does astronomy count towards bcpm?

[cooldood132]

i have some extra space in my schedule next semester and was thinking of taking an astronomy class. all my university's astronomy classes are under the astronomy department and are labeled "ASTRO ###". would taking this class count towards my bcpm GPA? thanks.

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[moemoekyun]

Yes, under physics.
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...ab328dc/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf

 

[Catalystik]

It does for AMCAS and AACOMAS, but not for TMDSAS.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Honestly if you list it as a science course I think you'll get away with it and not have it changed.

 

[cooldood132]

It does for AMCAS and AACOMAS, but not for TMDSAS.

What's TMDSAS?

 

[TooMuchPressure]

What's TMDSAS?

Texas.

 

[TooMuchPressure]

It does for AMCAS and AACOMAS, but not for TMDSAS.

What about PSB? PsychoBio?

 

[cooldood132]

Well, I don't plan on applying to any Texas schools. Do the rest of the schools count astronomy as BCPM?

 

[md-2020]

Well, I don't plan on applying to any Texas schools. Do the rest of the schools count astronomy as BCPM?

Yes, under physics.
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...ab328dc/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf

Read.

Most of the time AMCAS gives you a benefit of the doubt that SDN does not (cuz everybody here is super morally righteous). As long as the course isn't blatantly non-science, you can get away with a BCPM classification.

 

[TooMuchPressure]

Read.

Most of the time AMCAS gives you a benefit of the doubt that SDN does not (cuz everybody here is super morally righteous). As long as the course isn't blatantly non-science, you can get away with a BCPM classification.

What about health science classes such as pathophysiology or epidemiology?

 

[LizzyM]

What about health science classes such as pathophysiology or epidemiology?

Usually labeled HEAL (for "health") and counted as AO (all other).

 

[cooldood132]

Can somebody please explain what TMDSAS is and how it's different from AMCAS and AACOMAS? Thanks.

 

[md-2020]

Can somebody please explain what TMDSAS is and how it's different from AMCAS and AACOMAS? Thanks.

As explained above it is the application system for medical schools located in Texas. It is completely separate from AMCAS and AACOMAS.

What about health science classes such as pathophysiology or epidemiology?

Usually labeled HEAL (for "health") and counted as AO (all other).

Theoretically yes that's the most accurate designation but the reality is that AMCAS gives you the benefit of the doubt quite often, should you designate them biology.

 

[medic86]

Can somebody please explain what TMDSAS is and how it's different from AMCAS and AACOMAS? Thanks.

Can someone please explain what this guy is smoking?

 

[cooldood132]

Oh why would Texas have their own thing going on? Do any other states not do AMCAS and AACOMAS?

 

[LizzyM]

Oh why would Texas have their own thing going on? Do any other states not do AMCAS and AACOMAS?

Have you not heard of the Republic of Texas. 😉

 

[Lawpy]

It does for AMCAS and AACOMAS, but not for TMDSAS.

I'll probably send an inquiry to TMDSAS asking why astronomy isn't considered science, unless it's been addressed somewhere.

 

[Catalystik]

Oh why would Texas have their own thing going on? Do any other states not do AMCAS and AACOMAS?

Because Texas is TEXAS. And BTW, Baylor isn't a public Texas school, so one applies to it through AMCAS.

 

[Catalystik]

I'll probably send an inquiry to TMDSAS asking why astronomy isn't considered science, unless it's been addressed somewhere.

The folks who answer the phone there are very friendly and helpful, and you can get an answer faster. If you're interested in the official list for TMDSAS BCPM inclusions, here is a link (scroll half way down): http://www.tmdsas.com/medical/section_Overview.html

They just switched to BCPM GPA from sGPA in the last cycle, and there is an appeals process to get a course redesignated, but it requires all the public med school deans in Texas to sign off on it. Perhaps an appeal is already in progress or is recently completed. If you get updated information, I hope you'll come back and post about it.

 

[Lawpy]

The folks who answer the phone there are very friendly and helpful, and you can get an answer faster. If you're interested in the official list for TMDSAS BCPM inclusions, here is a link (scroll half way down): http://www.tmdsas.com/medical/section_Overview.html

They just switched to BCPM GPA from sGPA in the last cycle, and there is an appeals process to get a course redesignated, but it requires all the public med school deans in Texas to sign off on it. Perhaps an appeal is already in progress or is recently completed. If you get updated information, I hope you'll come back and post about it.

Great thanks! I will let you know about it soon.

 

[deleted446889]

Sorry to hijack, but what about neuroscience courses? Are they counted in the science GPA?

 

[moemoekyun]

Sorry to hijack, but what about neuroscience courses? Are they counted in the science GPA?

Yes, for AMCAS at least.
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...ab328dc/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf

 

[Lost in Translation]

Sorry to hijack, but what about neuroscience courses? Are they counted in the science GPA?

Yup. And they killed my sGPA.

 

[Catalystik]

Great thanks! I will let you know about it soon.

?

 

[Fedekz]

It will probably go towards BCPM, but don't take astronomy light hearted, I hear the courses are pretty difficult

 

[Lawpy]

The folks who answer the phone there are very friendly and helpful, and you can get an answer faster. If you're interested in the official list for TMDSAS BCPM inclusions, here is a link (scroll half way down): http://www.tmdsas.com/medical/section_Overview.html

They just switched to BCPM GPA from sGPA in the last cycle, and there is an appeals process to get a course redesignated, but it requires all the public med school deans in Texas to sign off on it. Perhaps an appeal is already in progress or is recently completed. If you get updated information, I hope you'll come back and post about it.

Called them a while ago and unfortunately, they referred me to the website you provided for input regarding GPA calculations. I think it's one of those instances where TMDSAS GPA and sGPA can be markedly different from AMCAS GPAs.

For anyone interested, the section overview link is accurate and should be followed. I didn't do comparisons to see whether TMDSAS is strict with the course selection but you should play it safe. Keep in mind that astronomy and any math course outside of calculus and statistics are listed as Other Science but not BCPM. From there you can decide accordingly.

Curiously, AACOMAS is more flexible in that it considers Other Science courses to be part of science GPA with the exception of Math courses. (http://help.unicas.com:8888/aacomas...-history-2/aacomas-course-subjects/index.html)

So for astronomy courses, you should be fine listing them as science in regards to non-TX medical schools and Baylor (since it uses AMCAS).

 

[noleknight16]

All of my Astronomy and Psychobio courses counted towards my sGPA

 

[Law2Doc]

It does for AMCAS and AACOMAS, but not for TMDSAS.

Texas doesn't consider studying stars a science. LoneStar is the only one they need. Don't mess with Texas.

 

[Catalystik]

Called them a while ago and unfortunately, they referred me to the website you provided for input regarding GPA calculations.

Thanks for making the effort to get updated information.

 

[Satire5Texul]

If you list a debatable class under science when its not, does it delay your verification? or simply they just erase it ?