Do pre-reqs expire? Help with timing/planning.

[NotAngie]

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I was just (once again) looking at admissions requirements. I seem to remember someone saying something here about needing to retake prereqs if they are over 10 years old, is that true?

My situation is that I took only a couple of the prereqs in college. 2 semesters of bio and 1 semester of math. I got a B in all of them. The last class of those was taken in Summer '01.

My main focus right now is on VMRCVM because that's my instate school. On their website it says that if it's been more than 7 years since you've taken a class that you can retake it. Nothing about if you don't want to.

So my questions are do I have to retake those classes? And even if I don't have to do you think I should to try and get an A and bring my dismal GPA up?

I'm already facing 5 semesters of pre-reqs since I can only take 2 classes a semester.

 

[JustCats]

Every school is different, and sometimes a school will have a different policies depending on the prereq. For instance, one of the schools I applied to--don't remember which--was okay with an old Gen Chem class as long as O. Chem was recent. I think another didn't care when I had taken Physics. If in doubt, call the admissions office. Better yet, email so you have something in writing.

B's are not bad, especially if you can get A's in subsequent classes. If they don't require you to retake the classes you'll have to consider whether or not you feel prepared without retaking them. Make your decision based on your comfort with your knowledge base.

What, specifically, are the bio classes and math classes you took?

 

[NotAngie]

It was principles of biology 1 and 2. The math was calculus 1.

 

[JustCats]

It was principles of biology 1 and 2. The math was calculus 1.

Somebody else can feel free to chime in here, but I wouldn't retake the calculus if they don't require you to UNLESS they require a calculus-based physics class.

As for Bio 1 and 2, you did well in those classes but it's going to be really tough for you to dive right into cell bio, molecular bio, micro, etc., if you've forgotten the basics. Check out the textbooks for the bio classes you need to take and see if you're comfortable with the material in the early chapters. Maybe you'll just need to give yourself a short refresher by skimming your old bio book.

Good luck.

 

[LVT2DVM]

For VMRCVM you have the option of repeating prereqs older than 7yrs but they do not required you to do so. If you chose to, you still have to submit a request to waive the previous courses, which is pretty easy and most often is approved, but the older courses are still used to calculate your cGPA. So a B probably isnt worth repeating. I think it most benefits non-trads who perhaps didnt do as well in older courses and gives them a better chance to show what they can do now.

As for other schools, you must really do your hw on what they require. Some allow for exemptions, others are very strict. For example

Kansas-6yr science course cutoff, some exemptions allowed with permission/approval

Western: 8yr science course cutoff; no exemptions

Oklahoma:8yr science course cutoff; Alternate pathway exemption

These are just some of the ones I know bc Ive applied there. Others I know have cutoff dates, but I cant remember specifics are:
Mississippi, Tuskeegee, Louisana and Tennessee (5YR! cutoff). Most, if any of this information can be found in the descriptor pages on AAVMC
http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/college_requirement.htm
But CAUTION! Some schools do have cutoff dates, and dont post them on the descriptor pages, so if you interested in a specific school always check the admissions website or contact the school to be sure.

 

[sumstorm]

As a non-traditional student who has worked in the science fields since graduation, I didn't apply to any of the schools with cut-offs. I would be incredibly frustrated to sit through the same material yet again. I was annoyed to have to cover DNA replication AGAIN in genetics and biochem. Does anyone know if there are ever exceptions made? I spent the past half dozen years CREATING labs and research fellowships for most of the pre-req courses, then teaching education keepers to lead the classes, and working with professors to evaluate students.

 

[NotAngie]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Right now I'm leaning towards not repeating them mostly because of the cost. I am starting this semester with Chemistry and then physics over the summer. During that time I'll look at some of the bio text books and see how I feel about the material.

Unfortunately I had a 2.86 undergrad GPA so I was thinking of retaking them because I really could use all the help I could get with my GPA.

I think at this point it's sort of a wait and see game as far as my financial situation.