pre reqs as compared to MD

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BORNagainSTDENT

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Are the Pre Reqs for most DO schools the same as most MD schools. When they say 8 credit hours of bio do they mean bio1 and bio2. thanks
 
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just like at MD schools, you dont necessarily have to take bio 1 and bio 2....some schools dont list their courses like that (mine doesnt). Schools will accept any general bio course and i've found that a lot will accepte ANY bio course, which means that upper divisions like anatomy and physiology fulfil that requirement as well. But, youll have to call each school and find out which bio courses count for the requirement... some specificy "general biology" and some just want some type of biology.
 
well for MD I thought it was usually

gen bio1 bio2
orgo 1 and 2
chem 1 and 2
and physics 1
and statistics.

maybe I would retake english

If i was to need these and I wated to start this upcoming semester and wanted to make sure I didn't over due it causing bad grades, but want to make some progress what order would you guys suggest conisdering one of the chems in a prereq to the other. thanks.
 
BORNagainSTDENT said:
well for MD I thought it was usually

gen bio1 bio2
orgo 1 and 2
chem 1 and 2
and physics 1
and statistics.

maybe I would retake english

If i was to need these and I wated to start this upcoming semester and wanted to make sure I didn't over due it causing bad grades, but want to make some progress what order would you guys suggest conisdering one of the chems in a prereq to the other. thanks.
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Your analysis sucks. Really. I swear.
 
well thanks for the kind words, well for the schools I have looked at that was the requirment. Feel free to spruce that list up in a helpfull manner or feel free to ignore my post. thanks
 
BORNagainSTDENT said:
well for MD I thought it was usually

gen bio1 bio2
orgo 1 and 2
chem 1 and 2
and physics 1
and statistics.

maybe I would retake english

If i was to need these and I wated to start this upcoming semester and wanted to make sure I didn't over due it causing bad grades, but want to make some progress what order would you guys suggest conisdering one of the chems in a prereq to the other. thanks.
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My comment about biology still stands, and statistics is not required by very many schools, thats one that you would be best looking at the schools you are interestd in and seeing if they require it.

I wouldnt take more than two pre reqs at a time, if you arent rushed. I took bio and ochem at the same time, and gen chem and math at the same time. I took physics over the summer. It worked for me, but its really all up to your schedule and how much you are willing to put in. Expect long problem sets and labs for chemistry, physics, and bio.
 
thanks for the help. I wonder if I should be posting this in the MD forum since Im not sure want I want to do yet and am still researching. The list I gave was the SGU list of requirments and was told it was the same for most allo schools.

what classes are needed to be full prepared for the MCAT. thanks
 
For the MCAT you will need: general chemistry and physics for the physical section, general biology, genetics, and ochem for the biological section. Ochem is not on the MCAT much these days so you can relax a bit. You will need to be able to read, comprehend, and write with proper grammar. You should take an english class to help improve your composition speed. On the MCAT you won't have much time to plan and write if you are not used to composing essays. Biology and genetics aren't difficult since you just need to know the general priniciples. It's mostly being able to interpret data and graphs on the MCAT. Gen Chem and Physics is where most of your formulas, reactions, acid/base, etc... are needed. I would suggest saving these classes till you are close to taking the MCAT so they would still be fresh in your mind.
 
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BORNagainSTDENT said:
well for MD I thought it was usually

gen bio1 bio2
orgo 1 and 2
chem 1 and 2
and physics 1
and statistics.

maybe I would retake english

If i was to need these and I wated to start this upcoming semester and wanted to make sure I didn't over due it causing bad grades, but want to make some progress what order would you guys suggest conisdering one of the chems in a prereq to the other. thanks.
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1. You're list is missing Physics 2. It's required. Not an optional course.
2. You're list is missing English. It's required. Not an optional course.
3. You're list is missing a Behavioral Science class. Many schools require one.
4. Most DO schools don't require stats.
 
psy said:
For the MCAT you will need: general chemistry and physics for the physical section, general biology, genetics, and ochem for the biological section. Ochem is not on the MCAT much these days so you can relax a bit. You will need to be able to read, comprehend, and write with proper grammar. You should take an english class to help improve your composition speed. On the MCAT you won't have much time to plan and write if you are not used to composing essays. Biology and genetics aren't difficult since you just need to know the general priniciples. It's mostly being able to interpret data and graphs on the MCAT. Gen Chem and Physics is where most of your formulas, reactions, acid/base, etc... are needed. I would suggest saving these classes till you are close to taking the MCAT so they would still be fresh in your mind.
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Taking an entirely separate genetics course in kinda useless, IMO (unless you are applying to one of the two DO schools that requires it). The genetics on the MCAT should be covered in sufficient detail in a biology 1 or 2 course equivalent to Intro to Celllular and Molecular Biology.
 
Let me simplify this: the pre-requisites are EXACTLY the same. There is no difference whatsoever.

Some schools may want Biochem, Genetics, and/or calculus/stats. Others may not. This is the same everywhere.
 
ryserr21 said:
Taking an entirely separate genetics course in kinda useless, IMO (unless you are applying to one of the two DO schools that requires it). The genetics on the MCAT should be covered in sufficient detail in a biology 1 or 2 course equivalent to Intro to Celllular and Molecular Biology.
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It's not a must, but Genetics will help on the MCAT. It's also one of at least two courses that will help a lot in first year. Biochem being the other one.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7357338
 
Chocolate Bear said:
It's not a must, but Genetics will help on the MCAT. It's also one of at least two courses that will help a lot in first year. Biochem being the other one.
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Agreed, it may help.....but I think its a little extreme to say that you need it for the MCAT. You will be learning all of the stuff you already learned in bio 1 and adding more detail that the MCAT won't test. Now, if you are taking it b/c you enjoy the subject or b/c you want to build a nice foundation for med school, I have no problem and would support that idea (same with biochem). But neither of those courses are necessary to do well on the MCAT. The reason I acted strongly to that comment is b/c an SDNer made a thread the other day saying his advisor told him to postpone his application year in order to have taken biochemistry before the MCAT. If people start thining that they NEED these courses for the MCAT, then they may do stupid things like wait an entire year for a course that might help them on 4 questions on the entire test.
 
BORNagainSTDENT said:
If i was to need these and I wated to start this upcoming semester and wanted to make sure I didn't over due it causing bad grades, but want to make some progress what order would you guys suggest conisdering one of the chems in a prereq to the other.
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Anyone else think this is an obnoxiously long sentence?
 
BORNagainSTDENT said:
Are the Pre Reqs for most DO schools the same as most MD schools. When they say 8 credit hours of bio do they mean bio1 and bio2. thanks
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I would be more concerned at the difference per SCHOOL than MD/DO. The prereqs are the same. As stated above some schools will require and extra english or extra social science or biochem and others won't. All req. the core bio, chem, phys, classes.
 
ryserr21 said:
Taking an entirely separate genetics course in kinda useless, IMO (unless you are applying to one of the two DO schools that requires it). The genetics on the MCAT should be covered in sufficient detail in a biology 1 or 2 course equivalent to Intro to Celllular and Molecular Biology.
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genetics and physiology were much much much much much more useful than intro bio courses for mcat with me.
 
UNMorBUST said:
Anyone else think this is an obnoxiously long sentence?
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its obnoxious to spend ones time pointing out such things on a forum. Im sure you can find a better way to spend the one life you have.
 
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MossPoh said:
genetics and physiology were much much much much much more useful than intro bio courses for mcat with me.
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I agree that physiology is useful for the MCAT. Ive said that many times before. Its not a must have tho.

And as far as genetics being more useful than intro bio courses, it depends on the intro level bio course. Are you talking about zoology? Thats the most useless class you could possibly take for the MCAT. Are you talking about intro to cellular and molecular biology? That class literally covers EVERTHING in the bio section (with the exception of physiology), including genetics. Much more useful than an entire semester of genetics.
 
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.
 
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I'm not sure if this is posted elsewhere, so please excuse if I've overlooked the obvious. I know that many DO schools require / strongly prefer applicants who have experience shadowing DO physicians - is this true of DO schools in general? Thanks for your input.
 
sirius08 said:
I'm not sure if this is posted elsewhere, so please excuse if I've overlooked the obvious. I know that many DO schools require / strongly prefer applicants who have experience shadowing DO physicians - is this true of DO schools in general? Thanks for your input.
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Understandably, DO schools would prefer that you've spent some time with the type of professionals they train (duh), as illustrated by the schools that actually require a DO LOR for admission. That being said, you don't have to necessarily shadow a physician to get a LOR from them. Also, if you've shadowed an MD, you've had the exact same experience you would have had shadowing 90+% of DOs.

So if you want to apply to the schools that require a DO LOR, then get one! If you want to make a convincing case that you're committed to the profession of Osteopathic medicine (however similar it may be to Allopathic medicine, today in the U.S.), then get some face time with a DO. Some adcoms vigilantly seek out applicants using DO as a backup, so you don't want to come across that way, for sure. Be knowledgeable about the profession, how it got its unique start, what the career choice means to you, and how DOs and MDs fit into today's patient care model.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Understandably, DO schools would prefer that you've spent some time with the type of professionals they train (duh), as illustrated by the schools that actually require a DO LOR for admission. That being said, you don't have to necessarily shadow a physician to get a LOR from them. Also, if you've shadowed an MD, you've had the exact same experience you would have had shadowing 90+% of DOs.

So if you want to apply to the schools that require a DO LOR, then get one! If you want to make a convincing case that you're committed to the profession of Osteopathic medicine (however similar it may be to Allopathic medicine, today in the U.S.), then get some face time with a DO. Some adcoms vigilantly seek out applicants using DO as a backup, so you don't want to come across that way, for sure. Be knowledgeable about the profession, how it got its unique start, what the career choice means to you, and how DOs and MDs fit into today's patient care model.
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Thank you for the helpful response!
 
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