X-post from pre-MD board- Do I really need another English class?

[Mikewise]

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Hey guys, I posted this to the premed allopathic board and realized that it probably really belongs here. Would love to hear if you have any input from the nontrad perspective:

I'm 28, Graduated with a double-BA in in psychology and studio art from a liberal arts college, and then taught English overseas for 4 years. At my university I took a women's studies course ("contemporary women playwrights") to satisfy the institutional English requirement--it was one semester only. I also took a number of writing intensive philosophy and psychology courses, although there are no credits on my transcript specifically under ENG.

I'm now in a postbacc fulfilling my science prereqs and I see that many med schools require or recommend 2 semesters of college English. Despite being a liberal arts going, English teaching non-trad, would I be well advised to take another English class? I don't want to waste my time and money on it at this point unless it's really necessary; I'd rather take upper division science classes as tertiary courses during the coming Fall and Spring, and this summer I have a research opportunity in a really exciting neuroscience lab where i stand to gain a lot more if I'm not splitting my time between it and a summer course in introductory writing.

 

[threesparrows]

I'm not sure there is a definitive answer to this, since schools vary as to their requirements. I am in the same boat as you—have taken multiple writing-intensive interdisciplinary courses without an ENG or ENC prefix. I chose not to take additional english courses during my postbacc and am just now applying for fall 2015, so I will let you know how it plays out. I also have a double BA in studio art and sociology—hello to my twin!

If there is a school or schools that you are particularly interested in, check the MSAR and/or the school's website for their English requirement. You can also email their admissions office explaining your situation, to see what they would advise. If you are more open about where you go, I think you can be confident that many schools will consider your coursework sufficient.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Yup, answers will vary so your best bet is to contact schools and ask. Having something in writing, ie email, might be the best way to go.

 

[FutureDrB]

This is a little off topic, but I see that more and more schools are specifying literature as part of the 6 hours of required English classes. I have a ton of English classes, but no literature. Guess I'll be taking that now.

 

[raney]

My English classes were over 10 years old and not a single school commented or asked about it pre or post interview.