Pre-med questions? Ask here. - Page 6

TJ_03 · 08-20-2007, 01:36 PM

thanks for all the input. yeah, i was planning on doing the math 40 series since i did calc but never took the ap exam or did any hard-core work for my calc class. and celestial, i want to do the pre-med reqs (hence the math/science in my schedule) but it would've made sense if i had posted in the other forum, so sorry about that

docketgold · 08-20-2007, 02:37 PM

TJ_03, you might consider delaying your Math classes until later on your freshman your, or even back as far as Fall Qtr, Sophmore year. If you're truly taking them just to get rid of your pre-med req's (and not so you can continue with more advanced math classes), there's no reason not to wait, especially if taking them earlier meant a fourth class.

The Chem 31/33 series is manageable, but it will take a fair chunk of your time, and trust me, there is no worse feeling than finishing one problem set, only to have to finish another one later that night. That feeling, or any situation that could give rise to it, should be avoided at all costs.

celestial605 · 08-20-2007, 04:06 PM

I agree with the advice from jwj and docketgold. I do think that you should do your chem as a freshman to get it out of the way; there are some other classes that list chem as a pre-req or recommended class. Try all 4 classes for a week or 2 (the official shopping period is 2 weeks) and if you can't handle it all, the one to drop is probably math, which you can take pretty much anytime. Another option to drop would be Chinese, which you could also take later.

jwj · 08-21-2007, 01:38 AM

@docket & TJ: yes, having lots of psets can suck, but chem and math psets are due on different days, and more than manageable, even if some procrastination happens (as it probably will).

@TJ: if you want to drop anything, Chinese might be a good choice for being first, simply because it requires the most memorization (all those characters and strokes). Also, the homework can be kind of annoying (write these characters ten times each, etc.) Then again, it doesn't require you to think like math. Your call.

qscgy · 08-29-2007, 09:58 AM

Any thoughts about taking 3 sessions of "General Physics" at Santa Clara University over the summer?

Or taking them at Stanford?

blondie888 · 08-29-2007, 01:04 PM

Is stanford notorious for its hard pre-med classes?

celestial605 · 08-29-2007, 05:02 PM

Quoting myself from your other thread:

Quote:

I havne't taken premed classes at other "top" schools, but I am a premed at Stanford. Coursework is hard, but it's very possible to do well. I advise forming study groups, going to TA/prof office hours, and not being afraid to ask questions in section.

Grading is relatively nice, though; teachers will often scale the test scores so that the mean on the test is equivalent to a B (or even B+). I've gotten 69% on a test and had it come out to an A-.

jwj · 08-29-2007, 11:38 PM

On the whole, though, yes, it's hard. Bio core kicks a lot of people's butts until they get used to the pace. And orgo...it seems to be one of the classes people suck at or rock at. Basically, all these courses just take a lot of time.

coolguy1120 · 04-22-2008, 06:20 PM

What do you think about a computer science major and doing premed as well......i also would like to take foreign language classes and study abroad??? let me know what you think.....thanks