How Fast can you get pre-reqs done?

[Jonny Seed]

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What I meant by "drop" is that I wouldn't even take Microbiology+lab because it's not a core pre-req.

Apologies if I'm hijacking OP's thread, but I might as well post the schedule I'll probably try to follow. This leaves me on track to take MCAT in spring 2018:

Summer 2016:
Calculus
Fall 2016:
Chem 1
Spring 2017:
Chem 2
Summer 2017: (leave full-time job for full-time school)
Bio 1/2
Physics1/2
Fall 2017:
Orgo 1
Stats
Genetics
Micro Bio+lab
Clinical skills
Spring 2018:
Orgo 2
Orgo Lab
Biochem
shadowing credits
MCAT studying

These are just the academic components of my gameplan...I've also got hospice volunteering on the docket and I'm looking for other opportunities I can squeeze into my schedule.

I'm looking to hear other peoples schedules to see the possibilities. Do you already have an undergrad degree, or are you still finishing up? Why are you taking all the non-essential classes?

 

[mavric1298]

^ There isn't really non-essential classes in that list. Genetics and stats are being required at more and more schools, the only two I see would be micro and clinical that are non-essential

So I had an associates degree in which I had taken bio I, II, III (quarter system) and Gen chem I, then did the following while working 40-60 hours (so 300-400 level classes were needed to graduate);

Q1(Aut) Gen chem II + Calc I
Q2(Win) Gen chem III + Calc II
Q3(Spr) Phys I + Phys lab I
Q4(Sum) Phys II + Phys Lab II + Ochem I
Q5(Aut) Phys III + Phys Lab III +MCAT PREP
Q6(Win) Ochem II + Ochem II Lab
Q7(Spr) Ochem III + Ochem III Lab
Q8(Sum) Molecular Bio + Genetics
Q9(Aut) Molecular Bio + Advanced Cell Physiology + Fantasy Literature (writing credit I needed)
Q10(Win) Advanced Cell Bio + Ecology + Biochem I
Q11 (Spr) Biochem II + Evolution & Development + Medical Virology

 

[Jonny Seed]

^ There isn't really non-essential classes in that list. Genetics and stats are being required at more and more schools, the only two I see would be micro and clinical that are non-essential

So I had an associates degree in which I had taken bio I, II, III (quarter system) and Gen chem I, then did the following while working 40-60 hours (so 300-400 level classes were needed to graduate);

Q1(Aut) Gen chem II + Calc I
Q2(Win) Gen chem III + Calc II
Q3(Spr) Phys I + Phys lab I
Q4(Sum) Phys II + Phys Lab II + Ochem I
Q5(Aut) Phys III + Phys Lab III +MCAT PREP
Q6(Win) Ochem II + Ochem II Lab
Q7(Spr) Ochem III + Ochem III Lab
Q8(Sum) Molecular Bio + Genetics
Q9(Aut) Molecular Bio + Advanced Cell Physiology + Fantasy Literature (writing credit I needed)
Q10(Win) Advanced Cell Bio + Ecology + Biochem I
Q11 (Spr) Biochem II + Evolution & Development + Medical Virology

So you did this over about 3 years? Was it easy to stay motivated for this long of a time? How old were you when you started classes? Do you think you could have done this any faster?

 

[mavric1298]

Yeah I'll graduate right at year 3 after finishing an associates - which took me 1.5 years before. I just recently turned 30; there is no possible way I could have done it faster, because of work. If I was a full time student, no problem I could have got in done in 2ish. But taking hard science classes 2 at a time while working is tough, much less the few terms I added a third, or the time I was studying for MCAT. That, combined with the issue of finding classes that fit with your schedule sometimes you just can't get into the class you need, you'll end up taking longer than you expected.

And motivation? I know medicine is what I want to do, so you just need to remind yourself there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how far away. This is a journey that is going to take what, upwards of 11 years by time your done with residency after you get in. Rushing to save a couple months here or there, or even a year, is totally, completely, unwise. In the scope of things, there is NO reason to not take extra time, be it for studying for MCAT, or taking an extra term or two to make sure you kill your classes.

 

[Jonny Seed]

Yeah I'll graduate right at year 3 after finishing an associates - which took me 1.5 years before. I just recently turned 30; there is no possible way I could have done it faster, because of work. If I was a full time student, no problem I could have got in done in 2ish. But taking hard science classes 2 at a time while working is tough, much less the few terms I added a third, or the time I was studying for MCAT. That, combined with the issue of finding classes that fit with your schedule sometimes you just can't get into the class you need, you'll end up taking longer than you expected.

And motivation? I know medicine is what I want to do, so you just need to remind yourself there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how far away. This is a journey that is going to take what, upwards of 11 years by time your done with residency after you get in. Rushing to save a couple months here or there, or even a year, is totally, completely, unwise. In the scope of things, there is NO reason to not take extra time, be it for studying for MCAT, or taking an extra term or two to make sure you kill your classes.

These sound like some wise words. I need to start from ground zero at your age, so I need a similar attitude.

Did you also find time to get research and volunteerism in???

 

[mavric1298]

Research was never something I was super into, especially wet lab. I made sure I had exposure to it, but I didn't ever work in a lab and felt my time could be better spent elsewhere. I took this into consideration on where I was applying, as there is really only a select set of schools that research is super important, and the general feedback I've received is you need to be able to at least demonstrate exposure. This may be a deficiency in my app, but it is what it is, and if it gets brought up in an interview I would be more than ready to talk about how I felt personally with my limited time that volunteering with our therapy dog is more important to me then wet lab undergrad research.

Volunteering I've just found time when I can. It's been hard, and takes a toll on my family (I'm recently married) because I'm seemingly never around, but luckily have a strong support system that is very understanding.

 

[228]

I am taking them within one year
(Spring - Spring including Summer)


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[mavric1298]

How? I think that posts needs a bit more context to be at all useful or relevant to the conversation.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I was planning on taking 1-2 classes per semester while working full time, but then I came across this information on the TCOM website:

Low Course Loads
Completing courses on a part-time basis does not demonstrate the ability to handle the rigorous course work of medical school regardless of how well you do in them. The average semester in medical school is 30 credits in length. Even if you are working full-time while attending college, you should do so with the intention of being a full-time student. Having a GPA of 3.5 while only take 1-2 courses per term will hurt you more than help you. Course loads are as concerning as the grades themselves.

That's from their "Academic Problems with Applications" page at: https://www.unthsc.edu/texas-colleg...nts-home/academic-problems-with-applications/

So, I just want to point out that at least one school officially states that they expect people working full-time to be full-time students as well.

 

[daivimarga]

plan A and B -

Summer A would be 5 week courses each;
Summer B would be 8 week courses each
Will not be working f/t until perhaps Summer 2017

Summer 16 -
Gen chem 1 & 2 OR Gen chem 1 & physics 1

Fall 16 -
Bio 1, Orgo 1, Physics 1 OR Gen chem 2, Bio 1, Physics 2

Spring 17-
Bio 2, Orgo 2, Physics 2 OR Bio 2, Orgo 1, Biochem (can you take it simultaneously with Bio 2?)

Summer 17 -
Biochem OR [Biochem &] Orgo 2

Fall 18 -
work or perhaps take upper level coursework

Spring 18 -
MCAT

 

[getfat]

Retook my pre-reqs in one year while working full-time. I would not suggest it unless you are have a job that lets you work longer shifts on the weekend and already have a background (I studied for the MCAT for 8 months in 2014). Only way I pulled it off was working 16 hour shifts on the weekends.

Summer 2015: Gen Chem I + Lab; Gen Chem II + Lab.
8 Credits

Fall 2015: Organic Chem I + Lab; Bio I + Lab; Phys I + Lab; Took some other upper level bio classes for a total of 18 credits.

Spring 2016: Organic Chem II + Lab; Bio II + Lab; Phys II + Lab; Biochemistry; And some more upper level bio classes for a total of 18 credits.

If you are going to do something similar, I stress taking only general chemistry over the summer. It will lay a great foundation for Organic chemistry. More importantly it will give you a great preparation for excelling in organic lab.

 

[daivimarga]

wouldn't students benefit from taking two different subjects over the summer to gain experience managing the demands of studying multiple subject areas at the same time? @getfat

 

[Ad2b]

Edited to just say:

People need to be careful in how they plan the premed path.

Trying to take 16 SCIENCE credits over a summer term, is nutty. Cray Cray.

Trying to cram in shadowing just before app cycle... well, wow. No words.

Taking genetics before biochem = cray.

Taking orgo 2 with lab without orgo 1 lab = cray.

Trying to cram all of this in before 18 months? cray.

Seriously, it's okay to take your time and get A's. Really.

 

[daivimarga]

also @Jonny Seed not that this is the most recommended route but I did read about success with the online post bac from University of New England, that might offer you more flexibility if you need to work http://online.une.edu/

 

[Ad2b]

also @Jonny Seed not that this is the most recommended route but I did read about success with the online post bac from University of New England, that might offer you more flexibility if you need to work http://online.une.edu/

Check online course acceptance at ANY MD/DO school you intend to apply to. I know of NONE that accept online credits for pre-reqs.

 

[popopopop]

ALL OF THE DRUGS!

Lol but seriously, I know it's too ambitious. As I said, ideally I'll do Calc/Chem I/Chem II over the next 3 semesters (while working full time). Then quit my job and do school full time, completing the remaining classes over three more semesters. I'm going to ease into it and see how well I do. If I feel like my studying is going well then I'll be more ambitious with the schedule, if I sense myself struggling then I'll take less classes and draw out the process more.

In any case the spring of my MCAT year will at least be Orgo II/Orgo Lab/Biochem. Do you think I'd have time with those three classes to study MCAT 15 hours per week? What if I also had to do Phys II?

I'm just commenting since no one else had. This is an extremely bad plan. I don't even know where to start. Please re-evaluate your timeline for things!

 

[Jonny Seed]

also @Jonny Seed not that this is the most recommended route but I did read about success with the online post bac from University of New England, that might offer you more flexibility if you need to work http://online.une.edu/

Thanks for this. I'll consider this for non pre-req classes, maybe genetics or another interesting class. I've been told to be weary of taking pre-req classes online.

 

[getfat]

wouldn't students benefit from taking two different subjects over the summer to gain experience managing the demands of studying multiple subject areas at the same time? @getfat

I can see your argument for that but for this scenario you'll get that experience in the Fall/Spring. The only reason I could see you wanting do this is an expiring MCAT (Like Me).

One of the biggest hurdles in science courses is the laboratory. It is a 1-2 credit course but for most of us the papers can take up as much time as a 3-4 credit class.

The main goal of focusing on general chemistry during the summer is gaining the experience in laboratory. Personally, the hardest part was preparing lab-reports, pre-lab, etc. When you learn the concept behind it you don't spend as much time.

You'll become more efficient with your time and that will be the hardest part when studying while working.

 

[mavric1298]

^ this, and ochem lab is even worse. 95% of it is sitting around waiting for reactions, writing prelab/postlabs, etc. It's a HUGE time sink.

 

[RalnaAp]

Just curious how long it usually takes people to get pre-reqs only done? I figure you need 8 classes, so for a lot of people that's 4 semesters of two classes, so about 2 years?

Has anyone completed it faster than this, while working full-time?

Depends, but I'd say less:

- Some schools offer 6 week classes. Maymester offers 4. You could easily knock out two classes in the time that it takes to complete 1. I won't do that with Organic Chemistry, though. I'm in a rush to finish l, no doubt, but I want to know that subject matter like the back of my hand. Blowing through a course in four to six weeks is something I'd do for a class that I didn't care much about. Like, MicroEconomics or Lifespan Development.

- How often do you attend class? Most college educated persons I know attended school year round.

- FT isnt a strictly mon-fri thing. I work 16's on the weekend....

 

[Jonny Seed]

Depends, but I'd say less:

- Some schools offer 6 week classes. Maymester offers 4. You could easily knock out two classes in the time that it takes to complete 1. I won't do that with Organic Chemistry, though. I'm in a rush to finish l, no doubt, but I want to know that subject matter like the back of my hand. Blowing through a course in four to six weeks is something I'd do for a class that I didn't care much about. Like, MicroEconomics or Lifespan Development.

- How often do you attend class? Most college educated persons I know attended school year round.

- FT isnt a strictly mon-fri thing. I work 16's on the weekend....

Thanks for the input. I figure Physics 1, Bio 1, and Chem 1 can be knocked out in those shortened classes like you mentioned. I've been out of school for a while, graduating in business.
What line of work are you in that allows you to work 16 on the weekends? I'm assuming you work in a hospital?

 

[timephone]

I'm just commenting since no one else had. This is an extremely bad plan. I don't even know where to start. Please re-evaluate your timeline for things!

I appreciate your advice!

I've actually got another tentative schedule if anyone's interested. Turns out Biochem at my school requires completing Orgo 2 first, so my schedule would look more like this:

Fall2016>Spring2017
Gen Chem 1+2

Summer 2017
Bio 1+2
Orgo 1

Fall 2017
Orgo 2
Phys 1

Spring 2018
Orgo Lab
Phys 2
Biochem

^^^Sprinkled into the above, during or after Summer 2017, would possibly be Genetics, Statistics, A&P 1+2, clinical skills/medical terminology/shadowing credits...time allowing

Basically the core classes plus what I listed at the end are what is required for the "certificate" my school offers. The usefulness of this and the tradeoff of having to take extra classes is something I haven't fully evaluated yet. The A&P sequence I am only really considering in case I want to apply to PA school (still strongly considering the attractiveness of this option).

 

[getfat]

I appreciate your advice!

I've actually got another tentative schedule if anyone's interested. Turns out Biochem at my school requires completing Orgo 2 first, so my schedule would look more like this:

Fall2016>Spring2017
Gen Chem 1+2

Summer 2017
Bio 1+2
Orgo 1

Fall 2017
Orgo 2
Phys 1

Spring 2018
Orgo Lab
Phys 2
Biochem

^^^Sprinkled into the above, during or after Summer 2017, would possibly be Genetics, Statistics, A&P 1+2, clinical skills/medical terminology/shadowing credits...time allowing

Basically the core classes plus what I listed at the end are what is required for the "certificate" my school offers. The usefulness of this and the tradeoff of having to take extra classes is something I haven't fully evaluated yet. The A&P sequence I am only really considering in case I want to apply to PA school (still strongly considering the attractiveness of this option).

I think your timeline is fine. Personally, I started 1st semester with a couple (6 credits) then slowly ramped it up to 18. It takes some time to get into the full-time course load if you want a good GPA.

Only question is why take the organic labs the next semester. Every school is not great with timing in regards to lab (will cover Ch. 3 in lab, but you are still on Ch. 2 in lecture); but its a good preparation for exams because it helps you better understand the concept. If you can take the labs w/ the lecture it would better prepare you for the MCAT.

Last thing:
I know several people on here don't like Pre-med advisors but it wouldn't hurt to at least run your time-line by someone that knows your school well. It can be someone who is already taking classes in the post-bac; or/and any advisor.

We can give you all the best advice in the world but every school is different in regard to class difficulty. For example, some schools have a hard genetics professor and biochemistry is easy and at other schools its the other way around. It would be a good idea to at least run your time-line (w/ all the other classes you plan to take) by someone. Pre-med advisors are hit and miss but it doesn't hurt to at least have somebody else talk to you about your career goals.

Good luck 🙂

 

[getfat]

FT isnt a strictly mon-fri thing. I work 16's on the weekend....

PREACH; Thats the only way I am pulling off my post-bacc right now

 

[RalnaAp]

Thanks for the input. I figure Physics 1, Bio 1, and Chem 1 can be knocked out in those shortened classes like you mentioned. I've been out of school for a while, graduating in business.
What line of work are you in that allows you to work 16 on the weekends? I'm assuming you work in a hospital?

Weekend (rn) supv at SNF\rehab facility. Hospital tends to do straight 12s, unless you're on the psych floor. Nursing homes tend to have the most flexibility. HH is an option, too.

Yeah, I'd definitely check into accelerated course different options at your local cc.

 

[RalnaAp]

PREACH; Thats the only way I am pulling off my post-bacc right now

Yup! Lol.

 

[Ad2b]

Do adcoms give any leeway for non-trads taking 2 courses a semester?

I would not call it "leeway" but yes, if you are actually reviewed by a live person vs. computer screened, most normal people will wonder why someone only took a course or 2 during a semester; then see the work history and add them up to say, "Oh, busy, busy person!"

But leeway only so far as the grades = A... not leeway for working full time + not-A's 🙂

(FTR, I am NOT an adcom... just going by what I'm told by those who are)

 

[timephone]

Only question is why take the organic labs the next semester. Every school is not great with timing in regards to lab (will cover Ch. 3 in lab, but you are still on Ch. 2 in lecture); but its a good preparation for exams because it helps you better understand the concept. If you can take the labs w/ the lecture it would better prepare you for the MCAT.

Last thing:
I know several people on here don't like Pre-med advisors but it wouldn't hurt to at least run your time-line by someone that knows your school well. It can be someone who is already taking classes in the post-bac; or/and any advisor.

We can give you all the best advice in the world but every school is different in regard to class difficulty. For example, some schools have a hard genetics professor and biochemistry is easy and at other schools its the other way around. It would be a good idea to at least run your time-line (w/ all the other classes you plan to take) by someone. Pre-med advisors are hit and miss but it doesn't hurt to at least have somebody else talk to you about your career goals.

Good luck 🙂

Thanks for the advice!

Orgo Lab at our school is a 2 credit course and its course number corresponds to the Orgo 2 course number. I think it may be meant to be taken concurrently with Orgo 2, not sure, but I'll do whatever the pre-med advisor recommends! My advisor is actually pretty good and very accessible. Our school's "career-changer post-bacc" program is relatively new and although it's not formal, they do offer a certificate plus a specific post-bacc dedicated advisor. We get to register at the same time as the grad students so we can get in to required classes. And we pay undergrad tuition! It's almost too good to be true. The reality is my school (public uni) has just graduated its first med school class, and this post-bacc program may be meant to attract potential applicants to the new med school.