<p>Hey everyone, I'm an incoming freshman at the University of Michigan who is looking to study medicine. Lately, I've been trying to put together a general plan for the courses I'll be taking over the next few years... And I'd like to ask current students what think about this schedule for my first year, second semester.</p>
<ol>
<li>Bio 172 - Introductory Biology - Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental (credits: 4)</li>
<li>Chem 210 - Structure and Reactivity 1 (Orgo 1) (credits: 4)</li>
<li>Psych 111 - Introduction to Psychology (credits: 4)</li>
<li>Physics 135 - Physics for the Life Sciences I (credits:4) + Physics 136 Lab (credits: 1)
total : 17 credits</li>
</ol>
<p>I've already taken AP Bio, AP Chem, AP physics C:Mechanics, and psychology (not AP) in high school, but I know the standards for these classes will be way higher in college. Also, it seems like a lot to me, especially with orgo in there. However, my brother seems to think that this schedule will be "very feasible" since I've already taken the respective AP courses for bio and physics (he's an incoming freshman as well). </p>
<p>Additionally, I want to do research with UROP, which I know is a pretty big time commitment.</p>
<p>So, is this a normal schedule for a pre med? Can I handle this, or should I spread out the classes?</p>
<p>If I were you, I would swap one of those classes and balance out the schedule with a non-science (hard or soft) class. Maybe get your freshman writing requirement out of the way, if you won’t have done that already, or take a poli sci/history/language course to allow your brain the opportunity to do something a little different than its thinking in physics, bio, or chem. While I’m not pre-med, my professors tend to advise a little variety, especially for a freshman.</p>
<p>I mean, I’m sure you can handle it, but it would be a rough semester for sure. I’d take Finnlet’s advice if I were you. My pre-med friends had much easier first semester schedules than that.</p>
<p>Finnlet is exactly on point. Chem 211 should be taken concurrently with Chem 210. Taking two intro labs in the same semester isn’t a great idea due to the high hours:credit ratio (which is probably why you omitted 211), and so I would recommend replacing either orgo or physics with either humanities or social science, specifically FYWR.</p>
<p>Additionally, Physics 135 filled up very quickly when I worked orientation in 2010, and I would not be surprised if that still happens now.</p>
<p>Edit: I didn’t see the part about UROP. Definitely don’t go with the science trifecta unless you’re the kind of guy/girl who has submitted research to Intel/Siemens and/or done things like USAChO, USABO, and/or USAPO in high school. It’s just too much science for your first semester, and that’s coming from someone who did 4 of those 5 aforementioned things. You probably want to drop the one least relevant to the field you would like to research in, and you may want to consider aiming for 14-15 credits.</p>
<p>Edit 2: Apparently you actually did ISEF and did well, so ignore the first edit. <em>foot in mouth</em> I still recommend taking 2, not 3, science classes. I will also add you will likely be told at orientation to use AP credit to bypass intro Bio and intro Physics, and I would certainly agree :]</p>
<p>You can stick with the plan but it seems like a lot. But your first semester will give you some idea of what you can handle. Expect that you may find this schedule unreasonable after your first semester and you may need to replan though. </p>
<p>One note, make sure it doesn’t push you over 18 with UROP in addition to it.</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone for the helpful responses!
I moved physics to sophomore year, and replaced it with a non-science class. While I’m into science, I’ll have to admit that this looks much more manageable.
You guys seem pretty knowledgeable, so I guess I’ll ask some more questions while I’m at it:
Other than getting the earliest possible registration date, is there anything I can do to help guarantee that I get the classes I want before they fill up? Also, how do I know when I can sign up for registration?
When you become an upperclassman, are science majors sometimes expected to take three science classes at once?
Are there people who I can talk with at Michigan (counselors or something) who will help me make these kind of scheduling decisions for pre-med? I’ve been trying hard to figure it out all by myself with the internet, but I’d much rather talk to an expert.
How does the difficulty of getting good grades in AP classes in high school compare to the difficulty of getting good grades in college? If I really dedicate myself to work, would be reasonable to earn a 3.6+ GPA?</p>
<ol>
<li>Registration for your first semester is done at summer orientation. To register earlier, you simply need an earlier orientation date. Try to get in the first few, I was able to get all of the classes I wanted.
EDIT: I didn’t realize this was for your second semester. Really the only thing that determines your registration date is your number of credit hours. You can request an override into a class from a professor, but that’s obviously no guarantee to get into a class.</li>
<li>I’m not qualified to answer this.</li>
<li>You’ll be assigned to an advisor at orientation and will get a concentration-specific advisor when you declare your major. The general advisors get a ton of pre-med students and should be able to answer your questions and help with scheduling.</li>
<li>The rigor of AP classes really varies from school to school. However, I would say that college classes are definitely harder than AP classes. The GPA you get in college will definitely be much higher the more time you dedicate to studying, but it’s impossible for us to tell whether YOU can get a certain GPA. Many students achieve over a 3.6, and many lower.</li>
</ol>
<p>I hope that this helps a little bit! Welcome to Michigan!</p>
Earliest possible registration date is most important. If you miss out on something you really want, you can ask the professor for an override in person once the semester begins. A handful of classes are on “enrollment management” or something, which means that they open up more spots throughout orientation. I believe it’s approximately every two weeks, so you could, in theory, keep checking Wolverine Access every morning or something. Most people opt for the override route though.</p>
<p>
With proper planning, you should be able to avoid having to take more than 2 for most semesters. That being said, if it’s your passion, go for it! Most of us giving advice here just want you to be careful as a freshman.</p>
<p>
I think very highly of the pre-health advisers at LSA Newnan Advising. A lot of people aren’t a fan of advisers in general, but Newnan hands out a pretty good pamphlet and checklist that are worth the visit.</p>
<p>
Some students who don’t do well in high school figure it out in college, and some students who breezed through high school hit the wall. College work ethic is far more important than high school performance.</p>
<p>MichiganStick, thanks for your response! I’m glad to hear work ethic is more highly valued in college. So sick of watching my talented peers breeze their way through every AP class, while I’m over here working my butt off to manage the same And yeah, I do have passion for science, but freshman year already seems like it will be a big transition on its own. I agree that I’d better to play it safe for at least one semester, and see what I can handle. Thank you for your help!</p>
