Med. Pre-Req Courses

[JamesJr]

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So I have provisional acceptance into medical school and am entering as a Freshman (undergrad) in Fall 2010. I am required to finish my pre-reqs by the end of my sophomore year.

One Year Physics
One Year Chemistry
One Year Organic Chemistry
One Year Biology

How can I fit all of this in two years and still graduate on time?!!? AH!

At my school, there is General Biology, but there is no second general biology.

Basically what I am asking is, what courses will and will not count for the requirements? Would Chemistry for the Allied Health... count as one of the two required chemistry courses? I'm so confused!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Freshman year : General chem 1 & 2, Bio 1, Bio ( genetics or ecology, your call really). = 8 Credits of science every semester.
Sophomore year : Organic chem 1 & 2 and physics.

Do you have to take the mcat? If not take organic over the summer.

 

[schrizto]

Well, it depends on the requirements of your BS/MD program. If they want you to finish those courses in 2 years it's probably a 6 or 7 year program, and some accelerated programs make you take summer sessions to squeeze in all the requirements. On which classes can count for the reqs, you should ask your advisor about it when you plan your schedule.

 

[mdbound1987]

You should speak to you health professions office at your school to ask exactly which bio/chem classes you need to take. You don't want to take the ones for non-majors that everyone takes as a core-requirement. You have to take the science classes for majors, except for physics because physics majors are required to take calculus based physics while we can take algebra based. However, there still tends to be an easier core-requirement physics class like the bio/chem ones I mentioned above, so do not take that one either. Each of you science pre-req courses will be one year long (typically 2 semesters) so once again, consult with your health professions office to make sure you are registering for the right classes. You should either take bio/chem your freshman year and orgo/physics your sophomore year OR physics/chem your freshman year and orgo/bio your sophomore year. I would recommend the latter, but it's up to you.

 

[JamesJr]

Thanks for your assistance!

It is not an accelerated program. I am required to finish them by the end of my sophomore year so I can apply to the medical school my junior year and get a one year deferment, therefore entering the school once I graduate.

I am not required to take the MCAT.

 

[Web MD]

My program is similar - interviewed/applied sophomore year, got accepted going into junior year and just taking classes i like for the next couple semesters. Not sure if your program is the same as mine, but from my experience it's rare to get provisional acceptance as a freshman; usually they calculate your overall and math/science gpa at the end of the first two years and you have to stay above a certain cutoff (like a 3.6/3.7) so I'd double check when you actually get accepted. The other thing to keep in mind is that these programs try to standardize the scheduling as much as possible, for example i couldn't split up physics/orgo/molec cell bio between sophomore year and summer going into junior year, instead everyone in my program had to take them concurrently throughout sophomore year. Double check with your advisors and see if you are even allowed to take some of the science courses during the summer. Good luck, it'll be worth it when you can "coast" the last 2 years of undergrad 👍

 

[JamesJr]

You are correct, I am required to keep a 3.5 overall and science GPA. My program is not standardized at all. There are four students each year and each is allowed to take his or her own path.

 

[Web MD]

Lucky you - word of advice, don't talk about early acceptance/not taking the MCAT too much. The guy in my program who ran his mouth is universally hated by both traditional pre-meds as well as those in our program. Also, you might want to take the MCAT just in case you want to apply out of your program to a different (cheaper) school

 

[foofish]

So I have provisional acceptance into medical school and am entering as a Freshman (undergrad) in Fall 2010. I am required to finish my pre-reqs by the end of my sophomore year.

One Year Physics
One Year Chemistry
One Year Organic Chemistry
One Year Biology

How can I fit all of this in two years and still graduate on time?!!? AH!

At my school, there is General Biology, but there is no second general biology.

Basically what I am asking is, what courses will and will not count for the requirements? Would Chemistry for the Allied Health... count as one of the two required chemistry courses? I'm so confused!

Postbacs take all of those courses, plus labs, plus calc/stats in a year or two with no problem all the time, so relax.

In terms of biology, there's no way a 4-year university only offers one semester of biology. Worst case scenario, you take a class like molecular bio or genetics or something for the second semester...but I suspect if you look more closely that single General Biology course is a year-long class, or something similar.

In general for your course questions, we can't answer that as it depends on the medical school and your current college. Get in touch with your undergrad's premed advisor (or look at the premed website)--they should have a list of courses that satisfy medical school requirements, this question comes up 100x every year.

 

[JamesJr]

In regards to postbacs (people after getting undergrad?) taking it in one year or two, sure, but they already have their degree. I need these pre-reqs and my degree!

Thanks for the advice about staying quiet, good idea! Also, the medical school that offered the early acceptance is one of the cheapest in the nation (I hear). About $25k a year for cost of attendance.

My school does offer genetic bio and such, I was just unsure if that would count. Thanks for all your input and help! I have orientation in a few days to register for courses.