Accelerated out of General Chemistry - Prereqs

[Singing the Song]

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Hello SDN friends, hope you can give me some collective insight on this.

Background:
I finished AP Chemistry in high school, scored a 5. Took a test at the beginning of college which gave me an acceleration credit in general chemistry. Basically allowed me to take organic chemistry and lab from the get-go, which I did for two semesters. Majored in an area that covered biology, chemistry, and physics (emphasis on biology). Took a Physical Chemistry course for one semester (as well as orgo + lab for two semesters, and biochemistry+ work at my research lab on campus) but otherwise no general chemistry as I could not go back to courses with a lower number after orgo. Applied for medical schools under the blessing of my school's premedical advisory board, which assured me that not taking general chemistry + lab should be fine in these circumstances. I'm not in any way special for having done this, as many many people at my school did this (including many of my friends who entered medical school already). Seeing them enter without a hitch alleviated my concerns back then.

Fast forward now:
I'm very fortunate to hold an offer this cycle. I heard from a friend that another student he knew ran into some trouble with a similar situation. I heard yesterday medical schools take a look at official transcripts to verify prereqs AFTER the offer. Previously, I thought that simply receiving a secondary/interview would suggest I passed the prereqs. Now that I think about it, it may have been pretty unfair to expect someone reading so many apps to be able to verify prereqs for every one until they narrow down the list. I've finished college and I'm in the final stretch before medical school. I'm excited and this may be the best thing to happen for me in a while.

My questions:
Am I going to run into trouble when schools see that general chemistry/lab isn't on my transcript? Would acceleration credits (which don't count for a grade or towards graduation) or my semester of PChem (300-400 level course) help as mitigating factors?

 

[Singing the Song]

You have 2 courses of action:
1) Request a waiver if the issue come up
2) take a chem class in early summer cycle at CC

the med school can force a deferral if you do not have the prereq. Technically they could rescind an offer but I that would an extraordinary rare occurrence in such a minor issue

Thank you for your reply!

I would rather avoid taking a chemistry class now as I'm working in a time crunch at work and don't want the poor reputation of leaving before the end of my contract - in your experience, would this be something medical schools would make an issue out of in the first place? I'm hoping a waiver will suffice if I can explain with my PChem, early orgo, biochem, and general emphasis through my major.

I'm really (really) glad my offer will likely not be rescinded.

 

[chemphysicsinstructor]

Thank you for your reply!

I would rather avoid taking a chemistry class now as I'm working in a time crunch at work and don't want the poor reputation of leaving before the end of my contract - in your experience, would this be something medical schools would make an issue out of in the first place? I'm hoping a waiver will suffice if I can explain with my PChem, early orgo, biochem, and general emphasis through my major.

I'm really (really) glad my offer will likely not be rescinded.

Most likely, you will be fine. To me, if you can do well in physical chemistry, that is evidence that you a.) know enough about general chemistry and b.) that you would do well if you had to take a general chemistry course. If needed, I would also mention that several topics such as kinetics, thermodynamics, and quantum theory which are taught in general chemistry are taught at a much higher level in physical chemistry.

 

[Singing the Song]

Schools make issue of this not because of the knowledge of the student but rather because of LCME audits for. During the initial accreditation, among other things, get approved with their admission requirements. When they get re-accredited, LCME will look to see how well the school has adhere to following its own standards. Too many waivers can be a "ding" on an audit. And this day and age, with medical schools associated with large health systems that worry about reputation, market share, and branding, do not want to get any dings on review. Some schools recently have almost refused to give any waivers to avoid any issues

This is not a hypothetical. A few years ago, one of my non-trad applicants, a former journalism major who worked a feature length non-fiction writer, text book editor, and education material specialist for a medical specialty society, got accepted by a school. However, despite her extensive writing background would not waive the the specific English requirement even appealing to the dean. She was scheduled to sit in some summer CC English class when she got off WL to another school that waived the requirement over the phone. So you never know what will be and shouldnt rely on luck.

I see, thank you for explaining. Is there anything I could do now? I am considering asking others from my undergrad who matriculated to this school in the past year to see if they ran into any similar situations. No real benefit in hassling the office of admissions if I won't have time to take the course right?

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

This thread is just more proof that students who hope to go to medical school should never test out of medical school prerequisite courses. While a student might get to brag to his/her parents and get out of some tuition, he or she will have this kind of grief and lose the opportunity to get an easy "A".