<p>I'm an incoming non-science major freshman. I am a pursuing pre-med, which at my school is about 10 courses (2 semesters each of math, biology, chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry). I'm aware that some graduate schools say that a semester of microbiology or cell biology is "recommended", and I planned to take all the recommended courses as well, but I'm pursuing a major, a minor, and pre-med, AND fulfilling general education classes, and it looks like I'm going to have a tough time squeezing all my classes into my 4 years in undergrad. </p>
<p>So I guess my question is, how harmful is it going to be for my medical or dental school admissions if I don't take all the recommended courses?</p>
<p>Since you are incoming CO2016 you will have to add Biochemistry , Gen Psychology, Gen Sociology to your list of pre reqs since they will be required and on the 2015 MCAT</p>
<p>I believe that you have skipped English. English is also a requirement.
Do not take any required classes in a summer. Overall, try to enjoy your summers, you will be very sorry if you do not enjoy your summers while in UG, no such chance later on. Merit awards also do not cover summer classes. Another reason to avoid them. For old MCAT, cell bio, genetics, physiology were very helpful. I do not know anything about new MCAT.</p>
<p>things like psy and soc can be handled thru distance learning or minimesters. take any extra nonessential classes at community college. super affordable.</p>
<p>Pre med requirements are in the process of changing to better meet the content of the 2015 MCAT.</p>
<p>The current requirements are:</p>
<p>2 semesters of college level math (generally interpreted to mean Calc 1 and Stats)
2 semester of introductory biology with labs
2 semesters of general chemistry with labs
2 semesters of organic chem with labs
2 semester of general physics with labs</p>
<p>1 semester freshman writing</p>
<p>Additionally most schools require a second semester of either writing or a “writing intensive” class. (Must be designated as “writing intensive” by your university.)</p>
<p>A minority of schools also require biochem, A&P, genetics and/or upper level humanities. </p>
<p>~~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p>For the 2015 MCAT, you will need to add Into to Sociology, Intro to Psych and Biochem to list of current pre-reqs</p>
<p>This material will definitely be included on the 2015 MCAT and those courses will become universal requirements as med schools develop pre-reqs that better match MCAT content. Some med schools have already announced these courses are now pre-reqs for classes entering in 2016 or later.</p>
<p>The 2015 MCAT will also include genetics and cellular/molecular bio. These topics may or may be already included in the intro bio course at your school. If not, you will need to add coursework in those areas.</p>
<p>The 2015 MCAT will also include statistics in the PS section. But you can cover this with the 2 semesters of college math requirement.</p>
<p>~~~~~</p>
<p>Your plan may or may not be workable in light of the new MCAT requirements. If it’s to work at all, it will require extremely careful planning (use a spreadsheet!) and probably two or semesters of course overloading.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone, but I still don’t have an answer to my question. I know what all of my requirements are, I just didn’t list them all because I didn’t think it was necessary for me to broadcast every single course I am planning to take. I just want to know if it will hurt my dental or medical school admissions if I don’t take the recommended (but not required) courses. Can anyone help?</p>
<p>It won’t help, but I don’t think it’ll hurt. It’s probably more of a tipping factor for decisions, or for your own benefit, as you’ll have an easier time with the courses when you get there. The courses may also help boost your sGPA if you have a rough time with the requisite courses.</p>
<p>I’m basically stealing the OP’s thread here, but I’ve always wondered what the policy is for AP credits and pre-med programs. When I enter college as a freshman in 2013, I will most likely have high enough scores for credit in calc I/II, some form of statistics, general biology, general chemistry, general physics, freshman composition if available for ap credit, and psychology. </p>
<p>Now I know it would not be a good idea (or even possible) to skip all these classes, but I plan on majoring in molecular bio, which will require more advanced classes than the ones listed above. I’ve read some places that it’s okay to skip intro classes, as long as you’re taking more advanced courses, such as cell bio, genetics, calc III, and what not. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience with this? It just seems like a waste to have to retake all the classes I’ve already done in HS.</p>
<p>The answer is…it depends. It depends on what med schools you’re looking at. It depends on how your AP credits are recorded.</p>
<p>For med schools to even consider your AP credits, your AP credit MUST be recorded as equivalent for a specific course (with a course number) on your college transcript.</p>
<p>AP Calc BC – 8 credit hours for MTH 200 & 201 is fine.</p>
<p>AP Biology – 4 credit hours for elective biology is not. </p>
<p>Also, please be aware that some universities have a policy that prohibits pre meds from using AP credit to replace intro level coursework. Mostly these are private Us. </p>
<p>Take a look at this list to see what schools will not accept AP credits or require supplementation of AP credits.</p>
<p>"take any extra nonessential classes at community college. super affordable. "
-Not for those who are on significant / full tuition /full ride Merit awards at their school. They will have to pay tuition at CC, whatever it is, it is still more in comparison to paying no tuition. Again, all of these could be taken care during schools year at your UG, which is the best option.
In regard to AP credit, be careful, listen to advisors and current students, make decision about each class, there is no good general rule. At D’s UG (and I heard the same about other UGs), it was strongly recommended to take Bio from the beginning, not skipping the first class even if you had 5 on AP exam. It may or may not be true at your UG. The same goes for other credits. Level of your preparation in AP classs also depends greatly on your HS as D. found out that her Regular Chem at her HS was taught at higher level than at others’ in AP Chem. She had very easy time with Chem at college, did not have to prep. for Gen. Chem section of MCAT. Cannot say the same about other science classes. Chem. remains her strongest even currently at Med. School.
So, be prepared to make decision about each class on individual basis.</p>