New Guy!

[CJLaw]

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Hello everyone. This is my first post, however I have been reading all of yours for months so I feel like I know you already. Anyway, I am another one of those pesky non-trads, turning my life upside down and changing careers. Luckily I have lots of support from my wife (she thought I would be starting Widner Law's Mid-Year program this month)even though I didn't divulge my intentions until a few weeks before Christmas. I just started taking Gen Chem and Bio yesterday (since the CJ program only required 1 science). My question is, what other science courses other than the pre-reqs will help me the most on the MCAT and my overall application. I'm slated to take Anatomy and Physiology I and II over the summer, but I think I need some more. Any suggestions would be great!

BTW, what's the deal with the quotes posted below the messages?

 

[Doctor Octopus]

Hello, and welcome. Others may not agree with me, but I don't think that it's worth it to take additional upper level science just for the mcat. The information covered by the test really is from the intro level courses. I would just focus on knowing the prereqs cold, and make sure you get good grades in them.

Look under user cp to make your own quote. 🙂

 

[conure]

Welcome to the board. Glad you finally decided to post.

I am a firm believer that you need no other classes besides the pre reqs in order to do well on the MCAT, as long as those classes cover to some extent those subjects on the MCAT syllabus. As long as you have done the work in the pre reqs, understood it, and did well, all you need is review and practice.

There are people who will disagree. But really anything above the pre reqs only solidifies the knowledge you already have and goes much further in depth than the MCAT does. Anyway, Anatomy and Phys. won't hurt, Bio Chem may even make you feel better about the whole situation.

The quotes are peoples 'signatures'. A little quip that sums up their views on life, or simply something they think is funny, witty, profound, or whatever.

Good luck.

 

[crazyA]

I agree with Conure's MCAT philosophy. Also, having worked as a teacher and having had so much access to practice and former MCAT's, the intros are all you need.

Make sure you start doing something else to get yourself some clinical exposure.

 

[CJLaw]

Thanks for the input. Its a relief knowing that I won't be lagging if I don't load up on the advanced courses. I have a family, so between them, full-time work, volunteering, and class, I wouldn't have had that much time anyway. If it was necessary, I'd do what it takes, but if not that's just more time I can spend playing with my kids. . . . . and golfing.😀

 

[jtheater]

No med school requires anatomy and some even discourage you from wasting your time as an undergrad because you will have to do it over again in med school. When I was an advisor at Stanford, I always discouraged students from taking it unless they had a true reason other than they thought med schools would be impressed.

 

[CaNEM]

CJ, welcome!

Just take the basic corse courses, then before the MCAT, buy some prep materials to review all of the science you need for the test and learn the stuff your intro classes missed. In your situation, where time with your family is important, there is no need to take upper level science courses unless you want to. However, pay attention to the specific requirements of the schools you plan to apply to - some have extra requirements in stat or biochem or another upper level course.

 

[agent]

Happy to see you! I'm still working on my pre-reqs as well as having a family.

Check my sig for others in your situation.

 

[Mutterkuchen]

If you feel compelled to take upper level courses, I would consider Biochem, Genetics and Calculus. I agree with the posters here that you don't really really need them or other courses for the MCAT. But some med schools require the above courses. Personally, I think that A&P would have helped some for the MCAT.

The MOST important thing is the nail your prereq courses. If you get "A"s in all of them and learn the material, you will be in good shape, both for the MCAT and for med school apps.

I am also a non-trad with wife. I just revealed my intentions to my family over Christmas, but I waited until after I had an acceptance. I did not want pressure from the family, until it was a sure thing. I think that I shocked them so much they didn't even think about the fact that we will be moving away from them!

Obviously my wife has known for years.

 

[LadyLuck]

Welcome!

(edited because I guess I didn't read your question all the way. Sorry!)

 

[Lebesgue]

Take the required courses obviously. However, make sure to take the time to understand the concepts and material on more than a "pre-exam brain dump" level. Some courses allow that type of learning and you'll have to fill in any holes later for the MCAT. Try to tie in concepts from different courses and get a real working knowledge. I found that biochem helped in my case and gave me an "ooohhh, that's what it's about..." feeling. That will help more than filling squares.

The MCAT has changed some so I'd echo JBJ's opinion on Genetics. Calculus will help your logical thinking and it will open the door to a number of other schools that require it.

Best of luck!

🙂