no science background... what should I expect?

[t510]

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I'm thinking of taking the prerequisite classes without any science background.

How difficult will this be? I have a degree in finance. I imagine it will be extremely difficult...

Is it realistic to think that I can take all of the required science classes in one year and get good grades?



Thanks

 

[Beargryllz]

The prerequisite classes are all introductory level. Basic chemistry, basic physics, statistics, etc.

I didn't have a science background either when I took all those prerequisites. I suppose you could say that I have a science background now, but I would deny it.

You can do biology, chemistry, and physics all at once but don't do it unless you have to.

 

[WhippleWhileWeWork]

They are intro classes, for people straight out of high school. Everyone has the same science background at that point, more or less.(Read, very little) You'll be fine, they take it nice and slow.

 

[econ2med]

If you want to acquaint yourself with the fundamentals of these classes I highly recommend reading 'Life and Energy' and 'The Atom' both by Isaac Asimov. I wish I had read these before I started taking the prerequisites because they smoothed out a lot of rough edges in my understanding of the basic sciences. While not covering all of the prerequisites, these books paint a lucid picture of the beginning fundamentals that you will carry with you throughout your prerequisite journey.

 

[elizabetts]

Here's the thing: you need both General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry to apply to most med schools, and you probably don't want to take them concurrently. So in that case you'll need 4 semesters minimum to finish. You also need 2 English courses and 2 math courses (which you might have from UG) to apply to many schools, so if you don't have either of those, you'll need to pick some up too.

The new MCAT begins next winter (2015). This will add Bio-chem and Psych, among other subjects. Starting from scratch, expect it to take you at least 2 years to finish the pre-reqs and prepare for the new MCAT.

Even if you finish everything in 18 months, you'll be too late to apply for the class entering in 2016 because applying later in the cycle than August is a non-starter.

Anyway, you need to get all this done and also do some clinical work/volunteering/research. To be realistic, you're probably looking at entering in Fall 2017 at the earliest.

 

[t510]

Thanks. Here are the prereqs for the school I am considering:
If I started in September 2014, would I be able to finish in August 2015? I assume that again would mean entering in Fall 2017 at the earliest...

Required Premedical CourseworkSemesters
Biology/Zoology with labs.2
College English2
General/ Inorganic Chemistry with labs.2
Organic Chemistry with labs.2
Physics with labs.2

 

[el_duderino]

You need 2 semesters of gen chem before you can do orgo at all. That's your limiting factor. You're looking at 4 full semesters to finish those prereqs.

You could maybe finish them by August 2015 if you do gen chem 1 in the summer, assuming your school offers gen chem 2 in the fall semester and can do orgo 2 in the summer....

 

[LongTimeLurk]

Thanks. Here are the prereqs for the school I am considering:
If I started in September 2014, would I be able to finish in August 2015? I assume that again would mean entering in Fall 2017 at the earliest...

Required Premedical CourseworkSemesters
Biology/Zoology with labs.2
College English2
General/ Inorganic Chemistry with labs.2
Organic Chemistry with labs.2
Physics with labs.2

most schools also recommend upper division bio coursework. you probably already met your math requirement with your finance degree.

 

[jl lin]

I'm thinking of taking the prerequisite classes without any science background.

How difficult will this be? I have a degree in finance. I imagine it will be extremely difficult...

Is it realistic to think that I can take all of the required science classes in one year and get good grades?



Thanks

Some folks seem to get stuck on the Organic Chem I & II, whilst others get stuck on the Physics I &II. IDK. Seems to depend. See how you do/feel in the Gen Bio I&II and Gen/Inorg Chem I&II. These should give you an idea. If you have done well in higher math, the Physics may not be an issue for you. Based on feedback, it just seems to depend on the individual.

 

[Doctorman45342]

If you hustle you can knock that out in 2 semesters and a summer pretty handily

 

[ZX10R]

Thanks. Here are the prereqs for the school I am considering:
If I started in September 2014, would I be able to finish in August 2015? I assume that again would mean entering in Fall 2017 at the earliest...

Required Premedical CourseworkSemesters
Biology/Zoology with labs.2
College English2
General/ Inorganic Chemistry with labs.2
Organic Chemistry with labs.2
Physics with labs.2

I know you want to get done as soon as possible, but that is a huge course load. You might have an advantage over other premed by age and maturity, but these course are still weed out course. If you go to a school that has an intensive pre-health program you'll notice by the end of the semester 50% of the filled seats will now be vacant because these courses are meant to weed people out.

Lets add up your hours (I'm going to go off my schools numbers) Honors Bio 1/2 (aka pre-med bio) 4 credit hours + lab. Chemistry - 4 credit hours + lab. Physics - 4 credit hours + lab. Organic chemistry 3 credit hours + 2 credit hours for labs (These labs are very time consuming). English - 3 credit hours.

So in total you will be doing 20 credit hours and 4 labs. Labs are extremely time consuming in themselves so doing 4 every week will be a huge burden. I think everyone would have respect for you if you can handle this and still maintain a 3.5+ GPA.

Also plan on when you are going to take the MCAT. If you are taking the 2015+ MCAT be aware of the new material it covers.

 

[achieve1]

I'm also about to get started with the pre-reqs this coming Fall, but I am wondering whether medical schools will require students to take Psychology/Sociology due to the changes for the new MCAT. What do you guys think?

 

[GunnarBronson]

I'm also about to get started with the pre-reqs this coming Fall, but I am wondering whether medical schools will require students to take Psychology/Sociology due to the changes for the new MCAT. What do you guys think?

Whether they require them or not, it wouldnt hurt to throw those classes into your courseload anyway. They will provide a solid foundation, and they're generally pretty easy; just another GPA boost.

 

[achieve1]

Whether they require them or not, it wouldnt hurt to throw those classes into your courseload anyway. They will provide a solid foundation, and they're generally pretty easy; just another GPA boost.

yea, i figured. But I have none of the pre-reqs completed yet, and i'll be working full-time as well. This means that I most likely will not be taking more than 2 classes a semester, so i'm already looking at 2 years at least. Just wanna get it all over with...

 

[Jonny Seed]

yea, i figured. But I have none of the pre-reqs completed yet, and i'll be working full-time as well. This means that I most likely will not be taking more than 2 classes a semester, so i'm already looking at 2 years at least. Just wanna get it all over with...

How has your progress been?