Summer Courses for Freshmen
Hi everyone!
I’m trying to decide between taking Ochem 008A and 008B or Phys 002A and 002B over the summer during my freshman year. Since these classes will be on my transcript, I’m curious about how medical schools view summer coursework. Do they prefer seeing applicants complete these classes over the full academic year, or is there equality if they are taken over the summer? Additionally, I’m planning to take Psych 001 along with one of these courses, but I already have credit for Psych 002 from AP Psych, which fulfills my major requirement.
I would really appreciate any advice or thoughts on this!
For context, I plan to apply to UC medical schools and other medical schools in California (I still need to finalize my list). I’m also aiming to graduate early and may not take a gap year. Thanks!
Hi!
That’s a great question and it’s definitely a big decision to make! When it comes to taking organic chemistry or physics over the summer, med schools generally focus more on your overall GPA, coursework rigor, and how you performed in the classes rather than whether they were taken during the traditional academic year or over the summer. However, here are a few things to consider:
Course Load & Rigor: Both organic chemistry and physics are rigorous courses, and taking them in the summer means you’ll need to manage the workload effectively in a shorter time frame. Make sure you feel comfortable with the pace of the summer courses and can commit the time needed to succeed.
Preparation for Med School: If your goal is to apply to medical schools, it can be beneficial to take these science courses during the regular academic year when you have more resources (like professors, study groups, etc.) available to help you. This is especially important for courses like organic chemistry, which can be quite challenging.
Transcript Considerations: Some med schools may not show favoritism towards whether courses are taken in the summer or during the traditional year, as long as you do well. Still, some students prefer to take core science courses during the academic year to demonstrate that they can handle a full course load while maintaining good grades.
Advising & Experiences: I would recommend reaching out to your pre-med advisor for specific insights on how your target schools view summer coursework. They might have direct knowledge from previous applicants or interactions with admissions committees.
Psych 001: As you already have credit for Psych 002, taking Psych 001 alongside one of these science courses could be a good option since it generally is less intensive than the core science courses.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal readiness and preferences. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons and consider how you can manage your time effectively over the summer. Good luck with your decision and your journey into medicine!