<p>@bluebayou From what I understand about Med school admissions, they care about the grade you get in the course. Also, the MCAT score is heavily factored in, it makes sense to me to take the class when there is less pressure so I can learn the material the best I can so that I can have a high score on the MCAT. And are you a physician, because I am guessing that your not a pre-med or med student judging by your join date in 04.</p>
<p>Bluebayou is correct. We just had a med school adviser tell us very recently not to take pre-reqs over the summer or at community colleges. While these aren’t fatal nicks on an application, they are more commonly accepted from those who decide later on in life to attend med school. For high schoolers trying for med school the traditional way, doing so is seen as trying to escape rigor - NOT a character trait med schools want to see. They want to see future students tackling the weeder courses and doing well. They do not want students who try to take the easy way out.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Course rigor is also a factor in admissions, in addition to gpa. </p>
<p>But as to taking prereqs in summer…google around and you’ll find several private college websites that clearly state that med schools frown on taking prereqs in summer. Or, just mosey on down to cc’s thread for premeds. Plenty of great info there.</p>
<p>The short answer is that you need a ‘really good reason’ to take prereqs over the summer, bcos as even you note, the courses tend to be easier. A really good reason might be a year/semester abroad so that you can’t take Physics 1 in the fall bcos you are studying abroad.</p>
<p>Look at it this way: the vast majority of your competition will have taken coursework in the traditional sequence. Why would you want to stand out (in a negative way)?</p>
<p>Summer is for volunteering, research, working, shadowing, etc.</p>
<p>From what school was this premed advisor from? I was only thinking about taking ochem for a summer but…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Google is your friend.</p>
<p>From an extremely knowledgeable cc poster:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You’l find the answers to the bulk of your questions in the stickies at the top of this thread.</p>
<p>[Pre-Med</a> Topics - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/]Pre-Med”>Pre-Med Topics - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>Don’t take prereqs over the summer.</p>
<p>==========
After watching the movie 21 six times I’ve learned to count cards and I have been reaping the benefits at a local casino, if I keep this up I should be able to afford Syracuse University’s tuition!!! And yes I do not know much about the financial aid part of college because my dad helped with that. If Pitt only requires the fafsa then I might be getting some aid even if it is small</p>
<p>=========</p>
<p>Did you find out what your EFC is …it sounds like it’s higher than Pell. </p>
<p>Do you know how much your parents will contribute each year? If not
, you need to find out. </p>
<p>I highly doubt you’re going to pay for college with casino winnings.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You need to recognize that Pitt only meets ~80% of need for instaters…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It wasn’t a premed adviser that said it. It was a person who sits on a med school admissions board/committee. </p>
<p>And I heard the exact same thing (different words, same meaning) toward the beginning of this past summer when sitting in on another med school session (both were for potential pre-meds, but led by med school admissions people). One of the med schools was in the top 15. The more recent one I’m not sure of the ranking, but it’s well known.</p>