Question about english requirement (and MCAT)

<p>english is part of every premed requirement. What kind of english is normally required? I know it's composition, but what about creative writing? I took one semester in creative writing and am wondering whether it would be accepted by med schools. (or how they would view this as one semester of my english requirement)</p>

<p>My second question is whether or not the MCATs are treated the same way by med schools as SATs are to colleges. Inotherwords, since one can take the MCAT several times, do med schools only consider the highest scores in each section from different tests (mix for best score) or just one composite score? Thanks.</p>

<p>This is NOT like the SAT's where you take it as many times as you feel like it. I've seen people retake the SAT's just to get 30 pts higher. The MCAT is very stressful and requires significant time and monetary investment each time you take it. You should plan to take it just once if possible. Some schools will take the highest in one sitting, some will consider all of your scores, others will average them. But they will see ALL of your scores.</p>

<p>I took a creative writing class as half of my year of English and it hasn't been a problem during the application process.</p>

<p>The Harvard Medical School admission page has a great explanation of what type of english you should take. Simply put, plan to take classes where you are writing to explain or inform, also known as expository writing. Any type of class where you are putting together cogent arguments and developing communication and critical reading and thinking is acceptable. I wouldn't take something like a creative writing class, even though bluedevilmike says it's okay (he's actually gone through the process so he's more of an authority than I am), and I would stay away from fiction/poetry writing. You should try to take literature classes and nonfiction writing classes. Some medical schools accept writing classes from other disciplines, but to be safe, I would take two semester hours of literature and expository writing within your school's English Department.</p>

<p>bluedevilmike, are you a student at duke med school?</p>

<p>Nope, still finishing up my undergrad years (six weeks left).</p>

<p>And while I maintain that creative writing classes won't cause you PROBLEMS, I also agree with Dores's recommendations that other types of English classes are BETTER/more useful (esp. for MCAT purposes).</p>

<p>The problem is that a lot of undergrad schools don't offer classes like that beyond an intro course for freshmen - English departments think they're better than that, I suppose; I don't really know.</p>

<p>Sorry, just realized literature classes were included in there, which schools most definitely have lots of.</p>

<p>This question could easily be answered by either asking a premed in your school or asking your accademic advisor. Each school recomends different classes for your premed english requirement and these should be well known by your peers and advisors.</p>

<p>I scored 790 on the old SAT verbal section.....then I took a practice MCAT practice test last week in the verbal reasoning section only.........I got a 7 which really hurt me...</p>

<p>any good advises on conquering the MCAT verbal reasoning section?</p>

<p>also, do the biological science and physical science (with chemistry) sections require lots of memory? or, are they just science reading comprehension as well?</p>

<p>Hopeful, how old are you? If you are less than a college sophomore, it is too early to be worrying about this.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Hopeful, how old are you? If you are less than a college sophomore, it is too early to be worrying about this.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'd like to hear the answer to that question as well. Seems like this person isnt even in college yet.</p>

<p>i'm a high school senior; however, i plan to finish college in three years (due to some very personal reasons...don't ask)...that means i have around one year left before taking my first mcat</p>

<p>i know people on cc will be so kind to help me out =]</p>

<p>Even if you plan to finish college in three years, that leaves you TWO years to study for the MCAT, doesn't it? Or eighteen months, at least!</p>

<p>And besides which, one year is STILL too far ahead to be worrying about it (although not nearly so bad as, say, five years ahead).</p>

<p>"FIRST MCAT"?!? most people usually take the MCAT once...again this isnt the SATs</p>

<p>the problem is that i'm also considering applying to law school and business school, so i have to take LSAT and GMAT all in the same year.</p>

<p>i hope to triple majors in graduate school: law school, medical school, and business chool.</p>

<p>So you plan to make your load lighter by planning to take the MCAT multiple times?</p>

<p>no, what i meant is out of the three exams I have to take (LSAT, GMAT, MCAT), I will then MCAT first, LSAT second, and GMAT third.</p>

<p>i hope to take each exam only once.</p>

<p>Is it me or does this seem like an insane plan to accomplish all during undergrad in 3 years?</p>

<p>hopeful dove, you are crazy. But then again, I might sorta try the same thing for the heck of it. (but i'll probably direct 95% of my efforts towards the MCAT)</p>