I just finished up Chem 1 & 2, as well as Bio 1 at a community college here in NYC. I have been advised to take the rest of my pre req science courses (I'm 31, I already have a bachelor's in English) at a 4 year school. However, since I've done Bio 1 at one school, does it make sense to do Bio 2 at a different one? The 2 courses are meant to complement one another so some people have advised me to do both at the same school, and others have said it would be better to do Bio 2 at a 4 year school. I'm having trouble getting in touch with my advisor regarding this matter as it is finals week and I need to know ASAP as I'm doing this as a summer course either way. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!
Bio 2 at community college or 4 year?
- Thread starter farnhakw
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2015
- Messages
- 62
- Reaction score
- 23
From my discussions with people on admissions committees, it always looks better if classes are taken at a university. If finances are not an issue that is...
You could always bring this up at the interview as an example of you wanting to challenge yourself and prepare adequately for med school
You could always bring this up at the interview as an example of you wanting to challenge yourself and prepare adequately for med school
- Joined
- May 14, 2016
- Messages
- 88
- Reaction score
- 100
I think it would be a perfect opportunity for you to show you can do well in both a 4 year uni & community college, take it in a university. The courses will complement each other regardless if its at a CC or university, if you're really worried about it find out what book will be required for your Bio 2 course and start studying before the course starts so you can get a feel of what you're gonna see.
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,730
- Reaction score
- 1,665
An A is an A. Take it at the CC if the teacher has more favorable reviews... if not, then take it at the University. As long as you keep your GPA high they will not care.
The MCAT is more important in that you will have the opportunity to prove yourself on that test anyway.
Don't listen to folks who say one "looks" better than the other. Numbers don't lie. GPA and MCAT scores, no matter where and how you got them, will always help you in this process.
There are thousands of apps... they will always weed them out based off of the GPA and MCAT first. Trust me on this. Take them wherever it is easier.
Anybody who says otherwise... obviously has more money than brains.
The MCAT is more important in that you will have the opportunity to prove yourself on that test anyway.
Don't listen to folks who say one "looks" better than the other. Numbers don't lie. GPA and MCAT scores, no matter where and how you got them, will always help you in this process.
There are thousands of apps... they will always weed them out based off of the GPA and MCAT first. Trust me on this. Take them wherever it is easier.
Anybody who says otherwise... obviously has more money than brains.
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2005
- Messages
- 4,728
- Reaction score
- 2,699
Doesn't matter where you take the pre-req's.
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2014
- Messages
- 1,679
- Reaction score
- 1,066
DO schools could pretty much care less where as long as you do well. The key will be to do good on the MCAT, as making A's at a CC and then getting a 500 MCAT will bring into question your quality of schooling.
Some MD schools prefer 4 yr colleges or universities and specifically will tell you their preference. I asked several personally and was told 4yr college/univ what what they wanted. So if you are gunning for an MD as well then check with the particular med school so that you don't limit yourself unnecessarily.
e.g. For an MD program in FL: "Preference will be given to students completing required coursework at a 4 year college or university."
Best of Luck
Last edited:
Thanks for the responses everyone, I think I'm going to go ahead and take it at the same school this summer (it's half the price of the four year school) , then take orgo 1 & 2 / physics 1 &2 as well as a couple higher level science courses at a 4 year beginning in the fall.
I know this topic has come up before, but as I said earlier I already have a bachelors I got back in '08, unfortunately I was a party machine back in those days and my GPA suffered as a result, I graduated with a 2.65. Now that I'm finally a mature adult, I study hard and get straight A's. I've calculated that if I can continue to get A's in every class for the next year I can bring my GPA up to a 3.0, with a science GPA in the 3.7-3.9 range (that includes a couple non-major science courses from 10 years ago that I didn't care about at the time, my science GPA from the classes I'm taking now could be a perfect 4.0 if current trends continue). How will med school admissions look at this? I'm figuring I'm probably looking at a DO school but with a high MCAT score would I have a shot at any U.S based MD schools? Haven't taken the MCAT yet, that's at least a year away as I want to finish up my minimum pre-reqs before I take it.
I know this topic has come up before, but as I said earlier I already have a bachelors I got back in '08, unfortunately I was a party machine back in those days and my GPA suffered as a result, I graduated with a 2.65. Now that I'm finally a mature adult, I study hard and get straight A's. I've calculated that if I can continue to get A's in every class for the next year I can bring my GPA up to a 3.0, with a science GPA in the 3.7-3.9 range (that includes a couple non-major science courses from 10 years ago that I didn't care about at the time, my science GPA from the classes I'm taking now could be a perfect 4.0 if current trends continue). How will med school admissions look at this? I'm figuring I'm probably looking at a DO school but with a high MCAT score would I have a shot at any U.S based MD schools? Haven't taken the MCAT yet, that's at least a year away as I want to finish up my minimum pre-reqs before I take it.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,730
- Reaction score
- 1,665
Hell... why not take the Orgo and Physics at the CC too? You'll be doing yourself a favor... smaller class sizes... more one on one with your professor for good LORs... Just a thought. Then take the upper levels at the 4 year (Genetics.. Microbio.. etc.)
As far as your GPAs... your science will be SOLID! GREAT JOB ON THAT! But for poops and giggles... sprinkle in some EASY classes that can count for both your science and cumulative like psychology (don't think it will count for science), nutrition, and public health (which counts for science as well now). As long as your Cumulative is probably like a 3.3 or above... it won't be too big of a deal... med schools care more about the science GPA anyway... which you have on lock.
So just focus on the MCAT after all these pre-reqs are done! Good luck!
