I want your $0.02

[stressluver]

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I'm a premed student who has completed all of his general prereqs, however, I need to take some upper-level science courses. I am wondering, in your opinion, would it be better to take 3 upper level science courses say genetics, micro, and endocrinology, orrr would it be better to enroll in 2 graduate level online biomedical science courses, i.e., basic medical neuroscience and basic medical histology. The pros I see to the undergrad courses are that they would offer me a chance to raise my gpa a bit more before applying since they would be more total credits, but I think getting A's in the online graduate courses would show that I can handle graduate level science coursework. The graduate courses probably wouldn't hurt for MCAT prep either. Thoughts, comments??

 

[DocInProgress]

Actually, I think the 3 upper level undergraduate courses will prepare you better for the MCATs. I wish I took those courses too if someone told me. There's my 2 cents.

 

[sexyman]

The undergrads will definitely help more for the MCAT- and raise your GPA. I would take those too.

 

[Seneca20]

OK when it comes down to your apps, the admission committees are going to be putting a lot more weight on your MCAT score than 2 grad courses. I've taught for PR for the last year and can tell you that the Genetics and Micro will definitely be an asset, especially with the added emphasis they are putting on genetics these days.

Hope that helps...

 

[Marthea007]

Biochem and Neuro pretty much will not help you on your MCAT so don't bother. Raise your GPA and get a good MCAT and that will look better than seeing that you took graduate courses. Besides, are you so sure you'd get A's in them? Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[DrWBD]

Take the undergraduate courses (and do well 😀 ).

 

[tms2]

I'm a premed student who has completed all of his general prereqs, however, I need to take some upper-level science courses. I am wondering, in your opinion, would it be better to take 3 upper level science courses say genetics, micro, and endocrinology, orrr would it be better to enroll in 2 graduate level online biomedical science courses, i.e., basic medical neuroscience and basic medical histology. The pros I see to the undergrad courses are that they would offer me a chance to raise my gpa a bit more before applying since they would be more total credits, but I think getting A's in the online graduate courses would show that I can handle graduate level science coursework. The graduate courses probably wouldn't hurt for MCAT prep either. Thoughts, comments??

Two things, fist, undergrad courses are better for reasons listed above. Second, some schools might ask you to finish the graduate program which you took courses from before matriculation. You don't want that extra baggage.

Ofcourse, it's up to you in the end.

 

[Miggs86]

I'm a premed student who has completed all of his general prereqs, however, I need to take some upper-level science courses. I am wondering, in your opinion, would it be better to take 3 upper level science courses say genetics, micro, and endocrinology, orrr would it be better to enroll in 2 graduate level online biomedical science courses, i.e., basic medical neuroscience and basic medical histology. The pros I see to the undergrad courses are that they would offer me a chance to raise my gpa a bit more before applying since they would be more total credits, but I think getting A's in the online graduate courses would show that I can handle graduate level science coursework. The graduate courses probably wouldn't hurt for MCAT prep either. Thoughts, comments??

After I finished reading your inquiry, all I thought about was the MCAT: there are passages upon passages of material laden with subject matter pertaining to microbiology and genetics. Having a strong-hold in these areas will definitely help with those questions that want a VERY specific answer. I guess endocrinology is great as well but I am sure they would go above and beyond what you need for the MCAT.

Oh so you definitely plan on taking a prep course? If so, I wouldn't bother with the endocrinology as you will learn all necessary at your prep course (which one?).

 

[Bond8204]

Yeah the only one of those that made me furrow my brow was endocrinology--any particular reason you want to take this elective (great professor would be a good reason). Otherwise I'd replace it with Physiology or Biochemistry (both at the undergraduate level). If you took physio, micro, and genetics before the MCAT, I bet the preparation you'd need for the Bio section would be nearly nothing.

IMO Physiology > Genetics/Biochemistry > Micro > Endocrinology

 

[stressluver]

Thank you all for your wise suggestions. It seems my two advisers are in agreement with everyone who posted so far. Usually I don't trust them, but I have to take the advice of people who have gone through this already. It looks like I'll be signing up for micro, genetics, and biochem. I wanted endocrinology only because I am interested in the subject, but my first priority is to do as well as I can on the MCAT. I think I will enroll in the online grad courses after I complete the MCAT, not only so it will show on my application that I am enrolled in these courses, but also for a strong introduction to what I can expect in medical school. The certificate program can be found here if any premies are interested: http://www.outreach.usf.edu/gradcerts/certinfo.asp?ccode=XHL

 

[Amy B]

Take Cell Biology which can help with MCAT !!!! It helped me a bunch!

There is no reason to take graduate level science courses as an undergrad unless you have done all teh classes your college offers. Cellular biology, physiology, immunology, bacteriology and microbilogy are all usually taught as undergrad classes and can all be benificial to you onl the MCAT and as a tiny bit of knowledge towards med school. Step 1 had a ton of micro on the one I took.

 

[Bond8204]

I think I will enroll in the online grad courses after I complete the MCAT, not only so it will show on my application that I am enrolled in these courses, but also for a strong introduction to what I can expect in medical school.

You're talking about spending $4,700 for some graduate certification? It's up to you--but if you do that, I would do it because you personally feel you need it. I very much doubt that certificate will give you any advantage in admissions to medical school and I'm skeptical that it would even really help you with coursework in medical school (though, like I said, that's a call you need to make).

As was said directly above, your time is much better spent taking all your undergraduate college has to offer.

 

[J ROD]

Take the undergrad courses and kill the MCAT.

The rest you can learn in med school.

 

[CorpusERdoc]

I'm a premed student who has completed all of his general prereqs, however, I need to take some upper-level science courses. I am wondering, in your opinion, would it be better to take 3 upper level science courses say genetics, micro, and endocrinology, orrr would it be better to enroll in 2 graduate level online biomedical science courses, i.e., basic medical neuroscience and basic medical histology. The pros I see to the undergrad courses are that they would offer me a chance to raise my gpa a bit more before applying since they would be more total credits, but I think getting A's in the online graduate courses would show that I can handle graduate level science coursework. The graduate courses probably wouldn't hurt for MCAT prep either. Thoughts, comments??

Getting anything in an online course won't help you at all. Risking getting lower grades, which is more likely, would be a disaster.

Take courses that will be helpful for medical school, but that you can do well in.

I would agree with your choices of genetics, micro, and endocrinology. These courses will actually help you for the MCAT. I would also suggest that instead of taking endocrinology, you take human physiology. The other two are great.

You won't find any information contained in the graduate level courses on the MCAT.