Navigating Through Cal
- 1. Navigating Through Cal CLASS SCHEDULING | ACADEMIC PLANNING SHASHANK PATIL APRIL 15, 2017
- 2. Pre-Med Requirements 1 Year of Calculus MCB/IB Majors: Math 10A/10B 10 series satisfies statistics requirement Public Health: Math 10A/10B, 16A/16B, or 1A/1B 16A/16B has the most generous grade distribution Non-MCB/IB/Public Health Majors: Math 1A/1B 1 Year of General Chemistry with lab Chemistry 1A/1AL Chemistry 3A/3AL 1 Year of Organic Chemistry with lab Chemistry 3B/BL MCB 102, MCB C100A or Chem 135*(advisor approval necessary) 1 Year of Physics Non-Engineering Majors: Physics 8A/8B Engineering majors: Physics 7A/7B Yes, Berkeley is a bit unorthodox : you need to take biochemistry in order to satisfy organic chemistry requirement
- 3. Pre-Med Requirements (cont.) 1 Year of Biology with lab Biology 1A/1AL Biology 1B 1 Year of English (R&C) R&C classes in foreign language departments are generally easier: German, Scandinavian, Slavic, Italian R5A/R5B Try to avoid R&C classes in English Literature/Rhetoric departments 1 Semester of Statistics Statistics 2, 20, or 131A Satisfied by Math 10 series Required by some schools; optional/recommended for others My advice: Take it. If you intend to do research, you’ll need to understand statistics. 1 Semester of Sociology/Psychology/Anthropology Soc 1, Psych 1, Anthro 1, Anthro 3AC Recommended by an increasing # of medical schools (+ early MCAT prep)
- 4. Recommended Combinations Do NOT take more than 2 technicals at a time Do NOT take Chem 3B, Physics 8B or Bio 1A together Chem 1A with Math 1A/10A Chem 3A/3AL with Math 1B/10B Bio 1A/1AL with Physics 8A and R&C or psych/soc. Bio 1B with Chem 3B or Physics 8B and R&C or psych/soc.
- 5. Major? “Students are urged to strive for a balanced and liberal education rather than specialized training. No preference is given to applicants who have majored in the sciences over those who have majored in the humanities” – Harvard Medical School Admissions Translation: Study what you love and explore your interests Don’t feel pressured to do MCB/IB (majority of Cal pre-meds) if that’s not your thing. Seriously. Major and Minor(s)? Double Major? Triple Major? Only do it if you are passionate about the subjects You’re not helping your med school admissions chances (GPA > Major) My Thoughts: Time is the ultimate commodity. Use it wisely! More time into studying/classwork = less time into extracurricular activities and valuable life experiences
- 6. Block Your Schedule Block classes together, with free days (if possible) This is so that you can have the most convenient availability for extracurricular activities (i.e. research, volunteering) that require large time commitments Anyone smart can get good grades but what is going to set you apart from other applicants? Creating Value (whether that means creating something useful or providing a useful service) Organizational Aside: Select a planning tool (Physical Planner, iCal, Google Calendar, or any mobile app) and use it consistently Plot midterms/finals/project dues dates at beginning of semester!
- 7. Breadths/Misc. Recommendations Philosophy and Values: Public Health 116 (Take discussion/Apply for FSI) Arts/Literature: Music 143 (Gospel Chorus), Music 27, 29, Music 20A International: Public Health 112 (Global Health) or Study Abroad Historical Studies: Pol Sci W145A (Pol. Dev. In India), ESPM 50AC Social/Behavioral: Psych 160(Social Psychology), Psych 117 (Human Neuropsychology) Other Recommendations: College Writing 151: Professional Communication (w/ Dr. Caroline Cole) College Writing 10A: Public Speaking
- 8. Resources BerkeleyTime Course Catalog Grade Distributions Longitudinal Enrollment Information
- 9. Resources (cont.) Rate My Professor Which professors teach well, give fair tests, and are overall great people to learn from? Make sure to be specific about looking at the ratings for professors teaching a specific course (most professors have taught multiple courses)
- 10. Tele-Bears Hacks: Bypassing the Waitlist Three Methods: If the waitlist is processed manually, ask for the course entry code (CEC) If you get into the section, you will get into the class Adding the course late at night
- 11. Method 1: Emailing Prof for CEC
- 12. Method 2: Get into a Section Get into the Class Essentially a Foot-in-the-Door Technique
- 13. Method 3: Late Night Adding Last resort: if the waitlist is completely full (including all sections) or you are so far down the waitlist, there is no chance to get in the class off the waitlist Background: Telebears waitlists that are processed automatically are not processed until midnight (when Open Hours closes), so if a spot is vacated at 7pm, it will remain open until midnight, at which point #1 on the waitlist will be moved in Strategy: drop the course and try re-adding it around 11pm every night after Phase 2, especially during the week leading up to class and the first 5 weeks of class
- 14. General Tips You do not need to finish all of your pre-med technicals before your junior year. You do not need to take summer classes. Don’t overdo it. Ease into your academics and extracurriculars. You never have to take more than 13 units in a semester.
- 15. My Academic History Fall Spring Summer Freshman Anthro 3AC Chem 1A/1AL Math 10A NUSCTX 10 Anthro 1 Bio 1B Italian R5A Math 10B Math 98 Chem 3A Chem N3AL Psych W1 Sophomore Astron C12 Chem 3B/3BL MCB C62 Music 143 Pub. Health 116 Physics C10 ASAMST R2B Bio 1A/1AL Educ 197 Physics 8A Psych 150 Psych 199 Integbi 131 Psych N133 Psych N160 Junior Chem 135 Physics 8B Psych 101 Psych 125 Integbi 132/132L Integbi 140 NE Stud 126 Psych 117 Psych N180 Senior Integbi 123AL Integbi C144 MCB 160 MCB 163 Integbi 169 MCB 104 MCB 161 Psych 141 Pol Sci. W145A Psych N134
- 16. Questions? Further Questions? Email me: shashankpatil@berkeley.edu
Editor's Notes
- #8: Breadths only apply for L&S majors: Physical and Biology Sciences Breadths will be covered as a natural consequence of being pre-med!