Applying with physics "pending"?

[Una]

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Hi. I want to apply to D.O. school in the 2006 cycle, because I have realized that I can do this. I have always wanted to. The trouble is, I am going to grad school in psychology this year (long story..), I have no Mcat, and no physics. I want to sit in on a physics class, study for my Mcat, take it in April and apply. But I can't afford to actually take the physics class - the school I got myself into is private and I cannot use my fellowship to take the class (I would have to get it approved by my psych advisor and that would be academic suicide) - I just can't pay 3000 a semester. So can I apply in the fall of 2006 withouth the class, say that it is pending, then take it in the summer if I get in? Or does that just not work? Will the schools want to see that I have taken/am taking physics while I apply?
I have no idea how to resolve this, so I would appreciate any replies. Does anyone know any relatively cheap summer programs where one can take physics?

 

[kaikai128]

Hi. I want to apply to D.O. school in the 2006 cycle, because I have realized that I can do this. I have always wanted to. The trouble is, I am going to grad school in psychology this year (long story..), I have no Mcat, and no physics. I want to sit in on a physics class, study for my Mcat, take it in April and apply. But I can't afford to actually take the physics class - the school I got myself into is private and I cannot use my fellowship to take the class (I would have to get it approved by my psych advisor and that would be academic suicide) - I just can't pay 3000 a semester. So can I apply in the fall of 2006 withouth the class, say that it is pending, then take it in the summer if I get in? Or does that just not work? Will the schools want to see that I have taken/am taking physics while I apply?
I have no idea how to resolve this, so I would appreciate any replies. Does anyone know any relatively cheap summer programs where one can take physics?

I know that I cannot answer all of your questions but...you MUST have the MCAT to apply to medical school. A good portion of the MCAT is going to be Physics. If you have no background in physics at all, this will make the MCAT more difficult--and everyone knows the importance of the MCAT score in regards to your chances of admission. That being said, I assume you can apply with a "pending" physics class, but I would be cautious about doing this. These physics classes are required and no school will admit you without them. I would be willing to bet that the absence of these on your transcript would be at least somewhat of an issue. Also, it may be very difficult to get 2 physics classes in after acceptance over the summer--what if you don't get accepted until sometime in the middle of may?
If I were you, I would look into loan possibilities and look at the possibility of taking physics soon, before the MCAT. I also don't exactly understand how it would be "academic suicide" to ask for permission to take a physics course @ your current school.
Regardless, Good luck.

 

[Una]

Thanks for your post. I will try to take physics, but my advisor cannot know I am taking it. This is a clinical psychology phD program and if I take a class outside the curriculum, they'll as me for my reasons. And I can't come up with any reason. They'll figure out that I'm trying to apply to med school and they'll kick me out of the program. You wouldn't believe how bad the politics is in these places.

 

[Willie B]

Una,

Yes you can apply and be accepted without having the physics classes. I am currently taking the second semester of physics right now and will be attending med school in less than a month. I wouldn't recommend sitting for the MCAT without taking the required classes though.

 

[RoseLee]

Would it be possible to take your physics sequence at another school? A local state college or community college while you are attending the PhD program? As stated by the previous posters, taking the MCAT w/o physics would be difficult!

Also, will you finish the PhD program before entrance to medical school? Adcoms frown upon folks that do not complete the degree programs they are in before matriculation.

 

[Una]

I am just starting the phd program! I don't want to be in it. I've been finding out horrible things about psych grad school and neuropsychology. I've realized that I do have the grades necessary for D.O school and 2 good international MD schools. I have to enter the program though, or I might be left with nothing!

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

I didn't take physics until way after I was accepted to med school. It never came up in any interview situations. Of course, it WILL come up on the MCAT, but the physical science physics weren't all that difficult. Just get a review book, and really know the principles of physics. The MCAT is a test that measures ability to reason as much as general knowledge.

In other words, it all can be done. Good luck.