Any MSU undergrads to MSUCOM?

[CaveatLector]

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If you did undergrad at MSU and were admitted to MSUCOM can you tell me what you took for pre-reqs. Just curious because an advisor there told me I could forego BS 110 w/ lab and instead take BS 111 w/ lab and an upper level bio class with lab instead. Is that really okay? I would hate to go through all that just to find out later that med schools won't accept me because I missed 1/2 of the basic bio...

Thanks in advance.

 

[cfdavid]

If you did undergrad at MSU and were admitted to MSUCOM can you tell me what you took for pre-reqs. Just curious because an advisor there told me I could forego BS 110 w/ lab and instead take BS 111 w/ lab and an upper level bio class with lab instead. Is that really okay? I would hate to go through all that just to find out later that med schools won't accept me because I missed 1/2 of the basic bio...

Thanks in advance.

I graduated from MSU in Dec. of 1996, and am admitted to MSUCOM for this summer.

I do remember BIO 110 (Organisms and Populations), and I would definately say that BIO 111 and a good cell biology class would be WAY better than wasting time in BIO 110.

BIO 110 was a joke (**at the time I took it), and was NOT applicable for the MCAT. You may have to take 110 anyway for your major, but for the MCAT, take 111 and, if offered, a cell bio class.

If BIO 110 is not required, then don't even bother. It's stuff like classifying different genus and species. Not human based, and way too generic to be of use.

Good luck.

 

[CaveatLector]

Thank you very much. I appreciate your response. I will opt to forego 110.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

I'm currently a first year at MSUCOM.
While I didn't attend MSU for undergrad, Skidmore College (where I went and greatly enjoyed) had a similar course called "Population Biology" or some such. It is the first biology major course and definitely wasn't required for any medical school to which I applied (applied to at least 40 different med schools - MD and DO). I would recommend the same as the person above, take a cell bio course and perhaps a physio course or something else useful. Others on the board can help you decide (I loved physio and still do 😀 )

 

[CaveatLector]

Thank you very much. You all are VERY helpful and I can use all the advice I can get!

 

[cfdavid]

I don't remember a cell bio course being offered, BUT I may very well be wrong. Also, that was ages ago....lol

 

[CaveatLector]

I see the cell bio class you mean.

By the way, do you have any info on the admissions people? Does the director of admissions do interviews or are they parsed out to different staff. If I develop a good rapport with the dir. of adm. will that potentially help me? You see the thing is I already have a BA but am going back for prereqs. MSUCOM is going to be my first and last choice. I will apply to a few other schools as well but I really want to go to MSUCOM just because number one it is local to me and number 2 I haven't heard a bad thing about the place. EVERYTHING I hear is not only good but extremely good.

Appreciate any input.

 

[cfdavid]

I see the cell bio class you mean.

By the way, do you have any info on the admissions people? Does the director of admissions do interviews or are they parsed out to different staff. If I develop a good rapport with the dir. of adm. will that potentially help me? You see the thing is I already have a BA but am going back for prereqs. MSUCOM is going to be my first and last choice. I will apply to a few other schools as well but I really want to go to MSUCOM just because number one it is local to me and number 2 I haven't heard a bad thing about the place. EVERYTHING I hear is not only good but extremely good.

Appreciate any input.

Kathy Schafer is Director of Admissions. She's probably very busy right now with putting together the 06 entering class.

However, it would be a very good idea to set an appointment with her this summer or fall. Make sure you request a meeting with Kathy to get the most bang for your buck.

Tell her your story. Ask her what you need to do in order to be a competitive applicant. She's very knowledgeable. She does take appointments for just this purpose.

Then, follow up with an email the next day. Thank her for the time and suggest enthusiasm for the program at MSU-COM. State your game plan (make it look good).

Over time, as you progress through the preparatory phase, and as you accomplish small goals, you could email her with updates on your progress (just finished Physics II, and earned an A. hospice has been good, and guess what happened.... that kind of thing)

When it comes time to apply, drop her a note letting her know that. Try to get a DO letter of recommendation. An allumnus MSU-COM would be great (if it's a good letter. actually they have a standard form, but still). Try volunteering in a hospital with where a substantial number of DO's are attendings (plenty of these in michigan).

To be ultra-strategic, you could go to the MSU-COM website and look at their various affiliated hospitals. To get a letter from someone important there (part of the DO teaching staff for MS3's and 4's, interns, and residents) would be awesome.

Don't "hound" anyone in this process. Make the emails light, and fun, but get the point across that you're interested in their school.

Good luck. I know all of the above will not be possible. But, if you do a few of those suggestions, they will help your chances substantially (in my opinion)