How to navigate non-science prerequisites

[quadruple]

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Hi--

Short version: How strict are schools about their non-science prerequisites?

Long version: I'm applying with more than 130 undergrad credits, many of them non-science, and no degree. Many of the schools I'm applying to, however, "require" additional non-science courses I have not taken. For example, UNC wants 9 hours of foreign language and a PE course; I have 3 hours of foreign language and I didn't even know PE was taught in college. Similar problems appear with other schools; UCSF wants a public speaking course and an econ course, etc.

What does this mean, and how should I go about dealing with this? If I don't have these non-science reqs, will my application be rejected outright? Should I cram my Spring 2010 semester with a full load of non-science courses, to make sure I meet as many requirements as possible? Should I pick one school I think I have a realistic chance of getting into, and focus on meeting their non-science prereqs to the exclusion of other schools?

THANKS A LOT GUYZ

 

[Passion4Sci]

You can apply and even be accepted to a school without all of the pre-requisites done, and of course the admission would be contingent upon your end of the bargain of finishing the PR's prior to matriculation (Usually the Spring of, but some schools allow you to take stuff in Summer, too).

Unless you're a stellar applicant, limiting yourself to only one school is foolhardy. Even IF you're a stellar applicant, some people would consider applying to only one school to be testing fate. If you ask me, you should take 3 or 4 of your top picks and then try to meet their requirements. They should mostly be the same, except for one or two classes.

 

[UES Girl]

Hi--

Short version: How strict are schools about their non-science prerequisites?

Long version: I'm applying with more than 130 undergrad credits, many of them non-science, and no degree. Many of the schools I'm applying to, however, "require" additional non-science courses I have not taken. For example, UNC wants 9 hours of foreign language and a PE course; I have 3 hours of foreign language and I didn't even know PE was taught in college. Similar problems appear with other schools; UCSF wants a public speaking course and an econ course, etc.

What does this mean, and how should I go about dealing with this? If I don't have these non-science reqs, will my application be rejected outright? Should I cram my Spring 2010 semester with a full load of non-science courses, to make sure I meet as many requirements as possible? Should I pick one school I think I have a realistic chance of getting into, and focus on meeting their non-science prereqs to the exclusion of other schools?

THANKS A LOT GUYZ

Realistically, having a lot of credits does not wave the non-science requirements for you. 🙂

I graduated with 2 majors and had much more units than you have and still had to finish my non-science pre-reqs. Pre-reqs are pre-reqs and they must be satisfied in order to enter into a program. 😉

UCSF lets you finish your pre-reqs in the summer before school starts, some other schools do too, so you don't have to cramm in everything into the spring semester.

Take only those requirements in the spring that are for schools requiring you to finish them by spring. Then see where you get accepted this winter/spring and finish the remaining pre-reqs based on that.

 

[quadruple]

thanks. good answers 🙂

 

[diastole]

I get the foreign language requirement but PE? What possible reason could there be for requiring PE?

 

[quadruple]

f'real, it seems odd. i talked to my advisor today and she said that my university doesn't even offer PE courses. I sent UNC an email about it, I suppose I'll post what I hear.

 

[desmoulins45179]

I get the foreign language requirement but PE? What possible reason could there be for requiring PE?

I think that it's a general education requirement - it might be a requirement for all undergrad students so all students who do not have a degree are required to take it.

 

[quadruple]

answer 🙂

"We are not able to have our physical activity requirement to be substituted, but you can take a physical activity while you are at UNC Chapel Hill if you are admitted into our program. If this is the only course that you will be lacking, it will not affect our admissions decision. I hope that helps. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. Have a great day!"