Help needed with a question

[snyc90]

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Hey there,
I'm a freshman at LIU doing Pre Pharmacy, and we start taking org - 1 at the start of our sophmore yr, whereas they tell us to start applying during that time, and students are supposed to give their PCATs beforehand, during the summer, or the October of their soph. yr?!? I don't understand how that makes sense though, b/c if they expect students to start giving their PCATs during the summer, before they take orgo 1, or during Oct, during that semester of Orgo - 1; as thats what students mostly do here, then how could anyone do well on the Organic Chem sections?

I'm sure we can take summer classes, and some people will study day and night on their own during the summer to get all of the organic stuff for the PCAT done, but why do LIU students give these PCATS as soon as they're done with their freshmen yr, with just basic bio and chem?!?!

I'm not sure maybe its like that with every school dealing with Pre-Pharm, but it doesnt make sense, Organic chem is really important for the PCATs, and students are giving these PCATS right after their freshmen yr, with hardly any Organic Chem classes?

 

[tahi193]

If you're going to pharmacy school after your sophomore year of college, you do need to start applying in the fall while you're taking organic I. There's really no way around it unless, like you said, you take summer classes. My univeristy does this the same way and I think you'd be hard pressed to find a place that doesn't.

The PCAT that I took did have quite a bit of Organic on it. However, it wasn't extremely difficult or advanced organic. You probably know that more and more people are applying to pharmacy school with a bachelor's degree or in their last year of undergrad. This is presumably after most pre-pharmacy courses have been taken. I think the increase in Organic on the PCAT probably reflects this trend.

It is possible to do well on the chemistry without having finished organic. Make sure you understand organic nomenclature and a few of the most important reactions and definitely know your general chemistry very well. Admissions will understand that you took the PCAT before taking Organic and they will take that into account. Just do the best you can. Good luck!

 

[bwsalvas]

Its one of those man-up moments... Best case you have half of orgo 1 under your belt for the October PCAT. Its nothing a review book and some self study can't fix though.

It isn't that much of a disadvantage, not having all of organic under your belt yet.

 

[elmoz]

My test didn't have much organic chem on it. Nomenclature is the only thing I remember being on there for sure, and that's usually the first thing you cover. Don't stress. A lil organic is all you need.

 

[Phoenix585]

Thats interesting a had a ton of organic chem on the PCAT in both August and October. If you come across that then you'll need both ochem 1 and 2. They reactions were from ochem2. Just get a ochem review book to help you out if you can't take the class before the PCAT.