Need help - Gen Bio Pre req for Upenn

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loveappleandorange

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hey guys,

i’m in the middle of applying to UPenn dental and just realized their bio prereq on AADSAS says:

“Two semesters/three quarters of general biology with corresponding lab. Although courses in anatomy, microbiology, physiology, and cell biology are highly recommended, they cannot replace a first-year general biology course sequence.”

i'm kind of freaking out because i only took one semester of gen bio with lab in the U.S., and the rest of my bio credits are upper-level (microbio, cell bio, etc.) since i'm a biochem major. the reason i didn’t take gen bio 1 here is because i already took it abroad through a study abroad program, but it’s not accredited in the U.S.

does this mean they won’t count my upper-level bio courses at all and i have to go back and take gen bio 1 again? has anyone been in a similar situation? Do I really have to take Gen Bio 1 at CC or something if I want to apply to this school.....

would really appreciate any insight 🙏
 
Welcome to the forums.

It looks like they won't consider your other courses. Confirm that they won't count your bio 2 you took abroad; I know my adcoms would not.

This is why you have to do research about the schools before you apply to avoid these situations. You probably have to take a second-semester bio class at a CC before you apply to them, but see if they would be okay with it.

It's a lot of effort just to keep one school on your list. I would make sure other schools will be more flexible.
 
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