Right now I'm debating between taking the orgos in 2nd year and taking them in 3rd year. I had originally planned on taking them in 3rd year because I heard 2nd year health sci was intense (especially with anatomy) so I wanted to alleviate the course load a little bit. But I realized that since some med schools only look at your last two years and most other med schools put more weighting on your upper years, it might be better to take a tough course like orgo in my 2nd year. Thoughts?

since i m pretty weak at chemistry, my plan is to take chem 2e03 (introductory to organic chem) over the regular year, and take the two organic chem courses over the summer.

i would say take it over the summer. why put mental stress on yourself in 3rd and 4th year??

Originally Posted by epikness

since i m pretty weak at chemistry, my plan is to take chem 2e03 (introductory to organic chem) over the regular year, and take the two organic chem courses over the summer.

i would say take it over the summer. why put mental stress on yourself in 3rd and 4th year??

I actually really love chemistry, it's one of my favourite subjects. I'm trying to avoid taking summer courses because I'll be studying for my MCATs and because I want to find a research position.

Originally Posted by MichaelScarn

I actually really love chemistry, it's one of my favourite subjects. I'm trying to avoid taking summer courses because I'll be studying for my MCATs and because I want to find a research position.

2nd year!! ........

I recommend taking it second year! I took the first orgo this summer after first year and plan on taking the second one in 2nd year second semester. There is a lot of review from first year chem so giving yourself a one year gap from chem may not be so helpful and as med school does weigh your third and fourth year more, its better to just get the "killer" courses over with

Med school doesn't weight your third and fourth years more unless you apply the year after your fourth year. The first time you apply (if you do) in third year will look at first and second year marks. While in fourth year it's your 2nd and 3rd years marks. So make sure you do well every year!

Originally Posted by Chandlerowns

Med school doesn't weight your third and fourth years more unless you apply the year after your fourth year. The first time you apply (if you do) in third year will look at first and second year marks. While in fourth year it's your 2nd and 3rd years marks. So make sure you do well every year!

Not to mention that only some schools weigh your upper years more, like Western, Ottawa, etc. Other schools take into account your marks from all years.

Originally Posted by Jovana.m

I recommend taking it second year! I took the first orgo this summer after first year and plan on taking the second one in 2nd year second semester. There is a lot of review from first year chem so giving yourself a one year gap from chem may not be so helpful and as med school does weigh your third and fourth year more, its better to just get the "killer" courses over with

Really? From what I've heard, first year chemistry isn't very useful for the orgo courses

Med school doesn't weight your third and fourth years more unless you apply the year after your fourth year. The first time you apply (if you do) in third year will look at first and second year marks. While in fourth year it's your 2nd and 3rd years marks. So make sure you do well every year!

Not to mention that only some schools weigh your upper years more, like Western, Ottawa, etc. Other schools take into account your marks from all years.

So are you guys recommending I take orgo in third year? And Jeff, are you taking orgo in second or third year?

Originally Posted by MichaelScarn

Really? From what I've heard, first year chemistry isn't very useful for the orgo courses?

I believe the first 4 or 5 chapters of Orgo was review from Chem 1AA3.

Originally Posted by MichaelScarn

Really? From what I've heard, first year chemistry isn't very useful for the orgo courses

They redo aromatic chemistry, SN1, SN2, and really expand upon the reactions chart you went over, CHEM 1AA3 will definitely be useful.

Actually, chem 2e03 is the anti-requisite to chem 2oa3. If you want to get into med school, I believe you should take chem 2oa3, because chem 2e03 does not have a lab component. Most med schools require that you take 1 year of organic chem WITH a lab component.

Originally Posted by Ayce

Actually, chem 2e03 is the anti-requisite to chem 2oa3. If you want to get into med school, I believe you should take chem 2oa3, because chem 2e03 does not have a lab component. Most med schools require that you take 1 year of organic chem WITH a lab component.

i do plan on taking chem 2oa3 and 2ob3

Here's the thing, Orgo is challenging but doable.
The reason people get so worked up about it is because they fail to do what every professor states about the course: Practice.
Sure, there is a lot of different material, but nothing ridiculous. It is very straightforward and most things have an explanation. You could probably Google almost any concept you don't understand. If you get into the habit of practicing after every class, and going over the mechanisms, this course is not difficult. It is challenging, but in a very rewarding way. As for how this fits in with your long term med school plans, I truly believe that is a decision you will have to make for yourself. In terms of the coursework, however, it is a course that gives you exactly what you put into it.

First year Chemistry usually goes "better" for people than Organic, because a lot of people consider a lot of this material review. As well, professors are far more willing to be lenient and give you wiggle room on certain concepts that your class as a whole may find challenging.

Organic Chemistry is what I consider a filtering course, after listening to another professor use the same description.

The reason for this is because it is very challenging to get by on pure memorization (while possible) and your best bet is pure hard work, which a fair number of students are resilient to putting forward. Do the work, and I assure you, the courses will go well regardless of what year you're in. Unless you have extenuating personal commitments or difficult situations that may impair your overall effort, juggling Orgo with some tougher material from your other courses is perfectly doable with time management. I know people who did just fine in it with 2 summer courses and an 8 AM to 4 PM volunteer commitment. You can too.