<p>According to MSAR, Penn State requires one course in behavioral science. Is it a deal-breaker to not have such a course? Is there a clear definition of behavioral science? Friend’s DS has degree in Economics and has met all other prereqs for med school, but seems this one fell through the cracks. He has no psychology/sociology courses. Some sources indicate that econ can be considered a behavioral science, others not. </p>
<p>Any experience with PSU applications or suggestions as to whether this kid, who is from PA, should apply there?</p>
<p>It it is listed as a requirement, then yeah I’d say its a deal-breaker not to have it. My guess is that they want a psychology course or something similar. I’m surprised the person you’re talking about doesn’t have at least one. I would think that something along the lines of the behavioral sciences would be included in most college’s GE requirements.</p>
<p>He has philosophy, music, lots of language, but no psych. He (AND his mom, my friend) is quite upset that he missed that requirement as he had planned to use PSU as “match” school. He’s applying for 2012. Could he apply now and still take a psych course? Is there provision on the application to let them know he’s doing that?</p>
<p>PSU allows AP credits based upon the following description. If you have AP PSY, it is worthwhile checking with them if it is on your college transcript. </p>
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<p>Applicants may have fulfilled many of the prerequisite requirements listed above by way of Advanced Placement courses. Penn State College of Medicine recognizes advanced placement credits only if they appear as earned credit on an applicants college transcript. However, it is also expected that many of the most competitive applicants will have fulfilled advanced course work in those same areas during their baccalaureate years.</p>
<p>Are you meaning he wants to start med school next fall? If so and he hasn’t applied yet (as your post implies) it is VERY late in the game for him to do so now! I’m sure other posters can chime in if this is the case, but him starting the med school application process is basically meaningess.</p>
<p>edit: didn’t realize maybe he has already applied and you were just inquiring about the one school and req’s.</p>
<p>PSU is pretty clear on what meets their requirements. (Philosophy fulfills the humanities requirement.)</p>
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<p>If he has something close (behavioral economics?), he could always appeal. Or, take in the spring. Or, take in the summer if he is accepted. There have to plenty of online courses available, or just take at the local juco.</p>
<p>Application is going in now–to start in 2012. If a school sees you don’t have one of their prerequs, do they just pitch your app? How do you let them know you are going to appeal or take a course next semester?</p>
<p>I think that economics could be used to fill the behavioral science requirement as economics can be regarded as a social science. I would suggest that you tell your friend to call the university itself and ask.</p>
<p>One can certainly apply with pre-reqs unfilled.</p>
<p>On his application, he will need to indicate that he intends to take a behavior science (include name of course) during his senior year or in the summer after graduation.** But the course must be completed (and transcript showing its completion received) before his admission can become official.** </p>
<p>All medical school admissions are conditional–student has to provide final transcripts showing all requirements have been satisfactorily completed and those transcripts must be received by a set date (which varies by school) or admission is revoked.</p>
<p>The issue with taking the course in the summer after graduation is that depending on PSU’s cut off date–he may not have a grade to give them. D1’s med school needed final transcripts not later than June 15. (Too soon to have completed a summer school session.)</p>
<p>And if he intend to appeal a pre-req—he needs to contact the director of admissions at PSU now and ask. (And get the response in writing in case there are any problems later on.)</p>
<p>^
WOWM, a school will admit a student with a pending class, correct? D is taking bio-chem spring semester and I was under the impression that as long as she passes with a C or better, if the school she matriculates to needs that she is fine. Am I getting this right?</p>
<p>They will conditionally admit a student with a pending class–but that class must be completed and there must be a final satisfactory grade (C or better) on an official transcript before the admission goes from conditional to full accepted status. </p>
<p>He spoke with PSU Med School Admissions office and was told that they DO consider economics a behavioral science. A cursory check online indicates that some sources include econ in the behavioral sciences and others don’t. (I almost used BS as an abbreviation, but stopped myself!)</p>