<p>Freshman here seeking advice for the coming fall! I want to take chemistry first semester, but I don't know whether I should take Chem 31L or Chem 43 (Honors). My chemistry background is just OK...I got an A+ in high school honors chemistry and an A/A+ for AP Chem, but because our teacher for AP Chem was kind of awful, I think my A+ was a bit of a fluke (got a 3 on the actual AP, though I can't say I tried too hard). </p>
<p>My question is...I'll be applying to med school, where apparently the "honors" distinction will be more impressive. However, based on ratemyprofessors.com, the teacher for Chem43 is kind of awful, while the professor for 31 is regarded as being pretty great. So, based on my not-so-fantastic background in chem AND the fact that the honors Chem teacher may not be so helpful (someone confirm this? It's taught by Therien), should I risk it and take honors Chem? I'm fairly smart and willing to work my ass off...but of course in college, everything is 10x harder and being high school "smart" might not be enough. </p>
<p>(I hope someone who has experience in one of those two classes answers. Thanks!)</p>
<p>Avoid 43 if at all possible. The tests are very problem solving-based, and the professor doesn’t really do much in the way of teaching. Whereas in 31 the tests are multiple choice and you don’t have to do stupid things like memorize all the amino acids, the 43 tests were just impossible. Plus it doesn’t seem like you have too strong of a chemistry background, if the 3 on the AP is any indication.</p>
<p>The honors designation will not be more impressive if you don’t do well in the class. It may actually backfire and hurt you instead. </p>
<p>Really for med schools, what they look at more are your GPA/MCAT and the advanced courses. They use the first to screen out applicants early and they use the second to make sure you didn’t take the easiest, lowest common denominator courses available. When they look at your transcript, they know that there won’t be much difference between regular and honors gen chem. The same basic concepts will always be covered and that’s what they want. </p>
<p>On a side note, judging from recent trends in changes to admissions requirements, I think med schools are beginning to top load their requirements by mandating more higher level courses such as biochem, genetics, and even physiology/anatomy that were once optional or recommended. So that should give an idea of what they are looking for. </p>
<p>PS: as a premed you probably can’t avoid memorizing amino acids, if you don’t do it in gen chem, you will in orgo and maybe later in biochem.</p>