Advice for friend's degree path

[cookderosa]

Thanks Cook. I want her to be successful as well; everyone deserves to do something they enjoy even if they were trying for something else and made an "alternative" choice in their degree major.

She and I talked and she is FINALLY going to go for Bio 1 and 2 and Chem 1 and 2 this summer. I feel that will give her a good prep and also the expectation of the fast-paced environment she will face in this degree. I think that will help prep her properly for when she takes 2-3 other science/math in addition to organic chemistry.

And by the way, she is a student at CPCC in Charlotte, NC, as am I. I think you live in the area as well, don't you? So hopefully that gives you an idea of what she has access to. She can get UNCC and CPCC science courses once she completes the Bio 1 and 2. Then she can go to the Carolina Healthcare school for medical technology which will also give her a leg up in the work experience criteria for MS in Toxicology and the labwork experience for her resume.

I'm in Charlotte! (Matthews actually) My son has taken dual enrollment at CPCC Levine campus. CPCC is, in my opinion, a very nice little school with a great student-teacher ratio. So far, I have no complaints. Cramming 2 semesters of bio and chem into 1 summer might be way too fast, if it were my child, I'd advise against it. Biology, for her degree, is going to be incredibly important. I don't think it gives her enough time to marinate in the material. What about suggesting Chem 1 & 2 w/lab plus her next math? That way she'd be in bio from Aug-Dec instead of June-Aug. Much more contact hours "in the subject" which is the opposite of what generally goes on here, but in this case, I think it's a better path.
Also, it's going to be hard. Science is not like humanities. Assuming she has the prereqs/accuplace to get into the general sciences, these classes will be a lot more intense than her intros she took before. I'd suggest setting her up for success. Also, in a summer short-semester, 1 week might be 2-3 weeks worth of points, so a bad week of falling behind can tank the entire grade.
Also, Carolina Healthcare just had a real nice spot on tv the other night. I believe they were ranked #1 in the state! I think her plan sounds great!

It's cool that we're in the same town! I've only been here 6 months, but love it so far! Give your friend a "hello" from me.