I am considering taking organic chemistry I and II over the summer in order to accommodate my plans to study abroad. Has anyone done this before, and would you recommend it?
As far as I understand, Organic Chemistry is difficult as it is and trying to cram it into less time is not a recipe for success. But if you do, get the book “Organic Chemistry as a second language”
My summer roommate did this. It seemed really really difficult, but if you are good at chemistry and are willing to put in a lot of study time, I think it’ll be manageable. (Just be careful not to burn out).
I did this 20 years ago, and would highly recommend it. It was a pleasant way for me to complete all my pre-med requirements as a non-major. I thought the material was quite manageable in the compressed time and enjoyed having the freedom to focus all my energy on the single challenging course.
For med school purposes, where you take it is also an important consideration. You local CC probably is not an option, as med schools want to ensure that you are not taking the easy way out.
My premed advisor cautioned me about not taking orgo at my school since it might look like I am trying to take an easier route, but since I am planning to study abroad, she said I have a legitimate reason to take it elsewhere over the summer. My main concern is fitting Orgo Part 1 into 4 weeks and then Orgo Part 2 in an additional 4 weeks (including labs).
At this point, I’m considering not studying abroad at all because it seems that I have to jump through so many hoops to (1) Get my credits transferred, (2) Pay a substantial amount of money for this summer class that my school will not cover, and (3) Organize the rest of my schedule without falling behind in my pre-med requirements (ie. having to take bio during junior year).
Since I can’t foresee what’s best for my pursuit of med school, I’m pretty lost.
I do appreciate all the advice 
Is it possible for you to do Orgo I in the summer, Orgo II in fall, and then study abroad in spring?
Orgo II isn’t offered in the fall 
What is your class standing and when will you be studying abroad?
I’m preparing to study abroad as well and I too had to cram in some classes this semester to make it work (though I’m in a different major than you).
I encourage you to talk to your pre-med advisors, professors you know, and your study abroad advisors to try and make it work. If you have the opportunity to study abroad, you should really go for it! Things can be worked out.
If you’re studying abroad as a junior, can you take orgo chem as a senior? Or take orgo 2 after you get back from studying abroad? (I know little about orgo, so I apologize if this would be impossible to do. I know that one of my friends took orgo last semester and he found the lab to be easy but the actual class to be insanely hard)
It may depend on your school in some cases too. I went to a small engineering school (~1800 students), and in a typical summer session class, we might have had a total of 5-10 students… the class atmosphere was much more laid back than a typical fall or spring semester, which made asking questions super easy.
I took a few summer classes and generally found them to be less stressful.
I wanted to study abroad as a sophomore, but after speaking to my premed advisors i have decided to take physics over the summer and therefore study abroad as a junior
Where do you want to study abroad? NYU has organic 1 and 2 and physics 1 and 2 at their London site, and students from other schools can apply for their study abroad program. It is expensive, but it’s another option to consider
I always thought summer Orgo was difficult because of the short amount of time to learn so much material.
But the general consensus I’ve been getting at my school is that Orgo is actually easier in the summer – and that’s taking Orgo in the same institution, not your local CC.
Everybody that I’ve talked to said that in theory it should be harder due to the cramming of material in 4-5 weeks, but the professors usually take a much more laid-back mindset during the summer. The professors graded easier, easier exams, and more leniency (i.e. upward curves) because they understand that 4-5 weeks is an incredibly short time span.
Granted, this was my personal experience from anecdotes in my particular school.