Here’s what I was thinking for my schedule:
1st year:
First sem:
physics, chem, a first year seminar, and math
Second sem:
Bio, orgo 1, psych, another course (maybe english, maybe spanish)
2nd year:
first semester:
orgo 2, bio, either sociology or stats, another course
second semester:
bio, biochem, _______
and then take another physics (to complete the full year requirement) early junior year or something.
I don’t think I’m missing anything right?
The only problem I see is having to take 2 physics. I would like to take it in the same year (esp bc i’m not very good at physics) but I can’t.
The reason I want to take physics and chemistry and math the first semester is bc at my school, the first semester is pass/fail! I didn’t realize I’d need another year of physics… and I don’t wanna take it second semester bc I really need to get started on my biology classes as I want to be a bio major and I can’t declare myself as a bio major at the end of soph year unless I have taken all those classes! So would it be okay for me to take 2 physics so spaced apart?
If you are using AP or IB credit to skip gen chem 1 and physics 1, you will need to take additional coursework to fulfill med school admission requirements. Med schools almost universally require or strongly recommend AP/IB credits to be supplemented with additional upper level coursework equivalent to the credits received from AP/IB to be competitive applicant.
So if you’re skipping gen chem 1, you’ll need a semester of analytic or inorganic chem with lab to fulfill admission requirements. Ditto for physics. If you are only taking intro to physics 2, you’ll need a semester of modern physics with lab.
Although your college may be pass/fail, medical schools not accept pass/fail grades as fulfilling admission requirements. You need to consult with an advisor at your college to learn if your grades are true P/F grades (with no actual grade recorded) or if they are merely “covered” or “hidden” P/F–where there is an underlying grade recorded but not shown on your transcript. If your grades are hidden or covered, you need to find out how to get your real grades recorded on your transcript.
@WayOutWestMom
Thank you! I figured that I’d have t take additional upper lever coursework.
I can’t skip chemistry bc I only took IB SL chem and not HL chem. I can possibly skip biology but my school says I can get the credit, but I still have to take the bio course.
Do you think my schedule looks right though? Is it okay if I take physics 1 during the first semester, and take physics 2 like 1.5 years later?
here’s what my college’s website says abt pass/fail:
“During the first semester, all grades at ________ are recorded as either CR (Credit) or NC (No Credit). Whether they are good or bad, your grades during the first semester of your freshman year are not uncovered for medical schools - i.e. they are reported as either CR or NC on your transcript. We cannot uncover these grades in order to raise your GPA. When the Health Sciences Advisory Committee computes your __________-only GPA, it does not include first semester grades.”
I search the web and saw that MIT has this policy. I am sure med schools and amcas know how to handle this, as an outsider, I will not comment any further.
@flyguy22
physics 1 is classical mechanics; physics 2 is E&M. There is very little material carried over between the 2 courses so taking them with a gap between is OK.
You schedule looks pretty typical for a first year science major.
AMCAS & AACOMAS will recompute your GPA when you apply without regard for the policies of your college's health professions committee. It doesn't matter how your school's health committee calculates your GPA.
If you will be attending MIT, I can guarantee that you do have a "real" grade for your freshman classes. Daughter of close friend graduated from MIT and went to PT school. She said it's well known that you have a P/F grade on your transcript but there is an underlying "real" grade that's also recorded. Your "real" grades from freshman year are released to individual professional schools upon request from the professional school.
Swarthmore College also has this policy.
I will not be attending MIT, but thank you all for all the helpful feedback!
Sounds like you should make an appointment with your study abroad office, and perhaps the pre health adviser too if you can.
Fwiw many schools recommend the extra year before med school. Or at least my kid’s does.
Very school dependent. Some cover it all.