The schedule I initially planned out was: Chem 1601 + lab (Gen Chem), Math 1301 (Accelerated Single Variable Calc II), FYWS, and Spanish 3301W (Intermediate Spanish Writing).
I’m very very very undecided on a major.
But today was the first day of course enrollment, and because I am in the second period my preferred schedule is now moot as the chem lecture I wanted (Todd) filled up in 2 minutes. I also spoke with my adviser today and she told me not to take calc and chem at the same, and to fill the spot with an AXLE course. My concern now is whether that is sound advice? It seems that a lot of people on the FB page are taking not only chem and calc, but also bio first semester and I don’t want to be behind? I’m definitely not naturally a math/science person so all 3 classes would take A LOT of effort on my end, so I’m okay with just taking chem, but is that okay?
Also, as far as chem teachers go now that Todd is out, who do you think is best? Verbernne-Sutton (8:10), List (9:10), or Phillips? I’ve heard Phillips is the best option and his class is at 11:10-12:00 in the Stevenson Center, however, I really want to take a European Studies class which I need for multiple majors I’m considering and it’s in Wilson Hall at 12:10, so I don’t know if I could get there on time from Stevenson?
I don’t know if any of this makes sense sorry I’m stressed and my adviser evades a lot of my questions so I’m super confused
Wilson to Stevenson in 10 minutes is doable, so don’t worry about that. I’m not on the pre-med track but I can assure you, DON’T TAKE CHEM, CALCULUS AND BIO ALL AT ONCE YOUR FIRST SEMESTER! These are weed-out classes for a reason!
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It is pretty common to take chem and calc at the same time. They are both prerequisites for courses that many science/engineering majors need to take their sophomore year.
However, as pre-med, and assuming you’re not going for a major in math/physics/engineering, I don’t see any convincing reason to take chem and calc at the same time. Calc isn’t a prerequisite for any of the other courses you need to take, so it doesn’t hurt to push it back. They’re both challenging courses. It makes more sense IMO to double-up on tough courses once you’ve adjusted to academics and life at Vanderbilt.
Taking chem, calc, and bio at the same time is a very poor idea. I don’t think anyone has done this and not regretted it. I cannot imagine what the rush is to take all these courses so soon.
Agree with the above posts. Give yourself the fall semester to adjust to the academic and social climate at Vandy. Start off with a good GPA. Too many pre-med students get weeded out before thanksgiving. If you can AP out of calc. do it and take Stats.
The addition of psychology, sociology, and biochem to the MCAT will likely require a summer session or two anyway.
Do. Not. Take. All. Three. I promise you they are harder than you can possibly plan for. My daughter had a 5 on the AP bio exam, Made A’s in chem, and struggled to make C’s in Gen Chem and Bio (and was HAPPY to get them). C’s are AVERAGE in these weed-out classes, and that took a huge chunk of pride out of my straight A kid! She did well in Calc and found it easier than the other 2. She is taking Organic at our state school this summer to take the load off her junior year.
Doesn’t the Vanderbilt HPAO recommend at least one semester of Calculus at vanderbilt? What are your thoughts on this. I got a 5 on BC Calculus and I’m wondering whether or not I should just use that credit and only take Stat.
@bud123
To answer that question, you really need to look at Medical schools you’re interested in and what their policy for math courses and AP credit. The safest route to be sure you fulfill every school’s requirements is to take a semester of calculus and a semester of statistics. However, many schools will accept AP credit, and some just require one semester of any sort of college mathematics.
If I take Calc 1300 my freshman year, will med schools still take my AP Credit, or is it technically “unused”.?
If you took calc, there would be no reason to submit your AP credit to a medical school, as far as I know.
@pancaked my daughter was pulled from the wl, so she finally gets to register Monday. Her advisor is an English prof, d is neuroscience major PhD track, possibly med school. She’s hoping to get a spot in Gen Chem plus lab, writing seminar that fills the US hist req (if no spot, then an English W course), a neuroscience course recommended by advisor, holding off on math and bio for now. She needs a 4th class, she’s not sure what to take. Advisor says low work load course but what? She’s thinking anthro. Holding off on intro to psych until gets AP score. Advice? Latin refresher? Spanish true beginners? Wants to keep GPA up.
If she needs to take a language, I’ve always felt that freshman year is a good time to do it. If not, perhaps enroll in both Anthro and Intro to Psych, drop one later. All are good choices.
Just for the sake of freedom I usually recommend enrolling in an extra class, since it can be dropped whenever.
Good idea. Do you have any Latin v Spanish advice (besides the obvious – dead v. living). Professors, experiences, etc.? She had 2 years of Latin and enjoyed it. If Spanish, she’d be a true beginner.
If you have AP credit for Chem or Calc, PLEASE use it! My friend who went to the same high school I did (so I can attest to his intelligence and work ethic) got a 5 on the AP exam but decided to take Calc 1 and 2, thinking it would be easy A’s. He got C’s both semesters.
If you MUST take a math class, take Multivariable. It’s waay easier.
If you MUST take Calc 1 and 2, PLEASE don’t take chem and bio alongside them. I made the mistake of taking bio, orgo, and multivariable in the same semester, and my GPA paid for it. Even orgo and bio by themselves is a LOT to handle. Skip any weed-out you can. I’d rather get orgo out of the way freshman year than take gen chem again and be mislead that it would be “easier.”
@Juvenis A 5 on the AP BC exam let’s you go straight to Single Variable Calc III (2200), do you recommend this? Why?
Also do you think I could get a way with just taking math and chem first semester, or should i pick one or the other.
I hate all of these new stupid class numbers >.>
MATH 155A/B (I think its 1301 now…dont quote me) is definitely a weedout class. The average on tests was a 77. I feel like a lot of incoming freshman dont understand the gravity of grading at Vandy compared to high school (I sure didnt lol). 77=C+=2.7. The average GPA for MATH 155 is a 2.7. Let that sink in. You cant get into an MD med school with a 2.7. If you can avoid this class, DO IT (Shia labeouf shoutout).
You have to realize that for premeds, you only have to take these classes: bio, chem, orgo, physics, math. I know some med schools have sociology/psychology/english requirements, but AXLE should help you out there. So you really only have to plan your college career around those 5 classes. Most premeds do:
Freshman: Bio and Chem
Sophomore: Orgo and Math
Junior: Physics
Alternatively:
Freshman: Math and Chem
Sophomore: Bio and Orgo
Junior: Physics
Obviously you can move things around, but the point is, DO NOT TAKE THREE OF THOSE PREREQS IN ONE YEAR. Not only is it unnecessary, its illogical, and thus, stupid.
This is kinda related. As an engineering major I have to take Chem and math 1300(accelerated calculus I) first semester(according to my brochure), does anybody have any suggestions or know if that is absolutely mandatory? I wont be getting AP credit and I really dont feel like having freshman year ruin my dreams because of simultaneous weedout classes.
I’ll say that taking chem and calc together freshman year is very normal for engineers. It’s the recommended schedule for every engineering major.
If you want to push one back, you have to look ahead at other courses and see what the prerequisites are. I know chemical engineers that need to take chem their first year. Biomedical engineers might need to as well. Not sure about the other majors, but they could potentially push it back. Not sure about calc either, but I think that might be more difficult to push back, as a lot of engineering courses have Calculus or other upper level math courses as prerequisites.
op here, thanks for the advice everyone it was super reassuring!
one more thing: how do you feel about having no classes on one day in the middle of the week because I can set up my schedule to have no classes on Thursday, but most people are split on whether that’s good or not? I’d love to hear opinions?
If you’re keeping the same schedule you have in the original post go for it. Always good to have free days. Slight tangent, but don’t fall into the over-achieving trap of college. I knew some kids who took 18 credits first semester, joined 5 clubs, rushed, and thought they were going to get a 4.0 through hard work and determination. Needless to say, didnt work out too well lol. Vandy is hard, theres no need to make it any harder than it already is.
If youre only taking 12 credits, then idk. Some people say its better to go really light your first semester, other people say that 12 is too little. Personally, I feel like 14-16 is a good range 