I took GChem I/II in 1989/90 (A's in both) and am now scheduled to take OChem I this fall. As a non-traditional applicant, I don't have the time or inclination to re-take the GChem courses. I would appreciate any advice you may have to offer on preparing for this fall's OChem course. What do I need to focus on as part of my GChem review? If you can recommend resources, that would be great.

i dont think it'll be that big of a deal, both classes are completely different, the only thing i really remember from gen chem that i used in organic chem was the hybridizations etc, there is virtually no math/problems with numbers in organic chem unlike general chem where a lot of the class involved numbers

Check out Organic Chemistry as a Second Language and Pushing Electrons. Both are pretty much self teach books and will give you a good review/head start on orgo. Good luck!
Scott

general chemistry and organic chemistry are different... but.. a good foundation in general goes along way into organic (esspecially for the begining first 2 chapters of most organic text books)

Why don't you go a head and purchase the text book your university uses (along with the study guide of course) and start self teaching the first few chapters... they'll bring back your general chemistry foundation and if they don't..... well then you'll know exactly what you need to work on before you class starts.

I took my Gchem back in 1999. I managed 22 on my gchem section on the real DAT about two months ago.

I took my Gchem back in 1999. I managed 22 on my gchem section on the real DAT about two months ago.

TJ,
What did you use to prepare (well) for the GChem?
You must be either brilliant or studied so hard to pull a 22.

bugasman

I have never considered myself smart but I am not dumb. I know that much.

I really hate saying this but DAT destroyer helped me a lot.

you know that they want you to retake prereqs if they are 5 years or older since you took them...

you know that they want you to retake prereqs if they are 5 years or older since you took them...

I believe this is true. You may want to check with the schools at which you're planning to apply because they may not accept your gchem from 1989.

I believe this is true. You may want to check with the schools at which you're planning to apply because they may not accept your gchem from 1989.

Wow. I hope it's not. I completed by AA in '90 (Mathematics - gpa 3.94), my BA in '94 (Meterology - gpa 3.74), and my MS in '99 (Meteorology - gpa 3.65). If the five year limit is true then none of my prior work would apply, only the biology courses I've taken during this last year (all A's).

I will check with my top three school picks (right now) -- UF, UAB, and NC for guidance. Hopefully, really good DAT scores, combined with good grades for recent coursework and a strong academic past will be helpful.

To continue, thanks for all of the input (except for that last bit about the five-year time limit :( ). I purchased The Nuts and Bolts of Organic Chemistry - A Student's Guide to Success and have been wading through that. I also plan to buy the text for the class here pretty soon, Organic Chemistry 2nd Ed by Janice Gorzynski Smith.

I am going to have to figure this five-year thing out, though. If all else fails, I can always use my fall back plan and become a drummer in a rock n roll band...

I have never considered myself smart but I am not dumb. I know that much.

I really hate saying this but DAT destroyer helped me a lot.

Why do you hate saying that? I've actually considered going ahead and getting it to help with chemistry review, even though I don't plan to test until summer 2008.

I hate saying it because I don't want it to sound like a hype.

If 5 year rule applies, I am in the same boat as you but I am applying for this cycle! Well, I still have three semesters before 2008 class year starts so hopefully pre-req class issue will not be a problem for the admission.

its written all ove there website about the rule....and even the dean of the school told me in person about it so......and just dentistry...pharmaccy and medical applies too

Schools vary and also it might vary by individual class in some cases. If you did your english, for example, over 5 yrs ago they might let it slide, but if you need biochem and did that over 5 yrs ago I think you'd be in trouble. Best bet is to ask each school individually that you are applying to. It would suck if you dumped out all the app. $$ and weren't even eligible!
Scott

I have never considered myself smart but I am not dumb. I know that much.

I really hate saying this but DAT destroyer helped me a lot.

I believe you.

Addendum: If they (which school? or AADSAS?) reject my courses that are 5 years or older - does that mean that they will ALSO NOT COUNT OR INCLUDE MY <3.0 GPA'S/grades 10 or 12 years ago IN THE CALCULATION? Because that would bump me closer to that beautiful 4.0 overall gpa.....

I know DO school are more forgiving.....:)