Hi, I go to U of Alabama, and I have already registered for classes worth 16 credits for Spring 2016. I will be a junior by this spring semester, even though it will be my 3rd semester due to AP credits I had.
I am a pre med, and recently got an email for applying for University medical center shadowing. While it sounds very attracive to me, I have Genetics on that particular time that requires me to attend the shadwoing.
What should I do? Should I drop genetics so that I can apply for shadowing program? Or should I do it later?
Also, I am taking:
Genetics(assuming I m not dropping)
Cell Bio
Thermodynamics
Spanish Adv Grammar
Spanish composition.
How would dropping genetics affect your graduation plan? Could you sign up for a different class (at a different time slot) that would still fulfill your major/GE/university requirements so that you are still on track for graduation? Is genetics used as a prerequisite for other classes you need to take in future semesters? Could you easily take genetics a different semester without any real ramifications?
It kind of does… the question is whether not taking this class this semester would prevent you from graduating on time/on track. That’s a fairly important thing to consider.
No, I meant the genetics class, which I am assuming you are taking to fulfill some sort of requirement–for your major, for a GE, as a university graduation requirement. You’re asking if you should drop an academic class to do an extracurricular activity, essentially. And that depends a lot on how important this class is to you, and how important it is that you take it next semester.
For example, if this is a prerequisite for another biology class that you need to graduate, then taking genetics later could mean taking that other biology class later, which can affect how on track you are for graduation. Dropping this genetics class and taking a lighter load now may mean you have to take a heavier load in a later semester (which is not always wise) in order to graduate on time. It might mean you have to take a class over the summer to “catch up.” Maybe genetics is only offered in the spring, and you’d have to wait until next year to take it (rather than next semester). Maybe this semester has the really great professor that won’t be teaching genetics anymore, so it would be beneficial to take it this semester. Or it might not matter at all. Maybe this genetics class could easily be taken in the fall and you could still easily graduate on time without having to take a heavy load any semester. Maybe you could easily take a different biology class, and there’s no real reason you need to take genetics now (or even at all). I don’t know any of that for your situation. Which is why I asked.
If it helps to make it clearer: If taking genetics in the spring does not matter (it doesn’t affect your graduation or other academic plans, dropping it won’t affect financial aid or any scholarships, it won’t impact future classes that you want to take), then sure, drop it and do the shadowing. If taking genetics in the spring is super important, then we’d need to know how important in order to give you advice. If you aren’t sure how to answer any of those questions, then you might want to speak to your academic advisor about it.
OP - I am the father of a pre-med student at Alabama - senior by credits, junior by class. I have to make some assumptions in responding to your post.
While you are technically a junior based upon AP credit, you are a sophomore based upon age/class. You also indicate you are taking Thermodynamics so I assume you are an engineering major/double major and not a biology major. Given your accelerated pace, I also assume you have earned a significant scholarship at UA. Since most of these scholarships cover 8 semesters tuition - including graduate school, most students will take full advantage of these and plan to attend four full years.
Shadowing is an important part of the medical school application process! Unless you have hundreds of hours of shadowing with several different physicians in different specialties, take advantage of this opportunity. You can never have too much shadowing, but not enough can hurt your application.
Genetics is required by only a small number of medical schools, however, it is highly recommended by almost all. You definitely want to take this class if at all possible. That being said, it appears that you have plenty of time to take Genetics some other semester.
On top of the pre-med core classes, you will want to take Biochemistry too! Like Genetics, it is not a universal requirement, but more and more schools either require it or highly recommend this class.
You need to leave time for MCAT preparation in your schedule! The semester you are taking the MCAT you will need to only take 12-13 hours for full time status so you have enough time to study for the MCAT. If you really want to rock the MCAT, you need to treat it like an 8-10 hour class! Consider this when you plan out the remaining semesters on degree works.
Prioritize what will make you happy. That is just me, though. If you can bear the fast phase of the time then I guess you should do what you really want to do. And if you think you can juggle everything and can manage your time, then please just push what you want. Follow your gut.
But, if you think it will jeopardize your financial status and/or your urge to graduate on time, then think of the practical things. Leave some stuff behind and pick it up when you are on your feet again.
