Bio Chem instead of Org 2

[mdmhm]

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I know most of the school ask for one year Organic Chem as requirement course. Only some of them specify in their admission page that BChem-1 can replace one semester of org. But in MCAT, it looks like there are more questions from BChem compare to Org Chem (By the look of % in kaplan or MCAT site).

I already had Org 1 from 4 yrs college. But, because I work full time and I could not find a Org 2 class which can fit with my work schedule. So I signed up for BChem 1 with lab.

I am seeking some advice if I will definitely need to (I know I should) do Org 2 ? Will school screen out my application just because I did not do Org2 ?

If I do need it, with Org1(W/lab) and BChem 1 (W/lab) from 4 year college, would that be look positively if I do the Org 2 from CC(as they offer night class) or online ?

Also if I do need it, do I still need lab for org2 ?

I am looking feedback for MD and DO school. How DO school will treat my application vs MD school ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lumya]

You do not have to finish all of your prerequisites in order to apply. You can list classes you plan on taking in the future in your primary application. Some schools ask you to list or select the courses you have taken/plan to take in their secondary. As long as you complete all of these classes before you start medical school, there are no issues (you will probably get a conditional acceptance on you finishing the course with a specific grade - depends on school). This should not differ between MD or DO schools.

If I were in your shoes, I would take organic chemistry with lab. Like you mentioned, some schools let you substitute with biochemistry, but there are schools who do not, and excluding them because you did not take a single course would be unwise. There are mixed feelings on SDN about community college courses, but since you are working full time and you took the majority of your prerequisites at a 4-year college, taking one class at a community college should not impact your application. I feel like ADCOMS are pretty understanding for non-traditional students who have to work full time who have to do this, and as long as you get a good grade, you should be fine.

 

[ClimbsRox]

Biochem without Orgo II might be a disaster depending on how it is taught. Almost every reaction in metabolism is some form of carbonyl or amine chemistry, little of which is taught in Orgo I. Now many schools teach biochem just by having you memorize names and structures, but if you get a good professor that wants you to learn something, you will have to push electrons. Just something to think about whether med schools care or not.

 

[mdmhm]

Thanks all. Ok I am little confused. So does that mean that, MD/DO school admission decision does not impact by what science classes you have remaining to take. I thought science gpa for BCP(for DO school) or BCPM(for MD school) does impact on the decision. Because if it does not, how are they going to look at the classes that I am planning to take before matriculation but after admission decision. Or they mainly look how did I do in MCAT and how did I do so far with completed prerequisites ?

 

[lumya]

Thanks all. Ok I am little confused. So does that mean that, MD/DO school admission decision does not impact by what science classes you have remaining to take. I thought science gpa for BCP(for DO school) or BCPM(for MD school) does impact on the decision. Because if it does not, how are they going to look at the classes that I am planning to take before matriculation but after admission decision. Or they mainly look how did I do in MCAT and how did I do so far with completed prerequisites ?

Your science GPA does matter, however, one class isn’t going to make or break it and your admissions decision will be made on demonstrated success in the past. If you have previously taken 100+ credits worth of science courses, what you get on one 5 credit course isn’t going to dramatically change what your science GPA is. Also, if you have demonstrated an ability to do well in previous science classes, medical schools will assume you can do well in the one class you haven’t taken yet. But you still have to finish the required prerequisites to start medical school.

So the answer to your question is yes, your science GPA matters but you can still apply before you finish all of your prerequisites. If you apply and are accepted before finishing, you will be given a conditional acceptance for you to finish that class with a certain grade. If you do not pass the class, or you do really poorly, your acceptance will probably be rescinded.