Is it necessary to takes genetics before the MCAT?

[Stambo18]

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I am trying to decide whether I should take genetics, immunology, or embryology next semester. If I do not take genetics this spring, I will not be able to take it before the MCAT. How important is it for the MCAT?

 

[Livingapparatus]

It is not necessary at all but the degree that it helped seems to vary person to person though

 

[MadEvans]

I am trying to decide whether I should take genetics, immunology, or embryology next semester. If I do not take genetics this spring, I will not be able to take it before the MCAT. How important is it for the MCAT?

Out of those three options, I'd say genetics is your best MCAT/premed class to be taking. Immunology/embryology would be awesome to take, but you'll be getting lots of coursework on both of those subjects in medical school.

 

[iA-MD2013]

You do not have to take Genetics before your MCAT...so don't worry about it if you can't take that course. It would be helpful, but not necessary.

I'm going to move this to the MCAT forum.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Out of the three choices, I agree that Genetics is the way to go. Is it absolutely necessary? NO. Can you learn MCAT genetics without a dedicated course on the subject? OF COURSE. Will a genetics course make MCAT genetics questions child's play? PRETTY MUCH. Genetics makes up a lot of the questions in Bio Sci on the MCAT.

Biochem, Genetics, and Anatomy and Physiology were the most helpful courses for me for the MCAT. It's the physiology that's helpful--not so much the anatomy. Also, most people get the phys from Intro Bio II, but I didn't pay much attention in that class.

 

[SN2ed]

Out of those three options, easily Genetics. If you can take it before the MCAT, great. If not, don't worry too much about it.

 

[STXGregor]

Of those, definitely go with Genetics. I'm sure you could learn the material without the course (I did this with Physics 2 which is a pretty huge part of the PS section, and I did well), but Genetics is engrained in so much of the BS section that I would absolutely go for that course rather than the other two.

 

[neutropos]

I also vote for genetics (I'm in a voting mood today).

I took the MCAT twice, and on both tests I had 2 passages devoted to molecular genetics. Needless to say, taking genetics before the second exam certainly helped (moved from an 11 to a 13).

 

[medicant]

mehhh I'm more inclined to say that immunology is the best choice. Think about it: while the actual content on the immune system is less than that on genetics, the extra practice in signal transduction, microbiology, and biochemistry will make it much more worthwhile. Comeon people.

 

[scaredoflife]

I don't know immunology vs genetics man tough decision. But I feel immune system is not that detailed on the MCAT as is taught in immunology probably. And for me genetics is confusing so taking it would help.

 

[zenlike]

I took Gen Bio I & II and supplemented with EK Audio Osmosis and EK Bio 1001. I scored a 14. I felt the cell bio questions were more challenging than the genetics questions on my exam.

 

[bballluvr34]

TAKE GENETICS!!! It was an optional course for me, and I decided to take it after hearing that it really helps with the BS portion of the MCAT. Although it isn't necessary, you cover a lot of things that the BS portion may touch on, and it really helped me move quickly through that portion. my test was heavy on genetics-based material (of course, not all of them are!). i got a 13 on that section. take genetics...it can really help!

 

[halekulani]

not necessary, but any advanced science such as genetics, biochem, or physio would be useful leverage.