Non-trads course selection question

[careerchngr]

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Hello,
I had a question for those non-traditional DO applicants and attendees. I had completed all of my pre-reqs for DO school between 7-10 years ago including multiple upper level science courses. The DO schools I want to apply to said that my pre-reqs are still valid, but I should take more recent coursework. They did not specify how many more courses I should take even after I e-mailed them about it again. Anyone in the same boat who can give me a ballpark number of extra courses to take? I was planning on taking an additional 5-6 courses (24-27 hrs) consisting of a intro molecular bio class, organic chem class, and 3 upper level bio classes. The intro bio and organic chem classes will be taken to replace a couple of poor undergrad grades in similar classes. Do you guys think this will be enough? Any help is appreciated!

 

[kahoo99]

I was actually in your situation last year almost exactly. Basically, do well on your MCAT and take biochem if you haven't already or maybe an anatomy course and you're fine assuming your grades are good. I had six interviews last year and six acceptances.

 

[HunterGatherer]

You should call the schools you are insterested and ask. Most of them are good at answering the phone. Also ask if you should retake or take upper division courses.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Some schools won't count courses than are more than X years old. I'm pretty sure PCSOM does this. Whether they enforce it or not is a different question.

 

[careerchngr]

I was actually in your situation last year almost exactly. Basically, do well on your MCAT and take biochem if you haven't already or maybe an anatomy course and you're fine assuming your grades are good. I had six interviews last year and six acceptances.

Kahoo,
Did you actually end up taking any extra courses or apply with the older courses you already had? I have actually taken biochem, the only thing missing is the MCAT which I am preparing for now.

 

[kahoo99]

i didn't retake any courses, I just hadn't taken biochem yet. No schools had any issues with the classes having been taken so long ago...their attitude being if you show your competency in those subjects by doing well in the MCAT; you're prepared. I didn't apply everywhere and so I don't know about all the schools but that was my experience. And DO schools did seem to embrace the fact i had a larger field of experience. good luck-keep the qs coming if you have them

 

[Doctor Bagel]

i didn't retake any courses, I just hadn't taken biochem yet. No schools had any issues with the classes having been taken so long ago...their attitude being if you show your competency in those subjects by doing well in the MCAT; you're prepared. I didn't apply everywhere and so I don't know about all the schools but that was my experience. And DO schools did seem to embrace the fact i had a larger field of experience. good luck-keep the qs coming if you have them

this matches my experience, too. i took all my chem prereqs and biochem when i was in college back in the mid to late 90s. some of my coursework is around 10 years old. i went back and took physics and general bio and am taking anatomy and genetics this year, but i have absolutely not retaken a single class. in fact, i refuse to retake courses that i look several years ago and did well in. since i did well enough on the sciences portions on my mcat, i think i've demonstrated that i don't need to retake the chem stuff.

so, if i were you, i'd just take upper-level stuff and start studying for the mcat.