GCHEM requirement--ways to fulfill it or go around it??

[calbear2002]

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Hi SDNers!

I have another question--and I KNOW that almost everyone here can help me with this:

What did you do for your 1 year GCHEM requirement? Did you actually take a whole year (e.g. chem 1a, 1b) or did you take one semester of GCHEM and one semester of something else that qualifies as a "GCHEM" requirement?

I need help figuring out what will work since I have only finished one semester of GCHEM (I've already graduated though). Do I even need a whole year of this requirement? I heard somewhere that med schools sometimes overlook this if you do well on the MCAT.

Thanks! 😀

 

[DocForAll]

You really do need a whole year's worth of chemistry. It really helps with the Mcat also. I wouldn't try to get out of it, as a matter of fact I would even strongly recommend taking biochem. The only class i really think you could do without is physics but alas most schools also require that.

 

[Sweet Tea]

yes, you need the whole year (that's why it's a requirement). the only way i know of that you wouldn't have to take the second semester is if you went on and took a higher level of inorganic chem...but that probably doesn't help you out any. 😉

 

[TexasGuy41]

You definitely need a full year of Gen Chem with lab for both courses. This is true for even the Carib/Irish schools. I agree that you could always take a higher level inorganic chem w/ lab, but why do that when you can just take Gen Chem II which is probably easier. Just take it over the summer, it'll be over in 5 weeks.

 

[calbear2002]

Hello again,

Ok, so I will definitely take GCHEM II to fulfill the year requirement. I've already taken GCHEM I and didn't do that well (c+) and so I'm wondering if I should retake GCHEM I again and try to get a better grade? Do the adcoms frown upon that? Or, maybe I should just take an extra chem to make up for the bad grade?

calbear

 

[cbpremed]

Assuming you go to CAL (Berkeley), I will say that if you are pre MCB or IB, then you don't normally take the second semester of Gchem. You can substitute the first half of Ochem as the second semester of Gchem. Count the second semester of Ochem as the 1st half of Ochem, and count Biochem as the second semester of Ochem. (Hope this isn't confusing). Go to the Career Center and they will tell you the same. It worked for me, and I haven't heard anyone run into trouble. (Even without Biochem Lab). So far as the C+, I did a similar thing with the first semester of Gchem (C-), and I retook it years later at a JC even...and in my interviews most people commended me for even reattempting the course. If you do it at another school (state or JC), you need to bust an A. If retake at CAL through extension (since you passed), a high B will actually do, cuz its hard and they know it. (But really always shoot for the best). Good Luck and I hope this helps.😉

 

[tej77]

cb took the words right out of my mouth. I'm a Cal grad too. I only took Chem 1A and got a C+ also. I took Chem again at a jc and got an A. No one said a word about it during any of my 8 interviews. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Only Cal people know how hard that class truly is. Also, Cal condenses two semesters of general chemistry into one. Anyway, good luck with it.

 

[e-spin]

Hi Calbear...so considering what I have learned about your particular situation thus far, if I were you I would look into the options of a post-bacc for the non-sciencs grads in lieu of the MPH 'cause it seems like strengthening your science GPA is a priority....my 2 cents. Good luck!!!
😀 Spin😀

 

[calbear2002]

Thanks for the Cal course information, tej77 and cbpremed!

So....I've actually already graduated from Cal having taken only CHEM 1A (gchem--for those who don't know). And I've already taken the year of OCHEM--did ok. I need the year of BIO and PHYSICS. What you suggest I do is: (just to make sure I am understanding what you said...)

Don't retake GCHEM and take an additional class like BIOCHEM instead since Cal's chem 1A is almost equivalent to a years' worth?

That means, I can just take BIOCHEM, BIO A/B, PHYS A/B and be set?

OR

Retake GCHEM at another school (I'm thinking maybe at Santa Clara U over summer or SJSU) and get A's. Ok, so if I retake GCHEM then, should I just go ahead and do the entire series since I'm already retaking it?

By the way e-spin, thanks for the suggestion. I'm thinking since my MPH program is 2 years, I'll just slowly take the prereqs along with the graduate courses (as well as during summers)....it might work out so I don't have to pay extra--hopefully I can handle it.

 

[pallhaco doce]

Not that I am trying to say that this is the norm, but I took my second semester of GChem only as an afterthought (after I had applied and gone for several interviews). This was pure paranoia on my part, and was probably unnecessary. The schools I visited did not really seem to care or notice at all that it was missing. When asked during interviews what I planned to be doing for the months following my interview, mentioning that I would take GChem II only produced the inevitable question: "Why are you taking that?" Of course, I replied that it was for the requirement, but they seemed to think it was a waste of time at this point.

Of course, it doesn't hurt to take it, especially before the MCAT. Afterwards, it really is kind of a waste, but hey, at least it is easy.

Note: your results may vary! Good luck, PD