Admissions Question

[Paratodoc]

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First, hello. Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm currently in the AACOMAS process for a hopeful matriculation in the Fall of 2013. I'm a paramedic by profession and recently completed some postbac work to, as I thought, finish up my prerequisite education.

So here is my question:

I've completed 8 credits of Physics, 8 Credits of Inorganic Chemistry, 8 credits of Organic Chemistry, One semester of general biology, microbiology, and two semesters of A&P. My stats are generally good, with a 4.0 in my postbac work.

My advisor at my alma mater has been less than helpful. My former university had a very strict and prescribed premedical curriculum that supersedes most U.S. medical school's curriculum. It includes a total of 16 credits of biology, which includes molecular/cell biology, genetics, and 2 semesters of general bio. Definitely worth it, but with time of the essence, a genetics course isn't currently in the works. I would have taken a second semester of gen bio during my original Bachelor's degree, but my major prescribed general biology and A&P, not two semester of gen bio.

So, anyway. My question is this: Do I have enough biology? Some schools say, "8 credits of biology." Well, I have 16 credits across the Biology spectrum. Others say, "General Biology."

My advisors have not been particularly useful in this endeavor. The one at my newer school says, "I don't see a problem." At my former university, "Yeah, you need to take genetics and molecular/cell biology prior to matriculation." When I point out that neither are "General Biology" she says, "Well, general biology doesn't meet our requirement" I haven't gotten out of her if this means that it doesn't meet "her requirement" or if it would generally not meet most medical schools curriculums due to a course content issue. She's fairly intransigent about this and I think there is some issue with me taking coursework somewhere else.

Let me clarify this: I don't have a problem taking another semester of general biology. At this point, and based on my MCAT prep, I don't currently see a problem. Is this going to mess up my chances during the application process or will most schools be like, "Hey, just complete it before matriculation"? UNECOM is one of my favorites, but I've noticed that they changed their standards to require all prerequisite coursework, including biochem, to be done by January 1st of the application year. This worries me, because the earliest I can get into a second semester of general biology is next spring.

Thanks for any help provided.

 

[piojita63]

I do not have General Biology 2 either...it was not part of the pre-med curriculum at my university. Similar to yourself, I have 1 semester of general biology, anatomy and physiology, and molecular biology. I emailed a few DO schools asking if the biology classes needed to be SPECIFIC ones (i.e. general biology I and II), and if my courses would be sufficient to apply. This is the answer I got from Western University-Pomona (which apparently is one of the more competitive ones): ". For the Biology prerequisite anything that falls under the biology department will count towards the 8 semester hrs. For the remaining science prerequisites you will need to take those courses specifically. For Organic Chemistry you will need to take an organic chemistry class w/ lab. The other science prerequisites follow the same pattern."

Other schools replied with similar responses, I just found the Western one first in my email to copy-paste for you. So far none have responded: "Yes, it needs to be General Biology I and General Biology II"....so my conclusion is that I am ok. I would assume the same for you. But, you should err on the safe side and email the schools you are interested in specifically...especially since your advisor hasn't been the best, according to you. I don't have an advisor, so I've had to email schools directly. Nonetheless, if you wanted to take general biology 2 anyway, then go for it!
Hope that helps!
Best of luck!
.

 

[GenusTide]

Wow, I can't even say that I had questioned this. The Med school were I attended undergrad required it and my major required it, so I never thought about it. But, your absolutely right that some schools only specify 8hrs of Bio. But they also say they accept a 3.0gpa and this is usually not the case. Would I think you would be safer to also take bio II, yes. As the above poster stated, you may be best advised to double check with the school's your planning on applying to. There is information on the MCAT from Bio II but it is minimal enough that you could learn what you need from study guides.

 

[HPDV6000]

Those 8 credits hours are mandatory for applying to medical school. You will probably need and want to have much more credits in biology... like read the schools recommended classes lists and take those classes. Classes like anatomy and physiology will probably be classes you want to take before going into medical.

 

[GenusTide]

Those 8 credits hours are mandatory for applying to medical school. You will probably need and want to have much more credits in biology... like read the schools recommended classes lists and take those classes. Classes like anatomy and physiology will probably be classes you want to take before going into medical.

(*want) but certainly not necessary. I was told to take other upper level classes instead.