Retaking Prereqs at Community College to Relearn Information

[thehillsarealive]

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Hi all,

So I was a bit undecided about pursuing medicine in the beginning of my undergrad as I wanted to go to graduate school instead. I took the prereqs early on in my undergrad however(Perks of being a Biology major lol) and did well.

However, I am interested in retaking Physics 1 and 2, which I receieved an A for. Here's why:

My professor was quite a shady character. Though he came from a top notch background, he didn't care about teaching or students for the matter. He would give the class worksheets and go over it 10 mins before class ended and then design the test like the worksheet. It was a complete joke! Needless to say, administration got a hold of this and fired him. But, by then, I had already taken Physics 1 AND 2 with him.... He was basically the only professor who taught physics for Bio majors at my small liberal arts school.

I didn't really think it would affect me until I started looking at practice MCAT questions and seeing how much of the fundamentals I truly lacked. While I studied from review books, I just didn't feel comfortable as I felt I was lacking SOOOOO much of the basics.

My community college offers a summer course at a discounted price. The professor is known to be phenomenal, both as a physicist and as a teacher. I was looking to relearn this information, which I haven't even seen in 2 years, and comfortably go to someone experienced in this field to seek help for MCAT related questions?

Will medical school admissions look down upon this? Would they even know if I retook this course? Do you have any suggestions? Money isn't an issue and time really isn't an issue.

I simply just feel like physics is a hard subject to learn on your own. It requires application, persistence, and guidance. And I'm afraid to take upperlvel physics courses, if I don't even feel like I learned the basics right. It's obviously not my strong suit lol!

 

[cactus8910]

What review books were you using? Have you checked out Chad's videos or Exam Krackers? I think they both do a pretty good job of covering the basics.

Med schools will see that you retook physics, and it will look weird. I don't know how that will affect how they view you though.

 

[deleted577188]

No, just no.

 

[texan2414]

Sounds to me like a waste of money as you can self-study yourself and then go to campus tutoring with questions you still need unanswered.

 

[Lannister]

As I'm studying for the MCAT and taking practice exams, I'm realizing that the new MCAT really de-emphasizes physics. Like there's hardly any questions that actually require me to use the knowledge I learned in mechanics and E&M. Honestly I think you'll be fine.

 

[NeuResurgens]

You could try auditing physics.

 

[otterxavier]

Auditing:
- saves you money.
- saves you from having to worry about how med schools will regard a CC course.
- saves you a lot of trouble if, for whatever reason, you happen to get a grade lower than an A the second time around. (Obviously you're planning on rocking the course, but unexpected things happen and you may find that Phenomenal Prof's course is harder than Bull**** Prof's course was... in fact, it's pretty likely.)

 

[Gurby]

He was basically the only professor who taught physics for Bio majors at my small liberal arts school.

Are you sure this class qualified for med school admissions? If not, there's your excuse to retake it.

 

[dreamadream]

Just self-study physics. Dont waste 400-500 bucks on a class you already took. I mean if you have that type of money that is, then do as you please.

 

[amad01]

Hi all,

So I was a bit undecided about pursuing medicine in the beginning of my undergrad as I wanted to go to graduate school instead. I took the prereqs early on in my undergrad however(Perks of being a Biology major lol) and did well.

However, I am interested in retaking Physics 1 and 2, which I receieved an A for. Here's why:

My professor was quite a shady character. Though he came from a top notch background, he didn't care about teaching or students for the matter. He would give the class worksheets and go over it 10 mins before class ended and then design the test like the worksheet. It was a complete joke! Needless to say, administration got a hold of this and fired him. But, by then, I had already taken Physics 1 AND 2 with him.... He was basically the only professor who taught physics for Bio majors at my small liberal arts school.

I didn't really think it would affect me until I started looking at practice MCAT questions and seeing how much of the fundamentals I truly lacked. While I studied from review books, I just didn't feel comfortable as I felt I was lacking SOOOOO much of the basics.

My community college offers a summer course at a discounted price. The professor is known to be phenomenal, both as a physicist and as a teacher. I was looking to relearn this information, which I haven't even seen in 2 years, and comfortably go to someone experienced in this field to seek help for MCAT related questions?

Will medical school admissions look down upon this? Would they even know if I retook this course? Do you have any suggestions? Money isn't an issue and time really isn't an issue.

I simply just feel like physics is a hard subject to learn on your own. It requires application, persistence, and guidance. And I'm afraid to take upperlvel physics courses, if I don't even feel like I learned the basics right. It's obviously not my strong suit lol!

Yes they will know you retook the course. No, don't take the class. If you can't self study for the very basic mcat physics how do you plan to prepare for much bigger exams down the road?

 

[House D.O.]

Chad videos. Perfect refresher.