Genetics, biochem, etc...

[AZhiker93]

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As a nontrad, how helpful is it to tack on extra classes such as genetics and biochem? I known there is some biochem on the MCAT, but is it doable to forego the extra class? I'm just trying to map out my classes over the next year and a half...

Any input is welcomed!

Thanks.

 

[WGSgrad]

There will be some better informed opinions on here in a moment but it seems like it's going to depend on your position. Not all nontrads are created equal. Are you recovering from a poor GPA, how will you have done in other prerequisites, etc.


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[Unico]

Depends on your weaknesses and as mentioned previously how brace you are to add an additional class to your science GPA which might bring it down.

Those who had biochem/genetics/etc. prior to medical school varied in their accounts of how helpful it was; some said it helped and others said it was like comparing apples and oranges. Certainly, medical school classes are going to cover more medically relevant material that you most likely will never see in undergrad courses.

A more valuable option might be to do research in either topic, that way you'll have the exposure to help with classes and the research to add to your CV in the future.

If you're interested in reading up about topics before taking the medical school classes, head over to the library or bookstore and take a peak at BRS or Rapid Review for biochem or genetics to get an idea of what to expect for medical school topics (don't reference undergrad material, it's insufficient).


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[backside_attack]

I didn't take it as part of my post-bacc, I just used AAMC resources and Khan Academy + Kaplan to teach myself enough. After cell/molec bio + organic, you can probably teach yourself enough to handle the MCAT. I think it all depends on how well you know yourself, what your goals are, and what your current grades are.

I am in the middle of biochem right now in MS1 and I'd say about half my classmates haven't taken it before.

 

[Goro]

They'll help you in med school, and doing well in them also shows Adcoms you can handle a rigorous course load.

As a nontrad, how helpful is it to tack on extra classes such as genetics and biochem? I known there is some biochem on the MCAT, but is it doable to forego the extra class? I'm just trying to map out my classes over the next year and a half...

Any input is welcomed!

Thanks.

 

[esob]

The latest field reports I've gotten are that the new MCAT is very biochem heavy. We have two biochem tracks at my school; 1 semester elementary biochem and a full blown, two semester regular biochem. Those who took the elementary didn't do so well on the MCAT and those that took the 2 semester track tended to perform significantly better. Granted this is anecdotal evidence but I'm planning on completing two semesters of biochem prior to sitting for the MCAT.

 

[holdthemayo]

The new MCAT is very Biochem heavy in both the CP and BB sections. I self studied the Biochem and still did fine (top 95%), but there was so much biochem that I think I could have done better, or at least had an easier time, if I had taken a course prior to my MCAT prep.

Many medical schools (MD and DO) are starting to require biochem, so you might end up having to take it before you matriculate anyway. I'm in that boat now.

If you have to choose one extra course to take, pick biochem over genetics. Take both if you can make them fit your schedule.

 

[libertyyne]

Some schools mandate biochem. Others do not. What is the rest of your situation do you need a GPA boost? Or are you just finishing pre-reqs. The conventional wisodom is take pre-reqs and only take classes that you enjoy. Unless you are trying to make ammends for a bad gpa , in which case rigor of classes may help.

 

[Swoleserratus]

Some schools are requiring biochem. Some require lab and some don't. Browse around MSAR and and see if the schools you like require it. Also make sure that you look into reaches. The last thing you want is to do better than expected on the MCAT, well enough that what seemed like crazy reach is now fairly realistic, but you didn't take a biochem lab, so you're SOL.

I personally found biochem to be a huge advantage on the MCAT. I didn't take genetics, but I can't imagine it would have helped on more than a couple questions.

 

[tluedeke]

Both biochemistry and genetics are critical for the MCAT, both are common prerequisites for medical schools, and I'm guessing that medical schools scrutinize grades in these classes. And from what I've heard from medical students, they are critical elements of medical school itself.

The new MCAT (2015+) is seemingly built around biochemistry (I'm surprised they haven't worked biochem into the psych/socio section somehow). I think you're going to be in a world of hurt on the MCAT without experience in biochemistry. Ditto on genetics, although it is less systematic on the MCAT than biochemistry. If you really can only take one, take biochemistry.

Besides, they are fun and interesting classes.

 

[Grey Storm]

You can also buy some medical school books and read ahead. Netter's Anatomy, Junqueiras Basic Histology, Guyton and Hall for Physiology, Pathoma for Histology, etc. If you're still in undergrad, go ahead and take Biochem and Genetics.

Your milage may vary.

 

[skeptastic]

The latest field reports I've gotten are that the new MCAT is very biochem heavy. We have two biochem tracks at my school; 1 semester elementary biochem and a full blown, two semester regular biochem. Those who took the elementary didn't do so well on the MCAT and those that took the 2 semester track tended to perform significantly better. Granted this is anecdotal evidence but I'm planning on completing two semesters of biochem prior to sitting for the MCAT.

Are you planning on doing both semesters of Biochem as well as a semester of Genetics, or just the two Biochem semesters? Most folks in TX do the Genetics course, because of the advanced Biology requirement at one of the med schools. Also, most med schools in TX recommend Genetics, but my guess is that most applicants take Genetics along with one semester of Biochem.

 

[esob]

Are you planning on doing both semesters of Biochem as well as a semester of Genetics, or just the two Biochem semesters? Most folks in TX do the Genetics course, because of the advanced Biology requirement at one of the med schools. Also, most med schools in TX recommend Genetics, but my guess is that most applicants take Genetics along with one semester of Biochem.

Already took genetics and aced it last semester 😀 I'm actually changing to elementary biochem, as it turns out turns out that biochem II serves no real role on the MCAT.

 

[skeptastic]

.

 

[skeptastic]

Already took genetics and aced it last semester 😀 I'm actually changing to elementary biochem, as it turns out turns out that biochem II serves no real role on the MCAT.

You don't think the normal Biochem I will be better than Elementary Biochem? What have you discovered that changed your mind? Your post from last year said that folks who did the normal Biochem for both semesters fared better on the MCAT.

 

[esob]

You don't think the normal Biochem I will be better than Elementary Biochem? What have you discovered that changed your mind? Your post from last year said that folks who did the normal Biochem for both semesters fared better on the MCAT.

Regular biochem would be better in the scenario where that class was the only determining factor for the MCAT. However, taking that class and getting an A will require so much more effort, most of which will not be relevant to the MCAT, vs self study combined with taking elementary biochem. Truthfully, most of the kids at my school get 30's and 40's in their gateway classes and have to be curved to get to a C. That said, it is unsurprising to me that those who took elementary biochem did poorly on that section of the MCAT; they clearly don't know how to study outside of showing up and looking at powerpoints. I don't have really have that problem (haven't finished a course with less than a 100% yet), so I'm not overly concerned about my ability to self-study any missing parts of the MCAT. I am more concerned about taking a class that eats up all my time and detracts from my ability to study for other portions of the test that I may discover are a weaknesses.

 

[skeptastic]

Regular biochem would be better in the scenario where that class was the only determining factor for the MCAT. However, taking that class and getting an A will require so much more effort, most of which will not be relevant to the MCAT, vs self study combined with taking elementary biochem. Truthfully, most of the kids at my school get 30's and 40's in their gateway classes and have to be curved to get to a C. That said, it is unsurprising to me that those who took elementary biochem did poorly on that section of the MCAT; they clearly don't know how to study outside of showing up and looking at powerpoints. I don't have really have that problem (haven't finished a course with less than a 100% yet), so I'm not overly concerned about my ability to self-study any missing parts of the MCAT. I am more concerned about taking a class that eats up all my time and detracts from my ability to study for other portions of the test that I may discover are a weaknesses.

Perfect response! Thanks!

 

[etp123]

Regular biochem would be better in the scenario where that class was the only determining factor for the MCAT. However, taking that class and getting an A will require so much more effort, most of which will not be relevant to the MCAT, vs self study combined with taking elementary biochem. Truthfully, most of the kids at my school get 30's and 40's in their gateway classes and have to be curved to get to a C. That said, it is unsurprising to me that those who took elementary biochem did poorly on that section of the MCAT; they clearly don't know how to study outside of showing up and looking at powerpoints. I don't have really have that problem (haven't finished a course with less than a 100% yet), so I'm not overly concerned about my ability to self-study any missing parts of the MCAT. I am more concerned about taking a class that eats up all my time and detracts from my ability to study for other portions of the test that I may discover are a weaknesses.

Yup, I fell into that trap this past quarter. I took the last of my school's biochem series (metabolism) which was way above and beyond the foundations that are necessary for the MCAT. Do I regret taking it? No because I learned so much and developed a great respect for how complex metabolism is. But I do regret that studying for it ate up so much of my time I wasn't able to properly find enough time for the MCAT, so now I've pushed that back to next year. But on the bright side I walked away from that biochem class with a nice A that'll certainly help with my GPA repair lol

 

[esob]

Yup, I fell into that trap this past quarter. I took the last of my school's biochem series (metabolism) which was way above and beyond the foundations that are necessary for the MCAT. Do I regret taking it? No because I learned so much and developed a great respect for how complex metabolism is. But I do regret that studying for it ate up so much of my time I wasn't able to properly find enough time for the MCAT, so now I've pushed that back to next year. But on the bright side I walked away from that biochem class with a nice A that'll certainly help with my GPA repair lol

Yeah, the nice thing is, I don't need it to graduate, just as I don't need A + P to graduate, but my final semester for the spring of 2019 will only require Spanish and sophomore level bio (likely ecology) so I might either audit one or both or take one or both as P/F courses.