Post-Acceptance Course Fulfillment Question

[DBC03]

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Most of you know I'm a non-trad, so I already graduated years ago. I've been taking med school pre-reqs through an unofficial post-bacc program at a local university. When I started the application cycle this year, I continued taking classes to fulfill prereqs for a few schools i was unable to apply to this year (and to try to get my GPA over that 3.5 hump). However, I've been lucky enough to garner a few acceptances at this point and I'm unsure of what to do this semester as I'm obviously not applying to schools next year. Of my acceptances, my top in-state choice has some relatively specific course requirements that include a biochemistry with or without lab, but they recommend taking the lab (it appears that i have fulfilled all requirements other than biochem lab). My other top choice school is competency based. I'm waiting on two additional schools, and the one I really care about is competency based. I guess my biggest dilemma right now is that i would like to save both time and money by focusing on my current tutoring job and research position, but I have this fear that if I don't take the biochem lab, I may not be able to matriculate. When I emailed the school this year, they said it appears that I've fulfilled the requirements, but I'm still having nightmares about being kicked out right before school starts because of no biochem lab. Does anyone have experience with this? I sent my transcripts in over the past few weeks - would I be able to request them to confirm course fulfillment? Our drop/add period ends next Friday, so I want to be sure I know what's going on by then.

On the other hand, would it be best for me just to take the biochem lab - it will cost between $400 and $500 (two credit hours)? It would take up quite a bit of my time, but would not be as time consuming as being a full time student. I'm wondering if the cost is worth the peace of mind.

Does anyone know how the competency system works? Do I still have to fulfill requirements for that? I thought I would have this all figured out by the time classes start, but now I'm just feeling paranoid.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Since you’ve already been accepted and they only recommend it then don’t take it. Save your time and money. Check the school website. They should have a list of required and recommended classes. This seems like an easy solution. Unless if I’m missing something. ‍♂️ BTW I’m applying next cycle and some schools I’m interested in I’ve seen you posting in there. Congrats on the acceptances! I’m non traditional as well.

 

[Med Ed]

1. Recommended courses are just that, recommended.

2. No competency-based admissions system is going to rely on taking a single lab course. Getting away from that level of nitpickiness is sort of the point of competency-based approaches.

 

[freedoctor17]

It sounds like your brain just can't believe you're going to med school and your psyching yourself out. Just relax and be happy for yourself!

 

[HomeSkool]

Recommendation ≠ requirement. They're not playing mind games with you.

Take your husband out to a nice dinner, then save the rest of the money.

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[DBC03]

Call me crazy, but why dont you call the schools and ask?

I have! The response is that it “sounds like” I have fulfilled the course requirements. I want a definite, but I will definitely call again this week before I drop my courses.


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[HomeSkool]

I have! The response is that it “sounds like” I have fulfilled the course requirements. I want a definite, but I will definitely call again this week before I drop my courses.


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You're thinking way too hard about this. They're not screwing with you. You're fine. Don't call them again, it'll just make them think you're nuts.

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[SpoiledMilk]

I have! The response is that it “sounds like” I have fulfilled the course requirements. I want a definite, but I will definitely call again this week before I drop my courses.
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You're thinking way too hard about this. They're not screwing with you. You're fine. Don't call them again, it'll just make them think you're nuts.
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If you still feel compelled to contact the school, do it via email so that you will get their response in writing.

 

[Goro]

Does anyone know how the competency system works? Do I still have to fulfill requirements for that? I thought I would have this all figured out by the time classes start, but now I'm just feeling paranoid.

com·pe·tence
ˈkämpədəns/
noun
noun: competency

1. 1.
   the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.
   "the players displayed varying degrees of competence"
   synonyms: capability, ability, competency, proficiency, accomplishment, expertise, adeptness, skill, prowess, mastery, talent; More

There are six domains that you need to master as a pre-med to get into med school, as a med student to become a resident, and as a resident to become a doctor. Med school admissions sites (I like the one for U UT) have explanations of what they want. Go research this, because this is one of those competencies.

 

[DBC03]

com·pe·tence
ˈkämpədəns/
noun
noun: competency

1. 1.
   the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.
   "the players displayed varying degrees of competence"
   synonyms: capability, ability, competency, proficiency, accomplishment, expertise, adeptness, skill, prowess, mastery, talent; More

There are six domains that you need to master as a pre-med to get into med school, as a med student to become a resident, and as a resident to become a doctor. Med school admissions sites (I like the one for U UT) have explanations of what they want. Go research this, because this is one of those competencies.

I know what the competencies are - how do I know that I have successfully proven that I’m competent? Paranoia level was zero until this week and is now at an all time high as I enter the drop add period


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[Goro]

I know what the competencies are - how do I know that I have successfully proven that I’m competent? Paranoia level was zero until this week and is now at an all time high as I enter the drop add period


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You show your competencies by engaging in the ECs we require to you do.

 

[halamadrid17]

I know what the competencies are - how do I know that I have successfully proven that I’m competent? Paranoia level was zero until this week and is now at an all time high as I enter the drop add period


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You’ve been accepted, thus they believe you’re competent enough and can succeed in medical school

 

[catlady87]

I second the idea of emailing rather than calling - always good to have things in writing.

I've had good luck with schools accepting my pre-reqs as is. Emailed three schools listing my coursework and asking if it would meet their requirements or if I needed extra courses, and all of them said my coursework would be fine as is. I also spent a lot of time stressing about how to get an extra chem class in, so I'd say it's well worth it to write and get peace of mind.

 

[Med Ed]

I know what the competencies are - how do I know that I have successfully proven that I’m competent?

A decent MCAT score. Not kidding.

 

[DBC03]

A decent MCAT score. Not kidding.

Would 99th to 100th percentiles in the sciences suffice? Just don’t look at my CARS score...

Hoping this is the way they judge as I have plenty of upper level science coursework, but did use AP credits for gen chem and gen Bio.


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[workaholic181]

If they said you’ve satisfied the requirements then you’re totally fine as is OP. If you really want it in writing send then an email to confirm but the result will be the same either way. Congrats on your acceptances, try to relax!

 

[Dwight K Schrute]

When you don’t know the difference between recommended and required.

 

[Med Ed]

Would 99th to 100th percentiles in the sciences suffice?

I'm not feeding your psychosis any longer.

 

[@Hazel-rah]

I'm not taking any classes this semester. If it turns out I need another class, I'll scramble and take it in May-mester or summer session. I'm focusing on working as many hours as I can and squirrelling away $$$, playing during all the rest of the hours, planning a big huge amazing sabbatical after I quit my job and before I start medical school......... finishing scrapbooks, getting our house ready for sale, etc. These types of things.

A lot of schools I talked with seemed to have a way to get the dean or somebody powerful to "waive" a requirement like a lab or a sociology course with sufficient evidence of competency. Chill and find other ways to carpe diem in your last few months before med school mayhem! And congratulations!

 

[DBC03]

I think all my paranoia stems from using AP credits for GenChem. But all schools I applied to accept that with additional advanced chemistry and I’m pretty sure an A+ in both PChem and Advanced biochem 1 & 2 fulfill the Advanced college chemistry request. It’s when the requirements are so vague - it is kind of up to how the school interprets it. I also took physics over 15 years ago, but none of the schools I applied to had a limit so I’m just going to tell myself that I have fulfilled their absolute requirements and shown some level of competency.


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