Advice Sought On Which Additional Science Courses to Take Aside From Pre-Recs

[selfhealer]

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So, for those of you that may have followed some of my other threads, you might be aware of my intended schedule regarding the pre-med courses.
Just to quickly summarize, I am a 30 year old non-trad who graduated undergrad back in 2001 with a non-science degree-I had not taken ANY sciences as an undergrad.
I begun taking my pre-med courses this summer and have only completed BIO I and II thus far.
As of now, my plan is to take:
-Chem I and Phys I this fall
-Chem II and Phys II in spring
-Orgo I and Orgo II early next summer
-Study my ass off for MCats both this spring and early next summer, and then take Mcats in late July of next summer (summer 2010).
-Send out apps as soon as I receive Mcat scores (sometime in August, assuming scores are acceptable).

It now occurs to me that this fall and spring, my academic load will be quite light (just the 2 courses for each semester). I am now considering to add another science to my schedule for both of these semesters. I am considering this for 2 reasons.
1-Im concerned that it might be frowned upon that I am only taking the bare minimum in terms of pre-recs according to my current schedule (2 semesters each of Bio, Gen Chem, Physics, and Orgo). Ive heard mixed responses on this matter. Some seem to say that merely taking these core requirements is totally sufficient and not looked down upon. Other seem to encourage taking a few upper level sciences or electives.
2-More importantly, I imagine that certain, additional science courses might provide me with better shot at scoring higher on the MCats (For instance, Ive heard that having a good understanding of cell biology can really give you a leg up on the Mcats).

I would likely not consider adding these courses to my schedule if I felt that my current schedule was already too demanding, but I think we can all agree that my current schedule of only 2 courses each for fall and spring, is quite light.

So, my questions are.
1- Do you think that its advisable I add, perhaps one course to both my fall and spring semester.
2-If so, which courses would be best for me to take (Im mainly interested in courses that will likely improve my chances at a higher Mcat score).

Again, Ive heard several times that cell biology is a great course to take which equips one with crucial knowledge for the MCats. Am I misinformed about this? Also, Id love to hear suggestions for other courses that you feel I may benefit from taking. Thanks so much-SH

 

[teacherman84]

I dont think youll realistically have any time to take any more sciences with your schedule with 4 lab sciences. However, I felt prepared for MCAT by my A&P course work...the A&P on MCAT is easy to learn outside actually taking a class but I enjoyed having the more solid background in each of the systems that came with the courses I took.
Though it wont prepare you for MCAT, you should look at any schools you would apply to for their prerequisites. Many schools require calculus, biochemistry, and others. These are things you can take next year while you wait to matriculate though.

 

[Isoprop]

So, for those of you that may have followed some of my other threads, you might be aware of my intended schedule regarding the pre-med courses.
Just to quickly summarize, I am a 30 year old non-trad who graduated undergrad back in 2001 with a non-science degree-I had not taken ANY sciences as an undergrad.
I begun taking my pre-med courses this summer and have only completed BIO I and II thus far.
As of now, my plan is to take:
-Chem I and Phys I this fall
-Chem II and Phys II in spring
-Orgo I and Orgo II early next summer
-Study my ass off for MCats both this spring and early next summer, and then take Mcats in late July of next summer (summer 2010).
-Send out apps as soon as I receive Mcat scores (sometime in August, assuming scores are acceptable).

It now occurs to me that this fall and spring, my academic load will be quite light (just the 2 courses for each semester). I am now considering to add another science to my schedule for both of these semesters. I am considering this for 2 reasons.
1-Im concerned that it might be frowned upon that I am only taking the bare minimum in terms of pre-recs according to my current schedule (2 semesters each of Bio, Gen Chem, Physics, and Orgo). Ive heard mixed responses on this matter. Some seem to say that merely taking these core requirements is totally sufficient and not looked down upon. Other seem to encourage taking a few upper level sciences or electives.
2-More importantly, I imagine that certain, additional science courses might provide me with better shot at scoring higher on the MCats (For instance, Ive heard that having a good understanding of cell biology can really give you a leg up on the Mcats).

I would likely not consider adding these courses to my schedule if I felt that my current schedule was already too demanding, but I think we can all agree that my current schedule of only 2 courses each for fall and spring, is quite light.

So, my questions are.
1- Do you think that its advisable I add, perhaps one course to both my fall and spring semester.
2-If so, which courses would be best for me to take (Im mainly interested in courses that will likely improve my chances at a higher Mcat score).

Again, Ive heard several times that cell biology is a great course to take which equips one with crucial knowledge for the MCats. Am I misinformed about this? Also, Id love to hear suggestions for other courses that you feel I may benefit from taking. Thanks so much-SH

If there's one biology course that I had to pick to be the most helpful for the bio section of the MCAT, it would be human physiology. A lot of human physiology covers the basics of cell biology like cell signaling and metabolism, which is more than enough for what you need for the MCAT.

As far as IF you should take another course, why don't you see how you feel the first semester and take it from there? If you feel overwhelmed, stay at a slower pace. If you feel like you're breezing through, then adding another science course wouldn't be a bad idea.

I know we non-trads have a higher sense of urgency when it comes to pre-med coursework. But let's not forget that slow and steady wins the race.

 

[selfhealer]

Thanks for the responses. I will definitely take a look at human physiology. Also, I believe you are giving solid advice regarding seeing how I handle things fall semester, and if things seem fine, then go ahead and add something like human physiology to my spring semester.

To the poster who stated that he didnt think I had room to add any course to my given course-load. I just want to make sure you understand my schedule. Are we on the same page that as of now, in the fall Im only taking, "Chem I and Phys I" and in Spring, "Chem II and Phys II"? I just wanted to clarify, because it seems to me at least, that as far as course-loads go, this would be considered quite light- Only 2 lab courses per semester, with no other courses in addition. Perhaps Im underestimating how much work will be involved, but my initial inclination is to assume that my current course-load of 8 credits per semester, would not be considered terribly demanding. Any other thoughts?

 

[WaterBird]

Beyond the basics, many schools require calculus and/or statistics to make either a year or a semester of math. You could take calculus during the year that you apply (if it is required for any of your schools) but stats might be a good one to add this year as it is generally not very hard and I think pretty useful for some MCAT passages - while no knowledge is needed, familiarity will help you answer more quickly. Many schools also require one or two upper division biology classes. Some sort of molecular or cellular class might is often specified. Upper division bio is another thing you could take while you are applying. I did not take human phys but that is the one that many people mention for MCAT.

 

[Melicopter]

Cell bio was very helpful for the MCAT, as was human physiology.

Biochem was incredibly difficult and not helpful for the MCAT, but many schools recommend it. If it is recommended or required for a school you're applying to, you may see if you have time to take it after the MCAT, so you don't throw off your groove/grades/essential knowledge of other classes with it.

 

[EBAMom]

Hi, Selfhealer!
Why don't you take something that interests you? Take a look at what medical schools require, especially if its statistics, calculus, or bio chem. But, you won't be able to take bio chem until you're done with the first organic chem (at the very earliest). Physiology would probably be helpful, but maybe some kind of psychology would be useful. If not, how about just taking something that interests you even if it isn't necessarily good for medical school? Taking a liberal arts course would probably help you with the verbal section on the MCAT, and it would be a refreshing change of pace from the hard core science classes. If I were you, I would go for balance, and take something fun that will seem like a break.