Can anyone help please?

[hopefull]

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Hi everyone,
this is my first time here, I will try to make it short,

Age: 30 /female/married
under grad major: Fine Arts
Undergrad gpa: 2.35 (my Univ. gpa is based on a 9 scale, so thats my conversion on a 4 scale)
graduation Year: 2003 (ancient history!)
Work Exp: 10+ yrs (insurance/banking/retail)
Nationality: Canadian but moved to USA (hubby is doing residency here)

Undergrad gpa explanation: 1st yr University my family was involved in a major car accident, my recovery alone took 2 years (several surgeries/physiotherapy etc) I was new to the country (Canada) and did not know courses could be deferred/dropped, I was stupid enough to continue the undergrad and finish my BA. (The grades are bad for first 2 yr, after that its an upward trend) but I did fail a chem course and a D in bio (first year courses)
My family had financial difficulties due to the accident and I needed a bachelors to get a decent job and had to support my family, long story short, life happens, I had been working since.
I had not planned to go into medicine when I was in undergrad, I wanted to be a graphic designer, which I became but couldn't work in the field due to health issues at that time, I only decided to go into medicine after a personal loss, and since then my heart has been set on it. I am only considering DO schools.

I do have a lot of ECs and health related volunteer exp. (women/children education in 3rd world countries, preventing child labour)
So I have been taking courses to improve my GPA and finish my MA in Fine Arts, (My advisor told me that I can take pre med courses as electives and do a thesis to finish my MA) sounded like a good option but then we moved to States.

my concerns are:
1- can I take community college courses as all or part of my pre reqs?
2- would they be considered in calculating my gpa? undergrad gpa or science gpa?
I simply cannot afford the university here, being an international student 18 credits is costing me 25K, however at a community college its manageable.
3- are there differences between community colleges? 2 yr vs 4 yr colleges?

To complete the pre reqs at a Univ.. is the best option but financially its not possible, should I wait till I can afford it (hubby starts earning decent $) or can I start the community college?
My heart sinks with a thought that I won't be able to get into medicine due to my stellar undergrad gpa 🙁 and I cant afford to go back to Univ.
Am I daydreaming? would it be possible? I apologize for the length, Any help, advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks A lot.
still hope full.....

 

[Goro]

Yes you can. It's an urban legend amongst pre-meds that AdComs don't like CC clases.



1- can I take community college courses as all or part of my pre reqs?

You've already graduated, so your uGPA is fixed. Anything form here on in is counts towards your g(graduate)GPA and c(cumulative)GPA. Retaking classes that you scored F/D/C will do wonders for your cGPA under AACOMAS grade replacement policy.

2- would they be considered in calculating my gpa? undergrad gpa or science gpa?

There are, but Orgo is Orgo no matter where you take it.

3- are there differences between community colleges? 2 yr vs 4 yr colleges?

Suggest starting at the CC, but take a decent load, like, say Inorganic/Basic Chem + Bio 1/2. Then Orgo Chem and, say, Anatomy or Physiology or Genetics or Biochem or Cell Bio. If possible, then transfer to a full time university and take a full year of rigorious classes. This will not only hshow us you can handle the crucible of emdical school, but also adequately prepare you for MCAT.

See also my comments in this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=13778496#post13778496


To complete the pre reqs at a Univ.. is the best option but financially its not possible, should I wait till I can afford it (hubby starts earning decent $) or can I start the community college?

 

[Weewee]

It depends on where you want to apply. I did all my pre-reqs at cc while working full-time and I have multiple md acceptances.

Get the msar and look up which schools hate cc (creighton) and apply elsewhere. Also, try and do a few upper level bio courses at a full time university to show you can be successful wherever you go. Good luck with everything!

 

[Goro]

Granted, I have the 2010-11 version of MSAR, but please help me out..where did you find the CC info? PM me if you wish.

It depends on where you want to apply. I did all my pre-reqs at cc while working full-time and I have multiple md acceptances.

Get the msar and look up which schools hate cc (creighton) and apply elsewhere. Also, try and do a few upper level bio courses at a full time university to show you can be successful wherever you go. Good luck with everything!

 

[Weewee]

Granted, I have the 2010-11 version of MSAR, but please help me out..where did you find the CC info? PM me if you wish.

I think it is the online version under one of the tabs...also try searching for posts on here. I remember reading a list somewhere.