Two Questions

[mj1878]

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Hey everyone,

I was just wondering about the psychology/sociology requirement. Do most of the DO schools require either psychology or sociology? If so, how much do they require?

Also, does anyone know how beneficial it might be to take anatomy or physiology prior to taking the MCAT? Has anyone who has taken it found anatomy/physiology helpful? If the MCAT is just going to cover 3 questions on A and P ( or a similar number), I'm thinking it might not be worth my time. Thanks to all!

 

[staurry]

hi,
a lot of schools require two sem, or three quarters of classes in the behavioral sciences like psychology or sociology...there is a list of classes that qualify under this heading, like ethnic studies, thats to be found in the AACOMAS website. I know for sure that COMP has this requirement.
if you haven't taken them then you have until next spring to complete them. you just let the schools that youre applying to know that you plan on taking them and email them the course numbers so they know. this could help you because these classes are included in the science gpa. for md schools, they aren't included.
as for taking anatomy/physiology, i thought physiology helped for the mcat because i didnt have to rememorize the hormones or have to learn in detail about how the kidney functions. thats if you take the course right before the mcat!
g'luck!!!

 

[DOin2007]

I can't tell you off-hand about the psych/sociology requirements for D.O. school because I really didn't have to worry about them since I minored in sociology/law and had plenty of social science credits.

As far as taking anatomy and physiology before the MCAT... I ended up taking anatomy the fall before the April MCAT, and I was taking physiology during the semester that I took the MCAT. The anatomy wasn't that helpful. In fact, I don't think there was a single question about anatomy, but that was over a year ago, so I might be wrong.

Physiology was definitely helpful, but probably not necessary. In the bio section, there were passages (at least on my test) that had to do with hormones, blood pressure, and other things that I (fortunately) was just learning in class. Taking a physiology course beforehand definitely helped me whiz through those passages, so I'd say that I definitely had an advantage over those who didn't have a phys. course.

If Anatomy & Physiology are two separate courses at your school, I'd say it's more important to take the Physiology before the MCAT and save the Anatomy for later.

 

[skypilot]

This course was perfect prep for the MCAT. Take it if you can.