Hello! and Questions

[mdpath]

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Hello! Everyone,

New here. I have been reading threads on and off in this forum for a couple of months now. I feel that I am getting a lot of motivation to venture into this MD admission path... but I still have a lot of questions.

First a little bit about my background. I did my bachelors in Engg from a foreign country. I did my MS here in US and have been working in software field for more than a decade.

I understand that taking pre-reqs is a must. Now my question is Is it OK to take these courses as a non-degree student? Will this have a negative impact? Is one year enough for completing pre-reqs? Also can I take these after MCAT or should it be before MCAT? My plan is to write MCAT and then take these if needed... please advice.

Also I read that bachelors from foreign countries are not a favorable asset. How do one overcome this?


Thanks

 

[DrMidlife]

What's your residency status?

Green card, then 2 years of full time US undergrad including prereqs, then MCAT.

Best of luck to you.

 

[mdpath]

Thanks DrMidLife for a prompt response.

I am a US citizen now. I did Physics and Chemistry with Lab in my undergrad. I was thinking I should be taking only Bio and Organic Chemisty with Lab. Do I have to retake everything?.

I did pretty well in my undergrad and in MS too I have a near 4.0 GPA. If I get my undergrad degree evaluated will it suffice for Physics and Chemistry pre-reqs? Also should the courses be taken towards a degree. Can I take the courses as a non-degree student?

Thanks

 

[galaxyx]

You can take the courses as non-degree seeking.

Some schools will accept all foreign credit but recommend taking additonal US courses.
Some schools require all US prereqs
Some schools require 30 credits US courses.
Some schools require 60 credits US.
Some schools require 90 credits US.

There is no general answer to your question.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

You can take the classes as a non-degree seeking student, but you will be better off if you register as a chemistry or biology major. My school gives the non-degree seeking students last choice on class selection, so they can't always get into the classes they need. I don't know if you would be eligible for scholarships or federal loans, but you couldn't apply if you were non-degree seeking. It won't matter that you won't actually get a degree when you're done.

 

[mdpath]

Thanks for all the information.

I plan to just take biology and organic chemisty with lab as a non degree major and go from there.

All the best for all of you who are already ahead in this path!