<p>Am I insane!!?!?!</p>
<p>I wouldn't take any other class and that would only be 15 credits.
I usually take on 18 credits (2 sci/2 non sci)</p>
<p>It’s fine. Pretty standard for any science major.</p>
<p>I would not advise it. Orgo + Bio + some easier science class (maybe in psych. / neourocience), if a goal to have all As. Physics 1 is usually harder than the next one, since usually it is Mechanics. Taking 3 science classes is OK, but this combo would be stretching IMO.</p>
<p>it’s all about time management; 37 years ago as a first semester sophomore my classes were: Organic chemistry 1(I was a chemistry major) with lab, physics 1 with lab(for science majors), linear algebra, English(the last of 3 required courses), German 1(required for chemistry majors) and ROTC(which I had to take for 3 hours on Saturday morning as there was no room during the week)-total of 19 credits(which required permission of a dean). Had classes or lab from 8am to 5pm nearly every day. Ended up with all A’s except a B in ROTC! That’s when men were men…Medical school seemed easy compared to that semester.</p>
<p>Both D’s have taken 3-5 math and science courses w/ labs a semester every semester they’ve been in school without any ill effects. (D1 is physics and math double major w/ minors in chem and bio; D2 is a bio(neuroscience) and math double major w/ a minor in philosophy. D1 will apply to med school this summer; D2 will apply for 2012 or 2013 admission.) </p>
<p>3+ science courses/semester is just what science majors have to do to get all the required courses done. </p>
<p>Both girls TA, do research and still find time to volunteer. They both have actual social lives too. </p>
<p>It really is matter of time management.</p>
<p>D2 reports that the non-calc based physics that bio majors and premeds take is “brain dead easy” if you’re decent at math. Much easier than orgo. (D1 says everything is easier than graduate quantum mechanics.)</p>
<p>Sounds fine to me. Most science majors and premeds tend to have at least a few science-heavy semesters.</p>
<p>last semester, i had physics 2, orgo 1, bio 1. it wasnt too bad except for physics. ended up with all A+'s for the semester. time management is key. but this is a typical premed schedule. you should be fine</p>
<p>“it’s all about time management; 37 years ago as a first semester sophomore my classes were: Organic chemistry 1(I was a chemistry major) with lab, physics 1 with lab(for science majors), linear algebra, English(the last of 3 required courses), German 1(required for chemistry majors) and ROTC(which I had to take for 3 hours on Saturday morning as there was no room during the week)-total of 19 credits(which required permission of a dean).”</p>
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<li>yes, this is much more doable than OP’s combo. especially with algebra, english and foreign language being easy classes (at least for my D. who has done 19 credits before this year - taking MCAT prep.). Keep in mind also, that all pre-meds usually work, volunteer and intern in Med. Research Lab in addition to other EC’s (sorority, club sport…) in addition to reguirement of very high GPA in everything, including minors (they are counted int general GPA that cannot be low either).</li>
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<p>Linear algebra was after calculus and before differential equations-it is not high school algebra; I am a practicing physician-have done everything your daughter HOPES to do; I was just making the point that it is all doable;</p>
<p>Math. has been D’s easy subject, she does not like it though, she has taken calculus at HS. Math. is boring for her. Yes, she wants to be a practicing physician some day, taking MCAT in 3 months. It seems that OP’s combo is very streachy though because of Bio as 3rd science class - the hardest class in D’s school, especially the very first Bio although she loves all her Bio classes. She has taken Bio + Orgo, but then the third science was from her Neuroscience minor, which are easier.</p>
<p>Two years ago, I took Organic chem I, genetics, cell bio, animal physiology, and general physics I in one semester, in addition to the usual extracurricular things. The semester after that I took organic chem II, organic chem lab, general physics II, mammalian endocrinology, and english. I knew I’d be able to manage it and I did. But I can’t say, without knowing them personally, whether somebody else could manage it; only they can know that.</p>
<p>GoldShadow,
Your schedule sounds crazy. D. cannot graduate earlier anyway - restriction in her program, she has to spend at least 4 years in UG (engineering majors are reguired to spend 5 years). D. has taken all of the classes that you have listed, they are very hard. I wonder how many hours you slept with schedule like that to get your A’s. Very few would be able to achieve it and in D’s case it would not make sense any way because of 4 year UG requirement in her program.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, those two semesters were less stressful than my freshman year when I took intro classes and gen eds. Time management makes a huge difference, and I hadn’t learned how to do it properly freshman year.</p>
<p>GoldShadow,
Some do not have any problems with time management though, they had pretty crazy schedules in HS especially kids with daily sports practices for 3 hours and tons of other EC’s and perfect GPAs. I actually recommended my D. to cut her credit hours, she wanted to take all kind of classes, too many interests. Her pre-med advisor has been very impressed with her application and surprized by amount of work D. has done at college, advised her to apply to most selective Med. Schools (nah…, D. wants to be close to home). D, has never had schedules like yours. I would not recommend your schedule to anybody, unless they do not need sleeping.</p>
<p>Sounds like a pretty chill semester. You should have plenty of time to work and/or volunteer and/or research with that load. You could probably manage a 4th class if you wanted to.</p>
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<p>Some pretty big assumptions there. The OP’s schedule is quite light (3 sciences courses w/ labs…plug and chug away for the most part; Orgo’s not hard if you spend the time to actually figure out what’s going on and bio 2 is usually evolution/diversity/physio, so it’s generally pretty easy) and gen physics is truly “plug and chug.” The other schedule mentioned is far more difficult. Linear Algebra is an advanced math course and at least on par with ochem in difficulty level/time involved. Unless one has a background in German (and/or is naturally gifted in languages), German I could easily be the most difficult of the mentioned classes simply due to the amount of time neecessary when beginning to learn a new language. English is rarely a an easy A and often requires at least the amount of time of a typical lab science. ROTC takes dedication and tires people out physically (as well as mentally) and would be akin to managing a part-time job with that schedule. In other words, that schedule far exceeds what the OP is asking.</p>
<p>^Difference in school / individual capabilities. OP needs to talk to pre-med advisor at his school who is familiar with their specific curriculum. The classes that you mentioned, were completely apposite in difficulty for my D at her school. Orgo, Bio, Physics are very diffucult. English, Foregn language, any math (so far, she is not planning to take any more) were very easy As in comparison. </p>
<p>OP needs to get advice at his school.</p>