On a Mid-Semester Evaluation Fall '13

This semester (my last fall semester at cal!) I'm taking Astro C13 (cross-listed with IB), IB 117, Soc 180i, and H196A

Astro C13: This is one of the first 'Big Ideas' courses that got started this year I believe. It's a combination of astro and biology, studying the time between the big bang to the emergence of humans. It's taught by Elliot Quataert and Charles Marshall. It's a course for non-majors, which is pretty evident in the lectures. I'm not sure about astro (since I've never taken an astro course before), but for the bio section, Marshall keeps it very simple and broad, making sure not to go too in-depth with the material. On the other hand, I'm glad I took IB 113L beforehand because he does go over a lot of the same topics and ideas. I'm pretty sure the astro section is the same way. And because the material doesn't go too deep, you're able to learn astro on a broad and conceptual scale- planet formation, dark matter, etc. There's a lab/section once a week that accompanies this class, and while it's an unnecessarily long two hours, it's not bad (as in, no quizzes haha). The one downside to this class is the weekly homework. Maybe it's because I haven't had homework in a while, but the weekly assignments are a bit annoying, especially because the questions are very vague and I have to go to office hours a lot to fully answer the questions... This class has one midterm and one final, non-cumulative. The midterm was ok- nothing surprising, all short answer and lecture/concept based. Also, there aren't too many words on the lecture slides, so if you're going to take this class, make sure to attend class and take notes :) Class grade breakdown: 10% participation, 40% hw, 20% MT1, and 30% final.

IB 117 (medical ethnobotany): I'm taking this class for a major requirement. I would say it's a typical Carlson class, except this is my first class with him... So i'll say that it's what people call a 'typical Carlson class' haha. The class is about various plants, their medicinal uses, and how it affects us physiologically. He lectures twice a week for an hour and lecture slides are all in the reader. There's one midterm (45%) and one final (55%). The exams are all multiple choice and come from the reader. I was scared that we would need to memorize every small detail, but for the first midterm at least, it was more general detail that was tested. I'm not sure how it'll be for the final though... So far, I enjoy this class- the reader is filled with pictures of places that Carlson has been to and people he's worked with, so it's nice to hear stories like that from time to time.

Soc 180i (Inequality): I took this class because I really like Ivester's classes haha. If you recall from last semester, I took global elites with her (I highly recommend that class!) and wanted to take another class from her this semester. There are two midterms and one final for this class, although the final is just like another midterm since it's weighted the same. It's on a straight point system (40 points for participation via iclicker + 60 points for the 3 exams)- same format as global elites. And she gives you the possible exam questions beforehand so you can prepare; she gives you an hour for the essay. In all, her classes are fun and interesting :)

H196A: I'm doing an honors thesis so I have to take this class haha

I've had my telebears last week (last telebears!) and so far have signed up for IB169, ESPM144, PH116 (all required for me to graduate).

Best of luck during MTs!

-K 

On Post-Grad Options

Supposed to represent the future... :/ 

1. Post-bacc: this could be your own "program" where you take the science classes you need/more upper div science courses at your school or at another college. Or, you could go the formal route and actually do a program, which is about 2 years I believe. There are pros and cons to each route. For the informal route, you can just take the classes that you require to get into med school (prereqs). This should be less expensive than enrolling in an actual program and more time efficient. Enrolling in a formal program requires that you take all the courses that come with the program, and it's expensive. Although, by doing the program, I think you get access to all the premed advisors and counselors (although I don't see why you couldn't get access to them while doing an informal program...). Also, I believe some (most?) premed post bacc programs are tied with med schools, so doing well in the program might give you a better chance of matriculating to their medical school. I believe this program is geared towards people who want a change in their careers and need to fulfill the med school prereqs or for those who have done poorly in their prereqs and want to show med schools that they can do well in those classes.

2. SMP (Special Master's Program): like the name implies, this is a master's program of 1 or 2 years, depending on where you go. Unlike the postbacc where you take prereqs, a master's program gives you a masters degree in an area, such as physiology (man that was worded poorly haha). It's pretty expensive, but might be a better investment than a postbacc if you have borderline competitive grades/mcat. Some programs give you residency for the state you're doing the program in and they're also tied to their med schools. You also take the same classes that med students take for that year (whereas in post bacc programs, you take the same classes that undergrads do). This means that if you do well in those classes + have residency + linkage to their med school = a much better chance of gaining acceptance to their MD program. However, like I said before, it's pricey and still a gamble. If gpa is the only thing holding you back, it might be worth it to take a look into this program. But if it's mcat or ECs, perhaps not so much since you could raise your mcat or build up your ECs by taking a gap year (or two, in the case of taking a gap year to redo the mcat or build up your ECs and then applying the next cycle...does that make sense? haha) Which brings me to point 3...

3. Take a gap year (or two): like I mentioned in point 2, if it's the mcat or extra currics that are mainly holding you back, it might be cheaper to take a year off before you apply and re-take the mcat or do more extra currics. But be careful, since the mcat changes in 2015, you probably will want to take the mcat before then haha.

Hope this helps! And if anyone else has more or better information than what I have posted, please leave a comment below!

Best,
-K 

Dear Reader 62

Anonymous said...

Hey K, I know that you've been busy, but can you make a post soon about how your MCAT went, as well as options for after undergrad, such as post-bacc programs? Love your blog btw, and I'm also a fellow IB pre-med! : )

Dear Anonymous, 

Thanks for stopping by and your kind words :) 

The mcat... was horrific for me- I'll do a full post on it when I find the courage to write about my experience haha. For now, I'll just say that I have to retake it- there goes my winter break... 

Post-undergrad plans have been on my mind a lot lately as well since I'll be graduating in the spring. As far as I know, there are a few options:

1. Post-bacc: this could be your own "program" where you take the science classes you need/more upper div science courses at your school or at another college. Or, you could go the formal route and actually do a program, which is about 2 years I believe. There are pros and cons to each route. For the informal route, you can just take the classes that you require to get into med school (prereqs). This should be less expensive than enrolling in an actual program and more time efficient. Enrolling in a formal program requires that you take all the courses that come with the program, and it's expensive. Although, by doing the program, I think you get access to all the premed advisors and counselors (although I don't see why you couldn't get access to them while doing an informal program...). Also, I believe some (most?) premed post bacc programs are tied with med schools, so doing well in the program might give you a better chance of matriculating to their medical school. I believe this program is geared towards people who want a change in their careers and need to fulfill the med school prereqs or for those who have done poorly in their prereqs and want to show med schools that they can do well in those classes.

2. SMP (Special Master's Program): like the name implies, this is a master's program of 1 or 2 years, depending on where you go. Unlike the postbacc where you take prereqs, a master's program gives you a masters degree in an area, such as physiology (man that was worded poorly haha). It's pretty expensive, but might be a better investment than a postbacc if you have borderline competitive grades/mcat. Some programs give you residency for the state you're doing the program in and they're also tied to their med schools. You also take the same classes that med students take for that year (whereas in post bacc programs, you take the same classes that undergrads do). This means that if you do well in those classes + have residency + linkage to their med school = a much better chance of gaining acceptance to their MD program. However, like I said before, it's pricey and still a gamble. If gpa is the only thing holding you back, it might be worth it to take a look into this program. But if it's mcat or ECs, perhaps not so much since you could raise your mcat or build up your ECs by taking a gap year (or two, in the case of taking a gap year to redo the mcat or build up your ECs and then applying the next cycle...does that make sense? haha) Which brings me to point 3...

3. Take a gap year (or two): like I mentioned in point 2, if it's the mcat or extra currics that are mainly holding you back, it might be cheaper to take a year off before you apply and re-take the mcat or do more extra currics. But be careful, since the mcat changes in 2015, you probably will want to take the mcat before then haha.

Hope this helps! And if anyone else has more or better information than what I have posted, please leave a comment below!

Best,
-K