Do adcoms care if students take just basic pre-reqs?

[QuentinT88]

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By basic pre-reqs, I mean just Bio 1/2, Chem 1/2, Physics 1/2, and Orgo 1/2. (all with labs).


Or do adcoms prefer to see students go above and beyond to take Microbiology, Molecular Cell, Genetics, Anatomy & Physiology, etc? I ask this as a non-trad post bacc student.

What do you all think?

 

[darkjedi]

Not really especially if you're coming from a non trad background. They will be understanding as long as you did well in your undergrad.

Non trads are actually pretty popular to adcoms since they sometimes bring unique background to the table.

 

[QuentinT88]

Not really especially if you're coming from a non trad background. They will be understanding as long as you did well in your undergrad.

Non trads are actually pretty popular to adcoms since they sometimes bring unique background to the table.

Well I didn't do extremely hot in undergrad. Went to a top school. Didn't focus until Senior year. Ended up with a 3.0. Luckily I didn't take any of the prereqs in undergrad and mess those up while being immature and unfocused.

But after this summer, my cgpa will be a 3.3. My sgpa will be between a 3.6. Would you recommend the classes in order to pull up the overall gpa and sgpa up to a 3.4 / 3.8?

 

[Goro]

Some do; most don't. I always worry when I see just he are minimum, but a good MCAT score trumps those worries all the time. So does acing all your other coursework.

By basic pre-reqs, I mean just Bio 1/2, Chem 1/2, Physics 1/2, and Orgo 1/2. (all with labs).


Or do adcoms prefer to see students go above and beyond to take Microbiology, Molecular Cell, Genetics, Anatomy & Physiology, etc? I ask this as a non-trad post bacc student.

What do you all think?

 

[Catalystik]

Some schools require additional coursework beyond the typical prerequisites. If you don't apply to them, or if you at least complete the extra classes before med school matriculation, you'll be fine.

 

[Funke]

I have a small sample of n=2, but I've only taken the bare minimum because I have a humanities BA. The two schools I've asked about it said it's perfectly fine since I have a high sGPA and a decent MCAT (they are mid tier state schools). Make sure though to check all the pre-requisites of each school you would apply to. Many schools for a 2016 entrance are requiring biochemistry. Thankfully, mine is not. Many schools also require calculus, but some just require 6 hours of math. Point is, don't let it surprise you at application time if your top few schools require a few more classes than other schools.

 

[BillrothI]

I have a small sample of n=2, but I've only taken the bare minimum because I have a humanities BA. The two schools I've asked about it said it's perfectly fine since I have a high sGPA and a decent MCAT (they are mid tier state schools). Make sure though to check all the pre-requisites of each school you would apply to. Many schools for a 2016 entrance are requiring biochemistry. Thankfully, mine is not. Many schools also require calculus, but some just require 6 hours of math. Point is, don't let it surprise you at application time if your top few schools require a few more classes than other schools.

This is very important. Aside from the typical pre-requisites, many schools also require calculus, biochemistry, and/or upper-division biology courses. Even if you have a 35+ MCAT and excellent GPA, you must complete the pre-reqs that are listed on the school's website.

-Bill

 

[Catalystik]

This is very important. Aside from the typical pre-requisites, many schools also require calculus, biochemistry, and/or upper-division biology courses. Even if you have a 35+ MCAT and excellent GPA, you must complete the pre-reqs that are listed on the school's website.

-Bill

And possibly behavioral sciences/sociology and statistics.

 

[QuentinT88]

This is very important. Aside from the typical pre-requisites, many schools also require calculus, biochemistry, and/or upper-division biology courses. Even if you have a 35+ MCAT and excellent GPA, you must complete the pre-reqs that are listed on the school's website.

-Bill

Really? I thought only like a handful of schools require calculus? Schools like Brown, Harvard, Stanford, etc.

 

[Psai]

in general no but check your schools requirements

 

[BillrothI]

Really? I thought only like a handful of schools require calculus? Schools like Brown, Harvard, Stanford, etc.

Out of the ~25 schools I applied to, I think ~8-10 required one semester of calculus. It was "highly recommended" at several more.

-Bill

 

[moop]

This is very important. Aside from the typical pre-requisites, many schools also require calculus, biochemistry, and/or upper-division biology courses. Even if you have a 35+ MCAT and excellent GPA, you must complete the pre-reqs that are listed on the school's website.

-Bill

It should be noted you must complete these classes before MATRICULATION. They should have no effect on your acceptance. However, there's only so much time before matriculation for you to take summer classes and the like to make it up