a few specific prereq questions

[Captain Sisko]

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As background, I've UG and a masters in engineering, 3.65 cGPA, 3.8 sGPA.

My prerequisites are a mess.

I did one semester of gen chem at a CC while I was in HS, the other at my UG.

I took AP Bio in high school- my UG credited me with “bio elective” because I “only” got a 4, but my PB gave me credit for the full freshman sequence, however AMCAS says I have to take what it was first accepted as (I’ve asked). I’m planning on taking “sophomore” level biology including cell bio and genetics during the application year.

I also AP’ed out of physics but I’ve taken a ton of engineering beyond general physics. My UG did give me credit for the full year of frosh physics.

Also, all of my prerequisites except for organic and biochemistry are from the 2001-02 academic year or earlier. I believe I took the AP Physics and Calculus exams during the Clinton administration.


Q: Will the gen chem at a CC hurt me?

Q: Will having not taken bio until the application year hurt me? I've seen people ask in the case of biochem or even organic chem prerequisites, but not bio. It seems silly to apply to med school without having taken it, but is this ok? for the record, I've taken the MCAT and did well in BS.

Q: Will schools that have a no-AP policy be strict about the physics pre-req even though I’ve lots of engineering?

Q: Will the fact that my physical sciences prerequisites are utterly ancient hurt me? I also did well in PS, if it matters.

Q: I did my informal post-bac one or two classes at a time while working full-time. Is course-load a concern in my case? Someone told me that despite my engineering UG it was. Other opinions?


Thanks much!
Sisko

 

[Donald Juan]

Q: Will the gen chem at a CC hurt me?

Q: Will having not taken bio until the application year hurt me? I've seen people ask in the case of biochem or even organic chem prerequisites, but not bio. It seems silly to apply to med school without having taken it, but is this ok? for the record, I've taken the MCAT and did well in BS.

Q: Will schools that have a no-AP policy be strict about the physics pre-req even though I've lots of engineering?

Q: Will the fact that my physical sciences prerequisites are utterly ancient hurt me? I also did well in PS, if it matters.

Q: I did my informal post-bac one or two classes at a time while working full-time. Is course-load a concern in my case? Someone told me that despite my engineering UG it was. Other opinions?

These are questions that will likely be program specific. I'll give the best answers I can:

Q1: No

Q2: Probably not.

Q3: Possibly

Q4: This is probably less of an issue than your bio

Q5: No; if for some reason you are asked about it you can explain that you were working.

Get your application in and find out how strict places will be about your particular situation. It doesn't seem that you are violating any strict policies that I know about. For example, MCAT should be recent and AP grades should be supplemented with upper level courses--you seem to be covering that. Don't be afraid to call or email schools with questions. Some will be friendly, some won't, but you might need to go on a school by school basis on some of these questions.

Also, you might find more people with similar situations in the non-trad board that could help you out.