Biochemistry with Bio Department or Chem?

gl7
Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:45:47 +0000

Biochem major is HARD - hands down. WashU is extremely competitive. Most kids study alllll day ON THEIR OWN WILL which is why pre med track is so difficult.

Basically 2 full classes of aroudn 400 students each usually ends up down to only 200 by the time sophmore year ends. Fun. Chemistry and Bio Will NOT baby you at all. No hw, lecture attendance is not recorded in Chem (bio they do but easily gotten around). YOU are in charge of how much fun and how much studying you do. No parents too to bug you, which for many is how they got through high school.

Too be honest here is pre med life at WashU is tough - and i mean tough - remember most people get weeded out and “most” means alot not because they arent smart but because they were at the end of the curve because other students studied harder or are just damn smart. welcome to college. =) sounds bad, but youll get use to it.

Remember, once you get to college, youll be competeing with people who made it in with scores close to yours. Even though it sucks, other people’s ability to get A grades in pre med classes means that your grade will fall.

Basically what I am saying is that if you are absolutely SURE about Biochem then go ahead, but prepare to study. Most people who find themselves wanting to major and minor in 5 thigns at one time and PEOPLE DO! They end up getting bad grades and ending up with one major and a minor.

Also no matter HOW much people tell you AP classes dont help at all, believe me it does. Its logical anyways. Kids who have taken AP classes before wil have been exposed to the information before while its NEW for you. Who has the benefit? Most people who say AP doesnt matter have already taken AP and either did poorly on the test so they want to feel better while they tell you or they are just trying to make you feel better. Sounds bad yes, but its not impossible. I did not take AP bio, but I got an A, but only after studying virtually twice the hours of experienced students.

So in the end - take it slow first, pre med - youll take bio and chem your first year. If you handle that then declare biochem, if not then you played it out smart. A very big problem freshmans have is taking on TOOOOOOO much and doing poorly. Major must be declared sophomore year NOT freshman year. Freshman year is for you to get your roots and figure out how to live in a new environ.

o btw - chemistry is a more relevantsubject in terms of biochem major so work with chemistry department more, but also keep tabs with bio department. Remember even if you choose one department officialy, you have the ability to work with both departments and milk them for all its worth.

Its your first year, take it slow, dont worry there are millions of advisors and bio chem people who will lead you along. you are not alone by any means.