One year left....what would you do? (prereqs)

[MaryWrathers]

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Hello,

If you had one year left to satisfy the prereqs, how would you map out taking the prereqs? I made the following schedule a while back, yet I am in a "pickle" because most schools require BioChem. In order to take BioChem at my school, I need to have both Orgos completed. What would you do? Keep in mind that I am shadowing, volunteering, interning, publishing a thesis, taking care of family & house, etc. I am applying in June 07.

Here is what I planned on doing, but it does not work because both Orgo's are required for BioChem.

Spring 06
Chem I
Physics I

Summer 06
Chem II
Physics II

Fall 06
Orgo I
Bio I
BioChem

Spring 07
Orgo II
Bio II
study for MCAT

Summer 07
A and P (or take this in Spring 07)

Thank you for your help.

 

[kate_g]

Do you have the option of taking A&P in Fall '06 with Bio 1 and Orgo 1, then Bio 2 and Orgo 2 (and study for MCAT) in Spring '07, then Biochem over the summer?

 

[MollyMalone]

All the schools I applied to said you needed to have the prereqs done by the time of matriculation, not application, so you could take Biochem Fall 07 or Spring 08.

 

[medworm]

All the schools I applied to said you needed to have the prereqs done by the time of matriculation, not application, so you could take Biochem Fall 07 or Spring 08.

I'd recommend getting the Bio in earlier if possible. The reason being that you should consider taking a genetics class before taking your MCAT.

 

[MaryWrathers]

Do you have the option of taking A&P in Fall '06 with Bio 1 and Orgo 1, then Bio 2 and Orgo 2 (and study for MCAT) in Spring '07, then Biochem over the summer?

I thought about this too. I think I can do this if the schools that require BioChem allow me to take it before matriculation not application as one poster mentioned. I think I need to call the schools that requrie BioChem.

 

[MaryWrathers]

I just called the admissions office for two of my top schools that require BioChem. They said what a previous poster said - have to take it prior to matriculation, not necessarily prior to application. While it would be best to take BioChem and A and P before the MCAT (and many other courses) I am not doing this for personal reasons.

Q - Is A and P really necessary before taking the MCAT? What do you think?

Which do you think is better?

Spring 06
Chem I-done
Physics I-done

Summer 06
Chem II
Physics II

Fall 06
Orgo I
Bio I

Spring 07
Orgo II
Bio II
study for MCAT
Have to take A
and P here b/c
Bio I is a prereq,
not a coreq.

Summer 07 or Fall 07
BioChem
Other helpful classes...
____________________________________
Summer 06
Chem II
Bio I

Fall 06
Orgo I
Bio II
A and P

Spring 07
Orgo II
Physics II
study for MCAT

Summer 07 or Fall 07
BioChem
Other helpful classes...

 

[blee]

Genetics is absolutely not needed to do well on the MCAT. I would rather spend that time getting the details of general bio genetics exactly right.

As for biochem, I actually didn't come across any schools that required it for entrance. That said, you would definitely want to push that class until after your pre-reqs and after the MCAT, if you have time. No need to stress out over it until you've got that test over and done with.

 

[Beau Geste]

I just called the admissions office for two of my top schools that require BioChem. They said what a previous poster said - have to take it prior to matriculation, not necessarily prior to application. While it would be best to take BioChem and A and P before the MCAT (and many other courses) I am not doing this for personal reasons.

Q - Is A and P really necessary before taking the MCAT? What do you think?

Which do you think is better?

Spring 06
Chem I-done
Physics I-done

Summer 06
Chem II
Physics II

Fall 06
Orgo I
Bio I

Spring 07
Orgo II
Bio II
study for MCAT
Have to take A
and P here b/c
Bio I is a prereq,
not a coreq.

Summer 07 or Fall 07
BioChem
Other helpful classes...
____________________________________
Summer 06
Chem II
Bio I

Fall 06
Orgo I
Bio II
A and P

Spring 07
Orgo II
Physics II
study for MCAT

Summer 07 or Fall 07
BioChem
Other helpful classes...

The second option looks best to me, that way your physics and Ochem will be fresh. At least that's how I set up my schedule 🙂

 

[vtucci]

Having Orgo and physics fresh in your head is a good idea. However, you do not need to have A&P when you apply. I definitely recommend taking it before you start med school but keep in mind many programs will look at it badly if you do not ace A&P. So you could even take it in spring 08. I would also recommend genetics, cell and molecular, histology and immunology and microbiology before you start med school.

Good luck.