Best upper-level prereqs (for post-bac non trad)?

[tchoup]

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Howdy -

I would love to hear from any and all on which upper level courses beyond the prerequisites (bio/chem/organic/physics) are best for adcom purposes, and in what order. If you could only take two, would it be biochemistry (a given) and histology? Microbiology? Genetics?

Thanks in advance. Fyi, I've seen many great posts around this topic but none answering this question directly. If this has already been answered elsewhere, I have on my flame-******ant Sunday best! Best wishes to everyone - career-changing professionals to those winding up fellowships.

Cheers -

Tchoup

 

[flighterdoc]

biochem, genetics, micro are good

 

[relentless11]

Suggest: biochemistry (cell metabolism), microbiology, immunology, human anatomy, systemic physiology, genetics, and molecular biology.

Some med schools recommend not taking human anatomy for some odd reason, but they don't frown upon it. Molecular bio and genetics may be tedious for some (like me) but its use in the future of medicine may increase over time for obvious reasons.

If your school also has toxicology, and hematology, that may also be worthwhile. Biomedical engineering courses are also fun too, but may need to take a few pre-reqs, and remember your higher math (differential equations, etc).

 

[pathdoc68]

My opinion:biochem, genetics, cell bio/histo., microbio, these are all good - take what you love, for me that was cell bio and histo.

 

[2Sexy4MedSchool]

Biochem (required), Physiology (FUN!! and helped with MCAT) and Genetics (helped with MCAT and learned what the big freaking deal was with calico cats.)

 

[mshheaddoc]

Well adcoms don't really matter. If you want a taste I would suggest Biochem definitely. As for the other one its tough. I have heard physio and genetics helped with MCAT. But histology sounds cool, wish I could take that. But I have to say having a good micro base would be pretty good.

 

[vtucci]

Biochem definitely (make sure the class covers the metabolic pathways- i.e., glycolysis, gluconeogenesis etc), genetics (nice but not essential). Physio and anatomy-- will give you a huge leg up for the actual coursework first year. Also, histology, microbiology and immunology are nice to have if you can fit them in.

 

[tchoup]

Thanks for all the input - this is great!

Tchoup

 

[SalseraDoctora]

I definitely would say physiology first and foremost. I found it super challenging, extremely interesting, and by far the most helpful post-bacc class I have taken to date.

I liked biochem, so if you do too then that is a great option--very helpful in almost all the other classes mentioned, but again, IMO, nothing beats physio for giving you a solid background on pretty much everything else.

Anatomy also, I think, if you can, would be helpful, just because there is so much to memorize I am really glad I will have had it once already before being inundated in med school.

 

[chrisjohn]

Biochem, physiology, genetics, molecular bio... See the pattern?

 

[jjmcentee@hotma]

Without any hesitation I would recommend Anatomy. Just Anatomy, not P and A.

Anatomy at most schools is given at a rapid, pure memorization, stuff in your face pace. And that tends to not work well for non traditionals, but thats the way it is. Try to get a gross anatomy with a lab. Big, Huge.


Micro would be my distant second choice.
Biochem would be my third.


And my decision would also be based on if you could get a good professor for these classes in your current situation.

Histo is not emphasized on the boards, and therefore its really not more than a functional class in med school.

Genetics would be good, but its not that difficult, so you don't need to take it.

And if all of those bore you, look for a pathology class.

 

[Magellan25]

Hey everyone, just to add my 2 cents to the debate.

In my emails/phone calls with ADCOMs, there seem to be 2 schools of thought: upper-level science courses that will help you get in to med school and those courses that will help ease the transition, although neither category is exclusive, I guess.

I'm not sure if this is right, but it seems that some courses will help you get in AND will be useful for the transition to med school; BUT some courses that help with the transition will not necessarily increase the competitiveness of your application.

What do you all think? Are there upper-level biology classes that med schools look for that will actually increase the competitiveness of your application?

 

[Uncle_Tbag]

I wouldn't overlook higher level courses outside of the sciences for the "well-rounded student" effect.