<p>Hey all, I was wondering if anybody knew about the organic chemistry sequences. I'm considering taking the honors sequence in the fall, but I've heard mixed opinions; some say that it's too insane and I should stick with the regular sequence, and others say that I should go for the challenge. Any opinions? I aced the general chemistry sequence, although that was through Running Start at a community college, so that might not say much about what will happen at UW.</p>
<p>Okay, so I haven’t taken ochem but since I started out at UW being pre-dent, around half of my friends at UW are fall into the biochem/pre-med crowd. Some have taken general ochem, some have taken honors.</p>
<p>Honors is a lot more rigorous than ochem. You’ll probably give up the majority of your social life during that time. It can be a GPA crusher, which is devastating if you plan on going to a top graduate school (masters, medical, pharmacy, whatever). Many students drop out of Honors ochem after a quarter and just take regular ochem, finding it so much slower and a lot easier.</p>
<p>HOWEVER… my friends who battled and came out triumphant against the so called evils of Honors Ochem have told me that although they would not do it again, they did not regret the sleepless nights spent studying for the exams. They understand ochem at a level that other students did not; this put them at an advantage in future classes that built on top of ochem.</p>
<p>Anyway, I personally wouldn’t take Honors ochem. You can try it out and test the waters … and let us know :P</p>
<p>Looks like enrollment in honors ochem (335/336/337) dropped from 54 in Autumn 2011 to 37 in Winter 2011 to just 21 in Spring 2011. Wow. Although the regular ochem series (237/238/239) dropped off a bit too, from 747 in Autumn, 738 in Spring, to 615 in Spring.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the honors section, but I took the regular sequence a few years ago. In my opinion, both seem difficult to me (in terms of receiving a good grade). Obtaining the averages may be a tough task because you have to remember that the class is filled with many bright students. However just try your best and stay focused on your work :).</p>
<p>With that said, OChem is by far one of my favorite subjects for undergrad. I think quarter 1 of the sequence is the most important since you learn about the basics that will lead you into the many reactions of the 2nd and 3rd quarter. My advice is to learn about the mechanisms you’ll see rather than just memorizing.</p>
<p>Haha, thanks for the advice, guys. I’m leaning towards the regular orgo sequence, because I really have no idea what to expect at UW, but I’m still a little iffy about it. Just got direct admission into the biochem department, so I might be able to afford a small dent in my GPA; I guess we’ll see. :]</p>
<p>Hey congrats to the admissions into biochem!! :)</p>
<p>If you decide to try honors ochem, let us know what you think of it! Remember, you can always drop down to regular ochem at the end of the first week or at the end of the first quarter if you try honors and it seems like the wrong choice.</p>
<p>Speedsolver, thanks! 
Triseradad, we’re allowed to drop down to the regular sequence? 
Hm, I just might give it a try, then. Lots of time before my orientation date, though. Sigh. Who would’ve known choosing classes would be so difficult…</p>
<p>Yep, you can drop down to the regular sequence. 
Also, talk to the advisers to see what they suggest!</p>
<p>I certainly hope Honors OChem doesn’t fill up before orientation, because I want to sign up for it too.</p>
<p>It hasn’t in the past few years and I’m guessing it won’t when you sign up. Also I would make a decision and stick with it. Dropping from 335 to 238 does not look good in my opinion.</p>
<p>Awesome, thanks for the advice Benchwarmer.</p>