Taking Biochemistry before or after I apply. does it matter when???

[balder1]

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Hey Everyone,

Hope everyone is starting the year out strong. So far so good but I am a bit concerned about next semester. I wanted to take biochemistry but I would be studying extensively for the MCAT's, taking it May 2011. I though of taking biochemistry class senior year instead so I can focus. Would it matter? I heard that you have to take biochemistry and receive a grade before you apply to MD/DO schools or can I tell them that I will take it senior year? Thanks everyone!

 

[Frazier]

Hey Everyone,

Hope everyone is starting the year out strong. So far so good but I am a bit concerned about next semester. I wanted to take biochemistry but I would be studying extensively for the MCAT's, taking it May 2011. I though of taking biochemistry class senior year instead so I can focus. Would it matter? I heard that you have to take biochemistry and receive a grade before you apply to MD/DO schools or can I tell them that I will take it senior year? Thanks everyone!

Not required except at a few schools.

Put it in your "future coursework" section.

 

[Forthegood]

Yes it matters and you should take it... NEVER.

It is not useful, and it won't help you out much in the long run. It also is not terribly impressive or interesting for an ADCOM to look at. Take something interesting, like salsa dancing or something that they will remember you by. Something that sets you apart. Something you enjoy.

 

[Barcu]

Take it before or after applying. It doesn't really matter. If the school you are applying to requires it, you may consider taking it before, but even then, I don't think it matters much.

Yes it matters and you should take it... NEVER.

It is not useful, and it won't help you out much in the long run. It also is not terribly impressive or interesting for an ADCOM to look at. Take something interesting, like salsa dancing or something that they will remember you by. Something that sets you apart. Something you enjoy.

Um. I know this poster is a med student, and I am currently in the process of applying. But this is LITERALLY (and I don't throw that word around like most people) the ONLY med student that I have heard say that Biochem isn't useful. Seriously. And I have talked to a number at my interviews so far. I'm sure not all have found it useful and necessary, but I have not run into any until now.

I have been told that the vast majority of UG classes are not useful. But I have been told over and over again that Biochem is a class every aspiring med student should take and really helps when you reach that class.

 

[ksmi117]

You don't have to take it before applying, I didn't. I took it my last semester of college.

As far as whether or not it's useful, meh. Sure, it may help you in med school biochem, but taking it won't give you that much of an advantage. You have to relearn the stuff in a more clinical way anyway, and biochem is pretty much memorization so chances are you'll forget the enzymes etc. before medical school. Don't get me wrong, it's useful to have already seen a lot of the stuff, but if I could go back, I wouldn't have taken it just to prepare for medical school. You'll learn everything you need to know there.

 

[alexrgross]

Not necessary but I think the class is fun. Really it can be taken anytime, dont sacrifice your MCAT for any class.

 

[balder1]

as always, you guys are the best! Thank You!!!

 

[SamuelTesla]

I would encourage everyone to take Biochem before the MCATs. I took it after, and it sometimes felt like I was in an MCAT prep class (the material was almost exactly like EK).

But either way, you have an advantage. If you take it after you can get an easy A.

 

[Forthegood]

Um. I know this poster is a med student, and I am currently in the process of applying. But this is LITERALLY (and I don't throw that word around like most people) the ONLY med student that I have heard say that Biochem isn't useful. Seriously. And I have talked to a number at my interviews so far. I'm sure not all have found it useful and necessary, but I have not run into any until now.

Maybe I should explain.

Perhaps at your school they teach a medical biochemistry, but at ours, and those around ours, they don't. The reason it is not useful is med school biochem is all about enzyme deficiencies, blood hemostasis and dysregulation, all on a perpetual drive to step 1 type vignettes. What you get in an undergrad or graduate level course is the WHOLE field of biochemistry. Unfortunately, while there are some similarities, human biochemistry is not the same as that in e.coli,yeasts, or mice. So while you may have a leg up by already having memorized the Kreb cycle by taking the course in UG, that is not why med students struggle with this class. You really are not getting much bang for your buck.

Secondly, and more importantly, biochemistry in medical school is NOT that hard of a class (and that is true at most schools). You don't need to PREP for it or whatever. They will teach you, and you will learn, and you just need show up and try.

Med students who tell UGs to take classes to prepare for med school are not doing anyone any favors. They don't help. You will regret the time you wasted 2 years down the road, when your time is MUCH more important than you could now possibly understand.