Medical Is it possible to get a medical school pre-req waived post-acceptance?

[Goro]

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Hello!
I interviewed for a school in which I didn't meet a specific pre-req labeled "upper div bio," but I stated in my secondary I would complete it by matriculation. I am a biology major, but unfortunately I do not meet this requirement because the department in which all my classes were is considered "behavioral," which automatically disqualifies my major classes as they are not considered a "hard science" with regards to this pre-req. Also if it matters, I have a B.S. in Biology from UCLA and I have a 131 in the bio section on the MCAT.

It is my understanding that an "upper div bio" requirement is intended for applicants from non-science backgrounds to ensure they can handle upper division coursework in the sciences. So my question is: If accepted, is it reasonable/common to ask if this pre-req can be waived given my background in the sciences?

I am out of school for over a year now and the extension course I would need to take for an upper division science class (unable to go to CC) would be over $800 and I just wanted to get some advice on my possible options. Time and money are a factor, but to be clear I would definitely take the course if there was no way around it.

Can a missing "upper division bio" course possibly be waived for an accepted student that has shown significant academic success (4.0 sGPA, Biology B.S. degree, 131 on biology section of MCAT)

Honestly, never heard of it happening.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I don't completely understand your self-description of your major and how you are disqualifying yourself since you're a "behavioral biology"? major (B.S. in Biology)? Clarify for us the breakdown of classes for your degree among the upper-division biology courses you did take.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My major is General Biology and the degree is B.S., however the Department that this major falls under at UCLA is "Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)". All my classes taken in my major are titled "EEB XXX" which disqualifies them from fulfilling the "upper division biology" requirement since they are considered "behavioral" rather than a "hard science" course per the medical school's definition.

Essentially, I am asking is there circumstances that pre-reqs are waived by medical schools? And if so, does this situation qualify as one of them?

Okay, so technically you have upper-level biology because you have to take them to complete your major. However, you probably don't have enough upper-level biomedical science courses. You'd have to have networked with the admissions staff and any students before your application to know for sure. I also would agree that if you are talking about schools that adhere more to course checklisting, then I doubt you'd get any waivers. Some schools that do rely a little more on "content/competencies" might give you more leeway. I also think that past accepted applicants with a BS in EEB/Bio performance will also determine a school's likelihood to give you an exception. That's why networking is very important before applying.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for this explanation. I agree I should've networked prior and it is likely implemented to ensure applicants have taken harder biomedical science courses. I think the school seems to be course checklisting since it says 1 course needed in upper div biology rather than a competency requirement, but I was hoping a 99% percentile on the Bio section of the MCAT might be persuasive enough to waive the requirement.

Do you think it is worth trying to ask after receiving the acceptance or is it pushing too far?

Considering that all acceptances are conditional to completion of prerequisites, the sooner you ask the better so you could at least plan to take whatever prerequisites you need in the spring. If you don't, you could be subject to getting your acceptance rescided. I would want a documented statement (email or paper) from the office of admissions in case there is any confusion on whether you are required to take the class or not.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes and this is exactly what happened pre-interview day (given II, but hadn't gone yet). I signed an additional document stating I will take UCLA extension course XXX to fulfill my missing prereq. Then I interviewed and they have that document stating that if I am accepted it is conditional to completing this course by matriculation.

I suppose now I am wondering if it is possible their outlook on this missing prereq could be changed post acceptance. I assume all schools must adhere tightly to their prereqs before acceptance since making exceptions before acceptance leads to a slippery slope for others. But woulda a school become more lenient to waive a prereq after they like/accept you? Do I have this kind of leverage to ask post-acceptance or is what I am considering just bad manners?

I suspect if they had you sign a document, they would be less likely to be flexible or have a change of heart. You could check again just in case, but I would prepare to take that class. Don't give anyone a reason to rescind your acceptance.

I wish you had insight from current students who may have had to sign a similar document on whether they had to follow through. I would suspect yes. Did you get anyone's contact information to followup after your interview day?

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