Can I get into med school without biochem?

While you might find a rare school without a biochemistry prerequisite, it's generally a core requirement for most US medical schools, appearing on the MCAT and essential for first-year success; taking it, often after general and organic chemistry, provides crucial knowledge for medical school and makes your application stronger, as it's a foundational course for understanding biological processes.

Do I need biochem for med school?

All applicants must complete a two-year chemistry sequence that covers inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Students should be exposed to general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry in a two-year sequence that provides the foundation for the study of biologically relevant chemistry.

Does med school require a biochemistry lab?

Requirements do vary from school to school, so here's a chart of the prerequisite courses at the top 50 medical schools. Biology: 1 year with laboratory work. Chemistry: 2 years with laboratory work, including inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Physics: 1 year (laboratory work is recommended).

Is a B+ in orgo bad for med school?

A B+ in organic chemistry (orgo) is generally not bad for medical school, especially if it's your only lower grade in tough science courses, as Orgo is notoriously difficult and admissions committees understand this; a strong overall GPA, high MCAT score, compelling experiences (research, clinical), and a positive upward trend in grades will easily outweigh a B+. While an A is always better, a B+ shows you can handle challenging material, and a few B's in premed courses are common and acceptable, say Reddit users.
 

How much biochem do I need for med school?

Biological Sciences: 12 hours of lecture with 2 hours of lab. General Chemistry: 6 hours of lecture with 2 hours of lab. Organic Chemistry: 6 hours of lecture with 2 hours of lab. Biochemistry: 3 hours of lecture.

DO NOT go to MEDICAL SCHOOL (If This is You)

What is the easiest med school to get into?

The "easiest" medical schools to get into often have higher acceptance rates, favoring in-state applicants and those with strong but not necessarily top-tier GPAs (around 3.7+) and MCATs (around 500+), with examples including University of Mississippi, ECU Brody School of Medicine, University of North Dakota, and Mercer University School of Medicine, but even these are competitive, requiring dedication to building a strong application with experiences and good scores. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey and Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine are also options, often with lower average stats. 

What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?

The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours, often in post-baccalaureate coursework, to evaluate academic strength, giving a chance to those with a weaker overall undergraduate record but strong recent performance, like at LSU-New Orleans and Wayne State. It's a way for schools to see recent academic growth, with examples including focusing on recent semesters or post-bacc programs to demonstrate improvement.
 

Is there more Gen Chem or Orgo on MCAT?

Exam content will draw from*:

General chemistry, 30% Organic chemistry, 15%

How many B's are okay for med school?

A few Bs aren't going to destroy your chances. Things like MCAT scores, research, volunteer work, etc are all considered as well. Having Bs and even a C here or there in non-science courses isn't always a concern. It also depends very much on the medical school.

Is orgo harder than calculus?

Organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally considered harder by most students than calculus because it demands extensive conceptual understanding, spatial reasoning, and memorization of complex reaction patterns, while calculus relies more on applying abstract mathematical rules, but difficulty is subjective and depends on individual strengths; if you excel at math but struggle with memorization and visualization, Orgo will likely be tougher, but if you dislike abstract math, calculus might be harder, notes Echemi. 

Can you study for MCAT without taking biochem?

Biochemistry encompasses a vast amount of content.

Hence, understanding it is not only crucial for related MCAT questions but also for enhancing overall reasoning skills. It provides valuable insights into other concepts on the exam, even those not explicitly categorized as biochemistry.

Is a 3.7 too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is generally considered strong and competitive for medical school, but it's not a guarantee and becomes much stronger when paired with a high MCAT score and a robust science GPA. While MD school matriculant averages hover around 3.8+, a 3.7 is above the applicant average, especially if you show an upward trend in your grades, but a lower science GPA (BCPM) could raise concerns. 

How many semesters of biochem do I need for med school?

Most schools require 2 semesters of general chemistry with lab and 2 semesters of organic chemistry with lab. Some schools also require a semester of biochemistry.

What major is most accepted to medical school?

1. Which major has the highest acceptance rate into medical school? Math and statistics majors, humanities majors and physical science majors have the highest acceptance rates into medical school. However, biological science majors remain the highest number of applicants to medical school.

Can you take the MCAT without Orgo 2?

I took MCAT before Orgo 2 and while I was in Physics 2. Self study is absolutely doable for these two. Have you taken biochem? That was much harder to self-study and, at least on my test, made up a larger percentage of the overall test.

Do biochemists get paid well?

Yes, biochemistry can pay well, especially with advanced degrees (Master's/Ph.D.) and experience in high-demand sectors like pharmaceuticals or biotech, with median salaries for all biochemists around $103,650 (2024) and top earners reaching well over $100k, though entry-level pay with a Bachelor's degree can be lower and vary significantly by role and location, with some reporting lower starting salaries but high growth potential in the right industries.
 

How common is it to fail med school?

Those entering medical schools who are committed to completing the program are 81.7 percent to 84.1 percent. So, what is the dropout rate for medical school? In a standard, single four-year program, that would put the medical school dropout rate at between 15.7 percent and 18.4 percent, confirms the AAMC.

What GPA is too low for med school?

While you can get into medical school without having a 4.0, you will at least need to meet the minimum requirements. Most medical schools have a strict minimum requirement of at least a 3.0 GPA. This means that your application will typically not even be considered if you have less than a 3.0.

Can I get into med school with a B+ in orgo?

Don't worry about a B or two B's or three. Those are okay.

What is 90% correct on MCAT?

Getting 90% correct on the MCAT isn't a fixed score but roughly translates to a high 120s to low 130s per section, placing you in the 90th percentile (around 515 total score), making you a very strong candidate, though scores vary by section difficulty and question weighting, with 5-10 wrong often being a 128-130 range in practice tests. A 90% accuracy means around 5-10 wrong answers out of ~53 questions in a section, but precise conversions depend on the test's equating. 

Can I go to med school without organic chemistry?

It is true that most medical schools around the country require pre-medical coursework, including biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, mathematics, and English.

How hard is biochem on MCAT?

MCAT biochemistry could be difficult for some test-takers. It is because there are lots of terms, definitions, properties, and structures to memorize and remember.

What is the easiest MD school to get into?

The "easiest" medical schools to get into often have higher acceptance rates, favoring in-state applicants and those with strong but not necessarily top-tier GPAs (around 3.7+) and MCATs (around 500+), with examples including University of Mississippi, ECU Brody School of Medicine, University of North Dakota, and Mercer University School of Medicine, but even these are competitive, requiring dedication to building a strong application with experiences and good scores. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey and Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine are also options, often with lower average stats. 

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

Can I get my MD in 3 years?

Yes, you can get your M.D. in three years through competitive, accelerated M.D. programs offered by a growing number of medical schools, allowing high-achieving students to save time and tuition while often securing an early, conditional residency spot and starting their career sooner, though these programs demand high motivation and commitment, especially for primary care.