Thread: Basic Sciences

Hello all,

Maybe some of you basic science grads can help me out...I have already graduated and completed all of the premed requirements but I haven't taken a bio or chem class in over 4 years as my degree was in mathematics. So I was wondering if in the basic science program they jump right into the material or if they do some background/review stuff? Basically I'm just wondering if I go right into the basic science program if I'll be caught way behind and do poorly or would you suggest perhaps going into the premed program as a kind of refresher course?

Thanx.

well they definately do not do any kind of premed review..
you jump right into the middle of things from DAY 1..
first day of classes is not "hi how are you our goal over the next few mths will be to do cover this and that"

first day of classes are" hi how are you, lets start with the anatomy of the arm..."

not trying to scare you or intimidate you.. but you definately will have some sort of reading to do when you get home after the first day of classes if you want to start off on the right foot...

by the first week you will have covered ALOT of material... its not a joke, because you have to appreciate that time is limited and you have to cover all of anatomy etc in the span of 3.5 months..
(remember the first set of exams will be 2 weeks after the first week is done.. thats only three weekends from the first day of class..)

you dont really need the info you learn from premed bio courses or chem courses as a background for first semester classes (anatomy, histo, embryo) .. its new stuff and you arent building on what you learned in first semester chem in undergrad....

so it depends on u.. will you be able to adjust to the fast pace and enormous amounts of almost all completely new information (new words that you probably cant even say let alone remember) and at the same time adjust to the island and a different lifestyle.. some ppl readily adapt.. for others they need some adjustment time....

everything u learn in first semester is from the ground up.. but its ALL new info compared to whats covered in regular premed courses at home..

so you know your academic skills the best...

its been mentioned numerous times on this forum that premed students fair a lot better over all and tend to be at the top of the class..

thats not because the premed course consists of the typical undergrad premed classes.. but the premed program is geared towards giving you the foundations for the BASIC science classes.. ie you do some anatomy. physio, cell bio etc.... but obviously in not as much detail as in the med program.. this proves to be a good stepping stone for many ppl.... get exposed to basic science curriculum in a premed setting, not as intense.. have time to adapt to surroundings etc.. so that once you reach med 1 you know what to expect, how to study, have some familiarity... and also know how to live on the island....

if you are someone that has good studying skills.. and readily grasp new material then you shouldnt have too much trouble with starting in med 1..
if you are someone that struggles to get by and get very overwhelmed very fast, then premed may be helpful..

I would discuss it with the admin and see if they have any advice for you...

You will NOT be way behind if you start in directly into the med program.. (some ppl may have an easier time because they have a nursing or chiro or mua premed etc.. background.. or they have taken anatomy and histo courses in college prior to starting.. so they are familiar with the material)

but essentially for the majority of ppl.. all of the material is new.. whether they took organic chem and first yr bio 2 yrs ago.. or 5 yrs ago...

if u decide to visit the island prior to starting.. they will allow you to sit in classes so that you can decide for yourself..

but definately talk to admin about this and they may be able ot give you suggestions catered specifically to you, ie start med 1 right away, do one semester of premed... etc..

maybe there is someone on this board that was in a similar position as you, with a non science background that can share their experience with you and how they fared starting in med 1 right away and you can ask them if they were to do it all over again would they consider starting with a semester of premed....

bottom line is you wont be "behind" because you took your premed courses 4 yrs ago... premed helps but is by all means not necessary.. it would be more of a concern if you had been out of school and out in the workforce and not in the habit of studying for many yrs...