Which classes to take?

[lainey234]

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I am finally going back to school this fall to finish up my pre-reqs after 10 yrs. I only got a 2.7 (BA Psych) the first time around and since my local schools do not have a post bacc program I have enrolled to get a second BA (Bio).

I took all of G-chem and a quarter of O-chem my junior year before I officially switched to Psych. I have decided not to re-take G-chem at this point, I'm hoping to finish up the rest of the pre-reqs in 1 yr and apply next year.

I guess my question is really about the MCAT - is their alot of G-chem? Am I making a mistake by not retaking general and skipping straight ahead to Organic? If I remember correctly the two classes were very different so I think I would do fine grade-wise. Thanks for the input 🙂

 

[Back34]

Hi. I was in a similar situation prior to med school (did the MCAT after no g-chem for 4 years). Definitely go for the organic chemistry because the overlap of information between that and g-chem is minimal, i.e., you don't necessarily have to be proficient in g-chem to do well in o-chem.

My best advice would be to do the Kaplan prep course. They'll tell you what you need to know for the exam and it'll come back to you no problem (as an aside, the class is worth whatever money they're now charging. The real thing was relatively "easy" compared to their prep material). Good luck.

 

[oldpro]

I am finally going back to school this fall to finish up my pre-reqs after 10 yrs. I only got a 2.7 (BA Psych) the first time around and since my local schools do not have a post bacc program I have enrolled to get a second BA (Bio).

I took all of G-chem and a quarter of O-chem my junior year before I officially switched to Psych. I have decided not to re-take G-chem at this point, I'm hoping to finish up the rest of the pre-reqs in 1 yr and apply next year.

I guess my question is really about the MCAT - is their alot of G-chem? Am I making a mistake by not retaking general and skipping straight ahead to Organic? If I remember correctly the two classes were very different so I think I would do fine grade-wise. Thanks for the input 🙂

Yea don't retake unless you need the Preq cause some schools have a 7yr cutoff on old classes and you would have to retake if req. I think if you are okay with G chem and it's not listed as a req premed class for admission then move on.

Good Luck

 

[relentless11]

I guess my question is really about the MCAT - is their alot of G-chem? Am I making a mistake by not retaking general and skipping straight ahead to Organic? If I remember correctly the two classes were very different so I think I would do fine grade-wise. Thanks for the input 🙂

Half of the physical sciences section is GChem. However you got a C-, so I think you should be able to get by without having to retake it again for the MCAT. I got a C- somewhere in one of my GChem series, and still managed to do fine on the MCAT.

Indeed, OChem, and GChem are different, but I found OChem to be a lot more work. I liked the subject material a lot more though. Some people are the opposite. If you hated GChem, you tend to like OChem and vice versa. Probably something to do with what kind of learner you are...just speculating.
🙂

 

[blee]

I would caution you on this strategy unless you are totally comfortable with gen chem. I took gen chem over the summer, followed by the other three pre-reqs during the school year. When I started to prepare for the MCAT that spring, I found myself having to look up and reinforce gen chem concepts I had re-learned only eight months earlier.

Perhaps you could pick up a book of practice MCATs at the bookstore or library and use that to evaluate your comfort level with gen chem concepts. If you think you can self-study the material that needs work, then you should be fine.

 

[thes_hunter]

My $0.02.

My Physical Sciences score was a 10. I know crap about Physics. All the Kaplan subject tests showed I had about a 35-50% understanding of Physics.

The Kaplan G-Chem subject tests showed I had a 75-80% understanding of G-Chem. So this and analysis of my practice tests (Where I was scoring something about a 12 on Phys) showed I missed the easy G-Chem questions and a lot of the Physics questions. So it is my opinion that G-Chem carried my Physical sciences section.

I took my G-Chem at a community college where I got A's, and only really understood the material because I tutored all the English as a second language folks in my class.

I got a B+ in orgo at a good 4 yr. school. And also tested on the O-Chem subject test about 80% understanding.

I got a C and a B in Physics, Those A's in G-Chem, B+ and B- in O-Chem and A's in most Bio classes. And let me tell you, I noticed the difference in my understanding between the classes I got an A in and the classes I got a B+ in.

Your level of understanding of a subject makes a large impact on your MCAT score. So this is my advice:

If you have really good understanding of Physics, you might be fine with just the Kaplan or Princeton review of G-Chem. Then take the risk of Physics carrying your Physical sciences score. I found Kaplan's review wasn't indepth enough to make enough dent in my dreft of understanding in Physics, while it polished up my Bio, G-Chem and O-Chem pretty well.

I would also try to get your hands on some sort of subject test for G-Chem and if your percentage is low (below like 50) I would consider taking more action than just taking the G-Chem review from your test prep. Maybe not retaking a formal class, but working through your school's G-Chem text book on your own might be warranted.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

 

[vtucci]

I am finally going back to school this fall to finish up my pre-reqs after 10 yrs. I only got a 2.7 (BA Psych) the first time around and since my local schools do not have a post bacc program I have enrolled to get a second BA (Bio).

I took all of G-chem and a quarter of O-chem my junior year before I officially switched to Psych. I have decided not to re-take G-chem at this point, I'm hoping to finish up the rest of the pre-reqs in 1 yr and apply next year.

I guess my question is really about the MCAT - is their alot of G-chem? Am I making a mistake by not retaking general and skipping straight ahead to Organic? If I remember correctly the two classes were very different so I think I would do fine grade-wise. Thanks for the input 🙂

If you took General Chem during your UGrad 10 years ago, you will need to retake it because most schools want the classes within 5 years. It should only help you-- you should get an A. You need Chem 1 and 2 with Lab, Orgo 1 and 2 with lab, Physics 1 and 2 with lab, Bio 1 and 2 with lab. Many schools also require 1 semester of English and Calculus.

 

[Scottish Chap]

Hardly any medical schools ask you to retake prereqs because they're old. A good review course will serve you well if you feel shaky. At the very most, you could perhaps audit a chemistry course but retaking would be overkill, IMHO.

 

[oldpro]

Hardly any medical schools ask you to retake prereqs because they're old. A good review course will serve you well if you feel shaky. At the very most, you could perhaps audit a chemistry course but retaking would be overkill, IMHO.

OOO sorry I really do not think that is true, Past the 7 year mark the grades may not be counted as fullfilling the premed Requirements at many Med schools. I know that is true at the 10 Year mark.

 

[vtucci]

Agreed. I was told that courses older than 5 years are also a problem for some schools.

It will not hurt you to retake these classes (assuming you do well) and it will be a good review.

 

[vtucci]

duplicate

 

[Scottish Chap]

OOO sorry I really do not think that is true, Past the 7 year mark the grades may not be counted as fullfilling the premed Requirements at many Med schools. I know that is true at the 10 Year mark.

Strange. Mine were ten years old and nobody had a problem with it. I also know a 40 yo on SDN who was admitted to several medical schools without taking his prereqs again (though he audited orgo)....and there's a 51 yo in my medical schools class who definitely didn't take any of his prereq classes again (I asked). I didn't have the time or money to retake; more power to you if you do. Perhaps your rule is only pertinent if the applicant has scant recent academic history in the sciences (beyond prereqs, that is).

 

[lainey234]

Thanks for all your help guys. I was actually hoping to just retake G chem over this summer, unfortunately none of the schools around me offer that as an option (2.5 hr commute each way to the nearest one that does). So I figured I would take O-chem, Bio and Physics this yr and the MCAT next spring and hope for the best. I have a suspicion that I will have to re-take G chem because it is so old, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. I am starting classes Aug 21 and am nervous already!