Community College transfer - Med school admissions question

[Troywonder18]

New poster here, looked all over for some old posts on CC transfers in regards to a couple of questions I had but couldn't find the answers to. Was hoping for some advice.

1.) I took two semesters of biology at a community college which had a three course sequence. A couple of medical schools on the MSAR mentioned 8 semesters units of general biology (I have 10 semester units) but didn't specify if I should complete a biology sequence. Will I be playing with fire if I dont complete the sequence. I am kind of in a sticky situation where it would look odd for me to complete that remaining course at a CC after going to a 4 year university. Plus that third sequence course is not offered every semester.

2.) I transferred to USC (California) and took my remaining prereqs along with some upper division classes at USC. The prerequisites grades my community college it went like this

General Biology (10 semester units): both As
General Chemistry (10 semester units): both As

At USC there was a dropoff in my prereq grades

Physics (8 semester units): both B+
Organic Chemistry (8 semester units): both Bs

my upper division courses at USC:

Cell Biology: A
Developmental Biology: A-
Mol. Biology: A-
Biochemistry: B+

Because there is a stigma attached to CC courses in med school admissions (I transferred from a CC to a 4 year university), I am overreacting to my drop off in my physics and ochem courses immediately after I transferred from a CC where I did "well"?

3.) Of course I heard doing well on the MCAT would reduce concerns from the adcoms but what score would I realistically need to remove any doubt?

Sorry for the long post but any advice would be appreciated.

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[Princeton Medical Student]

1) You should be fine.
2) This isn't at all unusual. OChem (and physics for the less mathematically inclined) is a lot harder then 100 level orgo and chem courses. No one will find it weird.
3) See above. Don't worry about scoring enough to remove doubt. Worry about scoring as high as possible to open as many doors as you can.

 

[Troywonder18]

1) You should be fine.
2) This isn't at all unusual. OChem (and physics for the less mathematically inclined) is a lot harder then 100 level orgo and chem courses. No one will find it weird.
3) See above. Don't worry about scoring enough to remove doubt. Worry about scoring as high as possible to open as many doors as you can.

Thanks for the replies.

I did have a couple of more questions

1.) I haven't taken Anatomy. Would it also look weird if I took anatomy on the summer at a different 4 year university (scheduling conflicts)?

2.) Would it also look concerning if I took anatomy the summer I am applying to med school? I heard the rule of thumb for a competitive application is to have all prereqs done by the time the application is sent. By the time I get Anatomy done and processed by AMCAS, interview/secondary app decisions might be already out.

3.) Since I am a non-science major (Business), do you think 4 upper division courses is sufficient? Wasn't sure how many upper division courses to take. Some med schools require 2-3 with specific courses like Biochemistry, Anatomy and Mo. Bio.

4.) Graduating in 3.5 years isnt a red flag either is it? The schools would have 3 years of my academic history to review which is no different than an applicant intending to graduate in 4 years.

 

[Geo16]

Thanks for the replies.

I did have a couple of more questions

1.) I haven't taken Anatomy. Would it also look weird if I took anatomy on the summer at a different 4 year university (scheduling conflicts)?

2.) Would it also look concerning if I took anatomy the summer I am applying to med school? I heard the rule of thumb for a competitive application is to have all prereqs done by the time the application is sent. By the time I get Anatomy done and processed by AMCAS, interview/secondary app decisions might be already out.

3.) Since I am a non-science major (Business), do you think 4 upper division courses is sufficient? Wasn't sure how many upper division courses to take. Some med schools require 2-3 with specific courses like Biochemistry, Anatomy and Mo. Bio.

4.) Graduating in 3.5 years isnt a red flag either is it? The schools would have 3 years of my academic history to review which is no different than an applicant intending to graduate in 4 years.

Taking pre-reqs at 4 years is tough, tough, tough. I just wish I went to USC because coming to Norcal was a mess.

1&2)
I remember that summer courses here and there is okay- as long as you don't look take all pre-reqs in summer at a different school (like CC). Plus, anatomy is not a pre-req (there are only few schools that require anatomy) so should you take it and ace it!

3) Yeap, I am not even taking any upper div science courses other than my major: Earth Sci/Geography
Edit: those 4 courses = half of what you are supposed to take as a Bio major. I think you kicked ass in those courses and it is very impressive (A- in mole bio defuk). You pseudo-'d bio major lol. Might be eligible for Bio minor? Look into that haha
4) I think graduating early is impressive + saves money. But I think adcoms don't care if you took 3 years or 6 years to graduate!

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Thanks for the replies.

I did have a couple of more questions

1.) I haven't taken Anatomy. Would it also look weird if I took anatomy on the summer at a different 4 year university (scheduling conflicts)?

2.) Would it also look concerning if I took anatomy the summer I am applying to med school? I heard the rule of thumb for a competitive application is to have all prereqs done by the time the application is sent. By the time I get Anatomy done and processed by AMCAS, interview/secondary app decisions might be already out.

3.) Since I am a non-science major (Business), do you think 4 upper division courses is sufficient? Wasn't sure how many upper division courses to take. Some med schools require 2-3 with specific courses like Biochemistry, Anatomy and Mo. Bio.

4.) Graduating in 3.5 years isnt a red flag either is it? The schools would have 3 years of my academic history to review which is no different than an applicant intending to graduate in 4 years.

1) You do not need anatomy as it is not a pre-req. Some schools in fact recommend to NOT take anatomy. I wouldn't bother.

2) See above.

3) Pre-reqs (given that you took physics and orgo in a 4 year school) were sufficient for science courses. At the very most you need 1 year of English, 1 year of biology, 1 year of physics, 1 year general chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry, 1 semester of biochemistry(for some schools only), 1 semester of psych and sociology(for some schools only) . Biochemistry is the only thing you really needed there.

4) Doesn't matter whatsoever.