Please critique this plan of study. (Long) (ADN -> B.S. Biomedical)

So a summary of my self:


I’m turning 27 in January and have been an RN for 1 year with an associate degree. I work on a busy med-surg / cardiac unit. I planned on going straight for the BSN and then on to MS for ARNP, but this year of work has really changed my mind. I want to be a physician.


GPA: 3.08


science GPA: 2.6 (based off of 3 classes)


If I change my major to a B. S. in biomedical science, I could be finished in 3 years I suppose. This is a schedule starting where I left off. I already have 38 credits towards an AA. So, if I finish the pre-reqs at a community college it will put me way above 60 hours.


Spring 2014


English 2


Intro Chem


Philosophy


Statistics


Speech


Total 15


Summer 2014


Trigonometry


Precal Algebra


Chemistry I w/ lab


Total 10


Fall 2014


Chemistry II w/ lab


Calculus I


Physics I w/ lab


Biology I w/ lab


Total 17


Spring 2015


Calculus II


Physics II w/ lab


Biology II w/ lab


Organic Chem I w/ lab


Total 17


Summer 2015


Organic Chem II w/ lab


Total 4


AA Transfer Total 102


Fall 2015


Biochemistry BCH3023 w/ lab


Physical Chemistry w/lab CHM4410


Microbiology MCB3020C


Cell Biology PCB3023 w/ lab


Total 18


Spring 2016


Physical Chemistry II CHM4411


Biophysical Chemistry CHM4413


Biomolecules CHM4300


Total 10


Summer 2016


Physiology PCB3712 w/lab


Genetics PCB3064 w/lab


Total 8


Fall 2016


Virology MCB4503


Pathogenic Microbiology MCB5206


Immunology PCB4234


Class *** idk what here ***


Total 13


BS Total: 151


Complete Total (With nursing classes): 202


So is this way too heavy of a courseload? I’m thinking if I can’t handle something like this then I really shouldn’t be thinking of medical school. I have no preference of DO vs MD schools. Maybe I need add in another year.


Finally, I just wanted to mention that if I went straight for ADN->BSN I could be done in 5 semesters (Summer 2015), but I think post-bacc might not be such a good idea as I will only have had 4 science classes up to intro to chem…

Whoa. This is a REALLY heavy courseload. Don’t do this! Your GPA already needs some help, don’t shoot yourself in the foot by taking so many courses that you drown and don’t do well in any of them.


Better to take some extra time, do things right. Don’t rush your pre-reqs because you don’t get to do them over again.

  1. Don’t take preqa at a CC unless you’re broke.

  2. The course load from 2015 on is way too heavy.

  3. The transition from CC to major university could be very difficult because the work load/expectations are VERY different.

I think I just read your post on SDN. This is too heavy of a course load. Multiple science classes with labs can take up alot of time. One of our mantras here is “this is a marathon, not a sprint”. It would be better if you take your time. Maybe move some of your Spring, Summer 2014 classes to 2015 to help lighten up your course load. Or take a class without a lab during the summer. I would burn out quickly on this schedule.


Talk with an advisor at your CC and transfer school about your plan and see what their recommendations are. What’s the difference between intro chem and Chem I?

Okay, thanks for the advice. This is why I posted here!


I actually have an appointment with an adviser at USF next week. One of the problems I’m going to have is that my credits are excessive and I will take penalties at my current CC after next semester.


I have to take an intro to chemistry at my CC before they allow ANYONE to take chem I. I don’t really agree with this, because I’ve had chemistry in high school and also some chemistry during my nursing school.