<p>I am a premed neuroscience major; however, through orientation, I did not get any of the classes I wanted/needed. For instance, Chem 14A, Math 3A. I wanted to finish the Chem series by the end of sophomore year, but I am now a quarter behind. I was placed in arbitrary classes, Music History and Philosophy 6 and two fiat lux seminars for 12 units. What should I do? Help?</p>
<p>If you want to, you can attend 14A for a the first couple lectures and then jump in when someone drops…and people will drop, its a huge class. As long as its before the discussion quizzes, you are fine.</p>
<p>Alternatively, you are fine with those classes…The Chem series is only 4 classes (14A,B, C,D) All this means is you have less GE’s to take in the future. 14BL can be taken concurrently with B, and 14CL can wait. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Step one: Calm down. You’re overeacting.
Step two: Try and get into the classe you want after September 1st. </p>
<p>This really isn’t that big of a deal. It’s still extremely possible to finish chem on that time frame, just take a lab class with one one of the lectures or do summer school. Trust me when I say you’ll face a lot bigger obstacles on the road to med school than having a bad schedule fall quarter of your freshman year.</p>
<p>dude, you’re so freakn screwed. If you don’t take those specific classes in the first quarter, the medical school admission boards are going to look at that and automatically toss your application into a special stack which will eventually be used as toilet paper. Also, there is a rule that states that if you take music history and philosophy in the first quarter of your freshman year, you get -10 on your overall mcat score. So yea, you should quit now, since you already messed up…</p>
<p>Are students likely to drop Math 3A? Do fiat lux seminars reflect badly when applying to med schools?</p>
<p>I enjoyed the feigned sarcasm. I am worried, for I plan on september 2013 mcat.</p>
<p>Whoa, chill it’s not that big of deal that you couldn’t get into any of the classes you planned on. You are going to learn really quickly that 75.555% of the time your plans will have to be changed because enrollment is a *****. Is summer school an option for you? Because if it is then you don’t need to worry at all. If it is not, then you need to plan everything out perfectly. I know lots of premeds that started the chem series in winter quarter and they are not stressing out at all. If I were you, come September 1st I would try to find at least one core science class and maybe ditch the two fiat luxes. So you can start the LS series, Physics 6 series, Chem 14 series, or Math 3 series. Try to find a spot in any one of those classes. Don’t try to rush through these courses as fast as possible. Don’t try to rush throughout these courses as fast as possible, and this is probably unlikely but if it takes you more than 4 years then it takes you more than 4 years. Med Schools don’t care how long it took you. just focus on producing quality work rather than worrying about graduating, you are barely starting college!</p>
<p>Why not April 2014? The general advice I’ve heard is take it spring of Junior year. That way you’ll have everything done and also has some upper divs like biochem and physiology related classes under your belt.</p>
<p>What ^^he said, I plan on taking mine around spring of my junior year. By then I hope to have all of my core classes done and most of my GEs out of the way so I can have a low unit load and more time to practice for the MCAT</p>
<p>I do fairly well after 3 months of intense studying and I don’t want the stress of other classes coupled with that of the mcat. Therefore, september 2013 is best. Although not recommended, I would have another test option in spring.</p>
<ol>
<li>Chill</li>
<li>You can still finish the chem series by the end of sophomore year. Either take a lab along with regular lecture (can be helpful) or take summer classes. And if Lavelle’s teaching chem 14A during fall quarter, then you’re probably better off not taking chem then</li>
<li>Idk about math…I only had to take 1 math class. I guess…take 3A and 3B during the school year and 3C in the summer? Or just take 3C in sophomore year and start physics 1 quarter later. Not a big deal</li>
<li>Better to start chem 1 quarter later…the material is that much fresher when you study for the MCAT</li>
</ol>
<p>MS-I here. </p>
<p>Take MCAT summer after sophomore year. Taking all of LS series, Physics, and Chem before will be enough prep for the MCAT, plus the additional studying you gain through 3 months of MCAT study before a September test date. The detail you’ll get into for biochem and physci classes are not needed, you can learn everything you’ll need through the MCAT books. </p>
<p>Advantage: the material will be fresher in your mind, less catching up to do. you’ll also have junior summer if you need to retake MCAT. </p>
<p>If you insist on taking MCAT junior year, having biochem and physci will be good refresher courses before studying.</p>
<p>I’m taking the MCAT in two weeks and it’s in the same test frame as your “September 2013,” the summer after sophomore year.</p>
<p>You definitely do not need biochem or phyi sci for this test. LS2-4, chem 20/30, and physics 6ABC definitely prepares you well enough. Can’t go out on a limb and say 20/30 > 14 for the test, but I know my ochem better than those who took the 14 series.</p>
<p>Hey, I’m a freshman premed neuroscience major too! </p>
<p>Don’t worry. So many other premed majors are in the exact same situation as you. It’s totally not worth getting worked up about. Like everyone said, you can still finish your chem series by the end of Sophomore year. No reason to panic. Just sit down and work out a plan. And then calm down and get ready for an awesome first year of college! :)</p>
<p>“So many other premed majors are in the exact same situation as you.”</p>
<p><em>Sigh</em> there’s no such thing as a pre-med major (face palm)</p>
<p>Imagine being in my boat. I’m an incoming transfer 3rd yr neuroscience major.
I couldn’t finish the physics series at my previous school so I need to finish it at LA obviously. But I didn’t get a physics 6B class. Fail.
I got a LS 4 class however. But I was placed in two random GE classes. I was planning on doing a minor in Arabic and having my upper div GE requirements overlap my minor requirements.
So at least you’re not a third yr who is behind. Be grateful.
When am I taking the My Corpse Arrives Tomorrow exam? Jeez, I don’t know if I’ll finish my physics series on time to take it next summer. </p>
<p>But I’m taking it easy and so should you. Enjoy your time taking less hard classes and do some fun extra-curricular activities!</p>
<p>Which course load would be more difficult, Chem 14B and BL or math 3A coupled with 3B?</p>
<p>I don’t think you can take Math 3a and 3b at the same time…</p>
<p>Don’t worry about your schedule. I would try to join a club/tutoring group that can hopefully get you an early scheduling pass to try and get your classes sooner. </p>
<p>Don’t take useless classes just to fill out your week. If you have to I would take less classes and use that time to do research, study harder, etc. I took summer school each summer + an extra year So i was able to take classes at a pace that allowed time for work and extra curricular activities.</p>
<p>If you feel really stressed out about getting ahead, you can sign up for another GE or LS1, which doesn’t have any prereqs. But since many of the LS classes are pretty popular you might have a hard time getting in - so you might have to check the registrar’s page constantly to see if any sections are open for Fall. I wouldn’t particularly recommend taking LS1, just because you’ll be an incoming Freshman. I took LS1 in Winter of my freshman year and although the material was tedious as hell, I managed to pull of an A-. So… if you think you can handle it – it seems like you’re really fired up about getting ahead – go for it. If not, stick with your classes or replace Fiat Luxes with GE. But be warned – Fiat luxes are fun, but they don’t add much units. Taking another GE would boost the number of units you have, which will come in handy during the next signup time. (more units usually means better first and second pass) This will increase your chances of getting into 14A and math in the Winter.
Also, finishing the chem 14 series is not necessary in order to get into upper div classes like chem 153a. You can do 14a, b, c, d (without the labs) and take chem 153a. And upper div bio classes require LS4 (which you need LS3>14C>14B>LS2>chem 14A) to complete. So don’t stress out about fitting all the chem 14 labs into the schedule by the end of sophomore year. Some people don’t take it until their 3rd year 'cause it’s hard to get into.
I hope this would be of use to you! Good luck!</p>