Pre-med academics?

<p>How difficult are the academics at Rutgers NB arts & sciences for premeds?
I'm going to be a biology major mainly because I enjoy science and it is one of my stronger areas. However, because there is so much pressure to maintain a high gpa as a pre-med I was wondering how difficult it is to maintain a 3.8.</p>

<p>In high school I've taken 9 AP's i may take 2 more, but I'm not sure yet. I have a 3.65 UW gpa, rank 18/280ish, but that's mostly because I got 3 B's freshman year since I was slacking off.</p>

<p>Exactly how difficult is it to maintain straight As at NB and how difficult is it to earn research opportunities? What kind of curve does the grading follow and exactly how many As are awarded per science class? Lastly, how difficult those honors colloquium courses and honors science classes?</p>

<p>I'm just trying to figure out what I'll be getting myself into. Thanks.</p>

<p>this is coming from a freshman in the honors program. biology is…hard i guess. if your not used to studying around ~15 hours for an exam than you better attend ur lectures. lets just say its hard. </p>

<p>honors general chemistry is… harder than general chem. its more in depth and more of the physical part of chemistry compared to gen chem. there is a small curve compared to gen chems curve. But, the honors professor is a lenient guy. you also learn a lot more. basically, easier to get a good grade and to learn more. (some ppl just dont get it though, if ur one of those just take gen chem)</p>

<p>Bio Exam 1: A = 110-150 (75 questions)
Bio Exam 2: A = 122-150 (75 questions)
Bio Final : A = 234-300 (150 questions)</p>

<p>this was fall 2009 curve. the curve for honors chemistry was like 20 ppl got As, 15 ppl got B+ 15 ppl got B, and so on and so forth.</p>

<p>honors colloquium is a 1 credit course. you just show up for class, talk. and do some small project at the end.</p>

<p>im not saying its impossible to get a 3.8 gpa, but it will be hard… and considering u have a 3.65 in high school gives me the feeling you need to step it up a few notches to get a 3.8 in rutgers.</p>

<p>do you know how competitive it is to get research opportunities?</p>

<p>There is a research program called Aresty summer science program; however, I have heard of people who just contacted a professor (even before attending Rutgers) and did research assistant work over the summer. I’m not sure how competitive it is, but it seems readily available to those who are proactive.</p>