Can I get into med school without organic chemistry?

No, you generally cannot get into medical school without organic chemistry, as it's a standard, often mandatory prerequisite for nearly all US medical schools, forming the basis for biochemistry and the MCAT, though requirements can sometimes be met with one semester of Orgo plus biochemistry, or even self-study for Orgo 2 if taking biochemistry. Always check specific school requirements (like through the MSAR for MD or Choose DO Explorer for DO schools websites), but expect a strong foundation in general, organic, and biochemistry.

Can you go to med school without taking 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.

Do you need orgo chem for MCAT?

Only about 12 of the 230 MCAT questions are directly based on organic chemistry. However, a good foundation in organic chemistry principles will not only help you with those questions but with navigating complex biological structures and deciphering biochemical processes across the entire test.

Is organic chemistry important in medicine?

Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of compounds containing carbon. This field of chemistry plays a vital role in drug discovery and development as most of the drugs that are used to treat various diseases are organic molecules.

Is orgo 2 required for med school reddit?

The required prerequisites are posted by every medical school. It may limit where you apply if you don't take it. I didn't end up taking it since the school I matriculated to didn't require it. Many schools did require Orgo 2 lab.

Non-Traditional Student’s Guide to Medical School Acceptance

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.

Is a B+ in orgo bad for med school?

A B+ in organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally not considered bad for medical school, but it's not ideal either; while a strong overall GPA, excellent MCAT, clinical experience, and research can offset it, a B+ signals good, not excellent, performance in a key pre-med weed-out course, so focus on excelling in other sciences and demonstrating strong problem-solving skills. 

How much organic chemistry is required for medical school?

General and Organic Chemistry

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 is the highest salary for a medicinal chemist?

With experience, the salary range for chemists is between £43,300 and £88,000, with the median being £60,000.

What is the hardest type of chemistry?

1. Organic Chemistry: Often listed as the most difficult college chemistry class, organic chemistry focuses on carbon-based compounds, their properties, reactions, and synthesis.

Is there more Gen Chem or Orgo on MCAT?

Exam content will draw from*:

General chemistry, 30% Organic chemistry, 15%

Do all med schools require an orgo lab?

Two semesters of organic chemistry is a core premed requirement. You must take it. There are no exceptions and you can't replace it with something else. If you don't take, you'll be so limited in where you can apply that it practically won't be worth it.

Is orgo harder than calculus?

Organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally considered harder and more conceptually challenging than standard calculus for most students because it demands spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and extensive memorization of complex reaction mechanisms, whereas calculus relies more on mathematical rules and abstract function manipulation, making the difficulty subjective and dependent on individual strengths, though Orgo often has a tougher reputation and harsher grading.
 

What is the easiest med school to get into?

There are no truly "easy" medical schools, but some have higher acceptance rates or lower average GPA/MCAT scores, often focusing on regional needs or specific missions, like University of Mississippi, East Carolina University (Brody), University of North Dakota, Mercer University, Meharry Medical College, University of North Dakota, and University of New Mexico. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey, Arkansas COM, Pikeville KYCOM, and Lincoln Memorial are also frequently listed as having higher acceptance rates than top MD programs. 

Do I need to take organic chemistry before the MCAT?

Here are the prerequisites we recommend for the MCAT course: Biology: 2 semesters (3 recommended) Chemistry: 2 semesters. Organic Chemistry: 1 semester (2 recommended)

Can I still be a doctor if I'm bad at chemistry?

More importantly, even if you are not a chemistry whiz, there is a place for you in medicine. Because so many people enter their undergraduate years interested in medicine, and so few actually end up pursuing medical school, many people have explored the reasons for this gap.

What is the #1 most paying job in the world?

The #1 highest-paying job globally is generally considered the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), overseeing major corporations with potential earnings in the millions, though specialized Surgeons (Neurosurgeons, Cardiologists) and Anesthesiologists consistently rank at the top for medical professionals, earning hundreds of thousands to over a million annually. Other top earners include tech roles like AI/ML Engineers, Data Scientists, and high-level finance positions like Investment Bankers, reflecting a blend of executive leadership and specialized skills in high-demand fields. 

Are medicinal chemists in high demand?

The demand for medicinal chemists is projected to grow moderately through 2025 due to ongoing advancements in drug discovery and the need for new therapies.

What is the hardest pre-med class?

The hardest pre-med course is subjective but Organic Chemistry (O-Chem) is the most commonly cited "killer," followed closely by Biochemistry and Physics, often due to the need for advanced conceptual understanding and problem-solving, not just memorization, with some students finding general biology's memorization-heavy nature challenging as well. Your personal strengths, such as spatial reasoning or memorization, significantly impact which course feels hardest.
 

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 science courses, instead of their entire undergraduate GPA, benefiting students with a strong upward trend or a solid post-baccalaureate performance. Schools like Wayne State University and LSU Health New Orleans use variations of this to give more weight to recent academic efforts, allowing strong performance in later coursework or post-bacc programs to shine. 

How important is orgo for MCAT?

The first thing that you have to remember is that while there may not be a lot of organic chemistry questions on the MCAT (compared to physics and biology), it is STILL as important as the others. You just cannot ace the MCAT if you do not perform well on MCAT organic chemistry questions.

Can you get into medical school without organic chemistry?

Most schools require at least one year of organic chemistry, or 4-8 credits. Inorganic Chemistry: This course explores the elements on the periodic table, chemical principles, and inorganic compounds. Schools often require up to one year of study in inorganic or general chemistry.

What are top medical schools looking for?

Academic performance sets the foundation for a competitive application at top-tier schools. Most accepted students have a GPA over 3.8, above the average GPA for all med school students, particularly in their BCPM courses. This demonstrates mastery in the sciences that sets a foundation for your medical training.