<p>This gives you a rundown of all the courses that will fulfill pre-med coursework requirements for <em>most</em> med schools: [Pre-med</a> coursework](<a href=“Required Courses: Health Professions Advising (HPA) - Northwestern University”>Required Courses: Health Professions Advising (HPA) - Northwestern University)</p>
<p>1) The 200-level bio (210-1,2,3) must be taken either after or concurrently with Orgo, which means you need Gen Chem first (can use AP credit, but some med schools don’t accept it… if you’re concerned about that you can easily find out specific schools’ policies).</p>
<p>2) I’m not a huge fan of the bio department (probably because I’m was a chem major and my department kicked a$$), but I highly recommend biochemistry 301, NOT 309. Unfortunately the best prof, Dr. Loach, is not gonna teach that anymore, but nonetheless it’s a good class and it should always be a course where your grade reflects your effort. </p>
<p>3) There is only one Orgo sequence so you have to take it. If you want/need Orgo credit to graduate you HAVE you take it at NU; I do not recommend taking it at Harvard because NU has a strict policy about not awarding credit for Orgo and it will look like you’re taking the easy way out. I’m sure Harvard Orgo is tough, but NU is known for it’s difficult Orgo sequence. As for when you should take it, Orgo+Physics is usually a much more manageable combination than Orgo+Bio or Bio+Physics. So I would recommend Orgo and physics freshman year IF you have strong study habits, handle fast-paced learning and quickly absorb obscene amounts of information. Feel free to PM me about this if you want more info.</p>
<p>4) Grading for Chem 101,2,3 and 171/172 will be as easy or as difficult as your Prof wants it to be, but neither will have a significantly “better” curve. The main difference is in the pace of the course as 171/172 has to cover three quarters of material in 2 quarters so everything is more condensed. Again, if you handle fast pace then the accelerated sequence may be preferable. (Remember you have to have AP credit to even get into 171/172). </p>
<p>5) After gen chem and orgo there is really only one other chem course that has lab, and that’s the advanced laboratory sequence (350-1,2,3). You don’t have (and don’t want) to take that unless you’re a chem major. Since there is no lab for the 342 sequence, it’s possible to combine with bio for a “lighter” load. You have a while before you even need to consider which 342 course to take, but PM me if you want advice on which would be best for you (they’re also not required for or recommended by any med schools, so it would be strictly for your own enrichment not pre-med). </p>
<p>6) If you like math and have hopes of getting into a top med school, go with Math 220,224, 230 (234 is optional as no med schools require linear algebra).</p>
<p>Be sure to check out that link for more info, and, as I said, PM me if you want.</p>