I’m 22 and I was homeschooled. I did not take any physics or chemistry in my high school homeschool classes. I plan on applying to colleges at the end of the year and I’ve decided that I would like to go to medical school and become a doctor. Since I didn’t take either in homeschool, will this be a problem for me? Could I take them in college in like a Introductory manner like introductory chemistry or introductory physics? I asked this on Quora and they said it shouldn’t be a problem and I would just need to take them in college at beginner level. Thanks for any answers.
I didn't take chemistry and physics in homeschool and I have a question about taking them in college
It is not a problem in terms of being allowed to take the courses at the intro level. Where the problem lies is that most students at some colleges have already had high school Chen and physics already, and within the last few years. The courses are designed and paced for that audience. It could be daunting to someone who has not.
What math have you had? How long has it been since you have been taking classes at all? My neighbor who was a straight A student in college, already had her college degree, and took all of the sciences in highschool returned to college for premed preparation taking college chemistry, bio and physics for the first time and realized she bit off more than she could chew. She was fortunate in that she realized this early in the term and could drop most of her courses, and focus on just one. Getting high grades is essential for medical school acceptance, and it was not going to happen taking two sciences after a long hiatus from academics for her. She retook algebra and other basic courses for no credit to prep herself.
So, start slowly. It’s doable but you are asking without giving us any info about yourself other than age and having not taken those sciences at the high school level. It’s a red flag in that most college prepped students going into college with premed aspirations have taken the holy trinity of sciences here on this board. What sort of college are you attending? If it’s a community college, the transition will likely be easier. It’s a matter of how prepared your fellow students in your class will be and how ready you are to study this material, how much free time you have to study.
It depends on the school. I would think a directional or Community College will have a class for people who have not had any exposure. A four year may have a chem and physics for non majors where you could start.
Another option may also be to take the classes over the summer before starting in the Fall.
Good luck!
In theory an intro class is really that- but as @cptofthehouse pointed out, at even modestly selective schools virtually every student will have had a HS class of some sort in bio, chem and physics. They may not remember much about cell division or why valance electrons matter or the second law of thermodynamics- but they have heard about them, and know a lot of basic vocabulary and principles. But: you only have to take one each of those classes (+ organic chemistry, but nobody has done that in HS).
Because the grades you get in them matter so much for med school admissions, and in practice you need them all taken by the end of Junior year, @momofsenior1’s suggestion of using the summers is really helpful. Check out your home state med schools (your best bet for getting into a med school) and see what their pre-reqs are (some don’t accept community college courses as fulfilling requirements). If your state’s schools do, you can use this year that you are applying to college to start getting the intro courses done: sign up for an intro physics course for this summer, an intro chem in the autumn and intro bio next spring (counter intuitive, but this is actually the easiest sequence to take them). You will then start college with three of the key required classes done and dusted, your studying muscles will be back up and in shape, and you will be ready to take on organic chemistry and whatever else the med schools in your state want (for example, many ask for psych now)- and dive into whatever your major subject will be.
IF you find that you can manage work and getting solid As in the science class at the same time, you could pick up a second class each term, so that this year of applying to college could also be almost a year’s worth of college credit. Keep going year round and you could be ready to apply to med schools a year sooner.
Part of the reason that you might be able to do this - while getting top top marks- is that you have the advantage of comparative maturity. Use it!
If you can take the classes at a community college I would. I told DS to take physics at Austin CC, even though he’d taken AP Physics in HS, because UT’s engineering physics classes are really tough.
High school chemistry and physics may be assumed prerequisites for college chemistry and physics.
Community colleges may offer preparatory courses for those without the high school courses to bring them up to the level needed to take the standard college chemistry and physics courses.
I’m going to disagree with @collegemom3717 about taking CC science classes.
You need to be aware that even if you do take (and pass) intro level physics, chem and bio at a CC, most medical schools school will expect you to supplement those classes with additional upper level coursework in those same fields. Rightly or wrongly, most medical school adcomms view CC coursework as being less rigorous than coursework taken at a 4 year college and will want to see how you fare in a more competitive environment.
Even if your state med schools does accept CC credits for pre-reqs, it doesn’t mean you will considered a competitive applicant if you use CC credits to fulfill your science pre-reqs… Many med schools either limit the number of CC science credits they accept or explicitly state that they expect all CC science credits to supplemented with additional upper level coursework in science fields where you have CC credits. If you take physics at a CC, this may mean you will end up taking physics major physics classes at your 4 years
See:
SUNY Upstate College of Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions | College of Medicine | SUNY Upstate Medical University
“Applicants should avoid taking more than one or two prerequisite science courses during the summer and avoid taking them at community colleges.”
University of Florida College of Medicine
https://admissions.med.ufl.edu/faq/#community_college
Q: Can I take the prerequisite courses at my local community/junior college?
A: In order to create the most academically competitive application you should take all prerequisite courses at the most competitive bachelor’s degree granting institution where you can gain entrance. You should try to complete your pre-requisite courses at a four-year institution
George Washington University
http://smhs.gwu.edu/academics/md-program/admissions/faqs#communitycollege
Do you accept community college credits?
Yes. The Committee on Admissions does accept coursework taken at a community college; however, it is preferable to have the pre-medical coursework taken at a four-year college or university.
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
https://medicine.temple.edu/education/md-program/how-apply/requirements
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Two pre-requisite science courses can be fulfilled with AP credits, community college courses or through a study abroad program.
Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College of Medicine
https://medicine.tamhsc.edu/admissions/index.html
Policy on AP Credits, Credits by Exam, and Dual Credit
We generally prefer that applicants take the prerequisite courses at 4-year accredited colleges and universities rather than utilize advanced placement credits, credits by exam, dual-credit, pass/fail course work or community college courses. We do not dismiss these credits; and, if they have been taken, we will accept them toward meeting the prerequisites. In fact, if an applicant has placed out of a required level course, we will also accept another course in that discipline at the same or higher level. Again, our preference is that applicants take graded courses at 4-year institutions, particularly the prerequisites in the biological sciences and the chemistry series.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/admissions/md/faq/#q43
Are community college classes accepted as prerequisite course credit?
They may be, but the Admissions Committee generally expects students to complete all prerequisite courses at a four-year undergraduate institution.
(These are just s few examples. There are plenty more)
And even if your state med school accepts CC credits for science pre-reqs, you’re putting all your eggs in one basket. While your state med schools typically offer pre-meds their best chance at an acceptance, acceptance isn’t guaranteed. (Even in the “best” states for med school, only 30-35% of in-state applicants get an acceptance.) Most successful med school applicants apply to 15 or more schools. By taking science pre-reqs at a CC, you’re disqualifying yourself for many, many other schools. and reducing your chances for an acceptance.
How are your math skills? You didn't mention those, but strong math skills are critical for doing well in college science classes. Chemistry is a math intensive class as is physics. Plus you'll need at least a semester of statistics (offered thru the math dept) or biostatistics and another semester of "college level" mathematics for med school. If you haven't taken college algebra or pre-calc in your home schooling--that's the one class you need before enrolling in chem or physics.
Med school pre-reqs include (minimum requirements)
2 semesters intro biology w/labs
2 semesters general chemistry w/labs
2 semesters college physics w/labs
2 semesters organic chem w/labs
1 semester statistics** or biostatistics
1 semester of "college level' mathematics
1 semester biochem**
1 semester intro psychology**
1 semester intro sociology**
2 semesters of writing/written communication/English
**These courses are not universally required by all med schools, but the content of these courses are included on the MCAT exam. You will not be able to score high on the MCAT without them.
As stated above you will be at a disadvantage when taking college science classes with high school level foundation coursework.
I would suggest that either now/this summer at your local CC or when you get to campus you first enroll in a intro biology for NON majors and intro to chem for NON majors. Neither of these classes will count toward fulfilling your med school pre-reqs, nor will they be included in your sGPA calculations for med school. ( You will need to report them to AMCAS and AACOMAS and they will count in your calculating your cumulative GPA, but not your sGPA) These will give you the background knowledge and vocabulary needed to be successful in your pre-req science classes.
Taking these non-science major classes will delay your pre-reqs coursework, but majority of pre-meds do not apply to med school at the end of junior year anymore. Most apply after college graduation and take a gap year (or 2 or 3) before beginning medical school.
I yield to @WayOutWestMom’s experienced & well-made point! But sticking with the core point of using this year of applying to colleges to bridge the gap by taking the intro level classes at community college. Taking the non-major version first is a good idea- gets you the background, and you should be able to ace them (and if not, there is some useful information for your planning in that also).
Another option would be to simply study the topics yourself before you matriculate to your 4-year college.
Ugh, that’s too bad about not being able to take the courses at CCs. 
I second the idea of taking the “non major” courses first, to learn the approach, the vocabulary, the basic skills. Aim for a high A. Then start with the premed sequence.
What does your high school home school transcript have on it? What have you studied?
Do you have a GED or HS diploma? Did you satisfy all of the HS graduation requirements in your state?
Have you considered health careers that aren’t doctor?