Advice for Mrs. Buckeye1992

[Buckeye1992]

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Hi guys just thought I would get some input from others. My wife is considering making a career change and is wanting to pursue medicine. My question is what would be the best path for her to try this? She has an English bachelor's with a 3.35 cumulative at this point. Her last 100 hrs though has been 3.7+ and she graduated from our undergrad with honors. She has a few low grades from high school post secondary courses that are dragging this down drastically. I think two retakes would bring it up around a 3.5 at least. Anyway, she would have to take all of her pre reqs as she only has an intro biochem and an a&p course as science courses. Would it be OK for her to take all of her pre reqs at a cc? Also would a few at a time be OK rather than taking full course loads? Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated. I know what I would say to most of these questions but looking for some outside opinions.

 

[mct2762]

Hi guys just thought I would get some input from others. My wife is considering making a career change and is wanting to pursue medicine. My question is what would be the best path for her to try this? She has an English bachelor's with a 3.35 cumulative at this point. Her last 100 hrs though has been 3.7+ and she graduated from our undergrad with honors. She has a few low grades from high school post secondary courses that are dragging this down drastically. I think two retakes would bring it up around a 3.5 at least. Anyway, she would have to take all of her pre reqs as she only has an intro biochem and an a&p course as science courses. Would it be OK for her to take all of her pre reqs at a cc? Also would a few at a time be OK rather than taking full course loads? Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated. I know what I would say to most of these questions but looking for some outside opinions.

absolute no for the cc. I spoke with several adcoms from different schools about this and the answer was a resounding no.

I would think taking only a few at a time would be a bad idea. Anyone can make A's doing only a few at a time...they want to see you can handle a full course load and still do well. This is just my speculation, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

 

[GreyF0X]

absolute no for the cc. I spoke with several adcoms from different schools about this and the answer was a resounding no.

I would think taking only a few at a time would be a bad idea. Anyone can make A's doing only a few at a time...they want to see you can handle a full course load and still do well. This is just my speculation, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

Really? The general consensus on this forum is that it is okay to take pre-reqs at a CC. Also, shouldn't factors such as cost be considered? My university courses are way more expensive than CC courses.

 

[Buckeye1992]

Cost is a concern as we are in a new state and will be considered out of state for at least 12 months. 4 year would be expensive especially with the limitations on financial aid for someone already with a bachelor's. I am an incoming OMS1 so hard for me to help at all financially.

 

[Buckeye1992]

Goro, hoping for some input from you

 

[medickdb]

absolute no for the cc. I spoke with several adcoms from different schools about this and the answer was a resounding no.

I would think taking only a few at a time would be a bad idea. Anyone can make A's doing only a few at a time...they want to see you can handle a full course load and still do well. This is just my speculation, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

I took several science courses, including a few prereqs at a CC, some even over summers. I got invited to the first interviews at three separate schools and was never asked about my courses. I know many others who did the same thing.

 

[rzoo14]

CC is fine. I retook several courses at CC and no one brought it up during interviews.

 

[mct2762]

Really? The general consensus on this forum is that it is okay to take pre-reqs at a CC. Also, shouldn't factors such as cost be considered? My university courses are way more expensive than CC courses.

Idk, thats just what I was told. I will say that the only schools I talked to about this were MD schools, idk if that would make much of a difference. But I spoke to 3-4 different schools in TX and all said CC looks bad for having the majority of pre reqs from there

 

[Buckeye1992]

Even for someone already with a degree?

 

[DoctorKrieger]

It probably is different on the allo side, where they can pick apart an application for any inane reason just to cut down the herd. DO schools tend to be more amenable to non-trads which include those who decide to pursue medicine after they already have a degree and thus, find it much more feasible financially and schedule-wise to take prereqs at a CC.

So yes, CC is fine (for DO schools). Many even have ochem classes that will fulfill that requirement. FWIW, I took some post-bac classes at a regional public 4 year which had reasonable costs as well, and a lot of interesting courses to offer (I wasn't retaking prereqs), so you might look into those as well.

 

[medickdb]

Idk, thats just what I was told. I will say that the only schools I talked to about this were MD schools, idk if that would make much of a difference. But I spoke to 3-4 different schools in TX and all said CC looks bad for having the majority of pre reqs from there

But, this is the pre-DO forum. DO schools are a little more understanding in this regard than MD schools. While you can take either route to become a physician, both have their own way of doing things starting with the way they approach the admissions process.

 

[medickdb]

Honestly, I don't know what the big deal about CC courses is anyway. I learned far more in some of those classes than I ever did in some of the classes I took at the two 4 year institutions I attended. The level and usefulness of the class are really relative to the professor teaching it.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

DO schools can be a little bit more choosy these days as such it may be worthwhile to at least consider a post-bacc for degree changers at universities in the area. Also on the topic your wife may want to take more courses than just the prereqs. While the basic prereqs are all that are required, they may not be a convincing argument that your wife is really med school material or etc. Hell even I after taking 60 credits in science was pestered on more than one occasion about potentially not being prepared or ready for medical school science.

But if there is no option, then a course is better than no course huh?

 

[medickdb]

DO schools can be a little bit more choosy these days as such it may be worthwhile to at least consider a post-bacc for degree changers at universities in the area. Also on the topic your wife may want to take more courses than just the prereqs. While the basic prereqs are all that are required, they may not be a convincing argument that your wife is really med school material or etc. Hell even I after taking 60 credits in science was pestered on more than one occasion about potentially not being prepared or ready for medical school science.

But if there is no option, then a course is better than no course huh?

Yeah, I definitely think they are becoming choosier. From what I've seen on here about this cycle, applications to DO schools have been significantly up this year. It certainly helps to stand out in any way that you can.

As for the 60 credits in science, I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are plenty of doctors and medical students out there who only took the required courses. They did just fine.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Honestly, I don't know what the big deal about CC courses is anyway. I learned far more in some of those classes than I ever did in some of the classes I took at the two 4 year institutions I attended. The level and usefulness of the class are really relative to the professor teaching it.

Honestly, the big deal is that back when most of the people on ADCOMS were undergrads or etc you legitimately could have the executive processing skills of a chimp and get into your state school and those with maybe Coco like function were easily enjoying life in the land between the Ivies and State schools ( Think upper tier liberal arts schools and etc). So for them to not even be at a state college to begin with implies that you're legitimately brain dead and a risk of failing and making their school look bad. And in the end they're unwilling to test their prejudice when they can easily recruit kids from top tier schools usually.

But alas, times have changed. College admission is no longer a joke, more kids want to go to college than before, and the economy is such crap even post revitalization efforts that you'd have to be an idiot to start at a 4 year college unless you're legitimately packing enormous scholarships ( Because lets be real here, 4k a year for a CC v.s 8k at Uni + 20k for living costs is a whole bunch of unnecessary debt) it's not worth it.

 

[mct2762]

Honestly, I don't know what the big deal about CC courses is anyway. I learned far more in some of those classes than I ever did in some of the classes I took at the two 4 year institutions I attended. The level and usefulness of the class are really relative to the professor teaching it.

true that. I took gen chem 2 at a cc and it was just as hard if not harder than the chem i took at my university

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Yeah, I definitely think they are becoming choosier. From what I've seen on here about this cycle, applications to DO schools have been significantly up this year. It certainly helps to stand out in any way that you can.

As for the 60 credits in science, I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are plenty of doctors and medical students out there who only took the required courses. They did just fine.

This cycle undoubtedly proved that places are becoming chooser. And since the economy isn't really becoming any better outside of pockets of coastal areas where it's just stable we're going to continue seeing an enormous push towards increasing stats.

 

[Buckeye1992]

It will be interesting to see how new mcat will affect things. I think scores will go down a lot. At least until testing companies can catch up with the new stuff.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

true that. I took gen chem 2 at a cc and it was just as hard if not harder than the chem i took at my university

I think most of my CC classes and University classes were probably about the same difficulty. The only difference between in the courses were the professors tbh, the professors at my CC I felt like I could get coffee with and discuss the material tangentially. My university professors as a whole gave off this aura of being extremely exhausted, genuinely lacking passion, and that if they won the lottery tomorrow they'd set fire to their respective labs.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

It will be interesting to see how new mcat will affect things. I think scores will go down a lot. At least until testing companies can catch up with the new stuff.

The new scores won't really even mean anything for a while. I mean, it'll be almost the same thing as if you tell a random bypasser that you got a 30 out of 45 on a test. They'll think you got a D.

 

[edgerock24]

absolute no for the cc. I spoke with several adcoms from different schools about this and the answer was a resounding no.

This is not true. No osteopathic medical school has issues with CC credits. Even @Goro has stated this numerous times when giving advice to others (especially non-trads). Cmon Christina Yang. Be better.

 

[mct2762]

This is not true. No osteopathic medical school has issues with CC credits. Even @Goro has stated this numerous times when giving advice to others (especially non-trads). Cmon Christina Yang. Be better.

read up. I said I was referring to MD schools.

 

[Mrs.Buckeye1992]

..

 

[medickdb]

I am also concerned about the lack of research opportunities I will be presented with as well the new mcat. I feel like the new mcat will be good and bad in that I'll be on even ground as far as study materials, but I(we)'ll also have little to no test-specific study materials.

You don't need research. As for the new MCAT, I can't really speak to it. If I were going to take the new MCAT, the first place I would look for material is on the AAMC website.

 

[DoctorKrieger]

I am also concerned about the lack of research opportunities I will be presented with as well the new mcat. I feel like the new mcat will be good and bad in that I'll be on even ground as far as study materials, but I(we)'ll also have little to no test-specific study materials.

DO schools don't count against you for lack of research. Sure, it's a bonus if you have it, but you'll be fine without any. The new MCAT, well check out the subforum for that to see what they say about the new format and maybe you'll find a study plan that works. And be sure to check out the AAMC MCAT page to see their study tips (looks like medickdb beat me to it).

 

[Goro]

CC coursework is perfectly fine for a non-trad. Now, it's true that not all MD schools accept CC coursework, but I have yet to hear that DO schools refuse them. Doing a few at a time is fine as well.

absolute no for the cc. I spoke with several adcoms from different schools about this and the answer was a resounding no.

I would think taking only a few at a time would be a bad idea. Anyone can make A's doing only a few at a time...they want to see you can handle a full course load and still do well. This is just my speculation, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

 

[EgyptKing21]

In all honesty, she should take it at a 4 year. Not because of the bias from admission committee but to prepare her well for the MCAT. That test is a beast and to best prepare her would be take the required classes at a 4 year since its more rigorous. I went to a tough 4 year (UCSD) but it helped me tremendously on the MCAT compared to my peers who took their pre-reqs at a cc (more grade inflation and tests were multiple choice -->EASY). If your worried about finance, think of it as this way: med school is going to cost a fortune anyway, will 20k on top of 200k+ loans really matter?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

absolute no for the cc. I spoke with several adcoms from different schools about this and the answer was a resounding no.

I would think taking only a few at a time would be a bad idea. Anyone can make A's doing only a few at a time...they want to see you can handle a full course load and still do well. This is just my speculation, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

Absolutely yes on CC. I speak as someone with 100% CC science units and accepted to medical school this cycle with multiple interview invites.

 

[JDMcNugent]

Two schools I spoke with who seem to frown upon CC coursework is rocky vista and nyit. Most don't seem to care but it can't hurt to take many at your local university and sprinkle in a few at a CC.

 

[mct2762]

What Texas schools did not like CC credits?

I live in Texas, 40 min drive away from the nearest university and don't have a car. But I can bike 4 miles to the local CC. So this worries me. Is Lubbock okay with some CC credits? I might shoot them an email.

Tech was actually the first school I talked to - I did the SABR program there in 2011 so I had a chance to talk to to some people from admissions. They said it's fine to have your gen ed classes done there, but is not favorable to have pre reqs done there.

(EDIT): However, they did NOT say they would not take the cc credits. They just said its not favorable....so who knows.

 

[costales]

One of my friends who received multiple acceptances from Texas schools, including Baylor, took his physics prereqs at a local CC.

 

[mct2762]

I just looked up the SABR program and it looks cool but difficult. Is it tough to get accepted to the SABR program? I couldn't find much info about applying on their website. They also say it's really intense -- how did you like it?

It was a cool experience, but wasn't my thing...I realized that I absolutely HATED research. They gave a good stipend (i think around 3,500 if memory serves me right). It was very time intensive (as to be expected, I guess), but the time requirements varied from lab to lab. I ended up working usually 50 ish hours a week in the lab. My friend got in a horrid lab and worked nearly 65-70 hours a week (she was usually in the lab past midnight on weekdays!). You get your own project and present it at the end. Good experience.

 

[DocWinter]

CC credits will be fine. The poster mct2762 is mistaken. I echo what medickdb said - the quality and consistency at the CC was on par with the local university. I took half my science credits at CC, half at the uni, and I swear it was actually better quality of teaching (by real professors, not droopy non-english speaking TA's) than the university.

If you have a BA/BS at a regionally accredited university with a solid GPA, you CAN take the pre-reqs at a CC and you WILL be acceptable in the eyes of most DO schools.

 

[FCMike11]

Idk, thats just what I was told. I will say that the only schools I talked to about this were MD schools, idk if that would make much of a difference. But I spoke to 3-4 different schools in TX and all said CC looks bad for having the majority of pre reqs from there

Thats just no true. Ive spoken with admissions at UTMB twice (dean as well) and its a non issue. I took bio 1 & 2, gen chem 1&2 at cc.

 

[GreyF0X]

Thats just no true. Ive spoken with admissions at UTMB twice (dean as well) and its a non issue. I took bio 1 & 2, gen chem 1&2 at cc.

There was an adcom from UTMB that came to speak at our university, they made it sound impossible to matriculate into their school. I wonder if they just do this to intimidate the pre-meds. On the other hand, one of my friends told me he spoke to one of the adcoms and they said all you have to do is get a 30 on the mcat and have above a 3.0 gpa, I still don't know how that would be possible, he was not a URM either.