Who Got in with Just the Minimum Pre-Req Classes?

[chimi]

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For you current med students, I was wondering how many of you got accepted having JUST taken the minimum pre-reqs (i.e. bio, g chem, o chem, physics, and possibly math).

So many schools say that biochem or cell bio is "strongly recommended" but I am an older post-bacc and just do not have the time to take additional classes after having already taken all these pre-reqs going to school part-time and working full time. Just wondering if not taking upper level science will hurt me....

Thanks for your help.

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

For you current med students, I was wondering how many of you got accepted having JUST taken the minimum pre-reqs (i.e. bio, g chem, o chem, physics, and possibly math).

So many schools say that biochem or cell bio is "strongly recommended" but I am an older post-bacc and just do not have the time to take additional classes after having already taken all these pre-reqs going to school part-time and working full time. Just wondering if not taking upper level science will hurt me....

Thanks for your help.

I got in with pretty much the minimum requirements. I took 4 semester of chemistry (only 3 semesters of lab), 2 semesters of bio with lab, and 2 semesters of physics with lab. I took one other science course, but it was a course on evolution offered by the biology department -- not the biochem or cell bio for which med schools are rumored to look. I was a psych major and also took some science-related classes, such as psychobio and psychobio lab, through the psych department.

I did not take any math in college, but I did have one semester's worth of AP calculus credits. However, the med school which I now attend requires 2 semesters of calculus. To meet that requirement, I used my AP credits and my two semesters of graduate-level statistics (again through the psych department). Most schools are pretty reasonable about these things if you ask them.

Good luck. I really don't think that not taking additional science classes will hurt you, particularly at the admissions level. Once you are in first year, not having those classes is a slight disadvantage, but it is easily overcome.

 

[CaptainJack02]

i did.

just ace the pre reqs and the mcat(30+ and 3.5+ sci/overall should make you feel comfortable), do things you are passionate about, and get to know professors and let them learn about you. apply early and apply to a wide range of schools.

i think premeds(i was the same) tend to look for nuances and compelxities in the system where none really exist for most medical schools. it's really a pretty straightforward process.

 

[thackl]

Just the prereq's here. Don't worry about it.

 

[iatrosB]

Did any of you feel overwhelmed in medical school because of the lack of science courses? Does it make it that much more difficult?

 

[thackl]

I'm sure it helps to see the stuff, but the way it is presented and what is priority in med school is much different than undergrad. I'm not having any issues so far.

 

[Richie Truxillo]

Computer Science major with Philosophy here.

Did bare minimum requirements, got into a couple MD schools with 3.5 gpa, 27 MCA...so yes, can be done. 🙂

I felt overwhelmed in my PBL track at first but once I got some underlying concepts down, I'm learning on my own at a rapid pace.

Good luck applying 🙂

-Richie

 

[tkdchica]

Did any of you feel overwhelmed in medical school because of the lack of science courses? Does it make it that much more difficult?

I was a French major in undergrad and barely squeaked in with my classes, but I find that I'm doing just fine. There are moments in Biochem where I wish that I had had it before, but all in all....I'm struggling just as much as everyone else.
Never fear.

 

[Dr. Rosenrose]

I only had prereqs. The bad thing about it is while most people are only studying 2-3 hrs a night, b/c they have seen it b4, you will have to start out busting your ass. Eventually everyone is in the same boat (I'd say after about the 3rd week of school).

 

[joy77]

Hi all! I am also a post-bacc who has been accepted with the bare minimum of pre-reqs. Next spring, I plan to take just one more class before beginning med school (most likely pass/fail).

For those who have started med school, if there were one additional class you could have taken (or would recommend to others) before med school, what would it be? (some of my choices: biochem, cell bio, genetics, mamm phys)

Thanks in advance to all of you experienced students! -J

 

[skypilot]

Those are good choices if you have a chance. If not... don' worry bout it.

 

[surrender903]

psych major here

 

[OrthoFixation]

I did . . . have an acceptance, expect more, and still have Gen Chem II remaining.

 

[roja]

Film Degree here. I took the minimum. In Tx, you had to have, in addition to the bio, chem, orgo, physics, two upper level 'science' classes. I took Advanced physiology and immunology. Never took genetics, never took biochem. Got an A in biochem in medical school. (no grade for genetics 😀) You will learn everything you need in medical school. Its very different from undergrad. If anything, I recommend taking a really good physiology and a good immunology class. The conceptual type material is often harder to learn in medical school. Micro, anatomy, biochem etc are mostly memorization classes, so they aren't that helpful. If you have the time, great, but if not, go conceptual. And this stuff will only help you first year anyway. Second year is like a whole new vocab./world

 

[phoenixsupra]

Just pre-recs for me. There's pretty much nothing conceptual in med school. Though everyone hates it when there is. I don't get that myself. Medschool is basically one big vocab cram. I say broaden your horizons as an undergrad. Theres plenty of time to narrow them again in medschool. 🙂

 

[joy77]

Thanks all. It's just been several years since I've spent much time in a classroom, and I feel that it will help to ease the transition by taking a course next semester (as if there's such a thing as easing the transition to med school ) I have already cut back my work sked to accomodate this plan, and I was just trying to decide which class it's going to be.

 

[phoenixsupra]

Take anatomy if you can. People in my class who had taken it before had a much easier time during first semester. Also, it's sort of a foundaton course so if you take it twice it'll sink in a lot better. Good luck. 🙂