Do you really need Biochemistry?

[saveourpens]

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Considering I will have already taken the MCAT (in a few days), the only reason I'm considering taking it is because some schools require it to apply.

Now what if (god forbid!!) I am not too happy with my scores come the release date in October and instead of focusing on restudying for the MCAT I'm stuck learning time consuming biochem.

Is that a good enough reason not to take it?

 

[Catalystik]

Besides those that require it, many other schools strongly recommend it. In med school, you may cover in as little as six weeks what your college course took a year to cover (and in my case, using the identical text). It will be difficult to grasp that much information if the material is fresh for you. And without a good understanding, some of the second year coursework will likely be more of a challenge.

So from my point of view, there is no good reason not to take it. Opinions may vary.

 

[aggie08]

I didn't take Biochem before Med School. It made my Biochem class here a lot more stressful than it was for my classmates, but I still did fine in the class. The material just comes a lot faster here and if it had been review it would have made the class a little less overwhelming.

That being said, if you really don't want to take it and it's not required for the schools you want to apply to - don't take it. It's not that big of a deal. However, don't just skip out on taking it because it will be hard or because you think your MCAT score will be bad. Do you have a good
reason to think you bombed the MCAT?

Bottom Line:
It won't make or break you in med school, but it is helpful to have taken it.

 

[AceXIII]

Considering I will have already taken the MCAT (in a few days), the only reason I'm considering taking it is because some schools require it to apply.

Now what if (god forbid!!) I am not too happy with my scores come the release date in October and instead of focusing on restudying for the MCAT I'm stuck learning time consuming biochem.

Is that a good enough reason not to take it?

Can you give some more information about your situation?

Specifically,
Are you going to be a junior or senior?
When do you plan to apply to medical school?
Is biochem only a single semester or two semesters at your school?

 

[saveourpens]

Can you give some more information about your situation?

Specifically,
Are you going to be a junior or senior?
When do you plan to apply to medical school?
Is biochem only a single semester or two semesters at your school?

Thanks guys for the responses... I take the MCAT on Friday...no reason to think I'll do bad, I'm talking just in case.

I'm going to be a junior and I plan on being complete when I get my score in early October. I know that's very late, but I think its worth a shot considering my original plan was to apply next cycle. Biochem is a single semester.

 

[gravitywave]

if you're looking at retaking once you get your scores in October, it's not like you'll necessarily be looking at restudying/retaking right off, because any new scores will be too late to make a difference this cycle. so you'd be looking at a spring retake anyway; that shouldn't get in the way of biochem this semester, should it?

as i sit here rememorizing the AA list, my advice would be to take it before you get here. i hated my undergrad biochem course with a passion but i'm already glad i have it now.

 

[mvenus929]

Thanks guys for the responses... I take the MCAT on Friday...no reason to think I'll do bad, I'm talking just in case.

I'm going to be a junior and I plan on being complete when I get my score in early October. I know that's very late, but I think its worth a shot considering my original plan was to apply next cycle. Biochem is a single semester.

Wait wait. You're a junior this year (2010-2011) and you're applying to medical school?

 

[saveourpens]

if you're looking at retaking once you get your scores in October, it's not like you'll necessarily be looking at restudying/retaking right off, because any new scores will be too late to make a difference this cycle. so you'd be looking at a spring retake anyway; that shouldn't get in the way of biochem this semester, should it?

as i sit here rememorizing the AA list, my advice would be to take it before you get here. i hated my undergrad biochem course with a passion but i'm already glad i have it now.

Yeah I'm already registered for it, just wanted to get your guys opinions. Thank you for the advice. To above poster. I don't know why the hell I wrote junior, I probably still can't believe I'm about to be a senior and that college is almost over.

 

[AceXIII]

Are you shooting for mostly top-middle tier schools? If so, you will need to have a killer application if you want to have a shot applying that late. However, if you just want to go to med school, and you have a good application put together at this point, it can't hurt to try. However, keep in mind that most (if not all) med schools accept MCATs taken as late as September for the following years class. This means that for this cycle, you'll be stuck with whatever you get on the one you're taking this Friday.

I know you originally asked whether or not to take biochem, but as a reapplicant I'm compelled to suggest you wait and apply next year. You'll be able to have everything ready and refined by day 1, you'll know your MCAT and have ample time to re-take if necessary, and you'll have another year of experiences under your belt. Aside from the gap year, depending on how you see it (many find it the best year of their lives to that point), there is no negative to waiting.

In regards to biochem, I say take it. It won't interfere with this cycle if you chose to continue applying, and if you wait, there will be no issue at all. I actually found biochem extremely interesting, which made it relatively easy. And as all the med students have already mentioned, it will help you down the line. I'm personally not a proponent of the "I don't want to do it because it's difficult argument", but in the end the decision is yours.

I hope this helps, and best of luck on your MCAT!

 

[Shinobiz11]

Yeh bro, some schools like UMich and OSU require it now for applying. But like everyone else said, it will probably help you out in the long run.

 

[Ischemic]

Again to reiterate the same thing, you gonna have to take it anyway in med school, so you can suffer in college or suffer in med school where it matters more.

 

[SterlingArcher]

I found that biochem kept me fresh and made me a lot more confident for the BS section of the MCAT, so I wouldn't say it's a terrible choice if that's what you're worried about. I liked biochem though 😱