Can you get into top med schools without any upper level sciences?

[Rhwty8]

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I know the mantra "major doesn't matter" is repeated a lot, but I'm majoring in Health Policy and Management and won't have too much room in my schedule. Therefore, I wouldn't be taking any upper level science classes besides biochem. My only science classes will be:

General Bio I + Lab
Chem I and II + Lab
Orgo I and II + Lab
Physics I and II + Lab
Anatomy / Physiology + Lab
Biochem

Assuming I maintain 3.9+ and good MCAT/ECs, could this hold me back from top 10 med schools?

 

[DelayedGratification]

Why are you taking A&P?

 

[Goro]

There are indeed people who do so with the bare minimum of pre-reqs.

 

[Lawpy]

Some schools may have specific course requirements prior to matriculation. I would get the MSAR and find out.

 

[curvesetter]

I know the mantra "major doesn't matter" is repeated a lot, but I'm majoring in Health Policy and Management and won't have too much room in my schedule. Therefore, I wouldn't be taking any upper level science classes besides biochem. My only science classes will be:

General Bio I + Lab
Chem I and II + Lab
Orgo I and II + Lab
Physics I and II + Lab
Anatomy / Physiology + Lab
Biochem

Assuming I maintain 3.9+ and good MCAT/ECs, could this hold me back from top 10 med schools?

No. Some schools require upper division bio or equivalent (UCI if I recall correctly) but I don't believe any T-10s. I do know that DGSOM @ UCLA specifically discourages (or used to, not sure if its changed since last year) classes that will be covered in med school including A&P. I don't really think it'll make any difference when it comes to admissions. Do well in your science classes; take other classes you find interesting and integrate that into your life and activities.

 

[Rhwty8]

Why are you taking A&P?

It's the only bio with lab class without other prereqs I could take. Cell Bio and Genetics don't have labs at my school or I would take them instead.

 

[efle]

Yep it can be done, plenty of humanities majors with only the prereqs do it every year

 

[878956]

Yep it can be done, plenty of humanities majors with only the prereqs do it every year

Some schools like Mount Sinai have programs where you don’t even have to take any science courses.

To the OP: Nevertheless, do well in the pre request and you will be fine.

 

[Rhwty8]

There are indeed people who do so with the bare minimum of pre-reqs.

Tangentially related question, but if I take Genetics and my school doesn't offer Genetics lab, can I take Bio 101 Lab with Genetics and use my AP credit for the Bio 101 lecture? The wording on some med school websites says "1 year of bio with associated lab" and Bio 101 lab and Genetics (Bio 202) aren't technically associated.

 

[Goro]

Haven't a clue