1) How much information do you need to retain from your pre-requisite classes?

Mike Brossman, Class of 2006
If anything, we need to know a little physiology and alot of anatomy. Some of the research classes in undergrad were useful for abstracts and summaries. Most of all, it's all of the "learning to study efficiently" that really helps with most of these classes in graduate school.

Heather Sawdy, Class of 2005
At least the basic concepts and principles. If you cannot remember more than that it is helpful to know where to go to find the information so know how to use your textbooks. Also, consider your major and emphasize retension of information in the prerequiste classes most pertinent to your field. For example, Organic Chemistry is a pre-req for each of the professions but is not applicable at the same level for Clinical/Lab science and Physical or Occupational therapy. You need to know the core principles your major is founded on and you need to be familiar with whatever information you are given regarding those concepts from your pre req classes. (Example, PT/RT/OT need to really know there anatomy and physiology...)

Deanna Bondie, Class of 2004
The basis of my knowledge from undergrad is from anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. I do remember key concepts from my pre-reqs, but the majority that I needed I found in the 3 classes mentioned.

Michelle Kreusel, Class of 2004
Slightly more than you retained from high school. The chemistry classes are not going to carry over into PT a ton, but you do need to know general concepts and learn problem-solving skills from them. Physics is a class that some people worry about a lot, yes, you do need to retain knowledge from that class, but you won't ever be asked to do 10 physics problems all in a row. You need to remember general concepts, i.e. what is a force and what is a torque? How do opposite electrical charges react to each other, etc. Anatomy and physiology are core classes that you really need to work hard in and the first year you will use a lot of that knowledge. Professors do expect you to hit the ground running on that first semester, but they know that you will not have retained every detail from undergrad and they review many concepts.

Susan Stevens, Class of 2003
Although there is a lot of overlap from some of the pre-reqs, it helps to have been able to retain as much as possible, especially in anatomy and physiology. Principles from other classes (even Physics) come up, but not to the point that you'd be unable to follow if you don't remember the basics. The instructors from your classes or the pre-reqs usually have some of the old textbooks, if you need to refresh your memory about things. Also, taking advantage of opportunities to tutor or be a lab assistant will help keep some of that info fresh in your mind.

Lindsay Williams, Class of 2003
I don't know how to "quantify" it, but I would say it helps a great deal to retain that knowledge. My undergraduate degree was in Biopsychology, so many of the classes I took didn't come in to play until the 2nd year (neurological stuff). That was a huge help to me. Many of the principles of motor learning/control were covered in my undergrad. As for the PT prerequisites, some of our PT classes dealt directly with the same info they'd covered, so much was repeated. I think this can only be beneficial, and I appreciated having already had these concepts learned before I applied them in a professional sense.

Michelle Vander Heide, Class of 2002
Retaining a strong base from your undergraduate anatomy, physics, physiology, and pathophysiology is very helpful when trying to succeed in the graduate program. Of course you can't retain it all but taking those courses seriously is a good idea.