Strict Eligibility Requirements???

[SensesFail]

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Ok, here's my situation.

I'm a Canadian resident that just completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. My GPA is 3.7+, waiting on MCAT results (expecting from 24-30), and have standard extracurriculars (Hospital volunteering, Tutoring, some lab research). All that's fine and dandy, but...

...I've got one pesky problem. I only have a half-credit course in Organic Chemistry w/ lab. Mind you, it IS a complete run-through of Organic Chemistry with most standard topics covered, just not in extreme detail. I only found out recently that the course I took would not count as "an equivalent to a full-year Organic Chemistry class". Many schools in Canada do not have specific course requirements (with a few execptions), only "recommended" courses to take. I've been looking into some Carribbean schools just to think of all my possibilities. On their websites they specifically say that a full year of Organic Chemistry is required. I haven't applied or anything yet, probably looking to apply for 2006 entering class, but do you think they (the Caribbean schools) would really care if I didn't have that other semester of Ochem considering my other stats? Would I be "automatically cut-off"? I've had higher level classes in Biochemistry so I really don't think it'd be a big issue. However, I e-mailed a few schools about this and so far none have replied within the last week. Just wondering if anybody here was in a similar situation/experience and had any insights. Thanks

 

[Skip Intro]

.... but do you think they (the Caribbean schools) would really care if I didn't have that other semester of Ochem considering my other stats? Would I be "automatically cut-off"? I've had higher level classes in Biochemistry so I really don't think it'd be a big issue.

You may be outta luck. At best, they're likely (at least Ross and SGU) to dump you into their Pre-Med courses... which... well, I'm not going to offer my opinion here about the utility of those programs.

Suffice it to say that the legitimate Carib programs (the ones that have a long track record of getting their graduates licensed in the U.S.) are still real medical schools, and they expect their matriculants to have all the pre-req coursework completed before they come down. Getting a "B" or "C" in a course instead of an "A" is a lot different proposition than not having taken the course at all.

However, I e-mailed a few schools about this and so far none have replied within the last week. Just wondering if anybody here was in a similar situation/experience and had any insights. Thanks

Try calling instead. They may ask that you apply before they formally review your credentials, but it's worth trying to call and ask before you go through the hassle. Try speaking to someone specifically in each school's admissions office.

Good luck,

-Skip

 

[Aucdoctobe]

You may be outta luck. At best, they're likely (at least Ross and SGU) to dump you into their Pre-Med courses... which... well, I'm not going to offer my opinion here about the utility of those programs.

Suffice it to say that the legitimate Carib programs (the ones that have a long track record of getting their graduates licensed in the U.S.) are still real medical schools, and they expect their matriculants to have all the pre-req coursework completed before they come down. Getting a "B" or "C" in a course instead of an "A" is a lot different proposition than not having taken the course at all.



Try calling instead. They may ask that you apply before they formally review your credentials, but it's worth trying to call and ask before you go through the hassle. Try speaking to someone specifically in each school's admissions office.

Good luck,

-Skip

Skip is right. You need to take all of your requirements first. Don't get scammed by a school or program that doesn't require you to have all of the prereq's done.