Discouraging phone call..how to move forward?

[banana_phone]

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Just had an upsetting phone conversation with a woman in admissions at a school I was very interested in. I was asking if they would accept and upper-level Biology course in lieu of Intro Bio as my school doesn't offer it. Additionally, at the University of Minnesota, students not enrolled in the College of Biological Sciences may not take upper-level BIOL courses. Many of the Biology courses I am eligible to take as a non-trad are under different course headings: I'm planning to take PHSL 3051 Human Physiology and VBS 2012 General Microbiology next fall...She (rather rudely) said that because neither class is under the BIOL heading, that school would not accept the courses and then asked why I would take my post-bacc classes at an institution where I can't take biology courses in the Biology department...

I feel discouraged and confused. I am simply trying to get the coursework done. Should I just not apply to this school, since most all of the others I've talked to have been friendly over the phone and willing to be flexible? Or should I change my entire plan?

 

[DrMidlife]

1. Find the premed advising page at your school.
2. Identify the exact classes required for premeds.
3. Take those classes.

Alternate 3. Take other classes.
Alternate 4. Make up for the content on the MCAT that you didn't learn in those other classes.
Alternate 5. Petition whatever med school accepts you to accept your other classes.
Alternate 6. Accept the risk that you may need to take one or more classes between getting an acceptance and starting med school, at the discretion of the med school.

In any case, calling med schools for info is very low yield and subject to the whims and paygrade of whoever answers the phone. Hint: people who answer the phone don't review your app, don't choose who gets an interview, and don't make admissions decisions.

Best of luck to you.

 

[banana_phone]

Thank you @DrMidlife The University of Minnesota Med Schools requirements for biology are different than pretty much every other MD school requirements so the advisors haven't been much help.

I've decided to take a BIOL class (General Zoo w/ Lab) in place of Microbiology, in addition to the PHSL Human Phys course I plan to take. I've also taken Genetics (no lab) and may add a Cell Bio (no lab) course on too. Hopefully, in this way, I will be prepared for content the MCAT and have a year of BIOL-course heading courses with lab to satisfy schools who are strict with that requirement.

 

[Goro]

Also, be prepared for the fact that you might not get into the school you really want to go to.

1. Find the premed advising page at your school.
2. Identify the exact classes required for premeds.
3. Take those classes.

Alternate 3. Take other classes.
Alternate 4. Make up for the content on the MCAT that you didn't learn in those other classes.
Alternate 5. Petition whatever med school accepts you to accept your other classes.
Alternate 6. Accept the risk that you may need to take one or more classes between getting an acceptance and starting med school, at the discretion of the med school.

In any case, calling med schools for info is very low yield and subject to the whims and paygrade of whoever answers the phone. Hint: people who answer the phone don't review your app, don't choose who gets an interview, and don't make admissions decisions.

Best of luck to you.

 

[banana_phone]

Also, be prepared for the fact that you might not get into the school you really want to go to.

Always a good reminder @Goro . Thank you. This is part of the reason I don't think it would be wise to base my entire course plan on what one person at one school said. Thank you for your help and support!

 

[DrMidlife]

You don't get to cherry pick classes and call them med school prep. Do the work to understand requirements or you'll be back here crying about your crap MCAT score and MD rejections in a couple years.

In lieu of a school actually LISTING its premed-intended coursework (does UMN think nobody wants this info?!?), a good bet is to take bio for bio majors.

At UMN that looks like Bio 2002, 2003 & 2004.

https://onestop2.umn.edu//pcas/viewCatalogProgram.do?programID=9

You'll get better basic "how to med school" info in pre-allo.

 

[Goro]

Also, OP, you can take the classes at other schools, to get that BIOL in front of the course #.

 

[banana_phone]

At UMN that looks like Bio 2002, 2003 & 2004.

https://onestop2.umn.edu//pcas/viewCatalogProgram.do?programID=9

You'll get better basic "how to med school" info in pre-allo.

@DrMidlife Unfortunately, as a non-degree, non-trad post-bacc student I am not permitted to register for that particular BIOL sequence, as its limited to CBS major students only.

Also, OP, you can take the classes at other schools, to get that BIOL in front of the course #.

@Goro I had considered that, but am concerned about the number of transcripts I have. I transferred during undergrad, started a M.Ed program, took math and intro chem at a local CC, now my prerequisites at UMN, and will be taking courses at another university over the summer. I could take 300-level Cell Bio at the summer-school university, but my advisor at UMN says its important to get LORs from UMN, so I was hoping to take my courses there to get more letters.

Is BIOL-heading courses more important or more letters from the more reputable UMN?

 

[Goro]

As an Adcom member, I don't care where Faculty LORs come from.

@DrMidlife Unfortunately, as a non-degree, non-trad post-bacc student I am not permitted to register for that particular BIOL sequence, as its limited to CBS major students only.



@Goro I had considered that, but am concerned about the number of transcripts I have. I transferred during undergrad, started a M.Ed program, took math and intro chem at a local CC, now my prerequisites at UMN, and will be taking courses at another university over the summer. I could take 300-level Cell Bio at the summer-school university, but my advisor at UMN says its important to get LORs from UMN, so I was hoping to take my courses there to get more letters.

Is BIOL-heading courses more important or more letters from the more reputable UMN?

 

[banana_phone]

Also, for the record, I have done a lot of homework on the requirements and what I need, through meetings with the advisors at UMN and including contacting admissions at ~30 medical schools to find out what specific bio classes will be accepted. All but the one I reached out to today said an upper-level course can sub for an intro. I plan to supplement whatever course I end up taking with MIT OpenWare, etc., to make sure I understand the content that could have been covered in a typical year long intro sequence for the MCAT.

I felt unsettled by the phone call this morning, but I suppose that's how it goes and is a part of this process!

 

[banana_phone]

As an Adcom member, I don't care where Faculty LORs come from.

@Goro thank you , always appreciate your insight.

 

[sazerac]

Why not declare a major (that you have no intention of completing)? It seems like if you declare a major, you can sign up for all sorts of classes.

 

[banana_phone]

@sazerac That's a very valid point. Problem with that is I'm not an admitted student at the university. The way it is now, I did not have to go through the admissions process, pay the admissions fees, student services fees etc., as I am taking classes as a non-degree student to complete the MD prerequisites. Now that I'm encountering this debacle, it seems that may have been a very good choice, but I'm not sure if it would be worth it at this point as I'm more than halfway finished with my prerequisites.

 

[eablackwell]

I had about 6 transcripts spanning nearly a decade. I'm pretty sure as long as what's on the transcripts is good, the difference between 4 and 5 transcripts, or 5 and 6 is minimal. I really think what's important is that you take relevant courses, and if the institution you're currently taking classes through doesn't allow that, maybe find a different one that does? What about the other school you'll be attending?

Also, have you spoken with the higher ups at the university to explain your situation to them? While you would of course not be given priority signing up, you may be able to talk them into letting you into the courses. I was able to get a waiver from my undergrad to take courses simultaneously instead of one after the other as well as increase the maximum credits per semester. If I'd just read the rules I would have done neither and ended up class of 2016 instead of 2015 😉