Five year expiration date on premed courses

[MyOdyssey]

Hello all

I received my BS in May 2019 and plan to start a 2 year science research fellowship in Feb 2022. That would mean I couldn't begin medical school until June/July/August 2024, which is just outside five years from my graduation date. I majored in a science, received an overall GPA of 3.9 and took classes in the biological sciences, math and physics beyond what was required for medical school. However, I haven't taken any since graduation. I haven't taken the MCAT but plan to in the next year.

I'd appreciate feedback from admissions gurus as well as any applicants who have faced similar situations. Am I at risk of having to retake my premed courses given what I've laid out here?

Thanks!

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[Bonne Nuit]

Hello all

I received my BS in May 2019 and plan to start a 2 year science research fellowship in Feb 2022. That would mean I couldn't begin medical school until June/July/August 2024, which is just outside five years from my graduation date. I majored in a science, received an overall GPA of 3.9 and took classes in the biological sciences, math and physics beyond what was required for medical school. However, I haven't taken any since graduation. I haven't taken the MCAT but plan to in the next year.

I'd appreciate feedback from admissions gurus as well as any applicants who have faced similar situations. Am I at risk of having to retake my premed courses given what I've laid out here?

Thanks!

I was accepted to several MD programs with prerequisites ranging from 1.5-10 years old. Check the MSAR for your target schools to see if any specifically disallow older prerequisites, but you should be just fine.

 

[MyOdyssey]

I'd appreciate hearing from AdComs. @gyngyn @LizzyM @Goro @Med Ed @Moko

As well as @gonnif

Thank you!

 

[Goro]

I'd appreciate hearing from AdComs. @gyngyn @LizzyM @Goro @Med Ed @Moko

As well as @gonnif

Thank you!

I agree with Janet. Not all schools have an expiration date on courses or graduation dates.

As someone who will be doing research professionally, it is incumbent upon you to research your school list.

 

[gyngyn]

There must be some schools that require more recent coursework, I'm just not familiar with them.

 

[MyOdyssey]

What I see mostly is something along the lines of if applicant is 5 years or more from graduation they must show some evidence of academic work. It seems working as researcher fulfills that issue as example from Einstein below

Course Work Older than Five Years​

• Applicants who have completed all of their pre-medical course requirements five years prior to the time of application must show evidence of participation in either academic or work experience in the biological sciences. Academic experience should include at least one course in a discipline such as cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology or neuroscience. Work experience may include research in the biological or physical sciences or clinical investigation.

Thanks. I noticed that Einstein's 5 year requirement is counted from the time of application, not from the time of matriculation as I assumed would be the case. My undergrad degree will be four years old when I apply and five years old when I matriculate if all goes to plan.

Nonetheless, my 2 year research fellowship would be in the biological sciences and would satisfy Einstein's requirements.

 

[MyOdyssey]

I'll share what I find on here:

Mt. Sinai MD Program Admissions & Application Requirements | Icahn School of Medicine
"**It is recommended that students take some Biology coursework within 5 years of application"

Georgetown: Guide to Application - School of Medicine
"If the prerequisite coursework was completed 5 years ago or longer, applicants must have been enrolled in a baccalaureate, upper-level science course or graduate coursework at some point during the past 5 years."

 

[MyOdyssey]

Columbia: Application Requirements
"Please note: All prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years of application. We prefer that prerequisite courses in biology be taken within five years of application."

 

[doglova]

Hypothetical related question to adcoms: Can a recent MCAT score which is very good offset slightly older prereqs, since it shows evidence that said premed still knows the material?

 

[MyOdyssey]

Tufts: Title
"Tufts University School of Medicine does not have an expiration policy regarding prerequisite courses although we do expect some recent scientific coursework or involvement."

 

[YCAGA]

Are you applying MD/PhD? Otherwise this research fellowship seems like a waste of time. With a 3.9 GPA you could apply June 2022 and be in med school by summer 2023. 9 months is plenty of time to take the MCAT and get any hours you need for a respectable app.

 

[MyOdyssey]

Are you applying MD/PhD? Otherwise this research fellowship seems like a waste of time. With a 3.9 GPA you could apply June 2022 and be in med school by summer 2023. 9 months is plenty of time to take the MCAT and get any hours you need for a respectable app.

Not applying MD/PhD. This fellowship is something I meant to do but was derailed by Covid.