applying a pre-req shy and BCPM questions

[hillbelly]

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What does BCPM stand for? Do science courses that do not go towards a science major or minor figure in (human anatomy and physiology, conceptual physics)?
In June, I will be one biology course shy from completing the pre-reqs for most schools, and was wondering if that would hurt or slow down the application process (I would take it in the summer).

 

[Law2Doc]

What does BCPM stand for? Do science courses that do not go towards a science major or minor figure in (human anatomy and physiology, conceptual physics)?
In June, I will be one biology course shy from completing the pre-reqs for most schools, and was wondering if that would hurt or slow down the application process (I would take it in the summer).

BCPM = bio, chem, physics, math. Various other sciences factor into these as well; I'm pretty sure the ones you mentioned do. You can apply with classes in progress, and it always makes sense to apply on AMCAs as early as possible. But I personally believe med schools won't do much with your application until your prereqs are done. Also, have you taken the MCAT? There is often a lot of second semester bio on there...

 

[PhotoMD]

What does BCPM stand for? Do science courses that do not go towards a science major or minor figure in (human anatomy and physiology, conceptual physics)?
In June, I will be one biology course shy from completing the pre-reqs for most schools, and was wondering if that would hurt or slow down the application process (I would take it in the summer).

BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math. This term is not more inclusive than it looks. My EE classes didn't count.

Pre-reqs will not be a factor at all. You can specify future coursework on your AMCAS.

 

[hillbelly]

I am taking the MCAT in April and thinking of dropping vert phys b/c it is writing intensive and I don't have time for 60 pages of papers while studying and working. I have taken 3 semesters of Bio., however.

 

[hillbelly]

BCPM = Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math. This term is not more inclusive than it looks. My EE classes didn't count.

Pre-reqs will not be a factor at all. You can specify future coursework on your AMCAS.

what is an EE class?

 

[Law2Doc]

what is an EE class?

electrical engineering

 

[TripleDegree]

BCPM = bio, chem, physics, math. Various other sciences factor into these as well; I'm pretty sure the ones you mentioned do. You can apply with classes in progress, and it always makes sense to apply on AMCAs as early as possible. But I personally believe med schools won't do much with your application until your prereqs are done. Also, have you taken the MCAT? There is often a lot of second semester bio on there...

That is incorrect - medical schools can and do process applications without your prereqs being completed. Go ahead and list any/all of your future coursework on the AMCAS form.

 

[Law2Doc]

I am taking the MCAT in April and thinking of dropping vert phys b/c it is writing intensive and I don't have time for 60 pages of papers while studying and working. I have taken 3 semesters of Bio., however.

In your first post you indicated you were one course shourt of the prereqs and were taking a bio in the summer. But if you have 3 semesters of bio, you are done...

 

[hillbelly]

In your first post you indicated you were one course shourt of the prereqs and were taking a bio in the summer. But if you have 3 semesters of bio, you are done...

most Texas schools require 2 years of Bio

 

[Law2Doc]

That is incorrect - medical schools can and do process applications without your prereqs being completed. Go ahead and list any/all of your future coursework on the AMCAS form.

I agree that med schools say they will begin to process applications without prereqs being completed, and didn't say not to get the AMCAS done right away.
However for schools which use various forms of screening based on numbers, I would think (esp. for a non-science major) it is not feasible to evaluate one's BCPM with a missing course grade, and so I suspect such schools might effectively wait on the interview invite decision until that info is in... Similarly for August MCATs, while schools still say to get your AMCAS in early, I doubt if much processing gets done before those scores come in.

 

[virilep]

I know for my BCMP, I put in thermodynamics, physiology and other classes. As long as they're categorized under those topics, you can do it. my thermo class was a BME (biomed engineering) class but it still was a chem course. gluck!

 

[Emergency!]

I agree that med schools say they will begin to process applications without prereqs being completed, and didn't say not to get the AMCAS done right away.
However for schools which use various forms of screening based on numbers, I would think (esp. for a non-science major) it is not feasible to evaluate one's BCPM with a missing course grade, and so I suspect such schools might effectively wait on the interview invite decision until that info is in... Similarly for August MCATs, while schools still say to get your AMCAS in early, I doubt if much processing gets done before those scores come in.

I submitted my AMCAS with a pre-req listed as current/future coursework. I received interview invites to all of the schools I applied to. I have two acceptances so far, and neither of those schools asked me about the status of the pre-req. My acceptance letter does, however, say that acceptance is conditional upon successful completion of all requirements and that final transcripts must be submitted prior to matriculation.

I don't think missing one pre-req will hurt you unless the rest of your application is shaky. Then, they might want to see that missing grade. Or - if you were missing a few pre-reqs.

Applications probably don't get much processing prior to August MCAT scores being released, however, many schools do not screen prior to sending out secondaries, so at those schools you could have your secondaries done, LOR's submitted and then as soon as the school receives your MCAT you are complete.

 

[Emergency!]

I know for my BCMP, I put in thermodynamics, physiology and other classes. As long as they're categorized under those topics, you can do it. my thermo class was a BME (biomed engineering) class but it still was a chem course. gluck!

When you are filling out your AMCAS, there is a help section that you can call up that tells you what courses they classify as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math. If you miscategorize a class, AMCAS will very likely correct it during the verification process. I had a community college A&P class that I did NOT list as a biology course because I figured it would count (it was listed on my transcript as a Fire Science Technology class). However, when AMCAS verified my application, they reclassified it as a Biology course.