Repeat Intro Coursework from 10 years ago?

[Hobbitual Lorax]

Hello! I I am currently deciding between completing my prerequisites through a DIY approach at a four-year university or enrolling in a formal postbac program.

I wanted to inquire about the expiration policy for prerequisite courses. I looked up individual schools, and schools like Cornell and Columbia are strict about 10 year expiration dates. During my undergraduate studies, I completed five science courses—Biology I, General Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry I, and Physics I & II—between 2014 and 2015. So, if I apply to medical schools in the summer of 2026 or 2027, these courses will not be valid. Some schools like Einstein and Pennsylvania says I can take upper-level coursework instead of repeating intro coursework. This would save $$ for me but it will limit the school pools I apply to later on.

Have there been anyone in this situation who decided to just take upper-level coursework?

Would you recommend that I enroll in a formal postbac program to retake them? The debt will be $91k for Hopkins as an example and become ~$280k when I become a doctor and start making money. Otherwise, I plan to complete my prerequisites at a four-year university.

I appreciate your time and guidance in helping me navigate this decision. Thank you in advance for your responses.

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[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Paying almost $100k to do prereqs is insane. Just redo them DIY at a normal college.

 

[Hobbitual Lorax]

I agree with you. I am leaning on DIY because of the expenses. Maybe I can do SMP afterwards, that's such a good GPA Lionel Rigby!

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

Most programs will not ask you to repeat these courses directly even if it has been ten years as long as you can perform well on your MCAT. However, they will ask that you take advanced coursework to show that you are still able to dedicate yourself to an academically rigorous curriculum. Is your formal postbacc program a masters degree bearing program? DIY programs are often designed for those who need to take prerequisite courses, but if you have a majority under your belt from you undergraduate career then you should consider looking at pursuing a masters postbacc.

 

[Hobbitual Lorax]

Thank you! I am interested in MD/DO schools in Virginia so I am trying to speak to the admissions officer there about this very question! Whether I can take advanced coursework and get a good MCAT score and prove that I am competent instead of taking all the prereqs again. I might have to take them to get a good MCAT score it sounds like based on recommendations from knowledgable advisers. I am still lacking 4 prerequisites so after that, I may consider pursuing a masters or a certificate type program like George Mason's advanced biomedical sciences graduate certificate after I complete those! I don't know of masters postbacc but I'll look into that asap. Thank you!

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

Thank you! I am interested in MD/DO schools in Virginia so I am trying to speak to the admissions officer there about this very question! Whether I can take advanced coursework and get a good MCAT score and prove that I am competent instead of taking all the prereqs again. I might have to take them to get a good MCAT score it sounds like based on recommendations from knowledgable advisers. I am still lacking 4 prerequisites so after that, I may consider pursuing a masters or a certificate type program like George Mason's advanced biomedical sciences graduate certificate after I complete those! I don't know of masters postbacc but I'll look into that asap. Thank you!

You're welcome! If you have any questions about best-fit programs for your journey, then feel free to reach out.