<p>Hey ccers, </p>
<p>At my college, many premeds take an entire year of science prereqs (physics, organic, etc.) over the summer sessions. Should this be avoided because it might look "easier," or does it not matter? </p>
<p>Thanks
BP82</p>
<p>At your own school? I don't see the problem . Do you have a pre-med committee? Advisor? What do they think? If they aren't going to ding you or the prof's aren't going to ding you, I'd say no problem. It's the same course, taught in the summer. It's when folks go to a supposedly inferior school to take courses that raises the flag (however high that flag is raised is subject to debate). JMO.</p>
<p>The problem with summer courses is that you're using that time for coursework instead of ECs.</p>
<p>curmudgeon - Yes, at the same school I attend for undergrad. The premed advisers feel that good grades are much "easier" to get over the summer session, so they discourage taking any major science over the summer. But, they are the same courses, just taught in a shorter period.</p>
<p>On a similar note, do you find anything wrong with taking a lab over the summer? </p>
<p>shades - Personally, the EC time is not a problem.</p>
<p>Hmm I think Labs and small "extra" classes like math and English are ok. Any input?</p>
<p>Taking summer classes is like getting a W on a transcript. One or two is okay. More would raise red flags.</p>
<p>Adcoms tend not to like summer courses because:
1. They are usually abbreviated or crammed.
2. The level of competition is not as high in the summer (people who take summer courses tend to be weaker students)
3. They would like to see you take your science courses within the context of a full courseload.</p>
<p>And obviously there's the opportunity cost of not doing EC's. Personally, I think taking summer courses is a waste of time, if you are capable of taking them during the school year. Taking the summer courses at a CC is definitely a bad idea. They should be taken at your 4-year institution or an equivalent 4-year institution.</p>
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<p>There's your answer. I wouldn't risk that perception having an impact on rec's.</p>
<p>i took chem2 this summer with the same teacher as the spring, same labs, same tests, same online hw, same amount of time in class and lab :x</p>
<p>o well, i understand that's the perception they have of it</p>
<p>does it look bad to take Physics lab I and II over the summer? and take the lecture during the year?</p>
<p>I attend Davidson College I was planning on taking both of my Physics requirements this coming summer at Florida International University. I spoke with the Pre-Med Advisor for the school and with a member of our Pre-Med Advisory Committee. Neither of them discouraged it. They both said pursuing summer courses related to science and/or pre-med, as long as they are not taken at a Community College, is fine.</p>
<p>My school does have a strict policy on where they will accept summer course credit and FIU does pass, seeing how it is a four-year university.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>I also plan on taking Physics I during the summer, but this is because I plan to study abroad during the fall semester. My pre-med advisor said this was common.</p>