I started a thread on this topic a while back, but I didn't get much of a response.
I was wondering if taking prereqs at a reputible community college would be much of a disadvantage when applying to med school? I have a grad degree in a non-science field, and my grades are excellent. Would community college credits really be that much of a disadvantage?
The reason I'd prefer to attend a local CC is because tuition is cheaper and classes are offered at night an on Saturdays. I work full-time, so this would be great!
I'd really like to hear from current med students on this topic. DId any of you take your prereqs at CC?
I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Taking prereqs at a CC is probably better than taking your prereqs pass/fail at a university, but the question is how much more...
Just imagine that you'll be competing fiecely with a zillion other students who did there work at "harder" places than a CC. So if you make similar grades as other competative students, you're still at a disadvantage, and God forbid you make a B in one of the prereqs at a CC...
Of course there are exceptions.
And, finally, I could be completely wrong about all this. That's just what I'd think if I were on the Admissions Committees.
The trick is getting an interview. If you can get in a position where you can explain your reasons for going to a CC, then I don't see a disadvantage to it. If you choose to talk about it, you could weave it into your personal statement somewhere.
I completed 52 postbacc science credits at a community college (with some of the most dedicated full-time PhD faculty I have ever had) with a 4.0 GPA. I could have attended a nearby four year state school but the education would have been the same and the cost would have been four times higher. If your CC system has a good rep I wouldn't hesitate to go.
The results: Scored 31P on the MCATs, got five invites, went to four, got four acceptances.
(FYI--I have an UG degree in EE and a master's in public policy.)
I went to a crappy CC and did two terms of Physics, two terms of Gen Chem getting two B's and two A's respectively. I came to a four year school got A's in both 3rd terms and did Bio and O-Chem here. I got five invites, three of which I attended and those three culminated in acceptances
to MSW2DO,
I was is in a similar situation. I took PHysics 1 and 2 from a community college VIA CORRESPONDENCE! I was accepted at the only school I applied to, and they did not mention it.
That said, my BS degree 5 years ago was from a large university with all the other prereqs.
1. how many credits do you need.
2. How bad does the name of your CC sound? I went to Ivy Tech State College of Indiana for the physics, which actually doesn't sound like a CC.
3. Look into correspondence. there are some from major universities: U of Nebraska offers some! No difference is shown on your transcript.
Last word: Kick butt on the MCAT and they will know you are capable.
U of Minnesota also offers a lot thru correspondence. I'm taking Physics 1 right now from there. There is a quality, comprehensive website that lists correspondence, and distance learning courses. Unfortunately I cannot think of it off hand. I know that I used "distance learning" for the keywords of the search. If I find the sight I'll get back to you with it's address. Good luck.
The community college I am considering is City College of San Francisco. From what I've gathered, it has a relatively good reputation. I attended the University of Georgia for both undergrad and grad school. I took 1 semester of both chem and physics at UGA and got A'a in both. I also took one year of bio and received an A. SO I am still lacking 1 semester each of chem and physics and 2 semesters of o. chem.
It has been quite some time since I took physics and chem, and I doubt I'll be able to just jump right into the 2nd half of each course. Would it look bad to take those courses over again?
After reading everyone's responses, I am definitely leaning towards the CC. If it really won't make that much of a difference, then it would be silly to pay 3 times the tuition just to say I took the prereqs at a university.
I took the absolute max. credits at CC that I could transfer to my local 4 year college which was 66 -- the equivalent to my freshman and sophomore years. My reasons were quite similar, i.e. cost and scheduling. I was not asked about the CC classes in interviewing. Personally I found that the classes I took at CC were far more challenging than those at the 4 year university where I finished my degree. Good luck to you.
Don't bother retaking the chem and physics. I had a long time between the courses, and it really took no time before I recalled the content. Besides, you've already got A's. It's kinda like riding a bike I guess, you just don't forget. Good luck with whatever, you decide.
I took ALL of my prereq's at a technical community college (one of those pre-med associates degrees) and just got into at least two allopathic schools (BU and Albany). I was asked to explain in most interviews and in my case the reason was that I graduated near the very bottom of my high school class and didn't have the option of going anywhere else basically!! They all seemed cool with this and I think I levelled the playing field a bit with my 35S on the MCAT...so it can be done though I had your same fears and intimidation up until 2 weeks ago!!
