Passing/No Passing Molecular Biology Courses

[Xiao]

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I'm interested in taking a couple molecular biology courses next year. (Genetics and Synthesis Pathways). These courses will not be required for my major, but I'm very interested in taking them because they will be a very helpful supplement to my research. However, I'll be having a very tough schedule with MCAT and other engineering courses. I would rather take them pass/no pass (forces me to study but won't have to worry too much about tanking my gpa.) These courses are also notoriously competitive and full of grade grubbers (or so I heard).

My question is: Will taking these courses pass/no pass hurt my chances of admission? Some schools such USC recommend taking additional molecular biology courses. If I take these pass/fail, can I use a graded BME course such as cellular mechanics to substitute for mol. bio. courses?

About me: I'm a BME major so I have lots of other BME courses on my transcript (these count as sciences right?). But only 1 other graded molecular biology course (biochem) and 2 intro bio courses. I have 9 P/NP units so far out of ~100 total units. Will probably have ~130 units when I graduate. Probably ~100 of these will be graded "hard science" courses.

Thank you!

 

[caveat87]

I don't think taking these courses pass/fail will hurt your chances when applying to medical school. Of course it would look better if you took them and earned a normal grade, but its probably not worth hurting your GPA.

Not all people applying to med school are biology majors and many just take the minimum pre-req courses. Taking the advanced courses for a grade may give you a slight leg up, but I don't think it will make or break an application. I think the rigor of the BME curriculum will already help you stand out if you have a good GPA.

When you are interviewed at a school and the interviewer asks why you took courses pass/fail, just be honest and explain the situation. They will most likely understand.

 

[Xiao]

Thanks! Should I call in a couple medical school admissions offices just to double check? Or will that just being annoying...

 

[caveat87]

Personally I wouldn't call...it doesn't seem that critical. But if it really bothers you I suppose the call will be anonymous so it can't hurt.