For Those That Took Biochemistry Prior to Applying...

[χmaverickχ]

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Hi all,

Currently I'm taking a biochem summer class and after SEVERAL NONSTOP HOURS of studying, I believe that I'll be looking at an A. Now, I wasn't planning on taking this class but my top school, CUSOM, highly recommends it. Highly. When I apply next year, I want to make sure one cycle is all I'll need, my gpa will be roughly around a 3.6, cumulative and science both. An added bonus is MCAT preparation, which I have yet to take yet. For those who have gotten at least interviews or even acceptances into schools that didn't require biochem as a prerequisite, how much do you feel it helped make you a more competitive applicant? I've heard that doing well in it vs not taking it can help sway decisions at times so I'm just looking for personal experiences on this...

 

[wdoc]

I don't think that having a class like biochemistry is necessarily going to set you apart from other applicants. Usually you just need to make the bare minimum course requirements, and your extracurricular activities are what set you apart. With that said, taking a course like biochemistry can be really helpful to you once you start your first year of school. It gives you a general idea of what you'll be learning, and a place to start from. So either way, it won't hurt that you took it.

 

[Ioannes Paulus]

Biochem is now practically a required course for the MCAT. You won't be able to do the amino acid questions without solid biochem background.

 

[The Best Psychiatrist]

I took Biochem during my undergrad and did well. I don't think it played any large factor into whether I was a competitive applicant or not.

Having taken Biochem vs not having taken Biochem is rather minuscule when looking at the BIG PICTURE. This factor really only applies to which schools you can apply to. Some schools require it as a prerequisite, others don't.

How this affects your chances of getting into a school that you applied to is little to nil. Your extracurriculars, GPA, MCAT, and LOR are what matters.

 

[AzizImSorry]

I agree with everyone else, it's background noise at best (aside from being a check box at certain schools). I took biochem in the middle of my application cycle and I don't think it helped or hurt (aside from a very minor GPA boost). Definitely focus on MCAT and extracurriculars this year; your GPA is solid.

 

[taopoehg]

This factor really only applies to which schools you can apply to. Some schools require it as a prerequisite, others don't.

 

[mouster]

Idk how it would help from an admissions standpoint, but taking biochemistry helped me a lot on the MCAT. You'll fly through the enzyme sections because it'll all be review, which is nice when it feels like there is an insurmountable amount of content.

 

[cabinbuilder]

It won't help you in the admissions process. But when I was in school biochem was THE HARDEST subject at med school with over 1/2 the class having to remediate in the summer. If you took it and did well, you are that much ahead.

 

[χmaverickχ]

Solid insight guys, I really appreciate it