Community College class?

[LoriP]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I hope someone can help advise me...

This semester, I took my very first prereq through UMD's Science in the Evening program (I am a 35 year old career changer for med school.) Because it is a postbacc program, I was able to pay in-state tuition in spite of being from VA. For summer school though, there is no program, so if I want to take Chemistry, I would have to pay full tuition, which I can't afford. My options are to take the class at a Community College or take the summer off and return to UMD in the fall. I know there has been a lot of dialogue about how CC is not a good way to go, but it would only be one class.

Any advice?
Thanks!
Lori

 

[windycitycassie]

I hope someone can help advise me...

This semester, I took my very first prereq through UMD's Science in the Evening program (I am a 35 year old career changer for med school.) Because it is a postbacc program, I was able to pay in-state tuition in spite of being from VA. For summer school though, there is no program, so if I want to take Chemistry, I would have to pay full tuition, which I can't afford. My options are to take the class at a Community College or take the summer off and return to UMD in the fall. I know there has been a lot of dialogue about how CC is not a good way to go, but it would only be one class.

Any advice?
Thanks!
Lori

I've been told that it depends on the medical school as to whether CC is ok. It sounds like you have a great reason for wanting to take that specific class, though. I'm taking some classes at a CC, at the lower-end of the scale anyway (like pre-calc and stats for example).

If you have some medical schools in mind you could contact them and see if they have any issues with CC classes. It is true that some don't like them at all, and others just would 'prefer' to see classes from other places. But, as I said, you do have a good reason.

 

[relentless11]

Most schools will take community college credit, there are a few that do not. You can search for some names on SDN. Since it is one class, I wouldn't worry about it, unless you HAVE to get into one of those schools that don't count community college credit.

In my opinion, taking summer session at a community college shouldn't be penalized. A lot of undergrads just can't afford to stay through summer to take a minimum amount of classes. The schools that I've talked to, like Tulane, Stanford, USC, and the UC schools don't care.

I find it odd that some schools do frown upon this. 🙄

 

[Law2Doc]

I find it odd that some schools do frown upon this. 🙄

Well, I believe it has been the experience of some med schools that students struggling for B's at their home school can often snag an A or two over the summer to puff up their BCPM by going to certain community colleges, where the competition is less challenging and the breadth of the material perhaps not quite as deep. For this reason some places may frown on such. Probably depends on the school, the course and the context, though.

 

[pdavis68]

Personally, I'd be hesitant to take CC classes. What they say it matters and what it matters to the guy looking at your application may very well be two different things. This is just my personal opinion and maybe others are right, but I'm not going to do anything that might lessen my chances if I can possibly avoid it. There are enough things standing in the way as it is. I need every advantage I can get.

 

[relentless11]

Well, I believe it has been the experience of some med schools that students struggling for B's at their home school can often snag an A or two over the summer to puff up their BCPM by going to certain community colleges, where the competition is less challenging and the breadth of the material perhaps not quite as deep. For this reason some places may frown on such. Probably depends on the school, the course and the context, though.

Yes, I definately agree with that point of view. The UC's have traditionally been community college friendly since many of their students are transfer students. However if there was a pattern similar to what you suggest, I have no doubt that the UC schools would also frown upon those classes.

The thing that strikes me as odd though are the ones that appear to be adament about NO community college courses. What if the person couldn't afford 4-years at a university? If the person did the pre-reqs at a CC, and upon transferring I guess they would have to retake these courses at the 4-year...and thus do better in them (hopefully). I always wondered about that. Might be a good thing? Haha.

 

[r0b0tafflicti0n]

Also, make sure your school will accept that course as a prereq for the additional courses you need (i.e., Chem 1+2 being a prereq for Org1 + 2). I wanted to take a CC chem class this summer, but the university where I'm taking my remaining prereqs requires a Chem placement exam if you took your intro chem classes at another institution. Boo.

 

[Scottish Chap]

I hope someone can help advise me...

This semester, I took my very first prereq through UMD's Science in the Evening program (I am a 35 year old career changer for med school.) Because it is a postbacc program, I was able to pay in-state tuition in spite of being from VA. For summer school though, there is no program, so if I want to take Chemistry, I would have to pay full tuition, which I can't afford. My options are to take the class at a Community College or take the summer off and return to UMD in the fall. I know there has been a lot of dialogue about how CC is not a good way to go, but it would only be one class.

Any advice?
Thanks!
Lori

It depends, and you'll hear mixed opinions. When I was living in MD, I discovered I was missing two prereq's after I took the MCAT. UMD was way too expensive and, since I was working 60+ hours per week in a demanding job, my tolerance for nonsense was low and so I just took them at the local CC. Because I had a foreign undergraduate degree, they originally had a problem enrolling me which was quite amusing so I had to obtain 'special permission' from the Dean. 🙂 I didn't care; I just wanted my credits. It turned out to be quite a rigorous, fun, couple of courses that a Ph.D. taught. Nobody commented on it at medical school interviews, though I had taken classes at much more rigorous institutions before that.

I have a career changer friend (just like you) in my medical school class who took every single prereq. at a CC before the MCAT. Our school recommends that CC classes are to be avoided. He was admitted at our medical school without waitlist and he interviewed at several other schools.

Also, I learned that some of my classmates transferred from CC to a brand name university after two years so they technically were in the same boat. It didn't seem to hurt them either. Good for them. In the end, I promise you that the person screening your application cares infinitely more about your GPA (and MCAT) and they are less interested in how many CC credits were taken for the first cut. 👍

 

[MaryWrathers]

It seems like more time spent or paperwork for the adcom members if they are super concerned about CC prereqs. Just imagine how much more time it would be to look at this facet in every applicant's file. Or, maybe I am just exaggerating. “Time is money.”

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I hope someone can help advise me...

This semester, I took my very first prereq through UMD's Science in the Evening program (I am a 35 year old career changer for med school.) Because it is a postbacc program, I was able to pay in-state tuition in spite of being from VA. For summer school though, there is no program, so if I want to take Chemistry, I would have to pay full tuition, which I can't afford. My options are to take the class at a Community College or take the summer off and return to UMD in the fall. I know there has been a lot of dialogue about how CC is not a good way to go, but it would only be one class.

Any advice?
Thanks!
Lori

From your post, I'm not sure what you would lose by waiting until Fall. I would avoid taking classes at a CC, if at all possible.

Like others have said, it MIGHT not matter if you take them at a CC, but then again, it might. Generally, you have NOTHING to lose by taking the classes at a regular college. I debated the CC vs. "Regular" college choice when I was getting started on my prereqs a year ago and went the "regular" college route. I'm glad that's what I did, because it is one less thing that I have to worry about concerning my application.

Jota

 

[md2011]

One more thing need to keep in mind is that you need to do a research to see if the CC is really teaching enough for what you need to know for MCAT, this is esp important for physics, general chemistry and organic chemistry. I took biology, general chem and organic chem in my local CC, the biology instructor covered most of the material that I need to know for MCAT, and every lab is busy from beginning to end. The Anatomy & Physioloty instructor also taught at Columbia University, she is even stricter, I basically need to study very hard to get an A, and she didn't do curve at all, several students dropped out of the class. My chem I instructor is a part time, he followed the textbook rigidly, and asked us do lots of exercises. But for my processor who taught Chem II and the organic chemistry, he is really on loose, teaches very little and in random, no even the axial/equatorial conformation, no mechanism at all, only about 1/4 of MCAT organic chemistry, and every lab is a demo and short. I ended up to learn all by myself.

So be prepared, and watch out, esp. watch out for those instructors liked by most students. They tend to be easy and have fun classes, but not to your benefit.

 

[Ajna]

😉 Hey I am planning to start UMD's Science in the Evening in the fall. I need Chemistry and I am in the same boat. There seems to be so many opinions..I decided that I am older (34) and since it is not available anywhere else I don't really have a choice plus I am willing to risk it because it will save me a few $$ in the long run and if asked I will take care of it in my interview.
Good Luck

I hope someone can help advise me...

This semester, I took my very first prereq through UMD's Science in the Evening program (I am a 35 year old career changer for med school.) Because it is a postbacc program, I was able to pay in-state tuition in spite of being from VA. For summer school though, there is no program, so if I want to take Chemistry, I would have to pay full tuition, which I can't afford. My options are to take the class at a Community College or take the summer off and return to UMD in the fall. I know there has been a lot of dialogue about how CC is not a good way to go, but it would only be one class.

Any advice?
Thanks!
Lori