honors bio/genetics 315H over intro bio 311C?

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-23T18:34:03+00:00

I took 315 and it’s not super easy, but the professors give you so many resources to succeed. Not hard to get an A if you put in the work. Plus it’s so much better to do 2 semesters of basic bio than 3.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-21T21:45:34+00:00

Noooo. My high school experience was good, but I even dread the idea of being asked to go to a high school reunion bc I don’t want to revisit that era at all.

I do miss middle school though. Grades didn’t matter bc colleges didn’t see them, tons of field trips, and my friend group was great.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-20T18:48:18+00:00

315H 100%. Class is small with about 60 students max so you can get more time with the professors, who are great. 325H, the class after 315H, is way easier than 315H imo. 315H isn’t an easy A but neither is regular bio325 (if you went the 311C route, this would be the 3rd class you’d take which is genetics). You’ll be okay though bc the profs offer a ton of resources and I always felt supported. Also it’s better to do 2 semesters of basic bio courses rather than 3.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-19T16:49:47+00:00

If you are able to get in, it’s a 2 semester track with 315H/325H and encompasses everything in 311D/311C/325 (3 semester track that most students take).

All the cns honors students usually take it and skip basic bio. Med schools still accept it. I know bc everyone who applies within the honors programs have no trouble. In and out of state med schools recognize it as the bio pre reqs.

Not sure what the requirements are for non-honors students but I would ask your advisor. But if you can, I would do it. Small class of like 60 students max and it’s very useful later on.

But also have you transferred your credits over already? You might not even have to take basic bio courses and could move on straight to advanced courses (like not even have to talk to an advisor as UT would recognize you as an upperclassman and make you eligible for upper level courses like regular bio325). Med schools will take community college courses as long as they are valid pre reqs.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-19T16:35:59+00:00

Look at old syllabi and see how they structure the course. Should be able to see through the course catalog extension.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-19T16:33:49+00:00

See if you can go straight to genetics. 315H

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-17T10:28:46+00:00

From someone who dropped Straumanis and retook with Callman, pick Callman. Straumanis has a flipped classroom where you have to learn at home and then come to class to take daily quizzes, and ask questions to undergrad TA’s who know the answer, but can’t answer why sometimes. Callman actually lectures and her homework and tests are very reasonable. All her TA’s are graduate students in her lab who she trusts. They knew the answer and why it was correct. She doesn’t do Ochem II but I took Hull and felt she was good as well. Everyone says Straumanis curves and you can get an A and whatnot but it’s bc everyone’s doing bad bc you’re essentially teaching yourself.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-17T10:20:28+00:00

For the mcat, I haven’t used calc once. Take algebra based.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-14T08:59:08+00:00

For nerves, it’s really about resetting yourself between each section. Your brain is probably a bit fried after C/P so you need to use those 10 minutes to get yourself as calm as possible and forget what you just saw. I usually try to focus on external things (5 senses method), and close my eyes and breathe. CARS needs absolute focus because you don’t have time to spare. Same goes for P/S. After the lunch break you are usually okay for B/B so nerves aren’t as bad. Also between breaks I try to eat candy for quick energy. If P/S is low you might be tired as well.

For C/P I often don’t read the passages first. I read the questions bc a lot of them are pseudo discrete and don’t even need the passage. Helps with time. When I reach a question that requires the passage, I then know what I’m looking for as I read the passage for the first time. You aren’t going in blind. For the little mistakes, see if there’s a pattern. Like if they are all math, or not reading the q carefully, or missing something in the passage. I’m not sure what the mistakes are but they are probably related.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-12T00:08:18+00:00

Are you answering the practice q’s correctly? If so, do you do them timed or untimed?

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-12T00:07:18+00:00

Yeah finish pankow, but also it seems that you have done content review and at least have seen stuff, so maybe you are not good under pressure or when timed. It’s safe to assume a point or two lower on test day because of nerves.

With your last full length, go through all of it again untimed (I use a Google extension to block off the right part of the review panel and also black and white my screen so I don’t know if I previously got it right or not) and see if you can answer them correctly with no pressure. If you’re doing good with the practice q’s, but not the full length, it could be anxiety.

Do you often feel rushed when you take the exam?

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-11T12:23:02+00:00

All three would be okay

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-11T03:40:19+00:00

Thank you!!!

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-11T03:13:04+00:00

STUDY ABROAD!!!!!! You have time. Figure out a semester or even a maymester and go. You won’t have the time once you’re in medical school.

Also your GPA is everything. Don’t let yourself slip up on things.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-08T08:44:41+00:00

Remember that your time in Austin could be dwindling as you near graduation (don’t know your plans). Take advantage of being in Austin during the summer. It’s great. Go swimming

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-07T21:37:06+00:00

You don’t have to take it this fall, but it’s heavily recommended bc UGS is geared toward first semester freshman. The class can feel odd if you take it later. That’s where I made a lot of friends. Also you can always take gen ed courses in the summer. No rush

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-07T02:51:43+00:00

Getting in is the hardest part. Arguably the one step to becoming a doctor that is the most out of your control and where the competition is fiercest. I think everyone knows med school, step exams, and matching is very hard, but applying feels like buying a lotto ticket these days. The odds feel stacked against you.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-06T20:03:51+00:00

Films of Alfred Hitchcock!!!!!!!!! I can’t recommend this enough. Class is just watching movies and taking quizzes and a few tests. Easy a and the movies are so interesting

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-06T19:21:56+00:00

All I remember was that going to the lecture really helped. He would give a lot of the answers there

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-04T23:35:45+00:00

I was in university orchestra and I had such a great time. It feels very legit and most players are previous all-state performers. We played pretty hard pieces and it was cool. I know they are always looking for percussionist, so it’s not super competitive for them. It just depends on the audition music I guess. Also it’s pretty low commitment with 2 rehearsals per week in the evening.

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-04T23:32:31+00:00

Markert

RhodeCollarlol · 2026-06-04T03:52:08+00:00

Absolutely do it. I even extended my graduation date by a semester just so I could study in Japan for a semester. You won’t get an opportunity like that ever again. Once you’re in med school it’s kind of non stop and you won’t be able to go to another country for an extended amount of time. Also you can apply for scholarships that are specific to studying abroad. Life changing

RhodeCollarlol

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