Do Prereqs ever expire?

[Lindyhopper]

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I'm a non-traditional planning to apply in the upcoming cycle. I'm currently completing a masters in Bio & TAing A&P. MY concern is that I took undergrad physics, gen chem, & orgo 1 about 12 years ago. Last year I successfully (A) retook Orgo-II. (Lot's of self teaching there.) I just completed graduate Biochem., Neuroscience, & a literature review of the molecular etiology of CAD.
Last summer I studied full time for the Aug MCAT & scored 32 10VR, 12BS, 10PS. (Go EKs).
My preferred plan is to complete my masters in the spring. Spend the summer doing research, volunteering, & completing my apps. In the fall, I plan on taking courses in UMDNJ Biomed program as a nondegree student.
My concern is the possible "expiration" of pre-reqs esp. physics. I could probably take physics II in the summer or next fall, but would rather not.
The schools I called didn't really give me a straight answer.
Undergrad BCMP 3.7
Overall undergrad 3.6
Grad GPA 3.8
Thanks

 

[ravi]

I'm a non-traditional planning to apply in the upcoming cycle. I'm currently completing a masters in Bio & TAing A&P. MY concern is that I took undergrad physics, gen chem, & orgo 1 about 12 years ago. Last year I successfully (A) retook Orgo-II. (Lot's of self teaching there.) I just completed graduate Biochem., Neuroscience, & a literature review of the molecular etiology of CAD.
Last summer I studied full time for the Aug MCAT & scored 32 10VR, 12BS, 10PS. (Go EKs).
My preferred plan is to complete my masters in the spring. Spend the summer doing research, volunteering, & completing my apps. In the fall, I plan on taking courses in UMDNJ Biomed program as a nondegree student.
My concern is the possible "expiration" of pre-reqs esp. physics. I could probably take physics II in the summer or next fall, but would rather not.
The schools I called didn't really give me a straight answer.
Undergrad BCMP 3.7
Overall undergrad 3.6
Grad GPA 3.8
Thanks

Hi Lindyhopper,

I am a non traditional student too. When I was searching for this information, I contacted couple of medical schools and they told that the prerequisits should be 5 years old. But I don't remember them saying that, 'it is same for all schools'. I guess best thing to do is, take an appointment with one of the admissions people and talk to them(believe me, you will get to know lots of surprising things...I did). Congratulations on your MCAT scores. 👍 Good Luck

 

[efex101]

Different schools have different criteria with some not acceptaing pre-reqs more than 7 years old. The best thing to do is call every school you intend on applying and asking.

 

[OrthoFixation]

I researched the issue on line with each school of interest. I was in the same boat. Some pre-reqs dated to the late '80s. I found few schools with cut-offs, but when they did it was typically 7 years as efex stated.

I didn't have biochem either and some schools require that too. I would say that more require biochem than have the 7 year cutoff. Just look at where you want to apply. Your numbers are great, you'll have no problem.

When there was a cut-off, I just figured that I didn't want to attend such an inflexible school anyway. Just because I had physics and chem a long time ago, who's to say I don't use them frequently in my job (which I do). If the school is that uptight and rigid, I say screw 'em 😱 😛

 

[IAMS]

Yes, some schools have limits, Duke for one has a 7 year limit. Some of my pre-req's were AP classes in high school - some schools will accept this, others won't.

I also found that if you recently had advanced classes - for instance microbiology, they won't make you take genereal biology again - even if it's been 20 years. Most adcomms are understading, but it's wise to make your case so they don't have to figure it out on their own.

 

[Lindyhopper]

Thanks for your input. It's pretty much in line with the less than clearcut feedback I got from the schools.
Since I have recent O-chem II, Grad Biochem, & I'm getting a masters in Bio, hopefully, I should be fine for all but the most rigid schools in Chem & Bio.
ButI think I probably should retake physics II this summer. I relearned so much of it for the MCAT it should be pretty straight forward.
Thanks

 

[OrthoFixation]

I have heard (through the grapevine) that taking an advanced course is viewed more favorably than retaking the same course. Of course, I wouldn't do either. I would apply to a more flexible institution.

 

[45408]

You need to have a recent MCAT score for nearly every school, so if your MCAT is good, then you must obviously know the material, so I doubt they care when you took some of those other classes. Just a guess.

 

[shivalrous]

Bump....no one will ever ask for you the concentration of H+ in a buffer solution via Henderson-Hasselbalch equation during the interview. Good luck!

 

[Lindyhopper]

Thanks for your input. I've talked to a few of the programs I'm interested in. The policies due vary somewhat. Since I would like to apply broadly to both DO & MD programs, I'm investigating what physics courses are available. O-Fixation gave me an idea.

I have heard (through the grapevine) that taking an advanced course is viewed more favorably than retaking the same course.

Since I relearned physics II for the Aug '04 MCAT (PS 10), I'm looking for a more advances physic course that will be applicable to med school. I'm also investigating taking a Biomedical Engineering course.
Thanks

 

[UnskinnyBop]

In my post-bacc, there was this fortysomething woman with a PhD in neurobiology... and to be eligible for linkage, she had to retake physics, orgo, and bio. I felt sort of bad for her, but she was really snotty to me, so I didn't feel too bad. She dropped out after getting pwned in physics. Take that, PhD lady! Still, it must have sucked.

 

[Law2Doc]

I was an older premed who took a bunch of the prerequisite science classes back in college over a decade ago. Was advised by my post-bac program to retake all the science classes (but not necessary for English or Calculus), as they may have "expired" in the eyes of many med schools. Proved to be helpful in preparing for the MCAT anyhow. Just got in to a med school, so I guess it was the right move 🙂