Honor Courses?

<p>Ok so I am attending the University of Washington and I am deciding whether to take honors chemistry or not. I scored a 4 on my AP exam, but most medical schools require chemistry classes be done at the undergrad university, so my advisers recommended honors chemistry. I looked online and they said "It doesn’t affect how we look at your academic record." Should I still take the honors chem class still or take the regular chem classes so I can float on by?</p>

<p>In all honesty, it doesn’t really matter</p>

<p>The medical school won’t care. You won’t get any “extra credit” for having ‘Honors’ in front of it. BUT, there might be benefits of the honors section - smaller classes, better professor, easier grading, all things that might make having to “retake” the course more tolerable or even downright enjoyable. This is a decision that you need to research more and talk to some older students about the profs, the class, etc…</p>

<p>^Yes, Honors is beneficial and Chem is easy, so you will still “float on by”.</p>

<p>That’s not always the case. Certainly some honors classes are significantly more difficult than their non-honors counterparts. That’s why it’s important that the OP get on campus first, talk to some older students and get good information before just jumping in and signing up for an honors section.</p>

<p>Opinion at D’s school is that some Honors are actually easier, more individual attention, prof. is more accessible. We were told that at one of inforamtion sessions even before she started attending. I agree, it might be different from school to school, but Chem is definitely much easier class than Bio, Orgo, Physics, that is what I meant when I said that Chem is easy.</p>

<p>Also I am deciding whether to double major. Is it beneficial for applicants to double major or is it just unneeded stress?</p>

<p>It’s not necessary and won’t impress admission committees, if that’s what you’re asking.</p>

<p>Double major if it’s a strong interest or if you have a good reason for the second major. </p>

<p>(For example, D1 was a physics major and by the time she finished all her required math classes for her physics degree, she was only 3 classes shy of a BS in math. So it was pretty obvious she ought to take the 3 additional classes and get the second BS–opened alot of possibilities for her. OTOH, D2 picked a second major in math–she’s a bio major-- because she just really likes math.)</p>

<p>If it is stress, it is not beneficial. D likes her minor in music because it provides great relaxation for her. Minors / other major should be in area of your personal interest for your own R & R. If doing math problem is fun, then go for math, this type of thinking. Pleasing anybody, including adcoms of Med. Schools is a wrong approach.</p>