Do I need organic chemistry if I'm not going medical?

[Sceneofcrime]

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Hey guys. My fall semester is rapidly approaching, and I'm really up in air about organic chemistry. I already registered in the spring for the course, but I'm having second thoughts about taking it, especially if I don't have to!

The thing is, is that I want to get into physical therapy. I have no desire to go premed. From what I understand, for premed you need all the basic sciences and orgo... and for physical therapy, based on the APTA's list of accredited schools list, many don't even list organic chemistry as a required undergrad course!

The reason why I'm so confused/distraught is because of a conversation I had with a highly respected, very knowledgeable professor at my university at the very end of the spring semester. She's the coordinator of the general chemistry department, and I'd go to her many times during the semester asking her questions about the course and the future. When I had asked her about taking organic chemistry, she said, "it would be wise" for me to take it... I told her I was going physical therapy but she still told me that.

If anybody could give me pointers or some advice on any course of action I should take regarding my dilemma, please let me know! I would be very grateful! Have a good one.

 

[ChemistWiz]

this sounds like something that should be in a Physical therapy forums.....

 

[AcclratngCharge]

Hey guys. My fall semester is rapidly approaching, and I'm really up in air about organic chemistry. I already registered in the spring for the course, but I'm having second thoughts about taking it, especially if I don't have to!

The thing is, is that I want to get into physical therapy. I have no desire to go premed. From what I understand, for premed you need all the basic sciences and orgo... and for physical therapy, based on the APTA's list of accredited schools list, many don't even list organic chemistry as a required undergrad course!

The reason why I'm so confused/distraught is because of a conversation I had with a highly respected, very knowledgeable professor at my university at the very end of the spring semester. She's the coordinator of the general chemistry department, and I'd go to her many times during the semester asking her questions about the course and the future. When I had asked her about taking organic chemistry, she said, "it would be wise" for me to take it... I told her I was going physical therapy but she still told me that.

If anybody could give me pointers or some advice on any course of action I should take regarding my dilemma, please let me know! I would be very grateful! Have a good one.

You should listen to your teacher more than SDN.

1. Wise = you really really should do it, but don't have to
2. Organic isn't that hard; everyone worries about it yet most pass/ace the course
3. PT School is very tough, if you can't do good in organic chem you will probably struggle in DPT school

 

[moxche]

Orgo is a good class. At least give it a try before you give up on it.

 

[NickNaylor]

As someone else said, you should probably ask someone in the PT field or look at the requirements for PT schools. That said, depending on your major ochem isn't going to be the hardest class you have to take. It's not impossible. It's difficult, yes, but people make it seem infinitely worse than what it is.

 

[Blonde Redhead]

You could audit it. I don't blame you for not wanting to take something you don't have to, especially ochem. I'd say go for a week and also register for a backup class. They tend to get the ball rolling pretty quick so you should be able to figure out if you can handle it or don't want to deal.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I don't think it's really necessary. I know plenty of people who prospered in DPT programs without organic. But check if DPT programs have classes like biochemistry or something of that sort. If they do then it'll help if not then I wouldn't bother with it because it'll trash your gpa or waste time.
A chem teacher likely isn't very knowledgeable about pre-pt and what exact classes will help you exactly.



* Now that I've examined at the DPT curriculum at USF( under the assumption that they are all similar), I've concluded organic chemistry plays very little into this all. You'd be better off taking physiology classes.

 

[cbs21]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/nyregion/30medschools.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage

"Getting Into Med School Without Hard Sciences"

you should read this

 

[CougarMD]

Generally, you do not need Organic Chemistry for PT.

However, an above poster was correct....there are MUCH harder classes out there ahead of you. The Med students at USC laugh at the PT students because the PT students there (#1 school in the country for PT) spend more time in anatomy lab and more time studying than they do.

Don't avoid O-Chem just because you think it will be hard. Getting into PT school is also hard, and taking O Chem could even set you apart. You could be viewed as a student very capable of taking all of the intricate classes necessary for PT.

Also...O Chem was awesome.

 

[rph3664]

Find out if the PT school you wish to attend requires it and go from there.

 

[chman]

The answer is no, you don't need it for most PT schools. The only way to be 100% is to check with the schools you are interested. I was interested in PT for a while and almost no schools require orgo.

I also disagree with those who say to take it because it was easy for them. At many schools orgo is a weeder class, and if you don't have to take it you shouldn't. Why risk your GPA if you don't have to.

This is a game, and those who play it the right way have a better chance.

 

[Sceneofcrime]

The answer is no, you don't need it for most PT schools. The only way to be 100% is to check with the schools you are interested. I was interested in PT for a while and almost no schools require orgo.

I also disagree with those who say to take it because it was easy for them. At many schools orgo is a weeder class, and if you don't have to take it you shouldn't. Why risk your GPA if you don't have to.

This is a game, and those who play it the right way have a better chance.

Thanks for putting it that way. And thank you to everybody for your responses.

I kinda feel bad for not taking it though. I feel almost like I'm being lazy. I also knew a girl who wanted to go for physical therapy, but she was also taking orgo at the school as well. Maybe I go to a school of overachievers? 😛

... but yes, orgo at my university has a reputation for having a good chunk of the class dropping it. I'd have a relatively easy semester if I were to replace it for something else. I'm totally devoted to my studies though, and I KNOW for a fact I'd be living and breathing orgo if I were to take it. Ahhh decisions decisions...