<p>I am planning on taking several courses before going to college. What do you think are best three subjects of the 5 to take:
Microbiology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology</p>
<p>to take in terms of:
-Taking it now and then retaking it in college and thus it would be a review.
-Perhaps some of these courses are easier to handle than the others
-Importance in Pre-Med course curriculum
-Importance in Med School</p>
<p>Personally, I cannot take all 5 subjects because of financial and workload concerns and thus I was hoping your input on which 3 subjects would be the best to take.</p>
<p>Where are you planning to take those courses? If you are you a high-school student, then I'm assuming it's at a community college or possibly at a four-year college. It doesn't really matter where, BUT if the course is transferrable to the college that you will get your undergraduate degree from, then you won't be able to take the course again. The grade you earned will stay and the school you took it at will be identified with it. I know that most schools hold this policy, but there may be exceptions. You should do some careful planning and research.</p>
<p>I don't mean to discourage you from getting a head start, but I just thought that you should know. Talk to a counselor or someone for better information.</p>
<p>Let me just add that if it is at a four-year college that is somewhat equivalent to the one you get your degree at, then it may be okay. Just remember that if it's transferrable (which is when the college determines if the course is equivalent to theirs or not), then you won't be able to take it again.</p>
<p>Other than consulting with an advisor, the users sakky and PSedrishMD on this board have a lot more knowledge on these topics. I just started looking into Pre-Med very recently.</p>
<p>BTW: Are you considering using these courses to show for your undergraduate application? I hope that I didn't alter your plans.</p>
<p>Ya i agree, check with the college u decide to go to about taking these courses...if they allow you to take them over then you should def take organic chem aha</p>
<p>I hear orgo is a killer, so in my opinion, i feel it would be beneficial to take it in a community college and review it in college..but thats only if like vpt said, they allow you to take it over. If not, then i HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take it in college so u dont forget all the stuff for the MCAT.</p>
<p>You can always take summer courses too if u feel like u wanna do this as a review. Take orgo and then take a review course at a nearby college. My friend is doing that with all the sciences, he graduated from Brandeis, took a while off to review the courses at NYU and is taking is MCAT tomorrow...he def had alot of review for it!</p>
<p>Last thing I want to add is that out of the five classes that you listed, usually only one or two are required for medical school admission. The requirements vary by medical school, but they almost always include organic chemistry. The other one's might be required or recommended or neither. Also note that undergraduate admissions sometimes consider college-course involvement in their admission criteria. It's up to research all of your options and to find out what benefits you the most.</p>
<p>it will not be transferable but rather it is more of on a learning enrichment basis in which I will thus retake them in college. Thus I really need your input on which do you recommend.</p>
<p>If any class like this is taken at a college of any sort, it must be reported on your AMCAS application to medical school. If you take a grade in it, or just even take it for no credit you have to report it. If not and they were to find out they have grounds to kick you out of medical school for withholding information. Just wait until college to take it like everyone else. Or just buy a book and try to self teach it to yourself.</p>
<p>Exactly. Better yet get a pre-med student. And if possible get one who has just finished the class you want to take, or one that got into med school. They should know the subject pretty well in both of those situations. And they will be desperate for money.</p>
<p>I said eliminate because he only wanted to take 3 of the 5 subjects, and since one required another as a prereq, itd be pointless to try and take that subject if hed never know whats going on until after he started beginning orgo. </p>
<p>I would just sit in on the class w/o enrolling unless you know for sure the place is strict and kicks out students who aren't enrolled (best part is that this is free!).</p>
<p>In order of importance/helpfulness for med school:
1. Physiology
3. Biochemistry
3. Anatomy
3. Microbiology
5. Organic Chemistry</p>
<p>At any rate, most college require that you take organic chemistry before you take biochemistry. Similarly, certain physiology courses have prereqs.</p>
<p>I know at Brandeis the only three courses up there required for pre-meds are organic, anatomy, and physiology. So there y'go. Have you already taken college level chemistry? If not, that's where you're gonna want to start.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Or just buy a book and try to self teach it to yourself.
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</p>
<p>Yeah, I think this is the best option of all. None of these subjects are so hard that you couldn't learn it yourself just by reading the book and doing practice problems. Or if you really have difficulty, then as doogie said, hire a tutor. </p>
<p>The fact is, premed is a game. It's better to take the premed courses after you've already studied the subject. If you already know it, that makes it easier for you to get a high grade. Yeah, I know, it's pretty sad that you would be taking a class on something that you already know, just to get a high grade. But that's all part of the 'game' of premed. </p>
<p>It shouldn't be this way. For example, I think that grades shouldn't matter at all, and med-schools should only care about your MCAT score, and if the MCAT doesn't tell the med-school everything it needs to know to make an admissions decision, then the solution is to come up with a better MCAT test. Honestly, if you take the MCAT and you prove that you understand the material, who really cares what grade you might have gotten in the class? However, that's neither here nor there. As long as the system is the way it is, then it's important for you to get top grades, whatever means necessary. So if that means learning the material before you take the class, so be it.</p>