major problem with meeting pre-reqs

[batista_123]

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my undergrad school was on the quarter system. I took first and second quarters of general chemistry, just the lectures. I did not take the gchem lab.
I also took first and second quarters of organic chemistry. just the lectures.
So I am missing inorganic chemistry lab and organic chemistry lab.

I am taking a semester of general chemistry, which is combined with lab, at a community college. I will also take a semester of organic chemistry, which also has lab, at the same cc.

To me, this should be fine because I will have
2 quarters of gchem + 1 semester of gchem with lab =? one year of gchem with lab
and
2 quarters of ochem + 1 semester of ochem with lab =? one year of ochem with lab

on the other hand, I can see why there could be a problem because the lab is not for the full year, and schools say "one year of gchem with lab" while I have 1 semester with lab.

I dont know what to do here, I have already been verified and I am writing my secondaries now, but I would hate to be rejected due to a stupid prereq. I have emailed the schools but they dont read my question,they just copy and paste their pre-reqs in the email.

 

[Catalystik]

I think you need to call and talk with a person at each school. Some schools mean "with a full year of lab" (meaning an academic year) and others don't. I think it's commonly expected that you have a full year of inorganic lab (unless your school doesn't offer it), but I've seen that a number of schools that are fine with just one semester of OChem lab. Other schools let you substitute Biochem (with or without lab) for half of the OChem expectation. You really need to know exactly where you stand.

 

[glasshalfMD]

I had a similar issue: graduated in May 2009 having completed the lecture portion of all the prereqs but only gen chem lab (not any of the other labs). So, while applying and working full-time, I am now taking bio, physics, and ochem lab for the entire year at a local university. You should be able to take the labs separate from the classes - and I would do a full year if I were you. Sometimes, they'll raise a stink because the lecture is listed as a 'co-requisite', but since you have already completed the lecture, it shouldn't be an issue and you should be able to argue your case.

As long as you have all the prereqs completed prior to the first day of med school class, you're fine. But I would certainly advise against gambling and instead just take the whole year.

 

[latrala2300]

I think you need to call and talk with a person at each school. Some schools mean "with a full year of lab" (meaning an academic year) and others don't. I think it's commonly expected that you have a full year of inorganic lab (unless your school doesn't offer it), but I've seen that a number of schools that are fine with just one semester of OChem lab. Other schools let you substitute Biochem (with or without lab) for half of the OChem expectation. You really need to know exactly where you stand.

Catalystik,
I have a similar issue. I APed out of Gen Chem, but have taking Analytical Chem (with lab) and one semester of P chem (no lab) to substitute. I plan to take Advanced Inorganic (with lab) to substitute for the second sem of gen chem; do you think this will raise any flags?

Secondly, at my school, organic only has one semester of lab. Do i need to do anything about this?

 

[batista_123]

so lets say a school that i applied to thru AMCAS tells me that the chemistry indicated in my AMCAS is not good enough. the schools that i have applied to screen out based on primaries. So if they view my application, I am automatically rejected?
How do I let them know that I am taking an additional chemistry lab and that they should not reject me based on what I said in my AMCAS?

 

[Catalystik]

so lets say a school that i applied to thru AMCAS tells me that the chemistry indicated in my AMCAS is not good enough. the schools that i have applied to screen out based on primaries. So if they view my application, I am automatically rejected?
How do I let them know that I am taking an additional chemistry lab and that they should not reject me based on what I said in my AMCAS?

I don't think you'd be automatically rejected, because most applicants don't list all their planned future coursework for the second semester, and they won't assume you "forgot." Send or email a letter about your plans. Sometimes, even if you do this, they call and ask you what the plan is anyway, or maybe to be sure the plan is still in force.

The worst thing that I've seen happen is that someone waits until they get an aceptance before they take a required class, and then they find the required class is full, not available elsewhere in town, and that the summer school class can't be completed until after med school matriculation would have begun.

I'm really glad you're considering this now, instead of in 6 months.

 

[Catalystik]

Catalystik,
1) I have a similar issue. I APed out of Gen Chem, but have taking Analytical Chem (with lab) and one semester of P chem (no lab) to substitute. I plan to take Advanced Inorganic (with lab) to substitute for the second sem of gen chem; do you think this will raise any flags?

2) Secondly, at my school, organic only has one semester of lab. Do i need to do anything about this?

1) Many schools accept AP credit. For those that don't many accept the "supplementation" that you've done. Others will not accept AP credit and want the basic prereq completed: Don't assume this list is current. Make your own phone calls to be sure if it's not on the website: Schools not accepting AP credit: http://www.colorado.edu/aac/noapib.htmNational

2) If your school doesn't have a second semester of OChem, they may waive the requirement, they may insist that you get it elsewhere, or they may permit a substitution with Biochem or another upper-level chem course. Only phone calls will get you sufficiently reliable information to act on.