What do adcoms like more? Genetics vs. Anatomy vs. Phys vs. Micro...

[DOwnage]

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I see these courses recommended beyond the basic prereqs at practically every school. Throw in biochem for a few of em. For anyone during this interview cycle or previous ones...which ones did adcoms prefer to see/think better prepare you for med school?

I don't really have flexibility with my schedule. I am taking as many upper level sciences as I can but being a non-science major, it's tough. I would end up taking science classes after I applied, so even if I got straight A's in all of them, it wouldn't reflect in my GPA by the time I interview.

If I had to pick 2, I'm leaning towards genetics (its required some places) and physiology. Physiology appears to at least help me on the MCAT.

Anatomy from what I hear doesn't, and this class is an anatomy class in relation to evolution instead of a straight up Human Anatomy course.

Anyway...anybody got any thoughts? I'd greatly appreciate it 😀

Thanks

DOwnage

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

They won't be impressed with what 2 extra classes you decide to take.
Genetics - Useful on the mcat.
Physiology - Useful on mcat.
Microbiology - possibily useful; easy A?
Anatomy of evolution - Probably not that useful.

 

[slarveson]

biochem and physiology are the best to help with MCAT in my opinion

 

[jphwki82]

Having the back ground in Anatomy & Physiology, Biochem, Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, and etc. will only help you in med school. Not sure how much the Adcoms are going weigh this when deciding to offer an interview/acceptance, but it definitely wont hurt you any. I took all of those courses, and a year long cadaver dissection course. I was a non-traditional applicant, and decided to add these in on top of the pre-reqs. All have made this this semester a lot easier. You can get by without taking these courses, and still do well in med school though.

 

[WildEMDoc]

Genetics is probably the most useful. I have taken it, and let me say that you need to make sure you get a good teacher. Bad teachers lead to complete failure in genetics.

Normally there are at least 2 "Introductory" Microbiology's offered by a university. So be careful which one you take.

1) Allied Health Micro (Sometimes public health, etc..) - Generally easier, lower division (200 level), less emphasis on biochemical pathways and more on general infections and the courses of treatment. This is generally the one pre-nursing and other allied health people take, and I usually a easy "A" for people who have taken biochem and such. If you are looking for a quick survey of micro then this is the way to go.

2) General Micro - Upper division (300 level), more emphasis on biochem, cell structure and function, less on pathogenesis. This is because they assume anyone taking this course (generally biology and micro majors) will be taking Immunology or Virology later in the career.

Physiology normally has a similar split at most universities. With one (or two) being upper division, and one (not the combined A&P for nurses, a separate one) being lower division. The same general rules apply.

Can't really say anything about the anatomy class, other than it sounds lame.

Bottom line:
I would go with Genetics for sure. Whether you choose micro or physio is really up to you. Take whichever one has a better professor, or take which one you like more doesn't really make a big difference.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I took anatomy and it was overkill for what the MCAT expects. I believe the same is with all those other classes except for, perhaps, genetics. I would rank what to take based on what more schools want. For example, every University of California campus wants Biochemistry, so I'd take that first. A lot of DO like genetics, so I would take that second, etc.

 

[drctother]

I know for a fact adcoms dont care because I have straight A's in all upper level science classes and only have one interview (Touro-NY) although I have a 3.1 gpa with 30 MCAT. But still, I would have thought my grades in upper level courses would have nailed me more interviews. This includes two microbiology classes, biochemistry, immunology, 2 pathology, anatomy (gross), 4 physiology classes, 4 pharmacology classes, and a development class. I pretty much did first year med, my friends in med couldnt answer some of my midterm questions.

Point: I dont think it helps with adoms (im living proof), but it will help with MCAT and first/second year med (maybe, assuming you remember it all)