Question about coursework.

[Ostonzi]

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I am currently a high school junior. I got an A- in organic chemistry at my state university, will this reflect negatively on my medschool application? I am also taking the biochemistry major version of junior-level biochemistry next semester, should I take the pre-med version instead?

Also, what math would be helpful for pre-med/medical fields? I can take partial differential equations, dynamics and chaos, complex analysis, or mathematical modeling next year. I am unsure which ones would be helpful.

In addition, I am concerned about my 4s in AP Physics B and C last year. Will this be disastrous for physics med-requirements?

 

[deleted357625]

A- in Ochem is really good... Gratz

Most premeds, that's the hardest class you an take and a lot end up bombing that class or end up getting a C.

 

[hownowmauvecow]

I agree an A- in ochem is great, I only made a B and it looks like I am going to medical school. As to the AP exams, med schools will never see those grades, the only thing they will see is the credit that your college gave you for them. You would have to check with whatever college you eventually attend to see if your scores will count for anything/how much but don't worry about the actual scores on the AP exams for med school.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

I am currently a high school junior. I got an A- in organic chemistry at my state university, will this reflect negatively on my medschool application? I am also taking the biochemistry major version of junior-level biochemistry next semester, should I take the pre-med version instead?

Also, what math would be helpful for pre-med/medical fields? I can take partial differential equations, dynamics and chaos, complex analysis, or mathematical modeling next year. I am unsure which ones would be helpful.

In addition, I am concerned about my 4s in AP Physics B and C last year. Will this be disastrous for physics med-requirements?

I've gotta be honest with you OP, a lot of people will question your motivation for helping people if you don't take the most advanced biochemistry course as ridiculously early in your academic career as possible. You've missed the boat for completion while in junior high, but it's probably not going to hurt you much. And most med school applicants have already been PUBLISHED by their junior year in high school expounding new twists on chaos theory. So you're definitely behind the curve there as well. Scoring a 4 in Advanced AP Physics is frowned upon but certainly not a deal-breaker.

All things considered, I'd estimate that you need to save at least 14 African babies and eat 2 poop hot dogs to make up for these deficiencies. You may need to prepare yourself mentally for attending one of the Caribbean schools though. You've only got 6 years to show improvement for the adcoms, so start hitting the books HARD. Good luck!

 

[Lil Mick]

It's not a big deal. Schools might wonder if there's a gap of a year or more in your courses (not taking any senior year--I moved and wasn't able to take classes between sophomore year of high school and entering college). As for the AP's, my school didn't have any AP or IB classes, and none of the schools to which I applied cared about that...

As for the mathematics, some of the subjects useful to me in my research have been probability/stats, linear algebra, ordinary and partial differential equations, stochastic processes, real analysis, and topology/differential geometry. However, my area of expertise is mathematical biology and have not found it too germane in my medical school courses (some of my classmates don't even have a good handle on algebra).

Good luck and congrats on being allowed to pursue your interests and challenge yourself 🙂