<p>I will be starting college soon and I am about to select my first year courses. What is the typical first year like for those on the pre-med track? I have heard that one should avoid taking more than 2 or 3 science related courses per semester. If you are on this track, what was your typical schedule like?</p>
<p>The pre-med program is different from college to college. You need to talk to your pre-med advisor and current pre-meds at your UG. The general plan is to have only 2 very hard classes, the balance should be easier. What is hard and what is easy is also very different from person to person. If I tell you that D. had very very easy time in Gen. Chem. class, is it going to help you? I do not think so.</p>
<p>Hey @MiamiDAP, thank you for your help. How many classes did your daughter take her first year? And, did she think it was more helpful to have the harder classes in the morning (8AM) or later (10AM - afternoon)? I work well morning and night but I was wondering what her experiences were.</p>
<p>I think in my first year, I only had introductory biology and general chem (and calculus) each semester as far as science and math go. In subsequent semesters, I took anywhere from one to six science courses at a time. Like MiamiDAP said, look at what is normal at your course.</p>
<p>As for your second question, it doesn’t matter whether or not someone else found it better or worse to take certain classes in the morning. It’s entirely individual, and we have literally no way of knowing what will work best for you.</p>
<p>First year at many schools is typically both intro level bio and gen chem. Maybe add math. But it does vary from school to school. Some colleges require gen chem as a pre-req for bio. Talk to your pre med advisor at your college. </p>
<p>D1’s first year: gen chem, engineering physics, calc 2/3, composition/ French. D2’s first year: gen chem, honors bio, calc 3/linear algebra, philosophy/composition.</p>
<p>Please realize you may NOT have a choice about the “when” of your classes. Often the main lecture for large intro level courses is only offered at a single time. If you do have a choice about which lecture to take–choose the one with best teacher. (NOTE: best teacher is not the same thing as easiest teacher.)</p>
<p>I am not sure if requirements are changing soon but for old MCAT, med schools have needed one year of Gen Chem and another year of Organic which meant most people started off with chem right away in college. Biology and Physics requirements are shorter at one year which meant they could be pursued even in second year.</p>