<p>I'm majoring in Human Biology (B.S.). My freshman year, I'm going to complete General Biology, General Chemistry, Calculus, and English. If I'm right, this will complete 4/6 of the pre-med requirements. </p>
<p>How does this sound for the next three years?:</p>
<p>Sophomore: Organic Chemistry/Next Level Biology
Junior: General Physics/Next Level Biology
Senior: Physics II/Next Level Biology </p>
<p>I'll probably take the MCATS during spring/summer of Junior year. Does this sound like a good plan? I also have an option of taking Physics my freshman year. However, I'll be taking three sciences, which might be an overload. Also, when do you take the Kaplan MCAT course?</p>
<p>I say take physics this summer or the summer after your sophomore year.</p>
<p>Start studying for MCATs the summer after your sophomore year and take that summer or the fall.</p>
<p>After that it is less stressful. Your junior just concentrate on your grades and ECs. Apply the summer of your junior year.</p>
<p>I thought taking a core class durinng summer was a bad idea because of the cramming. What do most bio majors do?</p>
<p>No, taking pre-reqs during the summer is bad idea. Most bio majors follow the schedule you’ve outlined and take the MCAT in early spring of their junior year. Then apply the summer after junior year.</p>
<p>If they take summer classes, it’s usually suggested they take their gen ed/distribution credits and not core science classes.</p>
<p>PS-- you really don’t need a second year of physics. You may need a second math class, though. And some schools have additional requirements including but not limited to: biochem, A&P, genetics, a second writing class and at least 1-2 upper level humanities classes. Check the schools to which you’re interested in applying.</p>
<p>I haven’t even started thinking about which medical schools I’m interested in. Just getting into any will be a dream come true. However, the major I’m completing (Human Biology B.S.) requires two years of physics… :S</p>
<p>Thanks for the response though. When do you take the Kaplan MCAT course?</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with doing a pre-req in the summer. How well you do in it means a whole lot more.</p>
<p>It is better to take MCAT summer of sophomore year. You can take summer off and just do ECs and study for the MCAT. Take it before fall comes and then relax the rest of your junior year.</p>
<p>Taking it during junior is really stressful. You have to deal with a full-time schedule, ECs, and studying for the MCAT at the same time. Also you will be taking physics as the same time as you are studying for the MCAT. So you might even encounter stuff that you haven’t even seen before.</p>
<p>Another plus about taking it the summer before is that you have the chance to retake it. If you end up doing bad, you can retake it before the application process start. I can’t say the same about taking it spring of your junior year. This puts extra stress on you because if you fail then you can’t apply that cycle and have to apply next year.</p>
<p>Take your Kaplan in spring semester of junior year, timing it so you finish the course slightly before your actual test date. (So you have time to take multiple practice exams before the big day.)</p>
<p>Wow, really? That seems a lot for spring of junior year. I might just take around 10 hours of coursework for that semester. Bio + Physics + Easy elective.</p>