Course Planning and Academic Loads
Course planning and selection really depends on the student and their ACT/ SAT scores. Placement exams in chemistry, math, and physics should be closely adhered to especially for first-year students. Balance science courses (usually only 2 per semester) throughout the student's undergraduate program. Pre-med students who take two science courses each semester usually will complete their pre-med requirements (except perhaps Biochemistry) by the end of their junior year.
Balance loads as much as possible taking into consideration any proposed off-campus semester or year plans. Summer school may be used carefully to lighten the load a bit and allow the student to broaden further their academic base. When considering applicants, medical schools do consider the rigor of the academic load and courses taken by the student. Incidentally, a majority of students do not go directly to medical school after college.
The MCAT, which does not require Biochemistry, is taken by most students in the spring of their junior year. Some students, for a variety of good reasons, take it late in the summer but may be at a disadvantage if they plan to enter medical school directly after college. Students who take the August MCAT will not have a complete application until late September when the MCAT results are released which will put them at a disadvantage for medical schools with a “rolling admissions” policy.
As discussed earlier, students can major in any area but most students complete the courses required for medical school by the end of their junior year. Many students major in Chemistry or Biology, which provides students a rich base for future medical school courses. Students may also take the new Ch-Bi sequence (125, 126, 127) which combines Chemistry 125, 126 with Biology 125.
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