What is Considered a 'Composition' Class?

[Beta Cell]

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I've been searching around for the exact definition of what Medical Schools require for the one year of college english requirement. I received 5's on AP English Language and Literature, so the English requirements at my school are fulfilled. I realize that anything with the words "Composition" in the title or prefix would fulfill the requirements, but does anything else? I've taken a class called "Biomedical Ethics" which involved a lot of papers and was wondering if that class would count as a semester of English (though I doubt it). I'll be a junior next year with all of my prereqs done except Biochemistry and I need to begin taking English classes if I need one full year of them.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[rockydoc]

Safe bet is to call up/email some med schools that you are interested in and ask them about it. (Some might take your AP credits). And I agree with you that an ethics class with a lot of papers won't quite count for an English pre-req. If you have some electives you can throw around, maybe consider just taking some english courses. But definitely ask some med schools first.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

It really depends on the school. Some state that any non-science course involving significant expository writing counts towards the requirement. If I recall correctly, Columbia specifically requires an upper division English literature composition class (or something like that).

The information should be available on the pre-reqs. web pages for the schools that interest you. Just keep in mind that the entrance requirements can change from time to time.

 

[Blahblahologist]

I'll concur with the replies above-- find out what the schools you're most interested in require and use that as a guide.

Composition courses generally focus on the process and mechanics of writing-- structuring an essay, incorporating sources, developing voice and style. Most English courses concentrate on literature, rather than the actual act of writing.

Another option to consider would be a science writing class-- they're often upper level courses, but concentrate on the essentials of writing papers for academi journal publications, grants, and conference presentations. Usually they're listed under English.