Any prereqs that's "eh, not a big deal" if taken at a CC?

[Dr. Spoodermen ND]

I know that CC credits are taken by a case-by-case basis at many schools, and many schools prefer they be taken at a 4-year than a CC.

But are there any prerequisites that aren't a big deal if taken at a CC instead of a 4-year? I've read on SDN that Orgo 1&2 at a CC induces some frowns... but what about general physics 1&2? Since the required physics sequence is not calculus-based, would it be alright to take Physics 1 and 2 at a CC instead of a 4-year? I can't imagine algebra/trig-based physics differing all that much in quality at a 4-year vs. CC, especially since it's very introductory? It's a $2500-$3000 difference, and honestly if it isn't a big deal to adcoms, I'd rather save the money and spend it on an upper division course at a 4-year.

I should mention I'm a nontrad, but have a low uGPA that needs some fixing. No prereqs would be retaken; most of my classes were CS/Math.

Or, are all prereqs weighed the same in adcoms' eyes? Am I being a neurotic idiot? Thanks for bearing with me.

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[DrFortiusNatando]

If you have a low uGPA that "needs fixing", ADCOMs will likely be looking for post-bac courses to be taken at a 4y college. The concern with a low uGPA is that ADCOMS want to know you can handle the work of medical school, and as an ADCOM, my concerns would not be allayed by even a 4.0 at CC. You need to do a DIY or formal post-bac in a rigorous 4-yr school and hit your grades out of the park to reinvent yourself.

(I do not know anything about you other than "non-traditional" - but there are certain stories that are really compelling, such as unique military service, teach for America, peace corps, and/or disadvantaged and/or URIM, that might allow for successful application with a lower uGPA. Maybe could get away with one or two CC courses in that case, esp if in a well-respected CC. )

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

There are some medical schools that directly speak to this idea of community college courses. This may give a little better insight in how the underlying “culture” or “attitude” of admission committee members, whether a formal policy or not, may perceive applicants who choose summer or community college coursework. While this list is not exhaustive, it is representative enough to help advise students who are considering such a step.

SUNY Upstate College of Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions | College of Medicine |SUNY Upstate Medical University
“Applicants should avoid taking more than one or two prerequisite science courses during the summer and avoid taking them at community colleges.”

Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
http://icahn.mssm.edu/education/medical/admissions/regular-track/requirements
Q: Can I take my courses at a community college, or must I take them at a four-year college or university?
A: We have no requirement about where you take courses, though the Committee on Admissions does take that into consideration in evaluating your application.

Johns Hopkins Medical School
Prerequisites and Requirements| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine M.D. Admissions
The School of Medicine accepts prerequisites completed at the community college level. In order to be competitive in the selection process, we encourage prospective applicants with community college prerequisites to supplement these courses by taking advanced courses in related subjects at their four year institution.

University of Florida College of Medicine
FAQ
Q: Can I take the prerequisite courses at my local community/junior college?
A: In order to create the most academically competitive application you should take all prerequisite courses at the most competitive bachelor’s degree granting institution where you can gain entrance. You should try to complete your pre-requisite courses at a four-year institution

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
https://www.einstein.yu.edu/educati...pplication-procedure/course-requirements.aspx
Whereas course work at a four-year college or university is our benchmark, if a student chooses to meet a competency component via an alternate route such as through laboratory experience, through an advanced placement course, a course taken at a community college, a course taken abroad (during a semester abroad for which the undergraduate U.S. degree-granting institution gives credit, or for which AMCAS will verify and report the grade), or an online course, he or she should seek guidance from his or her advisor to ensure that the option meets the above guidelines as well as the rigorous academic standard required by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

George Washington University
MD Program Frequently Asked Questions | The School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Do you accept community college credits?
Yes. The Committee on Admissions does accept coursework taken at a community college; however, it is preferable to have the pre-medical coursework taken at a four-year college or university.

Florida State University College of Medicine
http://med.fsu.edu/?page=mdAdmissions.admissionRequirement
Listed below is the pre-requisite coursework required for all matriculates to the FSU COM. Advanced Placement, CLEP, and dual enrollment credits fulfill the course requirements. However, courses taken in a traditional classroom at a four-year institution are considered to be more academically competitive.

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
MD Program Admissions Requirements | Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Two pre-requisite science courses can be fulfilled with AP credits, community college courses or through a study abroad program.

Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine Progam
Policy on AP Credits, Credits by Exam, and Dual Credit
We generally prefer that applicants take the prerequisite courses at 4-year accredited colleges and universities rather than utilize advanced placement credits, credits by exam, dual-credit, pass/fail course work or community college courses. We do not dismiss these credits; and, if they have been taken, we will accept them toward meeting the prerequisites. In fact, if an applicant has placed out of a required level course, we will also accept another course in that discipline at the same or higher level. Again, our preference is that applicants take graded courses at 4-year institutions, particularly the prerequisites in the biological sciences and the chemistry series.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/admissions/md/faq/#q43
Are community college classes accepted as prerequisite course credit?
They may be, but the Admissions Committee generally expects students to complete all prerequisite courses at a four-year undergraduate institution.

Yale
https://medicine.yale.edu/education/admissions/apply/premed.aspx
Pre-medical courses must be completed in a U.S., U.K., or Canadian college or university. U.S. Community College courses are acceptable, provided that the courses include laboratory work and are comparable in content to courses at four-year colleges, universities, or institutes of technology.

Weill Cornell
http://weill.cornell.edu/education/admissions/app_faq.html
Can I take my prerequisite courses at a Community College?
It is not recommended.

And keep in mind that OP was talking about needing to do GPA-repair. Hard to do GPA repair at a CC and have it impress ADCOMS. So even though Yale, Temple, GW, Texas A and M etc say that CC are acceptable, OP likely needs to take as many credits as possible at a respectable 4 yr college in a DIY or formal post-bac to do damage control for his low uGPA. Of course, none of us know what OP means by "low" GPA, nor where OP went to college or other attributes, so it is a bit hard to give the information in a vacuum. If OP is disadvantaged, URIM, was a navy seal, and went to Princeton with its notorious grade deflation back in the day and got a 3.38, a couple of CC courses won't hurt.

 

[Dr. Spoodermen ND]

If you have a low uGPA that "needs fixing", ADCOMs will likely be looking for post-bac courses to be taken at a 4y college. The concern with a low uGPA is that ADCOMS want to know you can handle the work of medical school, and as an ADCOM, my concerns would not be allayed by even a 4.0 at CC. You need to do a DIY or formal post-bac in a rigorous 4-yr school and hit your grades out of the park to reinvent yourself.

(I do not know anything about you other than "non-traditional" - but there are certain stories that are really compelling, such as unique military service, teach for America, peace corps, and/or disadvantaged and/or URIM, that might allow for successful application with a lower uGPA. Maybe could get away with one or two CC courses in that case, esp if in a well-respected CC. )

If you have a low uGPA that "needs fixing", ADCOMs will likely be looking for post-bac courses to be taken at a 4y college. The concern with a low uGPA is that ADCOMS want to know you can handle the work of medical school, and as an ADCOM, my concerns would not be allayed by even a 4.0 at CC. You need to do a DIY or formal post-bac in a rigorous 4-yr school and hit your grades out of the park to reinvent yourself.

(I do not know anything about you other than "non-traditional" - but there are certain stories that are really compelling, such as unique military service, teach for America, peace corps, and/or disadvantaged and/or URIM, that might allow for successful application with a lower uGPA. Maybe could get away with one or two CC courses in that case, esp if in a well-respected CC. )

Thanks for your advice, that's what I figured too.

Regarding "rigorous 4-year school," do you think UCLA Extension's DIY post-bacc certificate program has the same merit (? not sure if right word) to it? I'd take all the prereqs there, 3-4 extra upper divisions, and another 3 upper divisions at UCLA (including summer). If you were an ADCOM, would you see that as adequate enough rigor/difficulty (in terms of institutional strength)? The only thing I'd take at a CC are psych and soc for MCAT. Thank you!

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

Thanks for your advice, that's what I figured too.

Regarding "rigorous 4-year school," do you think UCLA Extension's DIY post-bacc certificate program has the same merit (? not sure if right word) to it? I'd take all the prereqs there, 3-4 extra upper divisions, and another 3 upper divisions at UCLA (including summer). If you were an ADCOM, would you see that as adequate enough rigor/difficulty (in terms of institutional strength)? The only thing I'd take at a CC are psych and soc for MCAT. Thank you!

I think that anything at UCLA is rigorous enough, although I am east coast and maybe the west coast people can comment. At least on the East coast, many very rigorous and respected post-Baccs are through the extension school (Penn, Columbia, Harvard, etc).

And maybe save money on the sociology and psychology courses that you plan to do at a CC. I think you can study those on your own. The very basic psych and sociology that is on MCAT is material you can learn on your own and probably not worth the cost and aggravation to take an actual course. Even at a CC, there could be ridiculous quizzes or assignments or exams that interfere with the other things you need to get done in life as you get ready to apply to medical school, and you certainly would not want to chance getting a B. You just have to be diligent and read the material and do lots of MCAT psych and Sociology practice questions, but this will be time better spent than CC coursework in these fields.