SilkyMarble
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- Jul 6, 2023
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Hi all,
I am trying to orient my senior undergraduate schedule such that my classes will maximize competitiveness for an MSTP program.
I have discussed this with members of the Biology and Chemistry departments, with differing views. I have received recommendations for the following classes to fill the slot with the following rationales:
BIOLB151 (A&P II) - 11:00 - 12:00 MWF and 1:00-4:00 W (lab)
If additional context is needed to inform advice, I can provide my entire 4 year course load. Biochemistry concentrator, Chemistry major, Neuroscience minor.
Also, if course load matters relatively little compared to the research experience I have and will have, just tell me, and I'll likely go A&P II just to boost my MCAT readiness.
I am trying to orient my senior undergraduate schedule such that my classes will maximize competitiveness for an MSTP program.
I have discussed this with members of the Biology and Chemistry departments, with differing views. I have received recommendations for the following classes to fill the slot with the following rationales:
BIOLB151 (A&P II) - 11:00 - 12:00 MWF and 1:00-4:00 W (lab)
- Advised by pre-med advisors in promotion of the course
- Thesis mentor (Biology Department) advised against this as he didn't believe this was exhibiting enough course challenge and also stated that an MSTP program would easily catch me up with this as opposed to skills like stats
- Advised by thesis mentor (Biology Department) on the basis that this class is one of the hardest ones available to me and would demonstrate academic tenacity, given I performed well (which is absolutely non-negotiable, so I will) - he has communicated with another admissions director who loosely echoes this "challenge" approach
- Various individuals at the Student-Doctor Network (SDN) weren't enthused by CHEM courses with little biomedical application though this advice was admittedly more tailored to med students
- Advised as an alternative by thesis mentor on the basis that this course would catch me up on key statistical skills required for data collection, analysis, and interpretation in research (or reading papers in general) as I have 0 experience in statistics (as a formal class, but have been exposed in research)
If additional context is needed to inform advice, I can provide my entire 4 year course load. Biochemistry concentrator, Chemistry major, Neuroscience minor.
Also, if course load matters relatively little compared to the research experience I have and will have, just tell me, and I'll likely go A&P II just to boost my MCAT readiness.