• Business School
    • Admissions Help
    • School-Specific MBA Essay Tips
    • Executive MBA Essay Tips
    • MBA Admissions Calendar
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
    • EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
  • Medical School
    • Admissions Help
    • Med School Admissions 101
    • Secondary Essay Tips (by School)
    • Student Interviews
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
  • Law School
    • Admissions Help
    • Law School Admissions 101
    • Selectivity Index
    • Free Guides
    • Podcast
    • Video Tips
  • Graduate School
    • Admissions Help
    • Grad School Admissions 101
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
  • College
    • Admissions Help
    • Free Guides
    • Supplemental Essay Tips
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
Accepted

1 (310) 815-9553

Blog HomePodcastContact Us

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

December 20, 2018

Reading Time: 3 minutes

What NOT to Do on the Medical School Coursework Section

What not to do on the medical school coursework section

This part of the medical school application can be time consuming since you will have to enter in the title, units, and grade as well as classification for every college level class you’ve ever taken. It’s easy to make mistakes here since there are so many to list. Besides entering in the basic information about each class, you’ll need to specify whether it is a BCPM or AO course. BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math while AO, means All Other. Medical schools calculate a cumulative, science, and “all other” GPA that they use in review of your application.

As a medical school admissions consultant, I give the med school applicants I work with the following guidelines when they fill out the coursework section of their application:

1. DO NOT leave out courses that were taken for college credit during high school.

Even if the class does not appear on your high school transcript, if you received college credit for a class you took in high school, list it in the coursework section of your medical school application. It will make your application look more impressive if you got started on your Bachelor’s Degree before you even graduated from high school. If you do not share all the information as accurately as possible, it could look like you’re trying to hide something. These things have a way of turning up.

2. DO NOT exclude courses taken abroad since they already appear on the official transcript.

Even if you took classes at another school as part of an exchange program at your school, list the university where you took the class and received the course credit. Don’t take any shortcuts. If you do everything right the first time, there won’t be any issues.

3. DO NOT enter all coursework in at one time.

If you try to complete this section in one sitting, you will likely make silly mistakes. Have patience. Give yourself time to double check your work before adding new information. Plan to complete this section in multiple sessions. I’ve gotten numerous phone calls over the years from medical school applicants, panicked over what they accidentally entered.

4. DO NOT rely on memory.

Using your own handwritten notes or an old unofficial copy of your transcripts can be dangerous. Order official copies of your transcripts to make sure that you are up to date on the status of all your coursework and grades. It’s better to correct mistakes or have grades updated before you mail out transcripts.

5. DO NOT list classes as BCPM without careful consideration.

Make sure that all classes that should be considered BCPM are and that you double check dates and grades. If you’re not sure whether you should list a class as BCPM or not, read the course description. If you’re still confused, talk to an academic or premed advisor. If all else fails, you can always contact the AAMC.

6. DO NOT guesstimate the unit translation.

Be precise. Follow instructions on how to convert your units to hours. Take your time to learn how to do it correctly. Ask for help if you have questions.

7. Take your time!

While this may not seem like an important part of the application, the cumulative and science GPAs that are calculated using the information you share will play a major role in how the selection committee views your application. Don’t leave it for the last minute or you’ll risk being sloppy. Pace yourself and make sure you input all information accurately.

Do you need an expert to guide you through the medical school application process? Work one-on-one with an Accepted admissions expert to create the most accurate, compelling, and impressive application that will get you ACCEPTED! View our Medical School Admissions Consulting Services for more information.

Create a Winning AMCAS Application - Watch the webinar now!

Alicia McNease Nimonkar admissions expertAlicia McNease Nimonkar worked for 5 years as the Student Advisor & Director at the UC Davis School of Medicine's postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and other health professional programs. She has served Accepted's clients since 2012 with roughly a 90% success rate. She has a Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric as well as Literature. Want Alicia to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

 

Related Resources:

• Navigate the Med School Maze, a free guide
• How to Create a Distinctive AMCAS Application, a short video
• What to Include in the AMCAS Activities Section

Article by Alicia Nimonkar / Medical School Admissions / AACOMAS, AMCAS, TMDSAS

Get Accepted!

Choose your desired degree and then the service that best meets your needs.

Which program are you applying to?

What do you need help with?

Join the informed applicants who read Accepted's blog!

8 Popular Posts

1. 2022-23 AMCAS Work and Activities Section: What to Include (With Examples)

2. 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

3. Top STEM MBA Programs: A Comprehensive List and Overview of STEM-OPT Eligible B-Schools

4. How to Write About Your Research Interests

5. Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Secondary Application Tips [2022-2023]

6. 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

7. Top 10 LSAT Study Tips

8. M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2022

Recent Posts

  • An Internal Medicine Resident Reflects on His Experiences at George Washington SMHS
  • What Does It Take to Get Into Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton?
  • Chicago Booth MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023]
  • NYMC Secondary Application Tips [2022 – 2023]
  • University of Washington Foster School of Business MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

Sample Essays

MBA Personal Statement Examples

Medical School Personal Statement Examples

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Law School Personal Statement Examples

College Application Essay Examples

 

This Site is Featured on GMATClub

Home Page Services and Prices MBA Med School Law School Grad School College

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog
Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553
© 2022 Accepted

BBB A+ RatingStamp of AIGAC Excellence

Copyright © 2022 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in