<p>Okay so next year i will be a sophmore. I have completed my full year of bio with lab and one english class. I wanted to take it easy as i adapted to college. I plan on applying summer 2013 to enter fall 2014. </p>
<p>So my question is i am taking gen chem next year, should i take it with precalc(i need a fresher, i dont want to bomb calc1) or should i take it with physics or with all three and the last sem of english. If i do all three i will take calc 1 second semester soph. year. That leaves me with just orgo junior year and 1 sem of statistics( i have decided to substitute one sem of calc with stats). And take biochem over my application season summer (to have more options when it comes time to apply). I just dont want to over do it. But i want a lighter junior year to take a prep class and continue ECs.</p>
<p>Also is it a problem that i have no ECs yet? My school has seriously no opportunities, hence why i am transferring for this fall. I can volunteer and shadow this summer. I have that set up already.</p>
<p>Oh and one last question: Will the new MCAT affect me if approved?</p>
<p>The new MCAT won’t start until 2015 so you won’t be affected by it.</p>
<p>I think if you want a lighter load as a junior, you will have to triple up as a sophomore: gen chem, pre-calc/Calc 1, physics. You will also need to add volunteering, shadowing. At the end of sophomore year, for next summer, you’ll need to look for a summer research position either at your school or thru a REU or similar program.</p>
<p>Your other option would be to postpone applying until the summer after graduation (apply for 2015 admission–you still won’t be affected by the new MCAT) and spread out your science coursework a bit more.</p>
<p>You will also need to check the admission requirements of the schools you’re most interested in. Besides biochem, some schools may require genetics, anatomy & physiology, upper level humanities classes or second semester of writing.</p>
<p>3.5 last semester and I’m looking at a 3.8-4.0 this semester. And the schools I’m interested in don’t require anything else they just strongly recommend it. And what is REU?</p>
<p>REU=Research Experience for Undergraduates. NSF (National Science Foundation) sponsored programs for science/math/engineering majors.</p>
<p>And if a course is “strongly recommended” by a potential school you may want to consider taking it.</p>
<p>Would it be okay to take them over the summers if they are not official reqs? Also i am working with a prof. thats trying to get me research in the social sciences. Is that okay for research?</p>