Pre-reqs after applying

[tchan]

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For some med schools, courses like Calculus and Genetics are required. If I plan to apply to these schools, must I take these classes before I apply or can I take them afterwards, just as long as I actually do take them? Thanks.

 

[bashir]

You just have to complete them before you matriculate.

 

[Arjuna]

For some med schools, courses like Calculus and Genetics are required. If I plan to apply to these schools, must I take these classes before I apply or can I take them afterwards, just as long as I actually do take them? Thanks.

Think of it this way: if you were an on an adcom, and you had to choose between two applicants with similar G.P.A and MCAT and somewhat similar ECs, who would you choose? Someone who has already done the prereqs, or someone who majored in Kinesiology and has only taken Gen Chem and intro Bio? Think about it.

 

[ksmi117]

Think of it this way: if you were an on an adcom, and you had to choose between two applicants with similar G.P.A and MCAT and somewhat similar ECs, who would you choose? Someone who has already done the prereqs, or someone who majored in Kinesiology and has only taken Gen Chem and intro Bio? Think about it.

Honestly, I would be impressed if someone did well on the MCAT without taking the pre-reqs. Is it a bit foolish? Yes, but if the OP can handle it, more power to him/her. Now, what the major is is an entirely different topic. Sure, if you're a General Studies major (not knocking it, I'm one myself) that may look easier than a Biochem major. But hey, maybe the OP is an engineering/math major. Are those "easy" majors?

Even if your hypothetical situation was the case, I think the choice between the two applicants would be made by the interview process. Besides, the fact that someone has taken the pre-reqs before their senior year isn't that impressive. They aren't that hard afterall.

 

[airplanes]

Think of it this way: if you were an on an adcom, and you had to choose between two applicants with similar G.P.A and MCAT and somewhat similar ECs, who would you choose? Someone who has already done the prereqs, or someone who majored in Kinesiology and has only taken Gen Chem and intro Bio? Think about it.

That's taking it to an extreme. Genetics and Calc are not that important as pre-reqs, and someone applying with only gen chem and bio under their belt probably wouldn't have taken the MCAT yet or done well enough on it to apply. Plus that leaves all the other pre-reqs to be completed in a single year...which is pure overkill.