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Old 11-07-2009, 03:52 PM   #1
JP2740
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Default Fine without taking Genetics ?

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It seems like everybody says make sure take Genetics before studying for the mcat. I really do not have a choice here, but I just wanted to know if it really is a big deal to take Genetics as a class before taking the MCAT or even Biochem for that matter.
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Old 11-07-2009, 04:16 PM   #2
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It seems like everybody says make sure take Genetics before studying for the mcat. I really do not have a choice here, but I just wanted to know if it really is a big deal to take Genetics as a class before taking the MCAT or even Biochem for that matter.
It's not a big deal, in my opinion. I don't know how it is at your school, but I think the main reason people emphasize it is that it involuntarily forces you to know the basics of DNA replication, translation, etc. Other than that, Genetics is basically just a detail intensive course (you'll learn about all the transcription factors, proteins involved in DNA replication that won't be tested on the MCAT). But it's an interesting class, so take it if you get a chance!
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Old 11-07-2009, 04:35 PM   #3
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They can help but are not necessary......
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Old 11-08-2009, 06:23 PM   #4
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I got 12 BS without genetics and am figuring I'd have gotten 13-14 if I did. But mine was genetics heavy, so it hard to say.
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Old 11-08-2009, 06:42 PM   #5
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I got 12 BS without genetics and am figuring I'd have gotten 13-14 if I did. But mine was genetics heavy, so it hard to say.
mine had a little genetics and I studied for it hard...

It really is a crap shoot!!
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Old 11-08-2009, 07:06 PM   #6
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mine had a little genetics and I studied for it hard...

It really is a crap shoot!!
So hard for me to study and understand in the topics like DNA technology, mitosis, meiosis...
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Old 11-08-2009, 07:08 PM   #7
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So, please forgive my dumb question, how far should we go for the topics in Genetics? Is it already okay in studying purely EK Bio, without other books supplement?
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Old 11-08-2009, 07:13 PM   #8
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It seems like everybody says make sure take Genetics before studying for the mcat. I really do not have a choice here, but I just wanted to know if it really is a big deal to take Genetics as a class before taking the MCAT or even Biochem for that matter.
I didn't take genetics beforehand and I thought the genetics parts were easy. It's pretty much all logic and some basic calculations
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:36 PM   #9
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So hard for me to study and understand in the topics like DNA technology, mitosis, meiosis...
i got it after multiple teachings.......
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:37 PM   #10
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So, please forgive my dumb question, how far should we go for the topics in Genetics? Is it already okay in studying purely EK Bio, without other books supplement?
i would use something more detailed......
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Old 11-11-2009, 08:07 PM   #11
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It seems like everybody says make sure take Genetics before studying for the mcat. I really do not have a choice here, but I just wanted to know if it really is a big deal to take Genetics as a class before taking the MCAT or even Biochem for that matter.
I hate to be the one bringing bad news, but unless you're some critical thinking genius (like most of the guys on SDN seem to be), I wouldn't take that chance if you can help it. Take Genetics! It was heavy on my MCAT and I don't think I could have done well without the class. Besides, it will certainly be helpful in Med school, I couldn't have imagined Medical genetics would be so similar to upper level undergraduate genetics but it is.

PS: The MCAT forum is certainly my old stumping ground, it's great to be back .
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Old 11-13-2009, 06:12 PM   #12
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i personally think physiology is more helpful than genetics, and that the most helpful would be biochem.
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Old 11-13-2009, 06:46 PM   #13
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physio would have been the most helpful from what I have seen...with that said, I have heard of some getting very heavy genetics....

biochem would help but not that much....IMO
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Old 11-13-2009, 08:39 PM   #14
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my test was 4 genetics passage 1 bio chem 1 ochem 1 physio.. that was august 09 test.
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Old 11-13-2009, 09:02 PM   #15
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my test was 4 genetics passage 1 bio chem 1 ochem 1 physio.. that was august 09 test.
mine had 4 physio and 1 genetics...

it's a crap shoot.....pray you get what you are good at!!
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Old 11-13-2009, 10:34 PM   #16
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So what kind of questions did the passages in genetics involved? What kind of information? Also, what kind of the physio info?
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Old 11-13-2009, 11:05 PM   #17
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i would use something more detailed......
tbr bio ?
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Old 11-20-2009, 11:25 PM   #18
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yea i would say take it if you can. if not oh well, just know you'll probably score a point or two lower vs. if you did take Genetics.

I sure wish I had taken it before I took the MCAT. I had 3 passages loaded with Genetics questions...i was pissed haha.
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Old Yesterday, 10:27 AM   #19
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anyone have a opinion about examkrackers bio chapter 9, populations?

This is supposed to be the 'genetics' chapter of the book, but its a whopping five pages and not that much. Does this really seem to be all you need for genetics prep on the mcat? I thought EK was kind of short on this chapter, but don't know if its exactly what is needed for the exam.
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