Advice on What Course to Take This Spring

[selfhealer]

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hey guys
Thankfully I have been accepted for fall 2011, but I am still taking courses (I graduated many years ago but am currently taking some science courses at my local university.

I have taken bio I and II, gen chem I and II, and physics I and II.
Right now Im taking Orgo I and Statistics.

I will be taking orgo II in the spring but am looking for another course or 2 to take that might be a good idea to take before med school starts in the fall.

I would love to take biochem but it is not offered during the spring at my school so i will be taking it in the summer before med school starts.

Any advice regarding other courses that might help me get a head start on first year? Genetics? Cell and Molec?

If you guys had to choose 2 courses to take which would they be? Thanks.

 

[mnoon1]

I would take a break?
or histology, anatomy, a break!

 

[HW51Revisited]

I would recommend an Anatomy & Physiology course if it's offered. If you really want to take Biochem (but can't in the spring) you might see if there's a Cell & Molecular Bio course offered instead.

 

[MIAmedica]

I would highly suggest histology and A/P. However, what you cover in these classes in undergrad will by no means be representative of what will be shoved down your throat next year.

My reason for suggesting histology: I had taken it in undergrad and during my SMP, and let me tell you I was definitely a step ahead of others who had not taken this course in undergrad (note: my SMP histology course was taken with med students). Histology is just something that some people "see" (literally) and can relate to physiology easily, whereas the majority of others struggled a lot those first few weeks. Because I knew the first day what "keratinized stratified squamous epithelium" was and where to find on the body (skin), I was at an advantage. On the other hand, once people get past the basics of this course, all are more or less on the same page.

A/P is a crucial part to your medical education, and a huge chunk of what you'll learn that first and possibly second semester of med school. That being said, you'll want to know HOW to study the material asap. This isn't the regular bio or chem class. Everyone has their own unique way of studying A/P so this could be helpful to you later.

If not these then I would take genetics, cell bio, micro. It doesn't seem like you'll get all of these in before your first semester, but see what fits your schedule, and maybe where you think your weak point is. Either way, try to relax before med school starts!

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

I wouldn't take anything.

 

[blahoslovennyy]

hey guys
Thankfully I have been accepted for fall 2011...

Right now Im taking Orgo I and Statistics...

I will be taking orgo II in the spring ...

before med school starts in the fall...

Wait, wait, wait.
You're in Orgo I now, and haven't taken Orgo II yet, but have taken the MCAT already with an acceptable score? And have applied already without Orgo I or Orgo II completed on your transcript, but been interviewed, and accepted? For 2011? 😱😱😱

 

[denco88]

Wait, wait, wait.
You're in Orgo I now, and haven't taken Orgo II yet, but have taken the MCAT already with an acceptable score? And have applied already without Orgo I or Orgo II completed on your transcript, but been interviewed, and accepted? For 2011? 😱😱😱

This confused me as well.... But really, there isn't that much Orgo on the MCAT and what is actually on there is really simple chemistry disguised as being difficult. Soooo if he taught himself the simple mechanisms, he could have easily done it!

 

[TriagePreMed]

Take a break, OP. If you're really interested in learning that stuff, buy a book off amazon. No point in putting yourself through the stress of classes. If you really need a classroom setting, enroll yourself as an auditing student.

 

[blinkboy1156]

Take a break, OP. If you're really interested in learning that stuff, buy a book off amazon. No point in putting yourself through the stress of classes. If you really need a classroom setting, enroll yourself as an auditing student.

👍

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

This confused me as well.... But really, there isn't that much Orgo on the MCAT and what is actually on there is really simple chemistry disguised as being difficult. Soooo if he taught himself the simple mechanisms, he could have easily done it!

I have to second this. Orgo was a strength of mine, especially on practice tests. I may have been looking at a single point lower in the BS section had I not taken a year of Orgo...so sad.

 

[Tekar]

Take an EMT-Basic Course
Take a Biochem Course
Take any upper division biology course
Read The D.O.s
Take a course in the history of US American Indian Relations
Take a course in Modern Non-Fiction...


Wait...1-4 are important, 2 and 3 being the most important.. 5 and 6 were ablast from the past....

 

[theone1979]

Wait, wait, wait.
You're in Orgo I now, and haven't taken Orgo II yet, but have taken the MCAT already with an acceptable score? And have applied already without Orgo I or Orgo II completed on your transcript, but been interviewed, and accepted? For 2011? 😱😱😱

...yea,

 

[selfhealer]

Wait, wait, wait.
You're in Orgo I now, and haven't taken Orgo II yet, but have taken the MCAT already with an acceptable score? And have applied already without Orgo I or Orgo II completed on your transcript, but been interviewed, and accepted? For 2011? 😱😱😱

Yes. I know this isn't the typical route and I am thrilled and amazed that I was able to get this to work out, but thankfully it did.

I am a bit older and really wanted to apply this cycle. So I taught myself orgo this summer and prepared for the MCAT which I took at the end of the summer and then got my apps in early fall. Thankfully I did reasonably well on the MCAT and my app has been well received.

I only have 1 acceptance so far but have 2 waitlists and several more interviews lined up.

 

[romealone]

Very imressive. I am surprised med schools would accept you with so few science courses completed.