Better school vs. split pre-req's.

[Mdr1985]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone,

Here's my question. . . I've completed my first two years of college at community college here in Va, as far as medical school pre-req's go that has included a year of english, math (including statistics and pre-calc), a year of chemistry, and one semester of bio. I'll be transferring to VCU this coming Fall and will be taking the second bio, physics 1, and o-chem 1. . .

I've recently (after the deadline for fall application) begun thinking I'd like to transfer to UVA in the Spring-which would be my only chance to transfer (they won't accept transfer students who have taken more than 5 semesters). I believe my GPA (yes at CC, but a 4.0 while working full time and being in school full time) is competitive for acceptance. . .

However, if I were to transfer to UVA this spring I will have 'split' around half of my medical school pre-req's. . . Bio=half at CC and half at VCU, O-Chem=half at VCU and half at UVA, Physics=half at VCU and half at UVA. . . Chemistry, English, and Math aren't split, but they were taken at CC.

So. . . how would you all weigh the decision of a considerably better school to finish out my last two years of undergrad and graduate from (UVA instead of VCU). . . or. . . staying at VCU so that I don't 'split' my pre-req's (something I've heard is not looked well upon by medical school committees). What would look better, and give me a better chance of acceptance? Additionally. . . how different could the classes really be. I certainly understand it may be more fluid to take 1 and 2 of something at the same school. . . but am I looking at walking into O-Chem 2 at UVA and having no clue what's going on?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts,

M

 

[TexasPhysician]

A better undergrad won't really help you much if at all. Which school would you rather attend?

I don't think splitting classes with a CC is a good idea. No offense but most CC classes are really easy. I'm sure there are exceptions, but CC classes are largely a joke. You may not be prepared to handle the II coursework if your I courses didn't prepare you well.

Also if all of your I courses are A's and then you struggle and get all C's at your new undergrad in the II courses, it will be a red flag to medical schools.

With that, I wouldn't spend all my time at CC either. You need to show you can handle the intensity of a 4 year college course load too.

Congrats on maintaining your 4.0 thus far though. That is a nice leg to stand on!

 

[Mdr1985]

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not sure if I'm missing part of what you were trying to say in your answer, or if you've only partly understood my questions. . . I wasn't as concerned about the CC thing and splitting pre-reqs between CC and university (I'll only be doing that with BIO, and what's done is done in terms of what I've already taken at CC-I'm starting at VCU in the fall). . . what I was more concerned about was the decision between splitting O-chem and Phys between VCU and UVA (by transferring to a better school-UVA-in the Spring). . . or. . . choosing to stay at VCU and not splitting those two.

I'm trying to decide what would be better for my medical school application. . . I believe I would be happy at both schools. . . I welcome the fact that VCU is a bit closer to home (and potentially less expensive), but also welcome the fact that UVA may be more of a challenge and offer a better foundational education (I say 'may' because to an extent I believe you get out of school what you put into it, and I may be able to prepare myself just as well at VCU. . . not sure, but it's at least a thought of mine). . . What will "look better" to a medical school committee-graduating from a better school as a transfer student, or, keeping my pre-req splitting to a minimum and staying at VCU?

Again, I've heard different things from different people about how much undergrad school rankings matter. . . but they've got to count for something right? Of course, I've also heard splitting your pre-req's is a bad idea. . . I'm just not sure how big of a deal it really is to the people that matter (the ones choosing whether or not to accept me!). The other concern is of course getting an A at VCU in a "1" course, and then getting to UVA and being way behind our out of sync with the "2" course. . . and I was wondering if anyone had any experience or insight into that possibility as well. . .

Anyone else have any thoughts about my situation? Thanks!!!

 

[Astarael]

Anyone else have any thoughts about my situation? Thanks!!!

The consensus on SDN seems to be that the quality of your undergraduate school doesn't make much of a difference in your chances of admission. There are literally thousands of four year undergraduate institutions in this country, which makes it impossible for medical schools to individually evaluate each one as to the difficulty of its courses and grading systems. That's one of the major reasons for the MCAT, actually-to provide a standardized measure of the academic capability of an applicant.

My suggestion is to make your decision based on something other than the reputation of the school. If you really want to go to UVA, because you'd be happier there, or want the challenge for your own benefit, then do it. If you only care about the perception of the school, stick with VCU.