biochem at 4 year univ vs. bio-organic at CC

[Helen Wheels]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am applying this summer to med school. Due to a family member's illness that delayed my application, my science pre-reqs are all 6+ years old. I am thinking that it would be a good idea to take an upper level science class this fall for several reasons:

1) To show that after six years I am still capable of college level work.
2) Something positive to talk about at any interviews I get this fall. 🙂
3) I can get a science faculty LOR at the end of the class so that next year if I need to re-apply I have a new one (I likely won't have any this year but that is another long story).
4) At least one school I am applying to requires Biochem prior to matriculation.

My choices are:

A) Take Biochem at U of Pitt in the fall for $1900 plus the cost of a textbook.
B) Take Bio Organic Chem at the local CC for <$400 plus the cost of the text.

I realize that Bio Organic and Biochem are not the same class but there is some overlap based on other threads I have read. I took all my science pre-reqs at the CC for financial reasons but am now worried that will be a knock against my application. Is it worth the extra money to get this class at the 4 year univ? On the one hand, I don't want to let $1900 stand in the way of going into my chosen career but I don't want to be needlessly careless in spending money, either.

 

[ZanshinTamashii]

$1900 for one course!?? how many credit hours is it?

 

[Helen Wheels]

Biochem is a 3 credit course but Pitt UG costs $535 per credit hour plus $189 per semester in various fees for a part time student. Oops, I did make a mistake. It would actually cost ~ $1800 in tuition and fees for this one class.

 

[droyd78]

I vote for Pitt.

First, you want to show them not just that you're capable of college level work, but that you can excel at an upper division, undergraduate class. Taking biochem at a 4 year school (and doing really well), gives you the best chance of doing that.

Second, your rec letter showing up with Pitt letterhead will carry more weight than a CC. Like it or not, some schools are bound to care about this.

Also, unless you're sure that the bio-organic course will fulfill the biochem requirement at med schools, you might be wasting your time with the CC class.

I think this is a time where the $1800 is money well spent.

 

[Helen Wheels]

I think you are right. This is $1800 that will be well spent. I need to focus on the big picture and take the class at Pitt. 🙂 I guess I am just worried about all the money I will be shelling out for applications this summer.

 

[njbmd]

The community college class isn't going to be adequate for your needs. It is likely a terminal introductory class for folks going into Respiratory Therapy, Radiography, Sonography or Nursing. It's not going to be adequate for a premed student.

 

[McSnappy]

The community college class isn't going to be adequate for your needs. It is likely a terminal introductory class for folks going into Respiratory Therapy, Radiography, Sonography or Nursing. It's not going to be adequate for a premed student.

If your undergrad is strong enough, your MCAT strong enough, this CC class will be a class that keeps your mind busy, thats all.

Now, I wouldn't bother with LORs from any professor of anything from any CC, Univ., or otherwise.

I would want to see LORs from MDs/DOs. Preferably from the hospital in which the school you are most interested in is affiliated with. I would want them from a couple of disciplines, depending on your initial interest and what the med school likes to promote. Mine is in an underserved area - both rural and urban, therefore, those interviewing at our school whose LORs come from a grad of the program out in that area is looked upon favorably. Then, I would want one from a higher profile doc that has some political clout within the system (Cardiac surgeon, Chief of internal Med/surg/etc., Critical care doc, Neuro surg., transplant, etc.). Sorry to say, it is still pretty much a 'good ole' boy network.

Find the Free clinic that the school participates with, go and volunteer your time and get to know the med students, residents and faculty that frequently give their time there. GO there and go there often (like 2x/wk). Find out from the students and residents who would be a good letter, find out which days they might be there and.. be there. Build a relationship and let them know you have been thinking about going to med school (doesn't have to be a buddy-buddy relationship, just one of aknowledgement) and ask them if they would feel comfortable writing an LOR for you. If there is one thing that shows your maturity at an interview, it is that you haven't just punched your ticket at the local free clinic, but that you put in time! and got to know people there. That you think of more than yourself, are busy giving away yourself to others and yet know how to make friends and influence people. This is where the new "good ole' boy network" is forming. Many of the docs that frequent here are busy, political people who will be on the admissions committees.



This is the other half of your application. 1/3 just getting the #'s, 1/2+ is what you look like on paper and then getting an interview and the rest is the interview itself.