I just got together with a friend from my CC days to study a little. She is helping me learn trig to get ready for physics next year. We were discussing what we were taking this semester and it seems the more I find out there is to learn the more intrigued I become. I know I need to focus on the pre reqs but some of the non pre reqs would be wonderful to know before I get there.
Bio chem
Genetics
Medical Terminology
A&P
goodness the list goes on and I’d love to take them all, but time and money factor into things. I guess for now my plan is kick butt on the actual pre reqs and then if I get accepted into med school, that year between matriculation and acceptance take some of the other courses I’ve been dying to take.
Truth be told, I’m working my way through an A&P text book on my own (I borrowed a friend’s textbook from her nursing school days). I figure it will at least help me on the MCAT even if I can’t afford to pay for the extra class right now.
- LC2Doc Said:
Sounds like a VERY solid plan!
Well, there is always that glide year where you can take come more advanced science classes, esp. biochemistry which will help when you get into medical school. I’ve heard that is a tough one (yeah, like the others are not LOL!).
It’s a good idea about the A&P (especially the P).
I’m in the same conundrum - what other classes to take to better prepare me should I get into med school. I will take BioChem in the Fall but what else should I take? Opinions, please 
Genetics
Anatomy
Physiology
Cell Bio
Statistics is also a good one if you don’t have background in that. I’d also recommend if you’re looking for something to fill your schedule that you take a class that is just for sheer enjoyment–it will be awhile before you will have the opportunity to do that after you’ve been accepted to med school!
Anatomy…because of sheer amount of memorizing needed, if you take a class prior to medical school, by the time you get to medical school you can refresh on areas that you feel comfortable with and concentrate on areas that gave you a little more trouble.
Depending on the school that you attend, some anatomy courses have been condensed requiring more intense studying.
Wow, I feel the same way! I would give an awful lot to be able to take histology, microbiology and biochem.
As far as the MCAT itself, I was puzzled and a bit stunned to read this from the official MCAT site the other day: “Consequently, because the depth of knowledge you will be expected to exhibit is limited, it is unlikely that you will improve your performance by enrolling in advanced science courses in preparation for the MCAT exam.”
It says similar things under the sections detailing what are on the various sections. In spite of it, I still think that some advanced courses that deal with and build on the primary material would still help simply by forcing us to more fully master and use the basic info.
Some med schools require biochem, and many “strongly recommend” it.
Also, in a study done by NAAHP or AAMC, I forget which, they asked 2nd year med students (MS-II) what science classes they wished they had taken. Immunology was right at the top. Others included genetics and cell bio.
And, some schools also require a stat class as part of the math requirement.
Cheers,
Judy