1) Should I get pre-med advisor at my JC or when I'm at CSULB?
It is not necessary for you to consult with your JC's premedical/prehealth adviser; however, if you have questions or concerns about the process, they are a resource for you to use. It would definitely be suggested that you meet with the adviser at CSULB once you get there. Many of the premedical members on here, however, have shared stories of the ignorance of their school's adviser; so if something he/she says sounds a bit off, you may want to double check it with SDN or another resource.
2) When should I take the MCAT? (some people have said to take it 3rd year of college, but I am a transferee)
As hownowmauvecow said, take it once you have completed the science prerequisite courses (a year of Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics) and when you feel that you have best grasped the material that you will be tested on. The test
can be retaken if you are truly unhappy with your scores; but that is far from the ideal situation, and may put you behind in the application process (applying early in the cycle is important). If that ends up being your junior year, then that is great; but, if you feel it is best to wait until your senior year to take it, then do that. Just remember that you will will not be able to submit your application without it.
3) Does my Biology degree complete the pre-med requirements?
This entirely depends upon the requirements that your school has for the major, and I would check with CSULB (or wherever you may end up going) to be sure. The premedical requirements are:
- A year of general Biology.
- A year of general Chemistry.
- A year of Organic Chemistry.
- A year of Physics.
- A year of English.
- Some schools require Math. (Though I am not sure, I believe the trend is heading towards more schools requiring it. Statistics will fill this requirement for most; but a few even require Calculus.)
4) Do medical schools look down on people who transfer more then people who stay with one school the whole time?
No, especially in a situation where it is a transfer from a junior or community college to a four year university. You will be judged on your performance, not where you achieved it.
Many medical schools, however, do look down upon science prerequisite courses taken at a Community College. This can usually be made up for by taking upper division science courses at the university level (and doing well in them); however, I would tread carefully with this. You may want to look into the medical schools you hope to apply to and see what their requirements and recommendations are. This would also be a question where that premedical/prehealth adviser would come in handy.
And if anyone has any other advice on anything that would help my journey since going through it may get hard.
-> This -< chart may be of use to you as you go through the next four years.
