Hey guys, I have taken all my required science classes. I am taking AP Chem in my junior year. If I want to become an anesthesiologist, would you recommend taking Organic Chemistry or AP Physics C (I’m taking AP Calc BC right now) in my senior year?
Have you taken AP physics 1 or Honors Physics?
If organic chem would taken at a local community college, then you need to know that:
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any coursework you take in high that generate a college transcript (like coursework taken at a CC) will be included when calculating your GPA for med school admission.
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there are a number of med schools that will not accept CC credits as fulfilling admission requirements
And you have the cart way, way, way before the horse. Get into college and med school first, then you can decide your specialty. (While anesthesiology isn’t a particularly competitive specialty, there are no guarantees that you’ll have the necessary USMLE scores, grades and LORs to qualify for anesthesia if you do get into med school)
BTW, anesthesia involves doing a lot of partial pressures, you’ll need both calculus and physics to do those calculations.
I’ll be doing complex analysis and multi at my HS. Also, orgo will be taken at my HS. I have only taken regular physics. My reasoning behind taking orgo in HS is that I’ve heard it’s a pretty tough class, hence, an early introduction would help me.
Ochem in college can be a tough class for many students, but the way ochem is usually taught in high schools may not help you and in fact may make it harder to learn ochem properly later on.
So what would you recommend? Quantum Mechanics, Physics C, or Organic Chem?
Go for organic chem, not AP Physics.
My vote would be for Physics C. As a STEM major you will need physics in college and it can be a bear of a class if you’ve only had regular HS physics.
Another vote for Physics C.
To study quantum mechanics you need diff eq and plus modern physics first; anything else is just pretending to teach quantum mechanics.
I’m thinking I should do O chem. The reason? O chem is the hardest weed out class in college, as opposed to physics. Also, I’m pretty sure that you only need algebra/trig based physics for med school. Opinions on this?
Doesn’t your HS offer AP physics 1 or AP physics 2? Those are the classes that’s be most useful.
AP physics C wouldn’t help for med school indeed if you’re not thinking of a physical science Major. It’s mostly for engineering and physics students.
Organic chemistry in high school is nothing like orgo in college. Taking it thinking it’ll help with the weed out college class is like taking physical science in the 7th grade thinking it’ll help with AP physics.
However, if you’ve taken AP Bio, AP calculus, AP chemistry, and AP physics, then you can take whatever ou find most interesting.
I agree that orgo is not as hard in HS, but the orgo class is pretty rigorous, I’ve heard kids get ~40s on tests, with no curves.
I think o chem in HS can vary widely based on the teacher and agree that your best information comes from your school and the teacher directly. My D took HS o chem and her teacher modeled it after OSU’s course. She learned a ton and it was very helpful to have exposure before college. That said, I think physics is equally as important and agree with post #10, that if you have the option of AP physics I or II, to go that route.
Should I take Multivariable + Complex Calc + Physics C
OR
Multivariable + AP Stat + Physics C + Orgo
(I want to do medicine + apply to BSMD programs, but I might apply as a math major since my ECs are heavily skewed towards math)
First combination.
You wont be taking orgo till sophomore year at the earliest and thus will have had a big gap between the high school introduction and the premed version. HS orgo is just an introduction I don’t think it helps with the college version .
Check what sort of physics your chosen college wants: calculus based or algebra based?
Choose your physics course accordingly.
Since you’re strong at math physics C, especially if both E&M and M, may be a challenging “fun” for you.
Make sure you have English, Social science/history, and foreign language.
I have the eng and history, but do I really need a foreign language senior year?
Depends on the kinds of schools you are aiming for and what level you have reached. The most competitive schools will want to see 4 years of FL
How bad would it look for Ivys/T20s if I do not take it, given that the rest of my schedule is very rigorous?