Prereqs question

[Akilaaa]

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Hi everybody, this is my very first post! I am a student currently studying at the University of Toronto. I have just completed my first year of college and I am inquiring about the necessary prerequisites that need to be fulfilled. It seems that most Med Schools in the US require one year of General Chemistry with labs. Unfortunately, my University only provides one semester of General Chemistry. After doing some research I realized that the system in the US is a bit different from my Canadian institution. It seems that most American students will take two semesters of General Chemistry (I and II). Out of curiosity, I looked at the content taught in both chemistry courses. It appears that the material that I have learned this year, such as states of matter, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry are all topics that are instructed in General Chemistry II. The chemistry department from my university assumed that the topics taught in General Chemistry I is review from high school and therefore does not offer a course that covers such material.

Therefore, I was wondering what would you advise me to do? Given that I have completed a chemistry course equivalent to Gen Chem II that assumed that students already had prior knowledge from Gen Chem I, would I be able to satisfy the requirements? My course offered three-hour labs every two weeks of the semester (Five labs in total). I also plan to take two semesters of biochemistry for my second year. Could this help me fulfill the one year of general chemistry? I've heard that Med Schools are becoming less strict with prerequisites. I don't know if that's true or not!

Many Thanks!

 

[Oso]

You need two semesters of inorganic chemistry. If you only have 1 semester of gen chem then take a higher level class like physical chemistry.

I've heard that Med Schools are becoming less strict with prerequisites. I don't know if that's true or not!

Not true, sorry

 

[gonnif]

To concur and expand on @Oso post,

You need two terms of college level general chemistry. Taking an advanced chem class should (I said should) overcome that However, some schools are sticklers for the specific courses and you wont definately know until after you have been accepted to medical school when prereqs are checked for fulfillment. I would be proactive and write emails to several med schools, explaining your situation and ask for advice. I would also make sure you do well on a PS section of MCAT. Lastly schools are slowly move from course based to comptency based prereqs so specific courses arent required but rather enough to show your are competent ( see Course Requirements | M.D. Admissions | Albert Einstein College of Medicine for explanation)

Additionally Biochem is becoming its own prereq at many schools so you cant “double dip” counting in both for this prereq as well as an additional chem course

 

[Akilaaa]

I contacted several Medical Schools over the weekend and I am still waiting for responses. I think I will take Gen Chem I at a community college close to my home. Will this be acceptable? Would medical schools look down upon me for taking Gen Chem I over the summer after taking Gen Chem II at my University?

 

[calivianya]

Some schools have recommendations instead of requirements now, but it would limit your opportunities to apply to only those schools.

I am retaking gen chem 1 and 2 labs right now because my preferred school has hard requirements and didn't think my AP exam was good enough to count for the chemistry labs, just the classes only. Fortunately, this school accepts the UNE online courses, which are a really good option if the schools you plan on applying to will accept them. The courses are all online and self-paced, and the final exams are proctored by a service that watches you through your webcam, which makes the course more legitimate.

Email the schools you're planning to apply to that have hard requirements and ask if they'll take UNE's courses. I can't recommend this option enough; it has been a lifesaver for me because there's pretty much no other way I could take two chemistry lab courses in less than two months.

 

[gonnif]

I contacted several Medical Schools over the weekend and I am still waiting for responses. I think I will take Gen Chem I at a community college close to my home. Will this be acceptable? Would medical schools look down upon me for taking Gen Chem I over the summer after taking Gen Chem II at my University?

Yeah thats fine