In a bind; knowledgeable advice needed.

[Perpetually]

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Hello,

Let me start by explaining my situation in its full context.

I am an entering premed transfer student to who planned to take a year of biology and a year of organic chemistry at Berkeley to strengthen my medical school application. This was actually stated explicitly on a medical school's website to indicate how transfer student applicants' coursework is evaluated.

However, not completing the aforementioned courses seemed to have put me very far behind; about two semesters behind compared to the entering biology/public health transfer student.

My top priority is to graduate in 2 years (+/- a semester) and avoid the gap year between undergrad and medical school (assuming I am fortunate enough to be granted admission).

Please note that, as a transfer student, I have "life experience," I have worked full time, I have clinical experience/EMT, I will be involved in research, and understand what is typically expected of the accepted medical school applicant. So most of the justifications for the gap year are null and irrelevant to my specific situation.

The undergraduate adviser I spoke to emphasized that it is worth waiting to take biochemistry and genetics prior to taking the MCAT. However, this will mean that I will not be "ready," to take the MCAT until the fall of my 4th year; which, assuming I understand the medical school admission cycle correctly, will force me to have to take a gap year after graduation.

I will be able to graduate in two years as I am a humanities major, I am just concerned about the seemingly forced gap year.

If I make sure to understand the MCAT and the context of its content and how it may relate to the medical school prerequisite courses, is a biochemistry and genetics course really necessary to do well?

If a hypothetical student is persistent and dedicated with his/her preparation for the MCAT, should he/she be able to do just as well on the exam as a student who waited to take biochemistry and genetics?

If so, then it seems as though it would be best to take the MCAT next summer and apply during my fourth year while taking biochemistry and genetics as electives. How does that idea sound?

Any other general advice for someone in my situation?

Thank you to all those who are able to contribute.

 

[Astarael]

If I'm reading your post correctly, your main question is whether or not taking biochemistry and genetics is helpful for the MCAT. The short answer is no. The MCAT tests physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, general biology, and verbal reasoning. As long as you have taken the standard medical school pre-requisites (1 yr gen chem, 1 yr o chem, 1 yr gen bio, 1 yr English, and a semester of math) you will be ready to take the MCAT.

That being said, some people do find that other classes have material that is useful to know for the MCAT (a good example is physiology). The test is not designed to require you to have that knowledge, though, so taking it before genetics and biochem is absolutely ok.

As for other advice, you may want to spend some time practicing essay writing. Your post doesn't contain overt grammatical errors, but it was still horribly confusing to read.

 

[latrala2300]

If I'm reading your post correctly, your main question is whether or not taking biochemistry and genetics is helpful for the MCAT. The short answer is no. The MCAT tests physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, general biology, and verbal reasoning. As long as you have taken the standard medical school pre-requisites (1 yr gen chem, 1 yr o chem, 1 yr gen bio, 1 yr English, and a semester of math) you will be ready to take the MCAT.

That being said, some people do find that other classes have material that is useful to know for the MCAT (a good example is physiology). The test is not designed to require you to have that knowledge, though, so taking it before genetics and biochem is absolutely ok.

As for other advice, you may want to spend some time practicing essay writing. Your post doesn't contain overt grammatical errors, but it was still horribly confusing to read.

I completely disagree. Biochem, genetics, and microbio are probably the most useful classes for the MCAT's BS. Of course, ymmv on the actual exam as to what shows up. Sometimes there can be lots of (very simple) physiology, while other times can be almost entirely biochem/orgo. The best way to ensure a good score is to know as much of the foundation as youcan--which is generally achieved through upper-level classes.

 

[Astarael]

I completely disagree. Biochem, genetics, and microbio are probably the most useful classes for the MCAT's BS. Of course, ymmv on the actual exam as to what shows up. Sometimes there can be lots of (very simple) physiology, while other times can be almost entirely biochem/orgo. The best way to ensure a good score is to know as much of the foundation as youcan--which is generally achieved through upper-level classes.

Your disagreement aside, the test does not cover biochem, genetics or microbio to any level beyond that of a general biology course. The only reason that advanced classes help is for familiarity with concepts. You don't need this, however, as any questions that require knowledge outside of the scope of the introductory classes include that information in the test passage.

Furthermore, if you are concerned about taking the MCAT based on some perceived lack of knowledge from your introductory classes, you should be spending more time studying for it. You would be much better served by spending more time studying for the MCAT rather than sinking time into classes that are only tangentially related to what is being tested.

 

[lisi326]

I completely disagree. Biochem, genetics, and microbio are probably the most useful classes for the MCAT's BS. Of course, ymmv on the actual exam as to what shows up. Sometimes there can be lots of (very simple) physiology, while other times can be almost entirely biochem/orgo. The best way to ensure a good score is to know as much of the foundation as youcan--which is generally achieved through upper-level classes.

I guess I didn't get one of those BS sections.... I got a 14 without taking genetics, biochem, or micro, and I felt very comfortable with the knowledge I had.

I think you can do just fine without genetics/biochem if you're willing to devote the time to studying.

 

[SissyAlice]

I completely disagree. Biochem, genetics, and microbio are probably the most useful classes for the MCAT's BS. Of course, ymmv on the actual exam as to what shows up. Sometimes there can be lots of (very simple) physiology, while other times can be almost entirely biochem/orgo. The best way to ensure a good score is to know as much of the foundation as youcan--which is generally achieved through upper-level classes.

The topic might be biochem or genetics related, but the actual concepts being tested are biology level 🙄. You might know the exact answer from taking those courses, but it's nothing you wouldn't be able to deduce if you had a sound understanding of the biology topics being tested.

For some, taking biochem or genetics might make the test more complex because you'd be looking more deeply into a question than required (making it more confusing).

 

[rexxx]

if you want to apply traditionally, in the summer after your junior year, i would go for it. i see no reason not to.

if it makes you feel any better, i'm a little behind too, as i'll be taking organic, physics, and biology BOTH semesters this whole upcoming school year... and then taking the MCAT immediately after.

i really wouldn't delay it solely because you feel like you have to take biochem, genetics, microbiology, or whatever beforehand.

while i'm taking biochem and microbio this summer, my only intent for that is to raise my science GPA by taking as many science courses as possible.

while some say they might be "helpful", if you study hard in your prereq sciences that are explicitly covered on the test, i think you'll be fine.

 

[paul411]

Your disagreement aside, the test does not cover biochem, genetics or microbio to any level beyond that of a general biology course. The only reason that advanced classes help is for familiarity with concepts. You don't need this, however, as any questions that require knowledge outside of the scope of the introductory classes include that information in the test passage.

Furthermore, if you are concerned about taking the MCAT based on some perceived lack of knowledge from your introductory classes, you should be spending more time studying for it. You would be much better served by spending more time studying for the MCAT rather than sinking time into classes that are only tangentially related to what is being tested.

👍

You'll learn a lot of MCAT-unnecessary information in genetics, biochemistry and microbiology. You'll be better off doing a ton of MCAT practice.

 

[Perpetually]

Great, thanks everyone for clearing that up for me.