just a beginner

[never too late]

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I have my BA in communications and am planning on taking pre-med classes starting this fall. I know I need Chemistry, Biology, and Physics...but do I need calculus based physics? Do I need to take calculus at all? I can only take two classes at a time...so the process will be a slow one...any suggestions what oder I should take them? What about the MCAT...when should I plan on taking that? Any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Hope you are all having an excellent weekend 🙂!

 

[DrMattOglesby]

you dont need calculus unless you plan on applying to the select handful of colleges that require a semester (i think one school requires two semesters) of calculus.
BUT that being said, you need at least statistics or calculus.
i did stats and really have no intentions of taking calculus!

 

[QofQuimica]

I have my BA in communications and am planning on taking pre-med classes starting this fall. I know I need Chemistry, Biology, and Physics...but do I need calculus based physics? Do I need to take calculus at all? I can only take two classes at a time...so the process will be a slow one...any suggestions what oder I should take them? What about the MCAT...when should I plan on taking that? Any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Hope you are all having an excellent weekend 🙂!

There should be a limit to how many questions you can ask in one post. 😉

1) For most if not all med schools, trig-based physics will be fine.

2) There are a few schools (Wash U is one) that require calc. If you think you might apply to one of them, you'll need to fit calc in at some point. You can find out which schools require calc by looking through the MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements). It should be available at your local library.

3) Take organic after you take gen chem. Other than that, it doesn't matter what order you take the others.

4) Take the MCAT after finishing all four pre-reqs and after studying for it. Most people take it in the spring of the year when they plan to apply (which is the year before matriculation).

 

[never too late]

I am sorry for all the questions! I just found this great website...and was obviously a little too eager ! I am just exctied about starting this whole process, yet scared too. I want to make sure I make the right decisions and have a game plan to follow. I will try to keep it to a minimum next time. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[QofQuimica]

I am sorry for all the questions! I just found this great website...and was obviously a little too eager ! I am just exctied about starting this whole process, yet scared too. I want to make sure I make the right decisions and have a game plan to follow. I will try to keep it to a minimum next time. Thanks for the advice!!

I'm teasing you. I was actually kind of impressed that you managed to get so many questions into just a few sentences.

The best advice I can give you is to take things one step at a time, and educate yourself about the process as much as you can. Read through the forums here, especially the stickies at the top. Concentrate on taking the pre-reqs and doing very well in them before you even think of worrying about the MCAT. You are several years out from taking it right now, so focus on the tasks at hand and don't try to take on everything at once.

You should also start giving some thought to getting clinical experience if you haven't already. Most med schools will expect you to have spent some time in a clinical environment (shadowing, volunteering in a hospital, etc.) so that you have some exposure to medicine.

 

[never too late]

If you knew how long winded I usually am...you would be really impressed 😀! Thanks again for the sound advice.

I will be taking classes at UCLA Extension...which is on a quater system. That means 4 quarters of chem, 3 quarters of bio, and two of physics...right? That would cover my science requirements...right?

 

[reddishowner]

If you knew how long winded I usually am...you would be really impressed 😀! Thanks again for the sound advice.

I will be taking classes at UCLA Extension...which is on a quater system. That means 4 quarters of chem, 3 quarters of bio, and two of physics...right? That would cover my science requirements...right?

Did you need GRE to be in the pre-med program at UCLA Extension? What requirement do you need to enroll in the program? Thanks in advance!!! I'm the beginner too! just start planning the map of attending med school in the future.

 

[cheezer]

If you knew how long winded I usually am...you would be really impressed 😀! Thanks again for the sound advice.

I will be taking classes at UCLA Extension...which is on a quater system. That means 4 quarters of chem, 3 quarters of bio, and two of physics...right? That would cover my science requirements...right?

look it up

 

[zed350]

If you knew how long winded I usually am...you would be really impressed 😀! Thanks again for the sound advice.

I will be taking classes at UCLA Extension...which is on a quater system. That means 4 quarters of chem, 3 quarters of bio, and two of physics...right? That would cover my science requirements...right?

i think 1 yr is 3 quaters so you need atleast 3 Q's of Phy, Chem, O-Chem, Bio..rest you can check with med schools and your extension prog.

 

[RunShare]

I just wanted to point out that you won't need calculus or statistics for the MCAT, so if you plan to apply to any schools requiring it, it would be a good class to take the year you're applying (after you've taken the MCAT). Remember, class requirements have to be completed before matriculation, not necessarily before application.

 

[Empi]

The Physics needed for MCATs is trig-based not calc. based.

Thank Goodness!

 

[never too late]

You just need to fill out a simple application and then sign up for classes...it is pretty simple. The classes are intense but the profs are pretty cool. It is expensive! Labs you have to take concurrently at UCLA.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

[Foghorn]

If you knew how long winded I usually am...you would be really impressed ! Thanks again for the sound advice.
I will be taking classes at UCLA Extension...which is on a quater system. That means 4 quarters of chem, 3 quarters of bio, and two of physics...right? That would cover my science requirements...right?

4 quarters of Biology since LS4 is Genetics. You have to take LS1 first, then afterwards the sequence of other Biology classes doesn't matter. 3 quarters General Chemistry with lab, 3 quarters Organic Chemistry with lab & 3 quarters of Physics with lab, both the 1 and 6 series are Calculus based. You should take two of quarters of Calculus, either 3A & 3B or 31A & 31B prior to taking Physics. Otherwise, you'll have trouble dealing with the series coursework. There's a pre-exam for Extension Physics 6A to screen out students who don't have the required Math background. If you're enrolled but don't pass the pre-exam, you'll be dropped from the class & the enrollment fee refunded.

If you're planning to eventually apply to UC med-schools, I think all of them require 1 quarter each of Biochemistry with lab & Statistics. Check the MSAR for this.

Did you need GRE to be in the pre-med program at UCLA Extension? What requirement do you need to enroll in the program? Thanks in advance!!! I'm the beginner too! just start planning the map of attending med school in the future.

Enrollment through UCLA Extension is on a 1st come 1st serve basis. If you miss the start of the Chemistry or Physics series in the Fall, you're SOL. You're recourse is to concurrently enroll, meaning you take the same daytime course/lab work as matriculated UCLA students. This is based on space available & you'll have no say of any kind in regards to enrollment priority since the class is for UCLA students. For concurrent enrollment, you'll need signatures from a departmental advisor, the class professor & an Extension advisor. There's also community college. I wouldn't recommend taking pre-med requisites at both Extension & a CC since one is on a quarter schedule & the other on a semester. There will be lots of problems with class material overlapping & you may have to repeat one class at Extension or vice versa at the CC. Try to do all your classes at one academic institution.

If you need more info, send me a PM.