dilemma regarding pre-reqs...

[JamieMac]

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While in the process of mapping out my first year of pre-reqs I ran into a dilemma: the classes that I believe I need to take are running at the same time: human anatomy/physiology and principles of chem. There is a general chemistry for health sciences that runs at a different time, but would this be looked at as a weak alternative??? Should I consider a different biology such as organismal and principles of bio??? I would think that anyone in admissions would want the hardcore bio/chem basics. I do not want to be looked down upon for going this route since my original background is non-science (i.e. business). I intend to meet with an advisor next week, but would greatly appreciate any input that any of you can offer. Please help!

 

[Law2Doc]

While in the process of mapping out my first year of pre-reqs I ran into a dilemma: the classes that I believe I need to take are running at the same time: human anatomy/physiology and principles of chem. There is a general chemistry for health sciences that runs at a different time, but would this be looked at as a weak alternative??? Should I consider a different biology such as organismal and principles of bio??? I would think that anyone in admissions would want the hardcore bio/chem basics. I do not want to be looked down upon for going this route since my original background is non-science (i.e. business). I intend to meet with an advisor next week, but would greatly appreciate any input that any of you can offer. Please help!

From the mere titles you have indicated I would guess that the general chemistry and organismal biology courses would be adequate prereqs, but it is totally school dependent so you really need to get input from your advisor. As prereqs, you basically just need two semesters of biology, two of gen chem, two of orgo, two of physics, (all of the foregoing with labs), two of math, two of english, and for just a handful of places biochem. A good bio class will cover anatomy/physiology and genetics adequately for the MCAT, but if not you will want to consider taking these too. Non-science people are not looked down upon for taking just the basic prereqs (rather than more hardcore "science major classes"), as best I can tell.

 

[JamieMac]

From the mere titles you have indicated I would guess that the general chemistry and organismal biology courses would be adequate prereqs, but it is totally school dependent so you really need to get input from your advisor. As prereqs, you basically just need two semesters of biology, two of gen chem, two of orgo, two of physics, (all of the foregoing with labs), two of math, two of english, and for just a handful of places biochem. A good bio class will cover anatomy/physiology and genetics adequately for the MCAT, but if not you will want to consider taking these too. Non-science people are not looked down upon for taking just the basic prereqs (rather than more hardcore "science major classes"), as best I can tell.

Based on previous discussions with other non-trad grads, I am assuming that I will not have to retake the english, or math/calculus. Is this correct? My intention is to stick with the core classes, and study like mad for the MCAT (doing Kaplan and any others that may help). My biggest concern is putting the time into classes that may be looked upon as "less-challenging" for a med school hopeful. I don't want to be told that I need to go back for another year or two to complete classes that are regarded as more favorable for med school entry. Preparation is key for me. I am 34 now, and want to know that I am being as efficient with my planning as I possibly can be. Does this make sense? Thanks for the input.

 

[samenewme]

Based on previous discussions with other non-trad grads, I am assuming that I will not have to retake the english, or math/calculus. Is this correct? My intention is to stick with the core classes, and study like mad for the MCAT (doing Kaplan and any others that may help). My biggest concern is putting the time into classes that may be looked upon as "less-challenging" for a med school hopeful. I don't want to be told that I need to go back for another year or two to complete classes that are regarded as more favorable for med school entry. Preparation is key for me. I am 34 now, and want to know that I am being as efficient with my planning as I possibly can be. Does this make sense? Thanks for the input.

I agree you shouldn't have to re-do math and English. Do be careful about the courses you take. A chemistry for health sciences course is probably not going to have the depth you need. If you can take another freshman biology that's geared towards science majors (not health sciences majors), that may be a better choice than the anatomy and physiology class anyway (IF that A&P class is geared towards nursing and other health sciences students). Your advisor should be able to tell you which classes the pre-meds are taking. Sometimes the school catalog also has a little note by the core prerequisites, as well (in mine it's something like "pre-med" in an area called "affiliation")

 

[mshheaddoc]

I agree you shouldn't have to re-do math and English. Do be careful about the courses you take. A chemistry for health sciences course is probably not going to have the depth you need. If you can take another freshman biology that's geared towards science majors (not health sciences majors), that may be a better choice than the anatomy and physiology class anyway (IF that A&P class is geared towards nursing and other health sciences students). Your advisor should be able to tell you which classes the pre-meds are taking. Sometimes the school catalog also has a little note by the core prerequisites, as well (in mine it's something like "pre-med" in an area called "affiliation")

this is very good advice. I echo the sentiment about watching for classes geared towards health science majors. An A&P class is not a prereq of medical school but is for physicians assistant school (i believe). Some schools you do have ot have recent calc/engl but from my research most of them you don't. If you talk to an advisor I think they might be able to really point you in the direction you need to go. Taking the Chem I/II, Bio I/II, Physics I/II, and Ochem I/II would suffice for prereqs. Then taking upper level classes would always help strengthen your application.