Ochem 2 Necessary?

[FrkyBgStok]

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I am planning on applying to DMU alone as I am a des moines resident and I would like to stay here for my family. DMU does not require Ochem 2. I am taking ochem 1 now at the university in a condensed summer semester. My job will not allow me to take ochem 2 this summer. Is ochem 2 really that necessary for the MCAT? I have the ability to take the class online without the lab, but it seems pointless. I will be able to take biochem at another college in the area in the spring.

I guess I am wondering what other nontrads would do in my situation. I cannot work any less. I really don't want to go anywhere else.

 

[Spleenic]

I would find a way to take ochem 2 considering you are only applying to one school and you want to make yourself as competitive as possible. It will strengthen your application to have it included and it will likely increase your score on the MCAT.

 

[mspeedwagon]

I think the O-chem II lab is pointless. You have two options:
1) Don't take o-chem II and self-study the aldehyde/ketone/carboxylic acid material on your own. This is what I would do in your shoes.
2) Take the online version and pay special attention to the chapters that are tested on the MCAT.

I really don't think O-chem II is needed beyond the topics of those mentioned about. Get the O-chem II language book and read through it. You can skip all the topics not covered on the MCAT.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I would find a way to take ochem 2 considering you are only applying to one school and you want to make yourself as competitive as possible. It will strengthen your application to have it included and it will likely increase your score on the MCAT.

I just finished the MCAT I didn't see anything on it except pretty basic OChem - and I haven't even taken OChem yet, I just studied the dummy's guide books and the EK review.

A course in Physiology would have helped me more, and the course I took in Genetics was very helpful.

 

[Scorpiomd]

I just finished the MCAT I didn't see anything on it except pretty basic OChem - and I haven't even taken OChem yet, I just studied the dummy's guide books and the EK review.

A course in Physiology would have helped me more, and the course I took in Genetics was very helpful.

I agree with ^^^. I took Ochem 1 & 2 thinking that I would be all set on the MCAT. To my surprise, my MCAT last week had about 2 OChem questions. I was like wth happened? I would self study the Ochem and try applying without it as long as you have a few other upper level science courses to justify not taking it. The MCAT seems to be a wild card. You don't know what you'll get until it's in front of you. In hindsight, I would have taken a genetics course instead.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Thanks. I guess my plan was exactly that. Skip ochem 2 and do another upper level science class (in addition to biochem). Thanks for the input.

 

[the humming sea]

Sounds like you already made up your mind, but I second/third the above mentioned points. The O-chem on the MCAT (like all other subjects) is application of basic principles that you will definitely cover in the first half.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

While I hadn't made up my mind, it was where I was leaning. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't completely wrong in the thinking.