Prerequisite Subjects

[joshuabalbuena.rpt]

Hello, I need help on what subjects to take as my prerequisite for medical school. I am working full time and I'm planning to do some courses and some courses onsite (night classes). Could anyone give me advice and insight on the subjects I should take and whether I should do it online or onsite.

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[Bonne Nuit]

Hello, I need help on what subjects to take as my prerequisite for medical school. I am working full time and I'm planning to do some courses and some courses onsite (night classes). Could anyone give me advice and insight on the subjects I should take and whether I should do it online or onsite.

All prerequisites courses should be taken in person, preferably at a 4 year institution, to maximize your chances. Many medical schools do not allow online prerequisites at all. Some frown upon community college courses, but others don’t care. That will vary from school to school.

You can purchase a subscription to the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database for less than $30 per year and this will let you see what your target schools require in terms of coursework, whether online credits are OK, whether CC coursework is discouraged, etc. I strongly recommend purchasing an account to help you plan your prerequisites.

 

[joshuabalbuena.rpt]

All prerequisites courses should be taken in person, preferably at a 4 year institution, to maximize your chances. Many medical schools do not allow online prerequisites at all. Some frown upon community college courses, but others don’t care. That will vary from school to school.

You can purchase a subscription to the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database for less than $30 per year and this will let you see what your target schools require in terms of coursework, whether online credits are OK, whether CC coursework is discouraged, etc. I strongly recommend purchasing an account to help you plan your prerequisites.

hello, okay if that's the case maybe I can do some classes on the weekend.

 

[907914]

Definitely in person is preferred and is nigh required for all science classes. In addition to @StayWandering's advice, I will add a list that will cover you at most schools and prepare you most for the MCAT:

1 year of gen biol w/ lab
1 year of gen chem w/ lab
1 year of gen physics w/ lab (Algebraic physics is fine)
1 year of Ochem w/Lab
1 year of college level english (Not composition, must be writing intensive)
1 semester/quarter of biochemistry (try through metabolism)
1 semester/quarter of cell biology
1 semester/quarter each of psychology and sociology
1 year of Mathematics (2 semesters of calculus or 1 calc/1 biostats)

 

[Dr panda]

Definitely in person is preferred and is nigh required for all science classes. In addition to @StayWandering's advice, I will add a list that will cover you at most schools and prepare you most for the MCAT:


1 year of college level english (Not composition, must be writing intensive)
1 semester/quarter of cell biology
1 year of Mathematics (2 semesters of calculus or 1 calc/1 biostats)

Seems pretty harsh. Most med school definitely don't require calculus, very few do. Ditto with cell biology. English requirement greatly varies by school, for most schools 1 year of college composition should be fine.

 

[907914]

Seems pretty harsh. Most med school definitely don't require calculus, very few do. Ditto with cell biology. English requirement greatly varies by school, for most schools 1 year of college composition should be fine.

Oh yah, this is def the be-all-end-all of prereq lists with the exception of any that require physiology (ie. Creighton)

Modified and simpler list to be good at the majority of schools would be as follows:

1 year of gen biol w/ lab
1 year of gen chem w/ lab
1 year of gen physics w/ lab (Algebraic physics is fine)
1 year of Ochem w/Lab
1 year of college level english (Not composition, must be writing intensive)


Many schools, however, do have onesie-twosie differences.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

This is why the MSAR should be the first source any prospective applicant turns to when starting pre-medicine coursework.

The prerequisite list MemeLord shared covered like 75% of the schools I applied to this cycle, so it's very useful as a rule-of-thumb. But how sad would it be if someone got to the end of their coursework only to find that their state school requires two semesters of social sciences, or has a hard-and-fast stats requirement or something strange like that. MSAR, not SDN, should be the first source for all prerequisite information.

Prospective applicants should ensure that they meet the minimum requirements MemeLord listed above, PLUS any additional weird requirements their state schools might have.

Also, many schools may not specifically require calculus, but many do require a year of college math.

 

[joshuabalbuena.rpt]

Definitely in person is preferred and is nigh required for all science classes. In addition to @StayWandering's advice, I will add a list that will cover you at most schools and prepare you most for the MCAT:

1 year of gen biol w/ lab
1 year of gen chem w/ lab
1 year of gen physics w/ lab (Algebraic physics is fine)
1 year of Ochem w/Lab
1 year of college level english (Not composition, must be writing intensive)
1 semester/quarter of biochemistry (try through metabolism)
1 semester/quarter of cell biology
1 semester/quarter each of psychology and sociology
1 year of Mathematics (2 semesters of calculus or 1 calc/1 biostats)

Is community college okay to get these credits or do I need to enroll at a University? I already have a BSPT and DPT degree.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Is community college okay to get these credits or do I need to enroll at a University? I already have a BSPT and DPT degree.

Check the MSAR or individual school's websites. Some don't accept CC, others do. Some take them on a case-by-case basis.

Credits obtained from a 4-year brick-and-mortar bachelor's degree granting institution will be universally accepted. For this reason, I elected to do all my prereqs at a local state school to maximize my competitiveness for MD programs.

 

[Moko]

Is community college okay to get these credits or do I need to enroll at a University? I already have a BSPT and DPT degree.

Look up schools that you're interested in to see what their views on community college credits are. You will likely find that most express a preference for courses taken at 4 year institutions, with the rest either stating that they are treated the same vs not being accepted at all. The same things go for online classes (though there is generally a strong preference for in-person over online classes).

Depending on your circumstances (being a non-trad candidate, living far away from a 4 year institution, financial considerations, etc), community college credits may be viewed more neutrally, but very applicant dependent at my institution.

 

[joshuabalbuena.rpt]

Check the MSAR or individual school's websites. Some don't accept CC, others do. Some take them on a case-by-case basis.

Credits obtained from a 4-year brick-and-mortar bachelor's degree granting institution will be universally accepted. For this reason, I elected to do all my prereqs at a local state school to maximize my competitiveness for MD programs.

Is Florida State University okay to take these subjects?

 

[907914]

Is community college okay to get these credits or do I need to enroll at a University? I already have a BSPT and DPT degree.

Why do you want to pursue medicine as opposed to sticking with physical therapy? Is the opportunity cost worthwhile? Also, if FSU is a state school?

 

[Dr panda]

Why do you want to pursue medicine as opposed to sticking with physical therapy? Is the opportunity cost worthwhile? Also, if FSU is a state school?

What does 3.5 II mean?

 

[joshuabalbuena.rpt]

Why do you want to pursue medicine as opposed to sticking with physical therapy? Is the opportunity cost worthwhile? Also, if FSU is a state school?

Not really passionate of Physical Therapy. Medicine has been my passion since I was child and even until now. I took my BSPT back in the Philippines so all US med schools won't credit my units which means I need to go back to take the prerequisite subjects. FSU is a community college but has 4 year courses and other bachelor's.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

FSU is a community college but has 4 year courses and other bachelor's.

Sorry, I'm confused. Not a Floridian, but I'm not understanding why you're saying FSU is a community college.

FSU's website states the following:

Florida State University is a comprehensive degree granting university, offering baccalaureate degrees in 106 programs, master's degrees in 113 programs, advanced master's/specialist degrees in 14 programs, doctorates in 70 programs, and three professional degrees. The university offers fully accredited professional programs in law (J.D.), medicine (M.D.) and nursing.

This does not look like a community college (e.g., an institution granting certificates/trade training/associate's degrees), but instead looks like the kind of 4-year Bachelor's degree granting institution I was talking about. Do you have a different understanding?

 

[joshuabalbuena.rpt]

Sorry, I'm confused. Not a Floridian, but I'm not understanding why you're saying FSU is a community college.

FSU's website states the following:

Florida State University is a comprehensive degree granting university, offering baccalaureate degrees in 106 programs, master's degrees in 113 programs, advanced master's/specialist degrees in 14 programs, doctorates in 70 programs, and three professional degrees. The university offers fully accredited professional programs in law (J.D.), medicine (M.D.) and nursing.

This does not look like a community college (e.g., an institution granting certificates/trade training/associate's degrees), but instead looks like the kind of 4-year Bachelor's degree granting institution I was talking about. Do you have a different understanding?

Oh I'm sorry I got it mixed it up . Thank you for the response

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Oh I'm sorry I got it mixed it up . Thank you for the response

No worries at all. The good news is that you can take all your pre-med coursework at FSU and it should be accepted at all MD/DO programs in the US. Good luck with your prerequisites!