Is this a bad plan?

[ArmyWife1153]

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Looking through the schools I'm interested in applying at, some have added prereqs. Mainly, biochem. At my alma mater and large state university, in order to take biochem, you have to have had Gen Chem 1 and 2, and Orgo 1 and 2. I don't have a problem taking it, but because of the prereqs, I wouldn't be able to complete it until the summer of 2013 and I was thinking of putting in apps then. Plus, it wouldn't leave me much time to study for the MCAT, which ideally I'd like to take in April 2013.

I was thinking that I would apply to my state schools that do not require the extra prereq for the 2013 cycle.

If I don't get in anywhere, then take biochem over the summer as well as additional upper level bio courses and retake the MCAT if needed to apply 2014.

With the above plan, I wouldn't be applying to my alma mater.

Should I even bother or should I just wait until 2014?
Thanks!

 

[dmf2682]

On the application you can list future coursework.

It might be beneficial for you to take upper levels though, to prove to admissions that you can handle the harder science classes, especially given your non science background.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

At my current school, all prereqs have to be completed at time of app not matriculation. So it wouldn't do me any good to list it as future coursework.
Yeah my premed advisor said to put off app until 2014 and take those extra upper levels, but I've gotten other advice on here that said just go with the prereqs needed.

 

[dmf2682]

At my current school, all prereqs have to be completed at time of app not matriculation. So it wouldn't do me any good to list it as future coursework.
Yeah my premed advisor said to put off app until 2014 and take those extra upper levels, but I've gotten other advice on here that said just go with the prereqs needed.

Given your poly sci background and weak sgpa I would agree with your advisor. Others may feel differently, but my opinion is you want to have demonstrated your ability to do well in hard science classes.

 

[LifeTake2]

At my current school, all prereqs have to be completed at time of app not matriculation. So it wouldn't do me any good to list it as future coursework.
Yeah my premed advisor said to put off app until 2014 and take those extra upper levels, but I've gotten other advice on here that said just go with the prereqs needed.

While I would concur it might be worth waiting a year, I want to clarify something.

IF the highlighted statement is saying this is a requirement of your current school, IE undergrad, they shoud have NO say in this. The schools you apply to decide when your pre-reqs are due, and most are by either Jan of matriculation year or by matriculation to my knowledge. The only way I can see your UG school having any say would be if they refused to write your LOR which would be a pretty dirty call IMHO.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

The highlighted statement is from my pre med advisor at the COM at my current school.
Directly from him:
"Pre reqs need to be completed prior to application not matriculation"

My state school doesn't offer a committee letter.

 

[deleted413795]

That is vey interesting about the pre-application as opposed to matriculation requirement. I was fortunate that none of the schools (super competitive and not as comptetive) in my area did not require biochem, so I did not take it since the closes place offering it was an hour drive from me.

I have a BA and MSLIS with no science background aside from my pre-requisites during the past couple years. I did everything aside from Organic at community colleges and I already have 3 acceptances this cycle. However, I did have a 3.9 sGPA and a 35 MCAT with lots of clinical experience, so I am not sure how much that changes things vs. your sGPA. I am sure the extra upper level science classes would not hurt. In my experience they were not necessary, but our situations seem to be slightly different. Possibly a really solid MCAT might make up for the lower science GPA if you also do very well in your pre-reqs.

For me it would come down to the choice of schools and their cost. If the schools are all of similar status, and your state schools did no require it, I would not bother. I was going to apply to 16 schools, but applied to 14 because 1 DO and 1 MD required biochem, and they were both "lower tier" in terms of my overall list. However, if you are only applying to a handful of schools, leaving out one would be a big deal. I also knew that my state schools are very good, and that I would most likely go there because of the cheaper tuition.

In the end you have to assess those things for yourself, but if you can stand to do the extra time and classes financially, it would not hurt; unless you completely bomb the extra classes. It is always best to give yourself the best shot possible, and you definitely do not want to re-apply if you can avoid it.

The extra year also might allow you to spend more time dedicated to the MCAT and getting the best score possible. Personally, I choose to take the MCAT in late May to have a couple weeks to just take full lengths and practice sections, in addition the the 5 months I prepared with courses. I was a bit excessive relative to many people though.