<p>Hey, guys. I'm serious about going to med school, and was thinking about getting a leg up on my pre-reqs by taking them over the summer. I would most likely teach myself (MIT posts past curricula that I could use to study/take exams), and it would not count toward any credit - just so that when I take that course during school I would do much better (boosting my overall and science GPAs). </p>
<p>Anyone ever done this? I'm not looking to get a tutor since it's kind of a waste of money for no "actual" credit when I can teach myself. BTW, I go to UNC (OOS), and from what I've heard the science/math courses are pretty hard with considerable grade deflation. </p>
<p>Let me know what you think!</p>
<p>So long as you don’t take the classes for actual credit, it’s not going to be an issue w/r/t med school admissions.</p>
<p>But I have to ask, is that the most profitable way for you to spend your summer?</p>
<p>What I mean is what other things will you be doing with your summer? What ECs will you be doing? Summer is the time when you should be working on those community service/research/clinical experience hours.</p>
<p>Studying is fine, but that’s not all you should be doing.</p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful advice. Since I wasn’t completely sure if I wanted to go into medicine my freshman year, I didn’t actively pursue any labs/research for the summer - plan was just to work and make some money. I have an interview as a pharmacy tech, so that couldn’t hurt I guess. I’ve just heard so much about how GPA can “make or break” your acceptance to med school (albeit I know MCATs and ECs are extremely important as well). Would I be better off trying to find a lab/research opportunity for the summer now (on top of work and studying), or should I just hold that off until sophomore year and study as much as I can to get my GPA up? I feel like it’s probably way too late to get into a lab…either way thanks and let me know what you think!</p>
<p>No, since you’re working (or hope to be) that’s fine. Hold off on finding a research lab, especially since you’re switching schools and really won’t have any contacts yet. Also if you haven’t taken any lab classes (gen chem, bio), you’re not a good candidate since you lack basic lab skills.</p>
<p>You might want to talk with your PCP or any physicians you might know and see about doing some shadowing this summer. But aside from that–carry on.</p>
<p>Sounds good - I’ve actaully placed out of Bio 1 and 2 as well as Chem 1 and 2 (with AP Credit) - do labs “look down” on candidates who have used AP Credit vs. retaking the course in college?</p>
<p>I can’t speak for all labs, but some will simply because the lab portions of AP classes may not have involved the same equipment, procedures, rigor and safety training as actual college labs.</p>
<p>However, if you can convince a PI of your sincere interest and strong work ethic, then you might get a shot.</p>