Taking Prerequisites in community college

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Did any of you take your pre-pharmacy classes at a community college? Do you feel like you were adequately prepared by that?

Originally posted by Modnar
Did any of you take your pre-pharmacy classes at a community college? Do you feel like you were adequately prepared by that?

It does adequately prepare you because it is exactly the same courses that you would otherwise take at a 4 year college. It's a smarter option in my own opinion because you pay much less. Take for instance, a community college would charge you something like $500 for 16 credits whereas a 4-year school would cost you around $2600 for the same amount of credits.

A lot of community colleges have 2+4 transfer programs with 4 year universities that offer Pharmacy so I would actually recommend going that route.

^ Thanks. Going to community college was in my plans all along, as I really don't have the money for a four-year school. However, some of my friends have started off at a CC and had lots of trouble getting engineering credits to transfer to a 4-year school and I was worried that it'd be the same way for pharmacy.

Originally posted by Modnar
^ Thanks. Going to community college was in my plans all along, as I really don't have the money for a four-year school. However, some of my friends have started off at a CC and had lots of trouble getting engineering credits to transfer to a 4-year school and I was worried that it'd be the same way for pharmacy.

Most if not all of the Pre-pharm courses can be found in community colleges. To verify though you should visit the community colleges advising office and make sure the credits xfer to the 4 year college you're heading to.

I have a BS in computer science and since I've gone back to school to take the prereqs, I've taken some at a University, and some at a Community College. I already have a good bit of money in student loans from the first degree and can't really afford to take many more out. How important is it to take the prereqs at a university instead of a community college?

I guess it doesn't really matter all that much now though because I have almost all of the prereqs taken, but I am still curious. I've taken the following:

General Chem I and II - University
General Bio I and II - University
O-Chem I and II - Comm. College
Microbiology - Comm. College
Calculus I and II - Comm. College
Physics I and II - Comm. College
Speech - Comm. College
Economics - Comm. College
A & P - Comm. College

Originally Posted by RLK

I have a BS in computer science and since I've gone back to school to take the prereqs, I've taken some at a University, and some at a Community College. I already have a good bit of money in student loans from the first degree and can't really afford to take many more out. How important is it to take the prereqs at a university instead of a community college?

I guess it doesn't really matter all that much now though because I have almost all of the prereqs taken, but I am still curious. I've taken the following:

General Chem I and II - University
General Bio I and II - University
O-Chem I and II - Comm. College
Microbiology - Comm. College
Calculus I and II - Comm. College
Physics I and II - Comm. College
Speech - Comm. College
Economics - Comm. College
A & P - Comm. College

IMHO, you already have a BS. So, taking your prereqs at a community college vs university makes no difference as long as your grades are good. Goodluck

don't think it matters anyway. its all hype. i did mine at a community college no probs here.

back in the pre-pharm days: "you have to do this, you have to do that, this matters, that matters, you'll never get into uic."

ha, i'm the only one of that group that did get in and i didn't listen to any of the bs. its all hype. don't sweat it.

Im not even sure they will loan you any more money if you already have your degree completed.

I would take your pre-req at a community college. I have a few more that I need (and I already have my bs/ms) and I decided to go to the community college rather for these than the 4-year school for three main reasons.

(1) - Community college have lots of night classes and I work full-time days.
(2) - $45/credit hour vs. $100/credit hour
(3) - Smaller classes size, so I can ask a million questions

I wouldn't increase the debt, I'd go to the community college. They are more flexible

Originally Posted by sarahjth

I wouldn't increase the debt, I'd go to the community college. They are more flexible

Be careful!

Maximum transferreable credits are 66 from college to university.
University to university is unlimited.
Repeat classes must be done at university level.

That is my 2-cents.

Maybe a university then? haha.


Ok, go to a university.

Originally Posted by dabumba

Maximum transferreable credits are 66 from college to university.
University to university is unlimited.
Repeat classes must be done at university level.

I don't think so. The OP already got his degree, so doesn't need to transfer any units. And you can repeat your courses anywhere, just make sure to send in transcripts from all universities/colleges you attended.

I would have to agree. I know a lot of people who are either currently attending or have recently graduated from UIC COP and they have said that no one over there knows anything about advising pre-pharm students.

Hello
this is my first post here
I used to come here and look at the stuff but didnt join i never had even that much time .
Im really worried i go to a community college and I have like a 3.5 gpa so i just wanted to ask is that good to get into a pharmacy school.
is it better that i transfer to a 4 year college now without a assiciate degree and next year apply from there to a pharmacy school?

thankyou in advance

I was accepted to a pharmacy school with scholastic experience that is limited to a community college. I applied to two schools and interviewed at both of them. The one I was accepted into seemed not to mind that I came from a cc, especially after I explained that cost was the major factor involved in my cc attendance. The other school I interviewed at (and have yet to hear from) seemed to disapprove (at least that's the feeling I got from the dean) of my cc enrollment. All in all, I suppose tolerance of cc's depends on the school in question, but I believe you will succeed in your endeavor if you rid yourself of worry in that regard and put your best foot forward.
~Alan

Originally Posted by attia

Hello
this is my first post here
I used to come here and look at the stuff but didnt join i never had even that much time .
Im really worried i go to a community college and I have like a 3.5 gpa so i just wanted to ask is that good to get into a pharmacy school.
is it better that i transfer to a 4 year college now without a assiciate degree and next year apply from there to a pharmacy school?

thankyou in advance

My suggestion is if you want to go to a pharm school in CA, then it's better to get a bachelor's first to increase your changes of getting in.
I know that USN is okay with community college so you could try that. I say apply to pharm schools and 4 yr schools and see what happens. You never know until you apply right?

Hey,
I was in you spot around this time last year.. I was trying to figure out whether I should apply or get my BS. I also attended a community college. Well, I think you should give it a try to apply but at the same time, apply to four year universities. Thats what I did. Also, you might want to improve your GPA. 3.5 is high enough to get into undergrad but not a solid GPA for pharmacy especially comming from a CC. You should also get some pharmacy experience. That also looks good on your application. Let me know if you have any more questions..

Originally Posted by Diamondeve21

Hey,
Also, you might want to improve your GPA. 3.5 is high enough to get into undergrad but not a solid GPA for pharmacy especially comming from a CC.

That is utter crap! I have applied to several schools. Interviewed at 4. Waitlisted/alternate at a couple and accepted at one. I come from a community college and my pharmcas gpa is lower than 3.5.

It just irritates me that some people have that mentality of "OH, you from a community college?! you'll NEVER get into pharmacy!"

Originally Posted by MaybeCO2010

It just irritates me that some people have that mentality of "OH, you from a community college?! you'll NEVER get into pharmacy!"

I get irritated with that train of thought as well. Community colleges were generally geared toward bettering the (honorable) working tradesman (welding, electrical, etc.) in the past - at least that is what I gathered from folks who are keen to the experience. Although community colleges are well established beyond catering only to the tradesman, the stigma has stuck, so many opponents of community college education believe a good education can't be obtained. There are people from four year schools who are currently in second semester physics and organic chemistry with me, yet their attendance and test grades still suffer. I doubt it's because I somehow fell into the only community college physics and organic chem. classes in the country that contain slackers from a four year school - I believe it may be closely related to the fact that there was a rude awakening for the slackers in question who believed thouse classes at the community college would be easier than those of the four year school. People from community colleges get accepted to pharmacy school. Generally, those who are accepted listened in class, made good grades, retained knowledge to do well on the PCAT, and had some exposure to the field, among other things. Persevere, and you will get in somewhere, regardless of whether you came from a community or four year college.

I just got into USN and I'm from a CC. If you are worried about your GPA, I think that you would improve your chances of getting in if you do some volunteer work and have some organizational experience; schools seem to prefer candidates who are really involved.

I also got in from a CC in Chicago. My pcat wasn't good, but i made it up with my gpa. I also didn't have much pharmacy experience but did have some ec.

Originally Posted by veniex

I just got into USN and I'm from a CC. If you are worried about your GPA, I think that you would improve your chances of getting in if you do some volunteer work and have some organizational experience; schools seem to prefer candidates who are really involved.

what was ur GPA? thanks.

Originally Posted by steveysmith54

what was ur GPA? thanks.

3.9 Overall and 4.0 Science.

Originally Posted by veniex

3.9 Overall and 4.0 Science.

dang that's really good. i'm a senior in high school ready to graduate.
i'm not sure if i'll be able to do 3.5+
and i really don't want to move out of california (i get homesick easily)

Originally Posted by MaybeCO2010

That is utter crap! I have applied to several schools. Interviewed at 4. Waitlisted/alternate at a couple and accepted at one. I come from a community college and my pharmcas gpa is lower than 3.5.

It just irritates me that some people have that mentality of "OH, you from a community college?! you'll NEVER get into pharmacy!"

I think you misunderstood my message. I never said that if you are from a CC you dont have a chance in pharm school. Like I said, I ALSO attended a CC and have gotten interviews as well... I did encourage attia to apply and give attia some suggestion to make him/her more competitive. I dont know about the status in your area but in California, where im from, if you are applying w/o a BS, your chances are slim unless you have a 3.5 and above... Even with a 3.5, a lot of CC students still gets rejected... yea.. anywayz, i just wanted to clearify that I NEVER said community college students dont have a chance.. After all, I am also a community college student applying without a BS.. why would I discourage him/her?

Originally Posted by Diamondeve21

I think you misunderstood my message. I never said that if you are from a CC you dont have a chance in pharm school. Like I said, I ALSO attended a CC and have gotten interviews as well... I did encourage attia to apply and give attia some suggestion to make him/her more competitive. I dont know about the status in your area but in California, where im from, if you are applying w/o a BS, your chances are slim unless you have a 3.5 and above... Even with a 3.5, a lot of CC students still gets rejected... yea.. anywayz, i just wanted to clearify that I NEVER said community college students dont have a chance.. After all, I am also a community college student applying without a BS.. why would I discourage him/her?

WOW! I need to take some reading classes. I just re-read what you wrote. I do apologize for snapping at you. I guess I just read what I wanted to read... you clearly wrote "I also attended a community college." I don't know how I missed that!!

Congrats on getting interviews! I have read on here many saying it's hard getting in without a Bachelor's in California schools. This will probably be required by every pharmacy school sometime in the future. Luckily I got in while it's still not!!

thanx everyone for replying helps alot
i was also wondering where is it harder to get in from a cc meaning in east coast or west coast
or does it even matter
anyone know the chances with rutgers temple LIU maryland

i already have a B.S. in biology but have yet to finish some prereqs for pharmacy school... i've been trying to take the classes through some cal state open universities but classes like anatomy, physiology, and microbio are just really hard to get into.

so... is taking science classes at a junior college a bad idea? i heard that it's looked down upon especially when an applicant already has a B.S.

any opinion or suggestion as to what to do?

Actually, it's the other way around. Your BS in Biology makes you a more competitive candidate right off the bat, you've already proven you can handle upper division coursework. However, some schools require that certain courses be taken at a four year institution (namely the courses you mentioned, A&P and micro, Biochem) so I'd check with the schools individually if I were you.

Originally Posted by bugslife

i already have a B.S. in biology but have yet to finish some prereqs for pharmacy school... i've been trying to take the classes through some cal state open universities but classes like anatomy, physiology, and microbio are just really hard to get into.

so... is taking science classes at a junior college a bad idea? i heard that it's looked down upon especially when an applicant already has a B.S.

any opinion or suggestion as to what to do?

Shoot...I hope its not looked down upon! I also have my Biology degree, and I'm taking physics at CC. How do they expect us to finish all their random pre-reqs if CC isn't an option? Because I work full-time, CC really is my only option (night classes!).

Got Jack Fruit?!?!

You already got a B.S. at a university so finishing pre-reqs at a community college/ jr. college isn't an issue at all. That's what I'm doing.

Originally Posted by bugslife

i already have a B.S. in biology but have yet to finish some prereqs for pharmacy school... i've been trying to take the classes through some cal state open universities but classes like anatomy, physiology, and microbio are just really hard to get into.

so... is taking science classes at a junior college a bad idea? i heard that it's looked down upon especially when an applicant already has a B.S.

any opinion or suggestion as to what to do?

I did something similar, (took o chem2 a year after graduating at a cc and have to take an a&p class because the upper division comprable course doesn't transfer) and I've been accepted, so it worked for me. I'd shy away from online classes, though.

I finished my BS in Psych and then took probably more than half of my science pre-reqs (Gen Chem II, the full year of OChem, Micro, Physio, Physics, and Molecular Bio) at a community college. It seems to have worked out fine.

Originally Posted by AngelEyes82

I finished my BS in Psych and then took probably more than half of my science pre-reqs (Gen Chem II, the full year of OChem, Micro, Physio, Physics, and Molecular Bio) at a community college. It seems to have worked out fine.

Same exact situation here, and I got in. Good luck!

I got my BS at a UC and have taken Microbiology, Economics, Physiology WITH lab, interpersonal communications, public speaking and introductory psychology at a community college after the fact JUST so that I have the required prerequisites. One thing for certain, especially after the fact that you've earned a bachelor's degree, that shows is that you will have shown determination in pursuing your goals. I know people who register in community colleges and only after 1 semester dropped out!!

All of this has less to do with whether it's a community college or not than how YOUR local cc is rated. All institutions of higher learning come in two brands: 1)accredited and 2)non-accredited. Some schools may require that whatever school you came from has an equivalent course in their regimen and is rated as such. It may be fine from one and not another, and there are 4 year universities that will also not have an equivalent. The type of rating and number of recognized organizations doing the accrediting makes this difference.

The very nature of accreditation is inpection to adherence of the commonly accepted course goals. You can have a wide variety of teaching styles and levels of toughness, but the point by point basis that the course accomplishes and exposes you to will be identical.

I would welcome anyone to link to a school site that requires any 100 or 200 level course to be completed at a 4 year university, I've never seen that. However, there are some wiggle courses like physiology that can be offered at either the 300 level or the 100 level and this might make a difference.

I've seen those disclaimers on some of the school's website stating that they prefer core science courses to be taken at a 4-year university such as the ones stated. I've tried this route, taking classes through open university such as anatomy and physiology, and found these courses were highly impacted with nursing students. Through open university, you are the worst off in getting into them because you are not a registered student and you pay a premium....~$200 per unit or something like that. On the other hand, if try to take them at city college, they may be impacted as well. But I had better luck in getting the classes there than at state. The big plus as well is how cheap tuition is at city college and registration is a piece of cake.

For someone who already has a BS, pharmacy schools need to realize nowadays that it is more difficult to finish the pre-requisites (or at least get into these specific courses). Also, I would check with your school of interest and see whether the courses you plan to take at a city college is accepted. I was happy to see that USC accepted my physio and anatomy courses from my city college.

Originally Posted by dreaminpharmd

I've seen those disclaimers on some of the school's website stating that they prefer core science courses to be taken at a 4-year university such as the ones stated. I've tried this route, taking classes through open university such as anatomy and physiology, and found these courses were highly impacted with nursing students. Through open university, you are the worst off in getting into them because you are not a registered student and you pay a premium....~$200 per unit or something like that. On the other hand, if you are taking courses from a city college, you need to aim for an A (I didn't know that cc don't issue + and - to the grades).

oh you described my exact situation....

thanks everyone for the helpful input

Originally Posted by RxRob

I would welcome anyone to link to a school site that requires any 100 or 200 level course to be completed at a 4 year university, I've never seen that. However, there are some wiggle courses like physiology that can be offered at either the 300 level or the 100 level and this might make a difference.

My state school requires A&P (or biochem) and Micro to be taken at a 4 year school. It doesn't consider any CC course to be equivalent. Oregon State University Pre-pharmacy requirements

Originally Posted by bugslife

i already have a B.S. in biology but have yet to finish some prereqs for pharmacy school... i've been trying to take the classes through some cal state open universities but classes like anatomy, physiology, and microbio are just really hard to get into.

so... is taking science classes at a junior college a bad idea? i heard that it's looked down upon especially when an applicant already has a B.S.

any opinion or suggestion as to what to do?

I have a BS in different area so I had taken all of prereqs at CC. I had no problem getting an interview and got accepted. Just try to get all A's though because classes at CC are usually considered to be easier.

However, it is very hard to get in to such classes at CC as well. You may need to petition all of them.

Originally Posted by attia

thanx everyone for replying helps alot
i was also wondering where is it harder to get in from a cc meaning in east coast or west coast
or does it even matter
anyone know the chances with rutgers temple LIU maryland

I'm interested in more people's experience as well, especially for Maryland

I got in from a community college with a 3.27. I was just a prepared as my peers for big-boy school as those that went to a "real" school.

Originally Posted by MaybeCO2010

That is utter crap! I have applied to several schools. Interviewed at 4. Waitlisted/alternate at a couple and accepted at one. I come from a community college and my pharmcas gpa is lower than 3.5.

It just irritates me that some people have that mentality of "OH, you from a community college?! you'll NEVER get into pharmacy!"

I totally agree. That's why I tend to disregard comments of, "It's not likely that you'll get into pharmacy school unless you have X GPA" or "If you didn't go to a 4 year school your chances aren't very good." That is complete trash and people that say things like that need to get over themselves.

Originally Posted by attia

thanx everyone for replying helps alot
i was also wondering where is it harder to get in from a cc meaning in east coast or west coast
or does it even matter
anyone know the chances with rutgers temple LIU maryland

Hi attia

I'm currently attending LIU. I have 5 friends that got accepted as transfer students from community colleges. 3 of them are from NJ and two of them are from NY.

There is nothing to worry about... Just keep doing well at school and be prepared for your interviews.

Good luck!

The only snag I ran into with CC was with my application to Oregon State University. They would not accept my microbiology from CC, even though my professor had a PhD, the class was with lab, etc. I think that's the biggest limitation you may run into - some classes such as micro, genetics, and biochemistry are required to be taken at a 4-year.

bull, if you ask me.

Out of the two pharmacy schools here, only one mentions courses that should be taken at a 4-year university. I believe this is only because the 2-years don't offer about 4 extra needed for one school. I am currently a community college student. I just attended my Biology class last night this being the start of the semester. This professor was motivated beyond belief about teaching us to "think" and come out of the course feeling better about ourselves. I do not see a way to elude putting forth the effort in this class. He will have my name memorized by the second class. It's true that the community college is more hands-on. Anyone who says that's not a great way to be educated is probably wrong!

I would suggest that you evaluate three things: the cost of your pre-pharmacy education and what you can afford, especially when loans will be a very real issue in pharmacy school for 4 years, then, where are you located and are your community college courses available at a good time for you, and finally, do you believe that you will be more challenged at a university/what greater good will come out of it for you. Since you're concerned that it may not look as competitive, answer those questions and then focus on making yourself a nice applicant all around. Someone with personality. Good luck in that decision!

Originally Posted by hcp

Hi attia

I'm currently attending LIU. I have 5 friends that got accepted as transfer students from community colleges. 3 of them are from NJ and two of them are from NY.

There is nothing to worry about... Just keep doing well at school and be prepared for your interviews.

Good luck!

]
can i ask what the gpa ranges were?

hey everyone,

I will be graduating Seton Hall University with a bachelors in Psychology. My main goal has always been to become a pharmacist but certain obstacles have come up, forcing me to finish my undergrad as a psychology major.

I was originally a Chemistry major so I have taken most of the prerequisites(general chem I &II ...Orgo Chem I & II...Calculus II ...etc) but most of these have to be repeated in order to get a B or higher.

Will I be able to take these courses over in a community college once im done with my undergrad????? This would be good because they will cost me less money and also ide be able to take these during the summer time.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a person in my situation???

Is there anything wrong with the fact that I will be graduating with a psychology degree???

YES you can take your course at a community college.