<p>What kind of courses should you take as an undergraduate with the hopes to attend medical school. I understand the prerequisites and everything but I am talking in means of difficulty. Should I just pick the easiest courses available thinking it will be more manageable to get an A? For example, the school Im going to offers basically Math 21, 31, and 51. 51 is basically a survey of calculus intended for architecture and some natural science programs (biology is my major and is listed as one of the natural sciences), then math 21 is for math majors, and 31 is an honors math for selected students. Question is do I take math 21 or 51? I took AP Calc AB my senior year and almost positive I got a 5, but I really just need that A, as most premed students are.</p>
<p>Also when should I take physics? Physics is the only major science I struggle with a bit, averaged a B+ in both the honors and ap class I took, I need to have basically a semester with that as the only science maybe since I need to be in an entirely different mindset. Would it be wise to take this alongside organic chemistry? As that seems to a challenge to most premeds as well. Also what happens if I dont get into chemistry this semester since it may be too full? They wont let me take biology until I take chemistry, so does that mean I wait until my junior year to do organic? Is this common?</p>
<p>Take Math 51 unless you have a specific reason to take Math 21. (Like a second major in math.)</p>
<p>Most students take physics their junior year, but that’s not set in stone. You only need to have completed physics before you take your MCAT.</p>
<p>As a sophomore, take OChem and Bio at the same time. Pre meds all have to double up on science sometime. </p>
<p>You can certainly take OChem and Bio as a junior and take physics and Gen Chem as sophomore—there are no rules about in what order you need to take your pre reqs. The only important thing is to have your pre reqs completed before you take the MCAT.</p>
<p>oh thanks for the help WayOutWestMom</p>
<p>So I dont have to take General Chemistry prior to Organic Chemistry, are they really that different? I always though General was a prerequisite? </p>
<p>Also for Math 51, would that be more than sufficient to be able to do well in physics? Thats the only thing I really see that I might want to take a more advanced math class, also math 51 & 52, only total seven credits while Math 21 & 22 is eight credits, is that a big factor? </p>
<p>Also when will I be able to take Spanish? Am I most likely going to have to wait until spring since my school also requires a first year seminar thing?</p>
<p>No, you have to follow your school’s requirements. If your school requires Gen Chem before OChem, then you have do that.</p>
<p>I’ve heard from many people the OChem has very little carryover from Gen Chem and most people could probably take OChem without having Chem first. (Assuming you had a strong chemistry course in high school and are well grounded in the foundational concepts of chemistry.)</p>
<p>Pre med physics is usually algebra-based. You won’t need calc for it. Med schools only require algebra-based physics. Math 51 ought to be sufficient. (NOTE: some schools require bio majors and pre meds to take calc-based physics. Check with your advisor for the course requirements for your major.) </p>
<p>7 vs 8 credits isn’t a big deal. Most med schools talk about courses rather than credits since different schools have different credit awarding policies. </p>
<p>Take Spanish whenever you can fit it in your schedule.</p>
<p>Actually having a good understanding of General Chemistry is very important to understanding Organic Chemistry, many important topics such as bonding, electronegativity, acid/base chemistry, and orbital theory are introduced and discussed in detail in general chemistry. Having a strong foundation in those topics explains why many reactions and processes happen the way they do, rather than just brute memorization which is honestly a terrible way to learn Ochem.</p>
<p>Thanks again for the help wayoutwestmom, I will take 51, and thanks bluebayou for the link, reading that brought another question. What kind of chemistry should I take? Chem 30/31 is the intro chemistry, basically the gen ed courses Im guessing, with over a 100 kids in a class, while chem 40 is 40 kids in a class and goes farther in depth and is for people who plan on “pursuing majors requiring chemistry courses beyond the introductory level” does this default me to taking 40? But as you said organic I think would probably would be the only chemistry I would take later, unless I decide to change my major to biochemistry? Would Chem 30 be the easier grade? I took AP Chem as a junir and got a 4 on the exam, would I do well in chem 40? </p>
<p>Thanks for the prompt responses</p>
<p>EDIT: oh viciouspoultry didnt see your post, so I guess that makes it sound as I should take chem 40 then, okay</p>
<p>Tufts has something similar to your school: Chem 1/2 for ~400 people, and Chem 11/12 for about a tenth that number. Chem 11/12 are designed for people who want to go on with chemistry or sciences, but Chem 1/2 are entirely acceptable for premed (per the premed advisor) and the Chemistry/ChemE majors.</p>
<p>It’ll depend on your school’s premed track, but 30/31 will probably work just fine for you. If you are allowed to take organic chemistry after having taken Chem 30/31, you will almost certainly be fine.</p>
<p>wait Im confused again, will chem 30 be much easier than chem 40 then? Could someone explain to me in the long run, with emphasis on the grade, which will help me more? Like for letters of recommendation, chem 30 is probably not that great of an idea, but will it be much harder to get an A? Should I switch back to 30? If I switch my major to biochemistry will I need further levels of chemistry?</p>
<p>This is all difficult to say without knowing what school you go to.</p>