term vs. semester credit hours for prereqs

[Greg Focker RN]

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On the MSUCHM prereq page, it states that 8 semester or 12 terms credits are needed in each of the four main sciences. I guess this means I need about three classes of each science instead of two, since I'll be transferring from a school (Wayne State) that grades in three terms (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer). Is this the norm for other med schools? I always thought one year, or two classes of each gen. science, was the norm. 😕

 

[mwhou]

8 semester hour credits - is JUST TWO 4 hour classes (3 class + 1 lab) in a school on the semester hour system.

The other units are for schools that do not use the semester hour system, such as the quarter hour system. The common system is semester hour, and they are just converting the length of the class into the equivalent (12) for a quarter hour based school.

It sounds like your school is on the standard semester hour syster (fall / spring -- and summers as a bonus.) Just look at your school website / handbook, in the graduation or degree plan section. That should clear it up.

 

[Greg Focker RN]

Yeah, my school does grade with standard semester hours. However, now I'm even more confused because the MSU Osteopathic school requires either 135 "term credits" or about 90 "semester credits." Does this mean that a bachelor's degree is not necessarly requisred for admission to the Osteopathic school? This is not stated on the MSU Allopathic site. It simply states that a bachelor's degree is required. I emailed them, but I haven't received a reply yet. I have a feeling I'm asking a very stupid question but I just can't figure it out. 😳

Here's the link to MSUCOM's admission requirements:

http://www.com.msu.edu/admissions/requirements.html

I'd appreciate any insight.

 

[Avenue Q]

My school is on the unit system, so one semester class is a unit, even if it has a lab. I don't get the credit system at all, but I just ignore it. I figure if they have some weird reqs it will stand out, and my schools office of preprofessional advising will clue me in.
😎

 

[Greg Focker RN]

I'd just like to find out if MSUCOM requires a bachelor's degree (135 SEMESTER credits is the typical bach., right?). I realize this is the allopathic forum but the topic includes both...sorry.

 

[mwhou]

MANY MD and DO schools only require 90 hours (not a degree) to apply. Don't think this means you have a chance without a degree however - something like 99% of those ACCEPTED do have degrees. Those without degrees are often in special undergrad to med school programs, and are always the exception.

Pratically speaking, despite thier requirement for only 90 hours, you must have a degree to be a competitive applicant.