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HOW TO CHOOSE CLASSES
Updated October 4, 2020
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Whether you are completely undecided or already know which program you will be applying to, choosing classes during your undergraduate years can be a tough task to navigate. From personal experience, I learned that tailoring your class schedule towards your degree program of interest will provide more flexibility at the end of your college career for any extracurriculars.This guide will give you tips on how to select the optimal classes to take each semester.
Step 1: Understand the requirements for your major
Find the course sheet for your major and identify the requirements that you must complete in order to graduate. I made a checklist of the classes that I had to take, and the recommended time to take them. Then, I referenced back to the list every time I registered for classes in order to keep my schedule on track. Planning ahead will ensure that you do not miss any requirements by the time you graduate.
Step 2: Understand the requirements for the program(s) you are interested in
Get a subscription for the MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) or look at individual websites for the programs you are interested in to understand the class requirements for each medical program. Some programs will allow AP/IB courses to fill the requirement, and some schools will not. Some programs require more English/ Social Science classes than other programs. Knowing these requirements as early as possible will give you the best chance at gaining acceptance to the program(s) you will be applying to.
Generally, most U.S. allopathic medical schools require:
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1 year of Biology with lab
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1 year of General Chemistry with lab
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1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab
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1 semester (or 2 quarters) of Biochemistry with lab
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1 year of Physics with lab
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1 year of English
However, some programs require behavioral science, calculus, statistics, foreign language, etc. Plan ahead so that you are not limiting the program(s) that you can apply to based on the course requirements.
Step 3: Look at the availability of classes each semester
Every class is not available each semester, so it is important to plan ahead based on which semesters will offer specific courses.I learned this lesson during my second year of college, when I attempted to take Biochemistry during a semester it was unavailable. I did not realize that I couldn’t take it until I was registering for classes, and I had to scramble at the last minute to find another class to take in its place. Hopefully, your school has a course catalog that contains information regarding which classes are offered each semester. If such a catalog does not exist at your school, the academics office may be able to assist you. Being mindful of when required classes are available will further help you plan your class schedule.
Step 4: Look at the prerequisites for upper-level classes that you are interested in taking
Similarly, it is important to note the prerequisites for advanced or upper-level classes so that you can take these courses on time. Even if a class is available during a semester, you may not be able to take it if you have not completed the prerequisites. Therefore, when planning your class schedule, be aware of these prerequisites and take them sooner rather than later. Leaving foundational courses, such as organic chemistry or biochemistry, to the last minute will give you less options for classes later on and could even delay your schedule. Taking these classes at the recommended time when they are available gives you the best chance at staying on schedule.
Step 5: Create a rough plan for the remainder of your degree that evenly balances the difficulty of classes across semesters
Not all classes require the same amount of effort, so it is important to be aware of the difficult classes in your degree and balance these evenly across the remaining part of your requirements. Medical schools pay attention to your overall GPA, but they also may look at your performance in classes that are important for medical school, such as biochemistry or physiology. Taking these classes during semesters where you have a lighter class load will allow you to focus on your difficult classes when it is time to take them.
Step 6 (optional): Meet with a pre-med counselor to ensure that your plan matches your goals for applying
Scheduling an appointment with your pre-med advising department can help ensure that your class schedule will allow you to apply to the programs you are interested in. Getting a second opinion about your schedule can give insight about class options that you may have missed.
Jessica D'Addabbo
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Medical School:
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Year: M1
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