<p>How important is biochemistry for med school admissions?
i bombed the first test and am considering dropping the course.
would it be necessary to take it at a later time?</p>
<p>There are some schools where it's a requirement for admission, just like a year of bio. However, there are plenty of schools where it is not required. I did everything I could to avoid taking biochem in undergrad, and now that I'm in med school, I'm doing just fine without it.</p>
<p>Shades, do you know specifically which schools require it?</p>
<p>I know that Mayo, University of New Mexico, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Michigan State(D.O.), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Florida all require biochem. There are more schools that don't require it, than there are that do require biochem. For example some really good schools ie. Baylor, Johns Hopkins, Yale, UIC do not require biochem. This is according to US News and World Report from last year, so some may have added it.</p>
<p>There are also schools that "recommend" it. Keep in mind, biochem will be one of your first year courses in med school. Might not be a bad idea to get a head start by taking it in college.</p>
<p>If you really bombed the test, and at this point are doomed to get a bad grade, if you pass at all, then drop it if you can. This is general premed advice. A "D" is never a good thing. No one grade will keep you out of med school, but it certainly will not help.</p>
<p>Biochemistry, the subject, not the course, is incredibly useful for medicine. The body is a biochemical machine, and one way or another you have to come to terms with it. Since some med schools require it, you are better off taking the course when you can do well, and opening up your options for places to apply.</p>