I know it's important to apply as early as possible, but I still need to complete a few prereqs for some schools. How many people out there are applying, or have applied with courses in progress? I feel like my having a bio course in progress when I apply will put me at a disadvantage. And if I wait an extra year to apply, then that's pretty much a year of my life wasted. I guess I can work or something, but I'd much perfer applying as soon as possible.
-
CycleTrack and SDN are teaming up to make medical school admissions more transparent and accessible! Read the announcement to learn how we’re supporting the future of CycleTrack’s free application-tracking tools .
Applying with courses in progress?
Started by Mentis
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
If all your prerequisites are done by Spring or Summer 2007, then it is fine to apply now. I applied with several courses in progress and planned to be taken, such as: physics and public speaking. I talked to my intended school's advisor and they said that everything's fine... as long as I don't get C or worse.
Definitely go ahead and apply as long as you are on schedule to finish your pre-reqs before the semester starts. If your grades in the courses you've completed are good, this will not hurt you at all. Especially if you have a good PCAT score. When I applied I hadn't finished any of my bio pre-reqs yet and I got interview invitations from 5 schools. Got into both of the schools I chose to interview with (UNC & Mercer)
Schools don't expect that you all your pre-reqs done when you start the application process. You do need to check with each school to see if you have to have them done by the end of spring or summer.
I applied before I had finished half of my prereqs (but I had a prior BA) and was accepted before I had finished five of them. I don't think most schools expect you to have them done before you apply, just before you start pharm school. My acceptance was contingent on me finishing my prereqs with Bs or higher.
Thats what most schools do. If you are accpeted without having all your prereqs done, they will say that you have to finish your last prereqs by a certain time, and with a certain grade or better.spacecowgirl said:
I agree with what everyone saying but some schools will put your application on hold if you are missing too many pre-reqs, even if you give them your future schedule and show them that you can finish before matriculation. (ie USC) Although it is still no disadvantage to submit early, in fact it is usually an advantage. Well unless you are taking some huge class load that going to jump you GPA a grade point, but usually thats not the case.
