Course Update

[James105]

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How late can you update your courses? For instance, if applying in June 2011, can I update schools with a course taken in Fall 2011? Will it be a factor and will it be factored into my GPA?

 

[Catalystik]

Once you submit to AMCAS, you cannot update new coursework and grades through them, nor can you have your application GPAs updated.

But you can write to or email schools individually to let them know about newly completed, pertinent coursework at the end of the summer, fall, or spring terms. If adcomms are on a cusp about your application, this input can have an impact on their decision making.

 

[James105]

Thanks so much for your response. Do you think that courses competed in March (I am on the quarter system) would be as useful as fall courses? could I update then with the same efficiency? (I don't want to take more courses than I have to, but I am worried about not having taken biochem since my top choices recommend it)

 

[Catalystik]

By march the impact will be lower unless you're on a waitlist. Most interview spots are already given out.

When you apply, you will list Biochem as a future course for fall, winter, or spring quarter. You're allowed to do this. After completing it, you can update schools about the fact (or not, if the grade doesn't reflect positively on you), but your final transcript sent to whichever school you'll attend will prove that you completed the class with a decent grade.

 

[ceng2doc]

Catalystik,

What about if some of the pre-reqs (low-level science, like physics-1-2) would have been completed later in Summer & Fall 2011 semesters after the application was done in June 2011?

What I read from your posts is that the schools won't be able to calculate the actual BCPM correctly, then. Could it lead to a situation being wait-listed although the MCAT was taken and the current GPA was decent?

 

[James105]

Thanks again! Would it be better to hold off on taking biochem, so if I was rejected, I could take it to show improvment? I more or less don't want to take the course unless I am rejected. Otherwise, (I am post-bacc with a research job and almost 2 years of clinical work as an emt) I will not have much to speak of with regards to improvment. I also have a 3.9 cum GPA and 3.85 sci GPA (I haven't taken the MCAT), so I don't want to mess with my GPA unless I have to. I just don't know how important this class would be to my accpetance, that is the only reason I am thinking of taking it. And it is also the reason I am tempted to hold off because barring a poor MCAT, a low dosage of science courses is my weakness.

 

[Catalystik]

Catalystik,

What about if some of the pre-reqs (low-level science, like physics-1-2) would have been completed later in Summer & Fall 2011 semesters after the application was done in June 2011?

What I read from your posts is that the schools won't be able to calculate the actual BCPM correctly, then. Could it lead to a situation being wait-listed although the MCAT was taken and the current GPA was decent?

Keep in mind that some schools require completion of prereqs before applying, so keep an eye on that. I think that if you fail to have completed enough of the prerequisites, the major impact would be a poor MCAT score. You are unlikely to be doing yourself any favors by taking the test prematurely. Physics I&II are very difficult to self-teach. But schools have been known to put applications on hold for further consideration until a fall transcript is sent (even requesting an official submission) when adcomms are on a cusp in their decision-making.

Your BCPM will be correctly calculated from the transcript you send in prior to verification, but won't at all reflect any further coursework you take.

 

[Catalystik]

Would it be better to hold off on taking biochem, so if I was rejected, I could take it to show improvment? I more or less don't want to take the course unless I am rejected. Otherwise, (I am post-bacc with a research job and almost 2 years of clinical work as an emt) I will not have much to speak of with regards to improvment. I also have a 3.9 cum GPA and 3.85 sci GPA (I haven't taken the MCAT), so I don't want to mess with my GPA unless I have to. I just don't know how important this class would be to my accpetance, that is the only reason I am thinking of taking it. And it is also the reason I am tempted to hold off because barring a poor MCAT, a low dosage of science courses is my weakness.

If you do not have any nonmedical community service to list, I'd strongly urge you to improve in that area as it's essentially an unwritten requirement to have some. And as much as you see ER docs all the time, you should also have some formal shadowing of, at a minimum, a primary care doc. Also look for leadership or teaching opportunities, as they would also help to "improve" an application.

Having a good grade in Biochem class, since it is upper-level science, as well as a med school class, would strengthen your application no matter where you apply. But if you take it after you apply, then the grade won't be included in your application GPA by which you'd be primarily judged (if you're scared you'll get a mediocre grade). But schools will know you plan to complete the course. What about applying only to schools that don't rec/req it so you don't have to worry about it? Planning to take it only if everyone rejects you is a terrible idea.

Biochem is a highly desirable course to have taken, regardless of whether it is required or recommended. The pace in med school in covering the same material is three times faster, making it very difficult to master this complex and important subject.

 

[James105]

Thanks again! You are always so helpful to us! I am left in want as to why you think that putting off courses is a terrible idea. I have done a ton of volunteering, shadowed physicians, and lead an organization. i have done all the requisite items that one needs to apply to medical school except biochemstry and and upper division course in biology (also the MCAT). But i will be auditing a graduate course that my PI teaches and helping TA the course. What I am getting at is: I don't know of a more dynamic manner to improve my application than to take more courses in science, since I have only the bare min. So why would it be a terrible idea to take these courses later to show improvment. (I cannot just take 2 courses a semester, I am not made of money)

 

[Catalystik]

Applying more than once is not financially in one's best interests. It's best to apply once with the best application you can muster.

 

[James105]

Ahh, that is certainly true. Well, if I put biochem as a future course for the spring, could I pull out of the course if accepted? If I was accepted, I wouldn't need to take the course so could I just not take it, if accepted? Since it won't factor into my GPA anyway would it even matter?

 

[Catalystik]

Letters of acceptance have been known to include standards you are expected to meet before matriculation. We've seen SDNers post about being obliged to complete Biochem prior to matriculation, looking frantically for an on-line Biochem class because they couldn't get into a class in their usual university, or because an available summer course would not be completed by the deadline. Don't be that guy.

And if the acceptance letter didn't specifically require completion of the class, a school may be assuming that you'll do so since it was listed as future coursework. Acceptees have had their acceptance rescinded, so for peace of mind, you'd pretty much have to call and clear it with them if you decided to drop taking Biochem. If it is just a recommended class, there's less of a problem. But if it's required, they are unlikely to budge.

 

[James105]

Ok I think I have come to a happy medium. I think that I will make mention on my secondary, that I plan to take biochem in the spring semester. The reason I wouldn't be able to would be due to money issues. Do you think that I can say that on the secondary and then update the school later?

 

[Catalystik]

A better happy medium would be to take it at a local community college and cite finances as the reason you didn't take it at the 4-year school. Theoretically, the course might be easier at a CC and less likely to result in a low grade.

If you say on the Secondary that you might not take the class due to problematic finances, how do you think adcomms will view your application? I think you'd maybe end up in waitlist limbo until you tell them you are taking the class if it's a school that requires the course. Why not just take those schools off your application list so you won't be placed in this position?

 

[James105]

That is a great suggestion. The reason I am so juiced about this is because my state school strongly recommends biochem and an upper division biology. i neither have the money nor want to spend the time on courses i dont need for accpetance though (i want to focus on working and living a real life for a year!) but i would be more than willing to take the courses if necessary. therefore i have been trying to determine what is the best attack. and i have been getting mixed signals. some say take the course, but most say since it is recommended, i wont need to take it for admissions it is merely to make my life easier. so i am leaning towards not taking it before i have to, but like any narotic pre-med i get a little crazy when i leave things out of my own hands. that is why i am trying to find the happy medium; have these courses if i am rejected but forgo them if they are not necessary. and a spring semester completion would be a fantastic way to have the courses completed by early june but after i know whether i am accpeted for the year prior. but i agree that i dont want to go through this mess twice. but if i say i am going to take the course on this application, even in the spring, i have to take the course which is not something i want to commit to. so i am trying to figure out a way to signal that i will take the course if i need to (so to take me off the cusp) but not take it if i dont need to. it sounds crazy but these courses would cost thousands of dollars and hours and hours of time.

 

[ceng2doc]

Keep in mind that some schools require completion of prereqs before applying, so keep an eye on that. I think that if you fail to have completed enough of the prerequisites, the major impact would be a poor MCAT score. You are unlikely to be doing yourself any favors by taking the test prematurely. Physics I&II are very difficult to self-teach. But schools have been known to put applications on hold for further consideration until a fall transcript is sent (even requesting an official submission) when adcomms are on a cusp in their decision-making.

Your BCPM will be correctly calculated from the transcript you send in prior to verification, but won't at all reflect any further coursework you take.

Thanks for your great advice Catalystik. It's good to know that schools put you in the wait list if you haven't finished all of the pre-reqs.

I've already taken most of the pre-reqs (will be taking ochem-2 in this Spring). I'm only short of these two physics-1-2 courses.

Since I had already taken physics-1-2 earlier during my BS studies in computer engineering, it's not that difficult for me to study for them on my MCAT prep; they are still as fresh, and I'm doing pretty good. Besides, I had taken many advanced level electronics/circuits courses which helped me consolidate much of the hardest sides of physics.

On the other hand, I need to "retake" them since many of the schools I'll be applying to require that they were taken in the last 3-5 years.

I was planning to apply in June by taking them in the Summer and Fall semesters. But, after reading your previous comments, I've started concerning about that plan of mine. I honestly never want to be trapped into the "wait-list" limbo.

 

[James105]

What if i called the schools in question after i have my mcat score and final gpa. if they say i should take it then i can but if not, i wont. do you think they will advise me in that manner?

 

[Catalystik]

It's good to know that schools put you in the wait list if you haven't finished all of the pre-reqs.

I said that they could put your application on hold for later consideration, not that this is what happens 100% of the time. This might be less likely in your case since you did complete the prerequisites, though long ago.

 

[Catalystik]

What if i called the schools in question after i have my mcat score and final gpa. if they say i should take it then i can but if not, i wont. do you think they will advise me in that manner

Yes, and this is a good idea to be absolutely certain there is good communication about expectations so there are no surprises.

 

[James105]

OK Cat, I think I have come upon the perfect decision. I have looked through (according to your encouragement) the schools that don't require or recommend biochem. Turns out that there are quite a few of them. Then I made a note of all the schools that recommend biochem. Turns out that is most of my fav schools. So here is my plan of attack. Before application, I am going to email the schools that recommend biochem to tell them my situation (post bacc, high stats, no money). Then I'm gonna get a feel for their response. If they say, it is only recommended, not required, I'm not gonna worry about biochem for that school. If they say, it isn't necessary but it will hurt my app, then I am going to pen in the Spring semester biochem on that school's secondary. So if I get into a school that I didn't pen it in; i don't have to take the course, and of course, i will have to if i pen it in. Then if im not accepted by March, i will take the spring biochem course and have it ready for a reapp. (It doesn't seem that the lack of this course will keep me out of a school so it can serve to improve for the next year, i think i have a reasonably strong app)
How bout all that? Do you see any holes in my planning?

 

[Catalystik]

This plan is fine.