Not finishing course prereqs prior to application put you at a disadvantage?

[UrshumMurshum]

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I'm not a traditional biology major so I wasn't able to fit in genetics and biochemistry as well as behavioral sciences before this summer application, but I plan on finishing these courses over the fall and spring.

Will this put me at a disadvantage?

 

[Mountaineer12]

Those courses aren't generally considered prereqs, they're usually "suggested" courses with the exception of a few schools. Check the school websites to be certain, but it should be fine to take them after applying.

 

[kexy]

I'm taking biochem right now (applied this cycle) and never took genetics, so I think you'll be fine! Only problem is senioritis + biochem is a terrible combination. 😛

 

[synthmonsterjax]

damn, i'm a freshman taking genetics. even though i might get an A-/A, i could've waited a while. i think i'll chill out on the upper level classes next year.

 

[Mountaineer12]

damn, i'm a freshman taking genetics. even though i might get an A-/A, i could've waited a while. i think i'll chill out on the upper level classes next year.

That may look good though if the admissions council looks closely at your transcript. In my opinion it says a lot that you did so well in such a difficult class as a freshman.

 

[synthmonsterjax]

That may look good though if the admissions council looks closely at your transcript. In my opinion it says a lot that you did so well in such a difficult class as a freshman.

there's a low chance of people looking that closely. IMO it's not worth the risk to your GPA. however, the upside is that you can "chill out" in your 3rd and 4th years by taking fewer upper-levels. not sure if that would look bad... would it?

 

[CodeBlu]

No one cares. I know someone that was accepted without the second half of organic... they had to complete it before matriculation.

 

[chrissyxf]

I was accepted prior to completing Physics 2 and biochemistry (I took orgo 2 in the spring semester prior to applying though). I had an okay GPA (3.7ish) and 31 MCAT. You can definitely do it without having taken genetics and biochem (as someone said, they're usually not pre-reqs but nice "extras.")
good luck!

 

[1032]

I emailed some medical schools about that, I was wondering same question my self. The ADCOM said that not taking the classes (missing biochem) will not put me at a disadvantage, I just need to have the class taken before I matriculate.

But you probably should also consider that if you only took fluff classes and still have some pre-reqs missing, then it could hurt you. Basically the pre-reqs are supposed to ensure that you can handle the rigors of medical school. So since you are not a traditional bio/chem student, you should be fine as long as you have comparably difficult classes.