Is it too much to take Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Physics B in one college semester?

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1

All that with the possibility of taking math 20c, multivariable calculus as well - even writing it out stresses me out.

I just took Chemistry, Calculus, English, Theatre, and Orchestra in one semester and pulled out with one B in math (an 87) and all A’s otherwise, which I’m pretty upset about. I want to apply to med school and I know that a B is going to hurt my chances (maybe not one, but if I keep getting them it certainly will). I’m hoping that I can keep my grades clean from now on to get my GPA up to at least a 3.95 for transfer since I am at a community college, and hopefully afterwards too so that the B is practically diminished.

I am a chemistry major, and I need to take chemistry each semester that I am at my school, so that is set. Additionally, I have to take three physics class, so I will always be taking those from now on. And I need to go up to 20c, I’ve just taken 20a so I have three semesters left to take two math classes. Depending on the school I apply to, I may also need to take Differential Equations, which has 20c as a co/prerequisite, so ideally I take one math each semester.

My school doesn’t offer a lot of summer courses. I wish that it offered biology, but it does not. I can take any life science that I want, but I know that biology would benefit me the most when I am studying for the MCAT and I have no real knowledge of biology - I took it in high school and learned nothing at all, and my community college offers a very rigorous biology class. Anatomy is offered over the summer - I could take it along with an English course in a matter of weeks and knock out my life science requirement, but I don’t know if this is the most beneficial for me. I’m afraid of taking Organic Chemistry, Biology, Physics B and Multivariable Calculus at the same time but Biology is only offered in the fall and the other three I need to take in the fall as well in order to graduate in 2 years.

Has anyone ever taken a course load similar to this, and is it doable? I studied for chemistry maybe 25 hours a week this semester and pulled an A, but I’m worried doing this for 4 classes will absolutely kill me, and I definitely don’t think I could handle doing orchestra and working part-time along with it since that takes a full day out of my week (25hrs), so I would be missing out on some of the fun aspects of my life and would be a little behind in my saving plan (I live at home, it won’t be an issue financially).

I’m thinking I could get a head start and really self-study biology over the summer, during winter break and spring break and then I could ease the load a little bit, but I’m sure it won’t put a large dent in the material. Thoughts?

2

Yes, I took almost exactly that a few semesters ago: physics, honors orgo, and honors biology+an intensive biology lab course. I was also doing quite a few volunteer and extracurricular activities at the same time. There are plenty of people out there who have taken similar class loads (or more), and have succeeded at it. It’s absolutely doable, but I can’t answer the question of whether it’s doable for YOU. It’s a little worrying that you already have the feeling that you might not be able to handle it—studying 25 hours a week for what I presume is gen chem would most likely mean that on average, you’ll be studying more for orgo.

Even if you take anatomy, you will need to take a year of general biology in order to fulfill medical school prerequisites anyways, so if you’re strapped for time/classes, forget about anatomy. Judging by your post history, this is your first semester of college and it sounds like you want to graduate after 3 years in college—are you able to afford finishing college in 4 years instead? Because it sounds like the early graduation goal you’ve set for yourself is really stressing you out. Self-studying material during breaks could work, but it’s going be tough, not to mention the possibility of burnout.

Again, you are the one with the most information about yourself. When I decided to take a similar class load, I knew it would be hard but I was confident I could do it based on my performance/feeling in previous semesters. Do you feel like you can figure something out that you feel somewhat comfortable with (whether that means taking an extra semester, dropping some of your non-academic pursuits, etc.)?

Keep in mind that you’ll eventually need to arrange clinical/non-clinical volunteering, etc. for yourself, although there is no need to rush with that if you’re going to take gap years. As someone who is currently applying to med school this cycle, it’s important to remember that being a premed requires devoting time to several different pursuits at the same time, not just academics.

3

Most faculty don’t teach the premed classes with the MCAT in mind. For that test you will have to do self study or take a class outside of your semester courses on your own. Most class content is not aligned with the material you need to know for the MCAT exam.

4

I’m not sure what’s the hurry with packing your schedule. When do you see yourself applying to med school?
Also one B, or a couple of Bs or Cs would not end your chances at med school.

5

I wouldn’t advise doing those classes at the same time. It would not be good for the GPA. And if you plan to take Multivariable Calculus too, forget about med school.

Talk to your major advisor or pre-med advisor at your school. He/she should be able to give advice as to whether your plan is feasible. You don’t want to mess up your BCPM GPA.

6

Spread those out. As a pre-med you need three quarters of general biology anyway but these could be taken at your 4-year university. I’d suggest taking chem, physics, math, and psychology (it’s another pre-med pre-req anyway but easier than biology).

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@Jugulator20 I don’t mean to pack my schedule - it’s just that my school only offers Biology in the fall and the other courses are prerequisites for my spring classes. These are my major requirements for transfer

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@silmaril Thank you for your insight - you make a good point about disregarding anatomy for now, I wasn’t even thinking about the bio requirement (or volunteering) and I probably should be. I do want to graduate in 4 years, I’m hoping to spend only two at community college though. I think you’re right in saying that I should drop a non-academic aspect, and I might feel comfortable with the load if I drop my job and orchestra rehearsal, although I’m not too sure about that. It’s comforting to know that it worked out for you though, and maybe after this next semester I’ll have a better idea of where to draw the line in course load. Thank you :slight_smile:

9

You don’t need anatomy for med school (but you do for PA school)