A report on CC classes

[EdLongshanks]

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I know that we have discussed community college classes ad nauseum here. But I did want to report what happened in my interview at Mayo as a result of almost all of my pre-reqs being from a CC.

Here is the quick run-down of my record. I started a 4-year private university in 1987 and completed 3 semesters in computer science. I got a job then and quit school. Through the years I have taken professional enrichment programs at various local public colleges, including the local CC. When I started the pre-med process last year, I retook physics 1 and started all the other pre-reqs at the CC. Simultaneously, I took several high level biology classes at a local public 4 year university. (In Tulsa, the CC offers the only public college 1000 and 2000 level classes).

The private university that I went to is not an option, because they do not serve non-traditional students.

So, I have the least objectionable kind of CC experience. They were necessary; I got A's; and they are backed up by many high level classes. All of my upper-level classes are A's except one (a computer science class from the private university many years ago).

That's the background. Here's the recent news. One of my interviewers was a former president of a CC and she was skeptical. She also wondered why I had attended a CC for over 10 years. She seemed to accept my explanation that those were professional development courses, but acted doubtful about my assertion that, in Tulsa, the CC is primarily an adult-oriented school.

The point I'm making is: CC courses are not a killer, but they do have to be explained. If a person went there in order to avoid rigor, that is not a good explanation. I don't know if a "save money" explanation would work.

 

[MCAT guy]

I know that we have discussed community college classes ad nauseum here. But I did want to report what happened in my interview at Mayo as a result of almost all of my pre-reqs being from a CC.

Here is the quick run-down of my record. I started a 4-year private university in 1987 and completed 3 semesters in computer science. I got a job then and quit school. Through the years I have taken professional enrichment programs at various local public colleges, including the local CC. When I started the pre-med process last year, I retook physics 1 and started all the other pre-reqs at the CC. Simultaneously, I took several high level biology classes at a local public 4 year university. (In Tulsa, the CC offers the only public college 1000 and 2000 level classes).

The private university that I went to is not an option, because they do not serve non-traditional students.

So, I have the least objectionable kind of CC experience. They were necessary; I got A's; and they are backed up by many high level classes. All of my upper-level classes are A's except one (a computer science class from the private university many years ago).

That's the background. Here's the recent news. One of my interviewers was a former president of a CC and she was skeptical. She also wondered why I had attended a CC for over 10 years. She seemed to accept my explanation that those were professional development courses, but acted doubtful about my assertion that, in Tulsa, the CC is primarily an adult-oriented school.

The point I'm making is: CC courses are not a killer, but they do have to be explained. If a person went there in order to avoid rigor, that is not a good explanation. I don't know if a "save money" explanation would work.

Bottom line: CC can be a problem.

• If you have taken "harder" pre-reqs at CC and then other courses at University: Problem
• If you get all A's at community college and end up with a mediocre MCAT: Problem

Why? At my university, our physics and math departments were extremely difficult and gave ~5% A's. Community college gave A's to people who failed at my University. They even had some take-home exams. You basically have to let the MCAT talk for you and everyone thinks they will destroy the MCAT until they take it (and only some *5%* do).

Obviously Ed was in an odd situation where he couldn't go to a University, which is IMO the only reason to do CC. Saving money doesn't seem to be a strong enough reason (when you may take on 200k of debt as a med student).

Oh and Ed's "it has to be explained" means it could be a BIG problem. Now that I've had interviews and had conversations with many people who have interviewed, I know this: Your interviewer matters! Some interviewer's at schools are cool and some are super uptight killa's! One of my friends had an interviewer who absolutely worked him and questioned/doubted every EC and experience, etc. I'm sure if he had gone to community college he would have grilled him repeatedly, having him think about it the entire interview.

In other words, it is very possible you could have an interviewer who will NOT accept your explanation and will use that info to color your entire interview bad.

 

[katiemaude]

Thanks for the report, Ed. I would be taking ally my prereqs at a 4-year if I could. I'm in the unfortunate situation where I've used up all of my eligibility for federal loans for undergrad and the private loans I qualify for require immediate pay-back. I don't have the income to do it. I also have to take classes at night so I can work and not lose my house. If I could swing one or the other (get the loans, or take classes during the day) I could have taken adult-ed classes at a private university at night or at the state university during the day. I was at a loss.

The best I can do, I think is to hope someone will understand my CC transcript. It is all A's (so far) and I will have to back that up with the MCAT. If I can't kill the MCAT, that will be a problem. I also plan to take one upper level bio class at a time at a public U if I can arrange a work schedule around it.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Thanks for the report, Ed. I would be taking ally my prereqs at a 4-year if I could. I'm in the unfortunate situation where I've used up all of my eligibility for federal loans for undergrad and the private loans I qualify for require immediate pay-back. I don't have the income to do it. I also have to take classes at night so I can work and not lose my house. If I could swing one or the other (get the loans, or take classes during the day) I could have taken adult-ed classes at a private university at night or at the state university during the day. I was at a loss.

The best I can do, I think is to hope someone will understand my CC transcript. It is all A's (so far) and I will have to back that up with the MCAT. If I can't kill the MCAT, that will be a problem. I also plan to take one upper level bio class at a time at a public U if I can arrange a work schedule around it.

Right, and many of us are in similar circumstances. That is why the CC's exist. If we learn the material well and do our best, we can get into medical school somewhere. I don't think the CC's are a killer - they are just one item of discussion.

But, I would have preferred to spend that precious 30 minutes of time on how incredible I am. There is so MUCH to discuss on that subject.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I think ADCOMS will forever look at your applications to find something to say "aha, you weren't perfect there" to see your response to it.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I think ADCOMS will forever look at your applications to find something to say "aha, you weren't perfect there" to see your response to it.

Absolutely. They have to gauge your ability to respond to that kind of challenge somehow. Every application has an area at which they can pick. They can't pimp you on medical trivia, so they pimp you on something they assume you know as well as you're capable: yourself.

 

[chman]

It seems odd that someone who used to be a president of a cc was skeptical about them.. kind of says something about the ship she was running. I usually find that the people who are skeptical are the ones who have never been to a cc and judge them by watching "community" on NBC.

 

[EdLongshanks]

It seems odd that someone who used to be a president of a cc was skeptical about them.. kind of says something about the ship she was running. I usually find that the people who are skeptical are the ones who have never been to a cc and judge them by watching "community" on NBC.

I went to another interview at another school and got "pimped" again, so I think that you all are right about a certain type of interviewer who wants to watch you squirm.

I have a horrible character sniffer (I will NEVER agree to be on a selection committee) so I don't know what these people sense, but a person with a really good character sniffer can read someone by watching their body actions, and by seeing what they do and say in different circumstances. Do they shade the truth when challenged? Do they devise crazy theories and implausible ideas?

I don't know anything about reading other people, and I'm clear as glass myself, but I have no idea what someone else sees in me. So, who knows.....

 

[Cboseak1]

I started a 4-year private university in 1987 and completed 3 semesters in computer science. I got a job then and quit school.

Your stories pretty much the same as mine, I was computer science too. the IT industry was booming and i wanted to be a part of it so I quit school. In a way it's a good thing. I always think of how many weed out courses are in junior year and senior year of comp sci and am glad I stopped before I hit that point. I left with a good gpa, I would have wrecked it had I continued down comp sci.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Your stories pretty much the same as mine, I was computer science too. the IT industry was booming and i wanted to be a part of it so I quit school. In a way it's a good thing. I always think of how many weed out courses are in junior year and senior year of comp sci and am glad I stopped before I hit that point. I left with a good gpa, I would have wrecked it had I continued down comp sci.

In those days, we didn't wait for any stinking high-level math courses. We got on our horses and rode out to rope and ride in the wide world of programming.

Of course, now, with all of the programming tools. Programming has become so simple that it doesn't take a cowboy to make it work, it takes a math major to make it work WELL - as Google has proven.

 

[CW 2010]

I went to another interview.....

Ed, but you got invited to TWO (or even more) interviews! That is already a big success! They could sure see that you took classes at CC, but it did not stop them from sending you an invitation.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Ed, but you got invited to TWO (or even more) interviews! That is already a big success! They could sure see that you took classes at CC, but it did not stop them from sending you an invitation.

With a 33 MCAT I only get outright rejected at the research oriented schools. But what if I had a 27 or 26? That's the median score. Where someone from a 4 year university and 9,9,9 MCAT could get in somewhere - I would have been lucky to get in at a DO had I scored that low.

In short, if there's a way around it, do the straight 4 year university. CC's aren't a killer, but they are a red flag.

 

[thefritz]

In short, if there's a way around it, do the straight 4 year university. CC's aren't a killer, but they are a red flag.

I disagree strongly. In some circumstances you are right, but there is nothing wrong with starting at a JC and finishing at a 4-year. Have a good GPA and nobody is going to care. Or, if you do what I did and do all your pre-reqs at the CC while employed. With a solid GPA at a 4 year and a good MCAT score, nobody has a legitimate reason to question your background.

The CC was a very positive experience for me, it never came up once when I was interviewing, and going there instead a 4 year was one of the best decisions I've made. Everything turned out so much better.

The best part about the CC courses are that they teach to the level of MCAT. University courses teach beyond the level of the MCAT, and are generally worse preparation because your time is spent studying esoteric things that are not tested on the MCAT.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I disagree strongly. In some circumstances you are right, but there is nothing wrong with starting at a JC and finishing at a 4-year. Have a good GPA and nobody is going to care. Or, if you do what I did and do all your pre-reqs at the CC while employed. With a solid GPA at a 4 year and a good MCAT score, nobody has a legitimate reason to question your background.

The CC was a very positive experience for me, it never came up once when I was interviewing, and going there instead a 4 year was one of the best decisions I've made. Everything turned out so much better.

The best part about the CC courses are that they teach to the level of MCAT. University courses teach beyond the level of the MCAT, and are generally worse preparation because your time is spent studying esoteric things that are not tested on the MCAT.

It's Ed's thread being oblivious to confirmation bias. There are a lot of people that go to community college for various reasons and end up at top schools. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding it. If a student is economically disadvantaged, would it be reasonable to expect them to go to a 4-year as a non-traditional student? Would a student that needs to work full time be rejected only because the only way they got their classes was through night school?

On that note, I'm taking my classes at a community college. I'm a disadvantaged student, and although I could pay 4-year through getting insane amounts of loans, I don't regret going the community college route. I've also been able to meet a lot more people that are older and are career changing. I also have better opportunities for leadership, which is usually reserved to Juniors and Seniors at 4-year colleges.

 

[MCAT guy]

The best part about the CC courses are that they teach to the level of MCAT. University courses teach beyond the level of the MCAT, and are generally worse preparation because your time is spent studying esoteric things that are not tested on the MCAT.

lol. Did you just generalize every CC and every University in the United States?

How many schools are you referring to in forming this opinion?

 

[CW 2010]

I actually like CC better than a public university Grad College that I attended before.....

1. The professors are better. Almost all of them have PhDs, but they know how to TEACH, in contrast to my university professors, who were SCIENTISTS, and who were assuming that we already know everything and were just throwing a bunch of hardly understandable material at us.

2. Nothing beats a Community College tuition!

3. And nothing beats the availability of dates/times for a class.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I actually like CC better than a public university Grad College that I attended before.....

1. The professors are better. Almost all of them have PhDs, but they know how to TEACH, in contrast to my university professors, who were SCIENTISTS, and who were assuming that we already know everything and were just throwing a bunch of hardly understandable material at us.

2. Nothing beats a Community College tuition!

3. And nothing beats the availability of dates/times for a class.

So, that's your criteria? Preference, cost and convenience? Did you realize that this is a pre-med forum and the purpose of taking classes is for getting into medical school? not personal fulfillment.

 

[thefritz]

So, that's your criteria? Preference, cost and convenience? Did you realize that this is a pre-med forum and the purpose of taking classes is for getting into medical school? not personal fulfillment.

Except for the fact that community college classes do not hurt you in medical school admissions if you have a good GPA from a 4-year school also and you didn't take the classes at the CC while you were enrolled at the 4-year school, and even if you did it's doubtful that it would make any difference except at only the most highly ranked and selective medical schools.

Community college classes are only going to be noticed when the MCAT score is average or worse. That is the purpose of the MCAT. Or if the grades are poor.

Private medical school are much more likely to have an issue with CC classes. Public schools have a legal obligation to recognize CC classes as valid. You got an interview at Mayo even with CC coursework. If it were a problem, you wouldn't have gotten the interview. They don't just invite you there and waste your time asking questions that they already know the answers to from your file. The reason they asked you about it was to see how you responded to the situation where somebody points out something about you that is less than perfect. It was a test. If they were going to reject you based on CC courses, you wouldn't have even been there. They don't waste time on applications they don't intend to accept.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

...being oblivious to confirmation bias...
On that note, I'm taking my classes at a community college...

I see what you did there.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I see what you did there.

I see what you see that I supposedly did there. However, I researched my options before making them.

 

[MCAT guy]

Community college classes are only going to be noticed when the MCAT score is average or worse. That is the purpose of the MCAT. Or if the grades are poor.

What if you score slightly above average on the MCAT? Not everyone can control their MCAT score. This person may get accepted with university pre-reqs and not with CC pre-reqs.

I would say it isn't a huge deal BUT it should be avoided if possible. You better have a good reason other than money or convenience.

It's hard to take your success and then use that to generalize every Adcom in America.

 

[typremed]

I think adcomms need to get over their bias towards CC's. It's bad enough that some people can go right from high school to premed, to med school and have no healthcare background what so ever. Where you go to school has no bearing on the type of physician you will be in actual practice. I wouldn't waste my time applying to schools with elitist attitudes and those that refuse to consider the entire picture. A student who is trying to keep their student loan debt as low as possible is acting responsibly. That should count for something, and I'm sure it does to some schools.

 

[JDWflash44]

I took some of my premed requirents at a CC and dont remember it ever being brought up on any of my interviews (this was in 2006). That being said I backed it up with a good MCAT and A's in upper level courses. I ended up getting into two top medical schools with full scholarships, so it couldnt have hurt too much.

I also agree with the fact that professors at CCs are better teachers for the most part, while professors at 4 year schools are more focused on their research.

Good luck with the whole process.

 

[JaneAustenFan]

If you are in California and intend on applying to schools in California, CC units for pre-reqs are no big deal. Stanford doesn't even care. The admissions staff I have spoken to said that they are well aware of the difficulties some post-bacs are having with entering informal post-bacs at 4-year institutions in California and are perfectly fine with CC courses for pre-reqs. Some east coast schools are a little less understanding but according to the Stanford rep it is because the community colleges back east do not have the same reputation as the ones in California. Translation: To those of you out there waiting for the economy in California to get better so that you can take your classes at a CSU or UC, drop your ego and get the classes done.

Except for the fact that community college classes do not hurt you in medical school admissions if you have a good GPA from a 4-year school also and you didn't take the classes at the CC while you were enrolled at the 4-year school, and even if you did it's doubtful that it would make any difference except at only the most highly ranked and selective medical schools.

Community college classes are only going to be noticed when the MCAT score is average or worse. That is the purpose of the MCAT. Or if the grades are poor.

Private medical school are much more likely to have an issue with CC classes. Public schools have a legal obligation to recognize CC classes as valid. You got an interview at Mayo even with CC coursework. If it were a problem, you wouldn't have gotten the interview. They don't just invite you there and waste your time asking questions that they already know the answers to from your file. The reason they asked you about it was to see how you responded to the situation where somebody points out something about you that is less than perfect. It was a test. If they were going to reject you based on CC courses, you wouldn't have even been there. They don't waste time on applications they don't intend to accept.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I think adcomms need to get over their bias towards CC's.

I'm sure that they very carefully read the opinions of pre-meds when they calibrate their attitude towards CC's.

Now, for the real world, here are the facts. SOME adcomms don't like CC's and taking pre-reqs at a CC will be a negative to these adcomms. Consider this real world fact when deciding where to go to school

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I'm sure that they very carefully read the opinions of pre-meds when they calibrate their attitude towards CC's.

Now, for the real world, here are the facts. SOME adcomms don't like CC's and taking pre-reqs at a CC will be a negative to these adcomms. Consider this real world fact when deciding where to go to school

Exactly. Me and TPM sometimes tie up about this, and I always appreciate his willingness to engage. I think his CC classes will present him no problem. But there are two versions of this conversation that offer two different concepts. There is the TPM version: applicant had to go the CC route for various reasons (cost, time, CA residence, etc). They rock those classes, do well on the MCAT, life is beautiful. Good for them. Their CC classes won't be a hindrance of any kind. The other version of this conversation is different, and frequently asked on here: applicant needs to take the pre-reqs at sometime in the future, has the option of doing them at either CC or 4-year, what is recommended. I always recommend 4-year; others disagree. IF THERE IS AN OPTION, 4-year is a better way to go. The reasons for that have been debated and discussed to death on here. BUT IF YOU CAN'T, you do what you have to do. No one should let their CC classes hold them back from applying any and everywhere. But until someone can explain to me how going CC is preferable to going 4-year, in the eyes of an ADCOM (and debt isn't going to cut it; a difference of a few thousand $'s when you're about to sign up for ~$200k in student loans is silly at best), when there are clear advantages to the 4-year route, then I'm going to continue to push for people to pursue coursework at 4-year institutions.

 

[typremed]

I'm sure that they very carefully read the opinions of pre-meds when they calibrate their attitude towards CC's.

Now, for the real world, here are the facts. SOME adcomms don't like CC's and taking pre-reqs at a CC will be a negative to these adcomms. Consider this real world fact when deciding where to go to school

I sense the sarcasm and I completely respect your opinion. I personally would lean towards the schools who are more open.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I sense the sarcasm and I completely respect your opinion. I personally would lean towards the schools who are more open.

We need the approval the adcomms. They don't need ours.

 

[typremed]

We need the approval the adcomms. They don't need ours.

You're correct as far as getting in, which is half the battle. But I often wonder about the product med schools are producing- but that's a whole different conversation.

 

[CW 2010]

So, that's your criteria? Preference, cost and convenience? Did you realize that this is a pre-med forum and the purpose of taking classes is for getting into medical school? not personal fulfillment.

Yeah, that's my criteria. Preference, cost and convenience. And I don't see anything wrong with it.

In my particular situation the best I can do is take classes at CC. I have a graduate degree in science, and if I have a good MCAT score, I don't think CC is going to hurt me.

Thanks for reminding me what forum I am at.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Exactly. Me and TPM sometimes tie up about this, and I always appreciate his willingness to engage. I think his CC classes will present him no problem. But there are two versions of this conversation that offer two different concepts. There is the TPM version: applicant had to go the CC route for various reasons (cost, time, CA residence, etc). They rock those classes, do well on the MCAT, life is beautiful. Good for them. Their CC classes won't be a hindrance of any kind. The other version of this conversation is different, and frequently asked on here: applicant needs to take the pre-reqs at sometime in the future, has the option of doing them at either CC or 4-year, what is recommended. I always recommend 4-year; others disagree. IF THERE IS AN OPTION, 4-year is a better way to go. The reasons for that have been debated and discussed to death on here. BUT IF YOU CAN'T, you do what you have to do. No one should let their CC classes hold them back from applying any and everywhere. But until someone can explain to me how going CC is preferable to going 4-year, in the eyes of an ADCOM (and debt isn't going to cut it; a difference of a few thousand $'s when you're about to sign up for ~$200k in student loans is silly at best), when there are clear advantages to the 4-year route, then I'm going to continue to push for people to pursue coursework at 4-year institutions.

If there is an option, I agree with you. As you correctly pointed out, I support CC in lieu of giving up your med school dream or dragging it 5+ years.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Yeah, that's my criteria. Preference, cost and convenience. And I don't see anything wrong with it.

In my particular situation the best I can do is take classes at CC. I have a graduate degree in science, and if I have a good MCAT score, I don't think CC is going to hurt me.

Thanks for reminding me what forum I am at.

If I had it all to do over again, I would do it precisely the same way. I would attend the CC, because I had no choice - just like you. I'm just giving more information to those who have a choice. I agree with you that a person should not give up their dream of medical school because they don't have perfect situations.

 

[ChodeNode]

Hi all,

I guess this is as good a thread to introduce myself in as any. I'm a 32 year old software developer currently going back to school to try to become a doctor. I have about another 60 credits or so to go and I figure its going to take me 3 more years. This issue is one I'm agonizing over right now.

I'm taking Biology at the CC and Gen-chem at the University of Arizona. The U of A is supposedly pretty good, science-wise, but the CC here (Pima Community College) is fairly respected in the state as well.

I study like crazy for both Chem and Bio. I aced physics at the CC. I have a strong A in Bio. But I'm getting a mid- to low-B in the Gen-chem class right now and I can only assume it's the format. But the lecture is a room of 500 students and the lab is graded by a TA from Columbia (the country, not the University 🙂) who has difficulty communicating to me why my lab reports are not A-material. I can't get continuous dialogue at the U of A whereas I get it continuously at the CC. I'd get tutoring for Chemistry if I felt uncomfortable with certain parts of the material but I've walked into both tests confident and walked out with lower than expected test scores.

I have some opportunity from work to take the science coursework at the U, but likely not all of it. They have huge requirements for lab-time and the one class is killing me as it, time-wise. Next year I need to talk A&P and o-chem. Additionally, my first chlid is due in February. So I'm not sure if I should attempt to take these at the U (where I don't feel like I'm being taught effectively) and take only these 8 credits (in addition to my own studying) or at the CC where I could probably knock out an elective credit at the University at the same time.

**sigh**

I just don't know what to do. I've gotten all A's since returning back to school (34 credits last year). My mind is a wreck worrying about this and the B I have in gen-chem. All my educated friends are not science guys and I don't have any real advisers. Honestly, I could use a friend.

 

[TriagePreMed]

... a TA from Columbia (the country, not the University 🙂) ...

I've noticed a lot of Americans don't know that the country is Colombia and the university is Columbia.

 

[PostHaste]

Hi ChodeNode. First, I hear you on the crappy format of 4-year courses for full-time workers. The labs are killing my plans, too; there's no way I can miss work from 10-2 twice a week for O-Chem lab. I also agree that the CCs can be a much better environment for learning with the smaller class sizes and typically EFirstL teachers.

WRT the advisor, can you get an appointment with a/the pre-med advisor at U of A? Are you enrolled in any type of program there (certificate, bach, anything)? Even if you're not, and you're taking classes with the intent of pre-med, that service may be available to you as an enrolled student. I've had a lot of luck and gotten a lot of good advice from my advisor.

As far as whether CC classes are OK or not, you may want to check in with one or two schools you're thinking of applying to. I asked MCW, and their reply was that as long as the course transferred into a degree-granting program at UW they accepted it. I found out through this that the Chem class I wanted to take at the CC was OK, but Bio is not. Wisconsin has a website for transfer information - does Arizona have something similar?

 

[ChodeNode]

I've noticed a lot of Americans don't know that the country is Colombia and the university is Columbia.

Yeah - good point. I pronounce it with the "O" in the middle, so not sure why I spelled it that way.

Hi ChodeNode. First, I hear you on the crappy format of 4-year courses for full-time workers. The labs are killing my plans, too; there's no way I can miss work from 10-2 twice a week for O-Chem lab. I also agree that the CCs can be a much better environment for learning with the smaller class sizes and typically EFirstL teachers.

WRT the advisor, can you get an appointment with a/the pre-med advisor at U of A? Are you enrolled in any type of program there (certificate, bach, anything)? Even if you're not, and you're taking classes with the intent of pre-med, that service may be available to you as an enrolled student. I've had a lot of luck and gotten a lot of good advice from my advisor.

As far as whether CC classes are OK or not, you may want to check in with one or two schools you're thinking of applying to. I asked MCW, and their reply was that as long as the course transferred into a degree-granting program at UW they accepted it. I found out through this that the Chem class I wanted to take at the CC was OK, but Bio is not. Wisconsin has a website for transfer information - does Arizona have something similar?

I'm not in contact with any advisor other than the advisor for my major. I'll go looking for a pre-med advisor, though - thank you. My major is pre-physiology. I can't be full-on Physiology until I get through A&P next year. Is this what you're referring to as far as any program I'm registered for? I'll be honest, my knowledge of what things I should be enrolled in is pretty minimal outside of my major. I don't presently have a bachelors so I'm working toward one now.

I do, however, know that all the classes I've taken so far at the CC transfer into the U. There's a state website that lists what classes carry what equivalences at the 3 universities in the state. I researched that part pretty heavily and discussed it with my advisor at the U.

 

[PostHaste]

I'm not in contact with any advisor other than the advisor for my major. I'll go looking for a pre-med advisor, though - thank you. My major is pre-physiology. I can't be full-on Physiology until I get through A&P next year. Is this what you're referring to as far as any program I'm registered for? I'll be honest, my knowledge of what things I should be enrolled in is pretty minimal outside of my major. I don't presently have a bachelors so I'm working toward one now.

I do, however, know that all the classes I've taken so far at the CC transfer into the U. There's a state website that lists what classes carry what equivalences at the 3 universities in the state. I researched that part pretty heavily and discussed it with my advisor at the U.

I am by no means an expert on advising - my undergrad had no academic advisors (at least not that I was aware of) and I'm now a "special student" enrolled in a pre-med certificate program. So take all that with a grain of salt. That being said, I think that there should be a pre-med advisor in addition to your major advisor. Pre-med is not a major, but they do tend to have a specified curriculum and advisement. I would seek that out. For me, the pre-professional advisors (Med/Dental/Law/Vet/etc) are part of the Letters & Sciences Advising. You might want to check there.

I think you've got this part covered, but be sure that you look at those equivalances vs. just transfer-ability. In my case, CC Bio I transfers, but is not equivalent to UW Bio I for science majors. It can only be counted as a Biology elective. On the other hand, Chem I at the CC is equivalent to the Chem I for science majors at UW.

 

[MCAT guy]

I am by no means an expert on advising - my undergrad had no academic advisors (at least not that I was aware of) and I'm now a "special student" enrolled in a pre-med certificate program. So take all that with a grain of salt. That being said, I think that there should be a pre-med advisor in addition to your major advisor. Pre-med is not a major, but they do tend to have a specified curriculum and advisement. I would seek that out. For me, the pre-professional advisors (Med/Dental/Law/Vet/etc) are part of the Letters & Sciences Advising. You might want to check there.

I think you've got this part covered, but be sure that you look at those equivalances vs. just transfer-ability. In my case, CC Bio I transfers, but is not equivalent to UW Bio I for science majors. It can only be counted as a Biology elective. On the other hand, Chem I at the CC is equivalent to the Chem I for science majors at UW.

SDN + initiative >>>>>>> pre-med advisor

 

[PostHaste]

SDN + initiative >>>>>>> pre-med advisor

I suppose that may be true. But I've found my advisor helpful, especially when just starting out. SDN can be a little overwhelming for the first few months, even for a forum nerd like me.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I suppose that may be true. But I've found my advisor helpful, especially when just starting out. SDN can be a little overwhelming for the first few months, even for a forum nerd like me.

I took the advice of my pre-med advisor over the universal opinion of this forum and applied narrowly to only the schools that I really wanted to attend and a couple of safety schools.

We will discover the result soon.

 

[MCAT guy]

I took the advice of my pre-med advisor over the universal opinion of this forum and applied narrowly to only the schools that I really wanted to attend and a couple of safety schools.

We will discover the result soon.

anecdotal evidence =/= establish a rule

I read your interesting advice of applying to less schools earlier, I know if I had narrowed my pool right now I'd be screwed.

I've had 6 interviews and probably 4 of them wouldn't have been on my narrowed list. One is longer shot but in a place I couldn't have seen myself going, after visiting the school I was amazed how awesome it was (moved near my #1 choice). I applied to slightly under 20 schools. I'm more confident in my interviews and relaxed because I've have other possibilities and practice (hence improving my chances!).

Now that I've been on the interview trail, I will avoid forming any opinion of the school until after I've met the faculty, students, and felt the atmosphere of the school.

Not to say your advice was poor, just that I'm glad I didn't follow it.

 

[MCAT guy]

I suppose that may be true. But I've found my advisor helpful, especially when just starting out. SDN can be a little overwhelming for the first few months, even for a forum nerd like me.

The thing with SDN is you just have to filter out the 80% of nonsense and get to the gold.

There are a handful of very experienced and knowledgeable people on here. Cat, Q, Law2doc, njdmd (or something). Also if you read threads like the "how to succeed" or whatever as a non-trad or MCAT 30+ threads, etc. I built my app solely with the help of SDN and I can tell you, my stats aren't super competitive but I've been a competitive applicant.

I will probably have to donate to SDN just out of obligation after I receive my acceptance.

 

[thes_hunter]

In my last interview for school (The one that got me accepted) I was asked why I had taken a Automotive Repair class at a community college some 20 years before.

I was a little annoyed, because 20 years before I had been in that chair, interviewing for medical school, I thought I was going to be some company worker and make paintings to sell at art fairs. There was no way for me to even imagine that someone could think 20 years later I had used that class to pad my GPA to get into school. (And I don't know if she thought that, or if she was trying to dig deeper).

However, I smiled, and told her the truthful reason why I took an automotive repair class when I was 18. Because I felt I should be able to change my own oil, and I wanted to understand at least a small amount about cars so I could understand if repairmen were trying to sell me something I didn't need.


So yeah, your CC classes will be asked about.... even if they are years and years in the past.

 

[EdLongshanks]

anecdotal evidence =/= establish a rule

I read your interesting advice of applying to less schools earlier, I know if I had narrowed my pool right now I'd be screwed.

I've had 6 interviews and probably 4 of them wouldn't have been on my narrowed list. One is longer shot but in a place I couldn't have seen myself going, after visiting the school I was amazed how awesome it was (moved near my #1 choice). I applied to slightly under 20 schools. I'm more confident in my interviews and relaxed because I've have other possibilities and practice (hence improving my chances!).

Now that I've been on the interview trail, I will avoid forming any opinion of the school until after I've met the faculty, students, and felt the atmosphere of the school.

Not to say your advice was poor, just that I'm glad I didn't follow it.

I didn't offer advice, I told what choice I made. My choices =/= advice. It may have been a bad choice. If it works, it still may have been a bad choice.

I'm interested in your experience. Since you applied to both the narrow and the broad list, if you had applied to only the narrowed list, would you have gotten interviews and probably been accepted?

My pre-med advisor's position is that if you don't get accepted on a narrow list, you wouldn't have been accepted on a broad list either - so only apply to your favorite places.

If I read you correctly, you say that narrowing down the list before interviewing could knock off places that you would prefer to attend.
I suppose I have simpler needs and wants. I NEED to go to med school someplace, I have a DREAM of Mayo, but failing that, I'd as soon go to a state school as Hopkins

 

[PostHaste]

The thing with SDN is you just have to filter out the 80% of nonsense and get to the gold.

There are a handful of very experienced and knowledgeable people on here. Cat, Q, Law2doc, njdmd (or something). Also if you read threads like the "how to succeed" or whatever as a non-trad or MCAT 30+ threads, etc. I built my app solely with the help of SDN and I can tell you, my stats aren't super competitive but I've been a competitive applicant.

I will probably have to donate to SDN just out of obligation after I receive my acceptance.

Yeah, I'm finding this out as I go. But like I said, it's taken me months to suss it out.

ITA that SDN + Self >> Advisor Only, but I also think that Advisor + SDN + Self >> All others (unless your advisor is a TOTAL tool). They're going to be able to look at your package a little more objectively than you can yourself.

Ed, I'm hoping your strategy pays off - I need some inspiration. 🙂

 

[MCAT guy]

Yeah, I'm finding this out as I go. But like I said, it's taken me months to suss it out.

ITA that SDN + Self >> Advisor Only, but I also think that Advisor + SDN + Self >> All others (unless your advisor is a TOTAL tool). They're going to be able to look at your package a little more objectively than you can yourself.

Ed, I'm hoping your strategy pays off - I need some inspiration. 🙂

Agreed. I did visit my advisor once or twice just to see what it was about and how good their advice was. I found SDN to be superior and I received BAD advice from my advisor. Obviously it depends on your advisor but certainly use all the tools available.

 

[MCAT guy]

I didn't offer advice, I told what choice I made. My choices =/= advice. It may have been a bad choice. If it works, it still may have been a bad choice.

I'm not trying to say what you did was good or bad, just that I received good advice from SDN and I'm glad I followed it.

When I said I "read your advice" I misspoke. I meant to say, I "read the advice that you mentioned". I actually remember it because I thought, "Damn! That makes sense, I should have applied to like 10 less schools." Then after I got interviews from places I wouldn't have applied to, then visited and loved the school, my attitude was, "wow, so glad I added this school because it was out of my top 10 and now it is #1 or #2". I.e., if I'm accepted to both my narrow/broad lists, then I may actually go with a broad list school.

I'm interested in your experience. Since you applied to both the narrow and the broad list, if you had applied to only the narrowed list, would you have gotten interviews and probably been accepted?

I would have obviously applied to my state schools and I may still get accepted there. So it is possible (not accepted yet!)

My pre-med advisor's position is that if you don't get accepted on a narrow list, you wouldn't have been accepted on a broad list either - so only apply to your favorite places.

If I read you correctly, you say that narrowing down the list before interviewing could knock off places that you would prefer to attend.
I suppose I have simpler needs and wants. I NEED to go to med school someplace, I have a DREAM of Mayo, but failing that, I'd as soon go to a state school as Hopkins

I could garner a little from websites about each school but not a good picture. After visiting schools you get a feel of the people, attitudes, students, etc. That visit day is priceless. Each school has been much different than my preconceived notion of the school thus far.

- I would think holding multiple acceptances is better, when financial aid arrives and schools can see you have 1 acceptance or 6 acceptances, I'm sure that would change scholarship $$$.

Also I don't care where I go, but if I have choices I would like to go to the school I fit in with the most and think will train me to be the best physician I can be. While I think I can do this anywhere, I think it's pretty obvious that if you chose a better fit you will be better off. I would think some schools you gel with better than others and this certainly can affect your education.