and would probably be tougher for me (since I’m already comfortable with the intro chem material.) I’ll probably take Bio and chem together and take Calc next year after reviewing the material next summer.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, what kinds of classes are taken by people who apply to the Vanderbilt Medical School early acceptance program sophomore year? Do most successful applicants take Chem/Bio/Orgo and get A’s?</p>
<p>You have to have a 3.5 and finished half of the required science pre-med courses by the end of sophomore year. Not sure exactly what that means. By the end of sophomore year, most pre-med students have taken chem, bio, and orgo, regardless of if they are applying to that or not. I would guess that successful applicants probably have A’s in 2/3 of those but I really am not sure.</p>