lacking pre-req's before applying

[medsomething]

Ok, here's the deal... right now I lack bio 1-2, chem 1-2, organic and biochem, and calc (and if UHCO doesn't like my physiology class, then I'll have to take that too!). I'll be finishing my degree next year (graduating in may 2005) I would like to apply for admission next summer (entry fall 2006). This summer I'm taking chem 1-2 (unless you guys recommend otherwise). Since I will start the application process next summer/fall, would it be better to get in bio, physics, or organic/biochem next summer? Whatever isn't taken then will be taken over the 2005/2006 academic year.

For whatever it's worth, I already have A&P, micro, pharm, physics 1 (didn't take 2 way back when so I'm probably going to take the whole sequence again...stupid me!).

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[stompy]

If you apply summer of 2006, you'll be applying for entrance fall of 2007...

Even if you couldn't finish your prereq before applying you would at least need some basics from Bio and Organic chem to prepare for your OATs...

 

[r_salis]

Like Stompy said, you'll need to have the Bio and Orgo classes behind you before you take the OAT (I was part-way through orgo II when I took it, and was fine), but it's okay to apply before you've taken all of your pre-reqs.

Depending on your circumstances you might get a provisional acceptance, where your acceptance doesn't become final until completion of the outstanding coursework, but that's no biggie.

 

[medsomething]

Thanks for the input. Just to clarify, I meant apply next summer (2005) for admission in 2006 (hopefully i won't have to wait until 2007! hehe).

 

[stompy]

Do they give out provisional acceptances often? Do they explicitly state which classes they want you to fulfill prior to admission? I'm considering graduating next fall, and only taking those "extra provisional courses" the following summer, or the summer prior to entrance. Do you think that would pose a problem?

 

[acurael]

yah they give conditional acceptances....i have been accepted to two schools...and i dont have one prereq...i am taking it this summer

as long as you finish all prereqs by the first day of classes you are fine

 

[stompy]

What's a safe number of prereq courses you can be missing and still get accepted?

 

[r_salis]

Originally posted by stompy
What's a safe number of prereq courses you can be missing and still get accepted?

If you're really in doubt, call up the admissions office and tell them about your situation. The "safe" number you're looking for is really a sliding scale of GPA/OAT Scores/# of outstanding classes, which is why I just recommend you call a couple admissions offices if you think you're on the fence.

 

[stompy]

Sliding scaLe?

 

[r_salis]

Originally posted by stompy
Sliding scaLe?

I just mean that what the admissions committees base their decisions on as far as whether applicants get accepted right away or provisionally is a combination of GPA/OAT Scores/# of outstanding classes -- if you have an amazing GPA and a class outstanding, they'd be more inclined to accept you on the spot than if you had a 2.9 and missing that same class, for example...