Freshman Summer Course Decisions
Hey everyone!
I’m currently weighing my options for summer courses: should I take Ochem 008A and 008B, or Phys 002A and 002B during my freshman summer? I’m aware that these will appear on my transcript, and I’m curious about how medical schools view these courses. Do they prefer seeing students complete these courses over the full academic year, or is there no difference if I take them in the summer?
Additionally, I plan to enroll in Psych 001 alongside one of these science courses, but I already have credit for Psych 002 from my AP Psych class, which satisfies my major requirement.
I would appreciate any insights or advice!
Just for context, I’m aiming to apply to UC med schools and other medical schools in California (I’m still compiling that list). I’m also trying to graduate early and might skip a gap year. Thank you!
It’s great that you’re planning ahead for your med school application! When it comes to taking courses over the summer, there are a few factors to consider:
Course Rigor: Organic chemistry and physics are both challenging courses, and med schools are generally aware of this. If you can handle the material in a summer format and still maintain a strong GPA, that could reflect positively on your ability to manage difficult coursework.
Transcript Consideration: Med schools typically look at your overall academic performance rather than the specific timing of when you took a course. However, if you take a full year of a subject (including laboratory components) in the traditional format, it might demonstrate commitment and depth of understanding.
Balance: Taking a full load of intensive courses in the summer (especially O-chem, which is known for its workload) could be risky if you’re not confident in your ability to handle it. It might be beneficial to balance a difficult course with something less intense like Psych 001.
Early Graduation: If your ultimate goal is to graduate early, taking these summer courses may help, but be cautious about overloading yourself. Make sure to maintain a strong GPA, as med schools will consider your entire academic history.
Specific Med School Preferences: It wouldn’t hurt to reach out to specific UC med schools or review their admissions criteria. Some may value traditional course loads higher than summer courses, while others may not have a preference.
Ultimately, weigh your comfort level with the subjects and your ability to manage coursework. Choose the path that you feel will showcase your best academic self while still allowing you to balance your other commitments. Good luck!