2014-2015 Yale University Application Thread

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Abstractions said:
Are you sure about that? According to their website you don't need biochem lab, only 1 semester/quarter:

"Beginning with the 2014-15 admissions season, one semester of biochemistry has been added to Yale's traditional course requirements"

http://medicine.yale.edu/education/admissions/apply/premed.aspx
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It says including labs too. Maybe Just biochem without lab is okay then. It would be a real pain for me to have to take that lab.
 
godawg300 said:
It says including labs too. Maybe Just biochem without lab is okay then. It would be a real pain for me to have to take that lab.
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Ah, I didn't interpret it that way when I read it. I'm hoping that they don't require it either, as I'd hate to have to go back and take that miserable class.
 
Abstractions said:
Ah, I didn't interpret it that way when I read it. I'm hoping that they don't require it either, as I'd hate to have to go back and take that miserable class.
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Sigh, I will have to email them. I know Dartmouth told me if there is a lab they expect me to take it.
 
I checked on the MSAR and biochem lab is checked as required.
 
Abstractions said:
Ugh... Thanks. I hope they don't expect me to as I'm already graduated...
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Me too!....I got so excited today and then I looked at their website to check some stuff....and was like what!?!?? Got really sad.
 
godawg300 said:
Me too!....I got so excited today and then I looked at their website to check some stuff....and was like what!?!?? Got really sad.
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Yeah... I really really really really really hope it's not a strict requirement. I don't even know where I'd go to take a biochem lab course since I don't think I can just show up and enroll in upper divs at any of my local universities :/.
 
Abstractions said:
Yeah... I really really really really really hope it's not a strict requirement. I don't even know where I'd go to take a biochem lab course since I don't think I can just show up and enroll in upper divs at any of my local universities :/.
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Trust me I checked. I have last priority and the biochem labs seem to always be full!
 
godawg300 said:
Trust me I checked. I have last priority and the biochem labs seem to always be full!
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Yeah... let me know what they say when they get back to you! Hopefully it isn't mandatory because although I didn't take it in undergrad, I knew it was a pain to get in as a non chem/biochem major.
 
godawg300 said:
Me too!....I got so excited today and then I looked at their website to check some stuff....and was like what!?!?? Got really sad.
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Chill down the spine...although I hope the lab is only required if it's part of the course, like Dartmouth.
 
Abstractions said:
What do you mean "if it's part of the course" ?
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Part of an automated acknowledgement email I received from Dartmouth--whenever I email them, they reply with an acknowledgment and the following are part of that email.

As you know, this is the first year that the Geisel School of Medicine is including biochemistry in its list of required courses. The new requirement has generated a number of questions from applicants. Below, we will address the most frequent questions. If nothing below seems to "fit" with any question you might have about biochemistry, please give us a telephone call in the admissions office at 603/650-1505. We would be happy to speak with you.

Q: I completed a semester of biochemistry and was awarded three semester hours of credit, not four. Do I meet the biochemistry requirement?

A: Our requirement is for a semester of biochemistry -OR- four semester hours. If you have completed what your school considers a full semester of biochemistry, you meet the requirement, no matter how many hours your institution or AMCAS assigns to the course. Please note, however, that if a lab section associated with the course was offered, you should also complete it.

Likewise, if you completed what your school considers a full year of general biology, including any associated lab sections, you meet the general biology requirement, no matter how many hours assigned by the school or AMCAS (a special note to those studying at Canadian institutions: we often see six semester hours assigned by AMCAS to full-year sequences; it isn't a problem).

Q: I earned three semester hours of credit. How should I list the course on the secondary application?

A: Please list courses on the secondary with the credit hours assigned to them by AMCAS.

Q: I haven't taken biochemistry, but I have a full year of organic. Can I use the second semester of organic as a substitute for biochemistry?

A: No, we now require biochemistry of all students. Our faculty has established biochemistry as a requirement to enter the MD curriculum at Geisel.

Q: I attend a school whose academic calendar is on a quarter system. How many quarters of biochemistry are required?

A: A single quarter (usually 2.7 hours) of biochemistry, included within two full years of chemistry, is sufficient to meet the biochemistry requirement. However, we recommend a second quarter to build a stronger foundation for our curriculum.
 
Friendly_female_house said:
Part of an automated acknowledgement email I received from Dartmouth--whenever I email them, they reply with an acknowledgment and the following are part of that email.

As you know, this is the first year that the Geisel School of Medicine is including biochemistry in its list of required courses. The new requirement has generated a number of questions from applicants. Below, we will address the most frequent questions. If nothing below seems to "fit" with any question you might have about biochemistry, please give us a telephone call in the admissions office at 603/650-1505. We would be happy to speak with you.

Q: I completed a semester of biochemistry and was awarded three semester hours of credit, not four. Do I meet the biochemistry requirement?

A: Our requirement is for a semester of biochemistry -OR- four semester hours. If you have completed what your school considers a full semester of biochemistry, you meet the requirement, no matter how many hours your institution or AMCAS assigns to the course. Please note, however, that if a lab section associated with the course was offered, you should also complete it.

Likewise, if you completed what your school considers a full year of general biology, including any associated lab sections, you meet the general biology requirement, no matter how many hours assigned by the school or AMCAS (a special note to those studying at Canadian institutions: we often see six semester hours assigned by AMCAS to full-year sequences; it isn't a problem).

Q: I earned three semester hours of credit. How should I list the course on the secondary application?

A: Please list courses on the secondary with the credit hours assigned to them by AMCAS.

Q: I haven't taken biochemistry, but I have a full year of organic. Can I use the second semester of organic as a substitute for biochemistry?

A: No, we now require biochemistry of all students. Our faculty has established biochemistry as a requirement to enter the MD curriculum at Geisel.

Q: I attend a school whose academic calendar is on a quarter system. How many quarters of biochemistry are required?

A: A single quarter (usually 2.7 hours) of biochemistry, included within two full years of chemistry, is sufficient to meet the biochemistry requirement. However, we recommend a second quarter to build a stronger foundation for our curriculum.
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Ah interesting, I haven't seen that before. My undergraduate institution had a lab course offered in addition to our biochemistry course, however their last statement of "A single quarter (usually 2.7 hours) of biochemistry, included within two full years of chemistry, is sufficient to meet the biochemistry requirement." gives me hope that I didn't need to take biochem lab. (Our biochem lecture was 4 units, and the biochem lab was an additional 4).

Thanks for the info (And here's to hoping I don't need biochem lab!) 🙂
 
Abstractions said:
Ah interesting, I haven't seen that before. My undergraduate institution had a lab course offered in addition to our biochemistry course, however their last statement of "A single quarter (usually 2.7 hours) of biochemistry, included within two full years of chemistry, is sufficient to meet the biochemistry requirement." gives me hope that I didn't need to take biochem lab. (Our biochem lecture was 4 units, and the biochem lab was an additional 4).

Thanks for the info (And here's to hoping I don't need biochem lab!) 🙂
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That was from Dartmouth though. I wonder if Yale has a similarly relaxed policy. My school doesn't offer Biochem Lab. So I won't be able to take it even if I want to.
 
My thought is that it would be ridiculous for anyone qualified to attend Yale and otherwise found to be a desirable candidate by their adcom to be required to go back and take a biochem lab. What would that really achieve for all parties involved? Surely the Yale adcom realizes this. I wouldn't worry about it, guys.
 
godawg300 said:
I hope you guys are right. I thought only chem majors take biochem lab usually.
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At my undergrad (which is one of the largest pre-med factories in the nation), only Biochem and a few Life Science majors are required to take biochem lab. The vast majority don't take it.
 
FWIW, I called the Yale admissions office about this a few weeks back...and the Dean picked up the phone. I told him how I already graduated last year and haven't taken Biochem, let alone the lab, and he first recommended that even if I don't go to Yale that I should take Biochem somewhere, and if I am fortunate enough to be afforded an acceptance to Yale that I have to take Biochem (didn't ask about lab since I was already a little disappointed by the response). So for my fellow non-trads, and others, this is kind of a bummer. He recommended taking a class from a state university. BUT, I wouldn't worry about this for now -- if we are lucky enough to end up matriculating here, needing to take a course next summer might be a good problem to have 🙂
 
Do they really not care whether we have completed the prereqs in offering interviews/acceptances? Or is there still that inevitable bias toward those who are fully complete at the time of application? Is this a rhetorical question?!
 
infinitessimal said:
Do they really not care whether we have completed the prereqs in offering interviews/acceptances? Or is there still that inevitable bias toward those who are fully complete at the time of application? Is this a rhetorical question?!
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My understanding is that most schools don't check that you have met their course requirements until some point in the spring after acceptances are sent out. It probably saves admissions folks a lot of time to only verify that info for students they really want since I'm sure course designations are often vague/open to interpretation, not to mention issues reconciling credit hours.
 
Scribblers said:
My understanding is that most schools don't check that you have met their course requirements until some point in the spring after acceptances are sent out. It probably saves admissions folks a lot of time to only verify that info for students they really want since I'm sure course designations are often vague/open to interpretation, not to mention issues reconciling credit hours.
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I would think that way too, except some schools specifically ask to list the courses in secondaries that complete their requirements, and I'm pretty sure Yale asked point-blank if we have completed all the requirements at the time of submission. I'm not fretting about it too much, just would be interesting to know. I am one of those nontrads who hasn't taken biochem.
 
I wanted to throw this out there bc i clearly have a different opinion for multiple reasons and i don't mean any disrespect by it and only hope to give you some perspective on the subject. This is YALE we are talking about. Your potential opportunity to receive (IMO) one of the BEST educations in the country/world. There should be no attempt to get around the system or skirt the requirements. You do WHATEVER you have to do/what they ask of you to gain admission, sans something nefarious... that would be unacceptable.
 
Overanxious said:
I wanted to throw this out there bc i clearly have a different opinion for multiple reasons and i don't mean any disrespect by it and only hope to give you some perspective on the subject. This is YALE we are talking about. Your potential opportunity to receive (IMO) one of the BEST educations in the country/world. There should be no attempt to get around the system or skirt the requirements. You do WHATEVER you have to do/what they ask of you to gain admission, sans something nefarious... that would be unacceptable.
Click to expand...
My logic (and I hope I'm not alone in this), is that as @gettheleadout said earlier, any candidate who is deemed worthy by the Yale Adcom and hasn't taken a biochemistry lab is surely capable academically. Forcing those admitted applicants who aren't current undergraduates to take a biochem lab would cause significant stress and logistics issues (I know it would be difficult for me to find a place to take it) while offering next to zero appreciable benefits. It would effectively be an exercise in futility.

If I am fortunate enough to interview and obtain an acceptance at Yale and they say my 1 quarter of biochemistry lecture is insufficient, I would be extremely frustrated that they expect me to potentially move across my state for a mere academic exercise.
 
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Abstractions said:
My logic (and I hope I'm not alone in this), is that as @gettheleadout said earlier, any candidate who is deemed worthy by the Yale Adcom and hasn't taken a biochemistry lab is surely capable academically. Forcing those admitted applicants who aren't current undergraduates to take a biochem lab would cause significant stress and logistics issues (I know it would be difficult for me to find a place to take it) while offering next to zero appreciable benefits. It would effectively be an exercise in futility.

If I am fortunate enough to interview and obtain an acceptance at Yale and they say my 1 quarter of biochemistry lecture is insufficient, I would be extremely frustrated that they expect me to potentially move across my state for a mere academic exercise.
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I most definitely understand your logic, i just don't agree with all the parts. You are absolutely correct in the statement that any Yale worthy applicant is academically capable (no doubt in my mind!). An extra class may be a futile exercise and i absolutely agree that it would be frustrating to have to go back and take a class and work out a way to do it (i graduated from undergrad 6+ years ago...i know). However, the stress of said exercise in no way compares to the stress of med school and life as a physician. More importantly and bottom line is the opportunity to attend Yale is incomparable to the requirement of taking a class and certainly worth it!
 
Overanxious said:
I wanted to throw this out there bc i clearly have a different opinion for multiple reasons and i don't mean any disrespect by it and only hope to give you some perspective on the subject. This is YALE we are talking about. Your potential opportunity to receive (IMO) one of the BEST educations in the country/world. There should be no attempt to get around the system or skirt the requirements. You do WHATEVER you have to do/what they ask of you to gain admission, sans something nefarious... that would be unacceptable.
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lol why not?
Overanxious said:
I most definitely understand your logic, i just don't agree with all the parts. You are absolutely correct in the statement that any Yale worthy applicant is academically capable (no doubt in my mind!). An extra class may be a futile exercise and i absolutely agree that it would be frustrating to have to go back and take a class and work out a way to do it (i graduated from undergrad 6+ years ago...i know). However, the stress of said exercise in no way compares to the stress of med school and life as a physician. More importantly and bottom line is the opportunity to attend Yale is incomparable to the requirement of taking a class and certainly worth it!
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That is a completely valid opinion. One person can be willing to do anything to attend a particular school, and another can choose to favor institutions whose policies seem to more closely align with his/her sensibilities. Nothing wrong with having either perspective, so let's not imply that there is.
 
So what is the consensus on the biochem requirement? I took the course, but was only awarded 3 credits. According to the website, "For both 2014 and 2015 enrollment, acceptable courses in these subjects are usually given three to four semester hours of academic credit per semester", but I am not sure if I fulfill it.

I have also graduated and working full-time so I don't really have time to take a lab course in addition to research!
 
womanofscience said:
So what is the consensus on the biochem requirement? I took the course, but was only awarded 3 credits. According to the website, "For both 2014 and 2015 enrollment, acceptable courses in these subjects are usually given three to four semester hours of academic credit per semester", but I am not sure if I fulfill it.

I have also graduated and working full-time so I don't really have time to take a lab course in addition to research!
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Not sure @godawg300 did they respond to you? I'm in the same boat, I took one biochemistry course (2.7 semester units) and I hope it fulfills their requirement or else it'll be a real pain if I have to take it somewhere...
 
Did anyone have trouble scheduling flights? I have to leave at 4:10 on my interview day, because apparently that is the last shuttle back to BDL. I indicated this in my travel itinerary survey, but I haven't heard back from them? I imagine it happens relatively often...
 
AwkwardHoneybadger said:
Hi guys!

I just wanted to drop by and wish you all good luck on your applications. I am a current med student here at Yale, and I thought it might be helpful to answer any questions you might have about the school or the application process!
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Thank you!

I think the most heated debate right now is the new biochemistry requirement (lecture and lab). Now...i have completed the requirements. However, those who haven't seem to have had the lecture but not the lab and some may need both lecture and lab. Does Yale offer a biochem course (including lab) during the summer prior to matriculation for those who haven't completed all the requirements? I feel this may be a solution to the problem.
 
ProbablyAPenguin said:
Did anyone have trouble scheduling flights? I have to leave at 4:10 on my interview day, because apparently that is the last shuttle back to BDL. I indicated this in my travel itinerary survey, but I haven't heard back from them? I imagine it happens relatively often...
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I planed to fly in the day before and fly out the day after. I want to experience as much as possible.
 
Overanxious said:
Thank you!

I think the most heated debate right now is the new biochemistry requirement (lecture and lab). Now...i have completed the requirements. However, those who haven't seem to have had the lecture but not the lab and some may need both lecture and lab. Does Yale offer a biochem course (including lab) during the summer prior to matriculation for those who haven't completed all the requirements? I feel this may be a solution to the problem.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, Yale Med doesn't have a summer session that allows you to take biochemistry before school starts (and I don't believe they are starting it, at least from what I know). They do have something called START @ Yale, which lets you do an 8 week research rotation in one of the many labs at the medical school. I'm not sure whether the Yale Summer Session has a biochemistry class though; you might try checking that out.
 
Overanxious said:
I planed to fly in the day before and fly out the day after. I want to experience as much as possible.
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I am flying in the day before, but unfortunately I have commitments at home for the next day that I didn't know about until now; hopefully that doesn't impact my admissions prospects!
 
Overanxious said:
Thank you!

I think the most heated debate right now is the new biochemistry requirement (lecture and lab). Now...i have completed the requirements. However, those who haven't seem to have had the lecture but not the lab and some may need both lecture and lab. Does Yale offer a biochem course (including lab) during the summer prior to matriculation for those who haven't completed all the requirements? I feel this may be a solution to the problem.
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Are you sure that they require lab? I just checked their website and it says they only require one semester.
 
lyra928 said:
Are you sure that they require lab? I just checked their website and it says they only require one semester.
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  1. Satisfactory completion of the following courses, including laboratory work:
  • General Biology or Zoology (2 semesters)
  • General Chemistry (2 semesters)
  • Organic Chemistry (1 semester)
  • Biochemistry (1 semester)
  • General Physics (2 semesters)
 
Overanxious said:
  1. Satisfactory completion of the following courses, including laboratory work:
  • General Biology or Zoology (2 semesters)
  • General Chemistry (2 semesters)
  • Organic Chemistry (1 semester)
  • Biochemistry (1 semester)
  • General Physics (2 semesters)
Click to expand...

Also keep in mind that you don't need to complete the requirements before being accepted. You only need to do so before matriculation.
 
AwkwardHoneybadger said:
Also keep in mind that you don't need to complete the requirements before being accepted. You only need to do so before matriculation.
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Just to clarify (Since I've read your posts but I haven't seen a 100% clear answer);

Does Yale require 1) 1 Semester of Biochemistry (lecture), OR 2) 1 Semester or Biochemistry Lecture + 1 semester of Biochemistry Lab.
 
lyra928 said:
My school doesn't even have a biochem lab and I go to a top 10 school...
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My school doesn't have a biochemistry lab either. And within my major I don't take biochemistry with the biology department, I take it with the bioengineering department. I hope this is OK with Yale; if not I'll just take a summer course.
 
Has anyone actually called Yale and asked or is it just that online quote?
 
Abstractions said:
Just to clarify (Since I've read your posts but I haven't seen a 100% clear answer);

Does Yale require 1) 1 Semester of Biochemistry (lecture), OR 2) 1 Semester or Biochemistry Lecture + 1 semester of Biochemistry Lab.
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Yes, according to the Yale Med admissions website and MSAR, both the lecture and the lab is required. If you still have any questions, call the admissions office! They're really nice and are totally willing to help clarify stuff.
 
ProbablyAPenguin said:
My school doesn't have a biochemistry lab either. And within my major I don't take biochemistry with the biology department, I take it with the bioengineering department. I hope this is OK with Yale; if not I'll just take a summer course.
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For the bioengineering department biochemistry class, as long as it has the "biochemistry" designation in the course description, I believe it should be fine. The lack of a biochem lab course is worrisome though; you might try calling the office to see what they say.
 
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FWIW guys, for my year of admission I only had a semester of orgo as opposed to a whole year, and I'm still a matriculated student. Yale is not too hardcore on requirements or rules, as you'll find out when you come here, and as long as you are a qualified candidate Yale would love to have you here (and not lose you to say, Harvard). That being said, you should probably still do your very best to complete these requirements, unless it's not at all feasible.
 
Anyone try to book a hotel room yet? I contacted all the hotels listed on the website (which stated they had a special rate for interviewees) and they each told me they don't have a special rate. They ranged from 369-389 per night (for the oct dates) which seems like premeditated robbery to me. Suggestions?
 
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