Community college VS 4 year University for post bacc premed?

[868651]

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Which is better to attend for a post bacc premed program: a community college or a 4 year school?

I already contacted my medical school choices and I couldn’t get an answer either way.

 

[atomi]

Cc is better imo. It’s what I did.

A lot cheaper.
Classes are focused on basics that do not go beyond what is tested on mcat. 4 year you could be tested on who knows what.

The problem is some med schools are snobby and look down on CCs. They give you a pass if you’re working full time. They don’t like it if you are in college and doing pre reqs at a cc because it looks like you’re trying to boost your gpa with easier classes (dumb logic but it’s the way it is). If you back up your cc classes with a solid mcat nobody can legitimately say anything.

You need to make As if you go CC. A CC B is like an D at a 4 year in terms of how they’re viewed.

 

[stayathomemom]

Another point: you can take 100 and 200 level classes at a CC, but usually nothing higher. My CC doesn't offer biochemistry, for example. If you go the CC route, there may be classes that you'll have to take elsewhere.

 

[trobinsonmd]

So I can get a better perspective, what would you define as a good mcat if one did lower div/all pre reqs at CC

512-514 I would say

 

[trobinsonmd]

Which is better to attend for a post bacc premed program: a community college or a 4 year school?

I already contacted my medical school choices and I couldn’t get an answer either way.

One is not better than the other... each have their pros and cons. a 4 year looks more legit, but classes could be harder and your whole goal is to be raising your gpa... also it is expensive. CC is cheaper and probably easier to get A's, but you cannot afford to miss any open layups that are afforded to you, a B in CC is a lot worse than a B at a 4 year... if it was my choice, I would go for the CC

 

[868651]

One is not better than the other... each have their pros and cons. a 4 year looks more legit, but classes could be harder and your whole goal is to be raising your gpa... also it is expensive. CC is cheaper and probably easier to get A's, but you cannot afford to miss any open layups that are afforded to you, a B in CC is a lot worse than a B at a 4 year... if it was my choice, I would go for the CC

That’s my point. What about 300 and 400 level courses like Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Stoichiometry, and Genetics? That’s why I would prefer just getting a 2nd bachelors degree in either Chemistry or Biology.

 

[ClimbsRox]

Having spent time at both a CC and a 4 year, here is how I would do it.

Year 1 at CC: General Chemistry, General Physics, General Biology
Year 2 at 4 year: Organic Chemistry, Upper level biology (genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, phys, etc.), Biochemistry

Both years will be tough, even at CC, but you can save some money and show you can handle university level science.