have I done enough science courses to do well?

**cancampus** · 09-06-2007, 09:47 AM

I seems like Scottish Chap has been giving out some really good advice, so here I am asking for one. I plan to take the MCAT next summer, but I'm not sure if I'll have done enough science courses to do well on it.
By next summer, which is the end of my second year, I will have

1 year of intro biology
1 year of intro chemistry
1 year of organic chemistry
half a year of non-organic chemistry
half a year of cell biology
half a year of molecular& genetic biology
half a year of intro noncalculus physics
half a year of physiology
half a year of anatomy

Do you think I need to take more science course in order to do the best I can on the MCAT? Especially physics and biochemistry? I could wait for another semester to take it, but I want to get it over with in the summer, if I have done enough courses. I'm from Canada, and there's not premed program at my university. I have no idea what premed courses are suposed to be. Thanks a million.

**Scottish Chap** · 10-06-2007, 12:25 AM

Most U.S. schools ask for 8 credits (one whole year) in each of: general chem, organic chem, genral biology, physics. This is more than enough for the MCAT.

As for your past courses: the only subject that is perhaps lacking is physics. I took this exam myself with precisely zero background in physics. I attest first-hand that even though I gained admission to medical school on my first attempt in the U.S., the physical science section was my lowest score - and my chemistry was pretty strong. Bottom line: you want to maximize your score, so give yourself the best chance, and be prepared.

Biochemistry is not really any help on this exam, in my humble opinion. Although physiology, genetics, and molecular biology are not required either, they will most definitely help you on the biology section. I used to teach MCAT prep. for a professional company and I submit to you that this test has become rather molecular in nature - more so than before. This probably reflects the wide-spread use of molecular diagnostics in modern medicine. The AAMC (the MCAT writers) are pretty up-to-date in that regard. Keep in mind that good test-takers and fast readers do infinitely better on this exam than folks who simply 'have a lot of knowledge'. Again, this was my observation as a student of the exam and later as a teacher.

The physics that you'll need to know for the MCAT is not calculus-based. You will need to know Newtonian mechanics, fluid dynamics, energy and translational motion (including angular motion), energy conservation, waves, sound, electromagnetism, electrostatics, circuits, work, momentum, optics, and atomic physics. Check out your your old course syllabus and see if you covered all of this. If you are applying to U.S. medical school schools, you're going to need 8 credits of physics, so I would just take it before the MCAT. If you are applying to one of several Canadian medical schools that does not ask for physics but one which has the MCAT requirement, take a professional MCAT prep. course and study dilligently. I'll bet you'll do well.

Any other questions? Just ask...

My best to you!

**Crocodile Dundee** · 11-08-2007, 03:42 PM

Ok, u are a doctor; did you do two undergrad schools: Edinburgh and Rochester (NY)? If so, I would like to find out what you did precisely and how you did it (if only a sketch) as I am planning on something a bit similar..thx

**Scottish Chap** · 11-08-2007, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Crocodile Dundee

Ok, u are a doctor; did you do two undergrad schools: Edinburgh and Rochester (NY)? If so, I would like to find out what you did precisely and how you did it (if only a sketch) as I am planning on something a bit similar..thx

Undergraduate degree in the U.K. Graduate degree in the U.S. Medical school in the U.S. (presently).

**Crocodile Dundee** · 12-08-2007, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Scottish Chap

Undergraduate degree in the U.K. Graduate degree in the U.S. Medical school in the U.S. (presently).

Oh, thanks a lot!! cool. You're almost there! Baltimore: So, i'm being rather nosey, but is it Hopkins you are at?! I plan to get into Yale, instead anyway..lol. finishing @ DUNDEE then applying to post-bacc pre-med, though of course I have to work several years for the money to attend...I'm 23.

You did two years at Rochester (NY); was it MBA? Are there any MCAT books you recommend??

**Scottish Chap** · 25-08-2007, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Crocodile Dundee

Oh, thanks a lot!! cool. You're almost there! Baltimore: So, i'm being rather nosey, but is it Hopkins you are at?! I plan to get into Yale, instead anyway..lol. finishing @ DUNDEE then applying to post-bacc pre-med, though of course I have to work several years for the money to attend...I'm 23.

You did two years at Rochester (NY); was it MBA? Are there any MCAT books you recommend??

MBA? No. I'm a Hopkins alumnus, though I no longer reside in Baltimore. My best advice is to only apply to an American medical school if you have a very good reason for being here. For foreigners, it's incredibly difficult to gain admission and I submit to you from personal experience that it's simply not worth trying 'for the sake of it'. I had other, compelling reasons for being here and that's why I took this path. If you also have compelling reasons, good luck, and hang in there.