Advice, prerequisites from CC

[CantThinkOfNames0987]

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How bad do adcoms view prerequisite courses taken from a community college?

So this is my story. I am a recent immigrant to the US and due to financial reasons, practicality and the fact that I graduated HS from a foreign country, I took most of my prereq courses (except for Physics I & II) in a local CC. Also, I am currently in a CLS program, which is an allied health major, in a university. The thing is, I have like a ~3.9 cGPA, a 4.0 BCPM, and so far, I’m been good with keeping up my grades while in the CLS program (this is my last lecture semester so hopefully I dont butcher it *fingers-crossed!). But I only have a few hours of shadowing, volunteering and some decent leadership position. However, this summer we will be doing our clinical rotations, so I’m hoping that can help me somewhat. I honestly feel that I’m such a lackluster applicant for med school, since I barely have good stats (haven’t taken the MCAT yet) and I don’t work (I’m 20 so I’ve been living off on my parents), but then again I am already trying to remedy those deficiencies.

The thing is, I still have to take my physics classes [which I’ll do after I graduate]. Although, it would be more convenient for me to take it in a local CC instead of the university, but do you guys think that I should just take it in a university?

I am afraid that because I took almost all my prereqs in a CC, adcoms would just think that “yeah, she had 3.9 but then she took her prerequisites in a community college ….” And so-so.

I do plan on working for a year after I graduate before applying to med school and it helps that as a CLS, we get a lot of job flexibility in terms of what we want to do and where we want to go.

And, any advice on what I should do to improve my chances (aside from getting more volunteer/shadowing hours)?

Thanks!

P.S I am not sure under which forum I should post this. So forgive me, if I posted it on the wrong place.

 

[Cinemed]

How bad do adcoms view prerequisite courses taken from a community college?

So this is my story. I am a recent immigrant to the US and due to financial reasons, practicality and the fact that I graduated HS from a foreign country, I took most of my prereq courses (except for Physics I & II) in a local CC. Also, I am currently in a CLS program, which is an allied health major, in a university. The thing is, I have like a ~3.9 cGPA, a 4.0 BCPM, and so far, I’m been good with keeping up my grades while in the CLS program (this is my last lecture semester so hopefully I dont butcher it *fingers-crossed!). But I only have a few hours of shadowing, volunteering and some decent leadership position. However, this summer we will be doing our clinical rotations, so I’m hoping that can help me somewhat. I honestly feel that I’m such a lackluster applicant for med school, since I barely have good stats (haven’t taken the MCAT yet) and I don’t work (I’m 20 so I’ve been living off on my parents), but then again I am already trying to remedy those deficiencies.

The thing is, I still have to take my physics classes [which I’ll do after I graduate]. Although, it would be more convenient for me to take it in a local CC instead of the university, but do you guys think that I should just take it in a university?

I am afraid that because I took almost all my prereqs in a CC, adcoms would just think that “yeah, she had 3.9 but then she took her prerequisites in a community college ….” And so-so.

I do plan on working for a year after I graduate before applying to med school and it helps that as a CLS, we get a lot of job flexibility in terms of what we want to do and where we want to go.

And, any advice on what I should do to improve my chances (aside from getting more volunteer/shadowing hours)?

Thanks!

P.S I am not sure under which forum I should post this. So forgive me, if I posted it on the wrong place.

The CC courses will be fine. While it's best to take your pre-reqs at a 4 year, it won't be a red flag at most places when you're performing equally at the university; especially 4.0. I will say: once you have transferred to a 4-year institution, it is best to take your remaining meaningful coursework at the university so it doesn't look like you're dodging, so to say. If money, timing, or housing are issues and the CC is the best option, I'd honestly just go for that. You've got a great GPA. Kill the MCAT and get your volunteering in and you're golden. Don't sweat the CC, it's over and done with. Best of luck!

EDIT: Fun fact - I took Chem I at my CC and was the primary chem I tutor at my 4 year university.

 

[Drekan311]

How bad do adcoms view prerequisite courses taken from a community college?

So this is my story. I am a recent immigrant to the US and due to financial reasons, practicality and the fact that I graduated HS from a foreign country, I took most of my prereq courses (except for Physics I & II) in a local CC. Also, I am currently in a CLS program, which is an allied health major, in a university. The thing is, I have like a ~3.9 cGPA, a 4.0 BCPM, and so far, I’m been good with keeping up my grades while in the CLS program (this is my last lecture semester so hopefully I dont butcher it *fingers-crossed!). But I only have a few hours of shadowing, volunteering and some decent leadership position. However, this summer we will be doing our clinical rotations, so I’m hoping that can help me somewhat. I honestly feel that I’m such a lackluster applicant for med school, since I barely have good stats (haven’t taken the MCAT yet) and I don’t work (I’m 20 so I’ve been living off on my parents), but then again I am already trying to remedy those deficiencies.

The thing is, I still have to take my physics classes [which I’ll do after I graduate]. Although, it would be more convenient for me to take it in a local CC instead of the university, but do you guys think that I should just take it in a university?

I am afraid that because I took almost all my prereqs in a CC, adcoms would just think that “yeah, she had 3.9 but then she took her prerequisites in a community college ….” And so-so.

I do plan on working for a year after I graduate before applying to med school and it helps that as a CLS, we get a lot of job flexibility in terms of what we want to do and where we want to go.

And, any advice on what I should do to improve my chances (aside from getting more volunteer/shadowing hours)?

Thanks!

P.S I am not sure under which forum I should post this. So forgive me, if I posted it on the wrong place.

lol i feel like this topic is usually always the one i reply to! Anyhow, just following up with what the above poster said, Taking pre-reqs at CC isn't going to kill your app! I took(Gen chem, Ochem, Calculus-based physic, all lower-div Bio...etc) at my local CC and i got in just fine. Now, I do want to reemphasize that you still need a good amount of upper-div science courses at 4-year University but the majority of pre-reqs can be done at CC level.

 

[Catalystik]

How bad do adcoms view prerequisite courses taken from a community college?

So this is my story. I am a recent immigrant to the US and due to financial reasons, practicality and the fact that I graduated HS from a foreign country, I took most of my prereq courses (except for Physics I & II) in a local CC. Also, I am currently in a CLS program, which is an allied health major, in a university. The thing is, I have like a ~3.9 cGPA, a 4.0 BCPM, and so far, I’m been good with keeping up my grades while in the CLS program (this is my last lecture semester so hopefully I dont butcher it *fingers-crossed!). But I only have a few hours of shadowing, volunteering and some decent leadership position. However, this summer we will be doing our clinical rotations, so I’m hoping that can help me somewhat. I honestly feel that I’m such a lackluster applicant for med school, since I barely have good stats (haven’t taken the MCAT yet) and I don’t work (I’m 20 so I’ve been living off on my parents), but then again I am already trying to remedy those deficiencies.

The thing is, I still have to take my physics classes [which I’ll do after I graduate]. Although, it would be more convenient for me to take it in a local CC instead of the university, but do you guys think that I should just take it in a university?

I am afraid that because I took almost all my prereqs in a CC, adcoms would just think that “yeah, she had 3.9 but then she took her prerequisites in a community college ….” And so-so.

I do plan on working for a year after I graduate before applying to med school and it helps that as a CLS, we get a lot of job flexibility in terms of what we want to do and where we want to go.

And, any advice on what I should do to improve my chances (aside from getting more volunteer/shadowing hours)?

Thanks!

P.S I am not sure under which forum I should post this. So forgive me, if I posted it on the wrong place.

The majority of med schools won't discriminate against CC coursework and prerequisites, provided it was rigorous enough to prepare you well for the MCAT. It wise to take some upper-level Bio coursework at a four--year school (and earn similarly high grades) to prove you are well-prepared and competitive in that environment as well.

 

[CantThinkOfNames0987]

Thank you for y'all replies!

I do have another question.

@Catalystik

It wise to take some upper-level Bio coursework at a four--year school (and earn similarly high grades) to prove you are well-prepared and competitive in that environment as well.

So… I’m already in my senior year in the CLS program at a university, about to graduate this August. My program requires us to take classes like Pathophysiology, Clinical Immunohematology, Medical Microbiology, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Microbiology etc; which I honestly believe are rigorous in their own. I mean, having to take exams every week, they certainly forced us to study. However, they are not technically considered upper-level bio in the traditional sense. So if the purpose of taking an upper-level Bio course at a four-year school is just to prove my capability, then can I forgo that if I do well on the MCAT and possibly, graduate with honors?

 

[Catalystik]

@Catalystik
So… I’m already in my senior year in the CLS program at a university, about to graduate this August. My program requires us to take classes like Pathophysiology, Clinical Immunohematology, Medical Microbiology, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Microbiology etc; which I honestly believe are rigorous in their own. I mean, having to take exams every week, they certainly forced us to study. However, they are not technically considered upper-level bio in the traditional sense. So if the purpose of taking an upper-level Bio course at a four-year school is just to prove my capability, then can I forgo that if I do well on the MCAT and possibly, graduate with honors?

CLS coursework toward a degree may be looked on by many adcomms as a vocational program, so the rigor of those classes may not be appreciated when viewed on your application. In order to compare you to other applicants equitably, it's best for you to take traditional upper-level Bio at a four-year school. Many med schools require/recommend that you have such coursework anyway, so you will broaden the scope of schools willing to consider you if your transcript includes them.

 

[CantThinkOfNames0987]

In that case, how many upper-level courses should I have to take?

I just want to know how many since I'll be taking these classes after I graduate and hopefully by then, I'll be working in the lab.

 

[Catalystik]

In that case, how many upper-level courses should I have to take?
I just want to know how many since I'll be taking these classes after I graduate and hopefully by then, I'll be working in the lab.

Three.

***Also, let me call to your attention the MCAT statistics that call into question the rigor of coursework for specialized health science majors (which includes, eg, nutrition and nursing programs, besides clinical laboratory sciences). The Total MCAT scores are the lowest for any group of applicants. As are the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems Scores.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321496/data/factstablea17.pdf

 

[CantThinkOfNames0987]

Thank you.

Actually, I do think that because our courses are too focused on the courses like hematology, chemistry, micro (which are basically the major sections of lab) that if someone asks me a question about Physics, or Organic Chem, I wouldn’t be able to answer it as well I can answer a question about the biochemical profile of a certain bacteria & the disease they cause, or if you make me do answer a case study on hemostasis [And because thats what our syllabus is making us do lol). So I’ll have to put extra extra effort on studying for the MCAT since I have gotten so out of touch with the traditional science courses.

Actually, my former Bio professor advised me against the CLS program, thinking that it might be too technical for me and that I’ll get bored with it easily. She wanted me to take a different major, because she thought I could do better. But I took it anyway because I wanted to have a fail-safe in case things don’t work out the way I expect it [and the CLS program I’m in is so soo affordable, so much in fact that I didnt have to take any loans).

So yeah, the statistics seems to be against me but I’ve heard of previous students in my program who went to graduate school or medical school. And well, I live in Texas, so I’m relying on the fact that med schools in Texas accept more in-state applicants that out of state.

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you.

So I’ll have to put extra extra effort on studying for the MCAT since I have gotten so out of touch with the traditional science courses.

Knowing this ahead of time, hopefully, you can aggressively prepare yourself and self-teach those disciplines in which you might have had less preparation. Fore-warned is fore-armed.