community college vs. university or private schools

[yesnomaybe]

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I got my BFA in 2006 and though I have been successful in the art biz, I'm totally unhappy and regret my decision. I thought my dream of being a vet would disappear, but it's stronger than ever and after 4 years out in the world, I've decided to try and follow my dreams.

I am going to take science classes at a community college so I can apply to vet school. With vet school being so competitive, I am worried they might look down upon my decision to take classes at a community college rather than a university or private school. Is this the case? Does it matter WHERE you took your science courses as long as you get good grades?


Also, my first year of college I had a 3.8 GPA and managed to get an A in my year long Chemistry class. When I switched my major to art, the downward spiral hit and I ended up graduating with a 2.8GPA. I was young and dumb. Even if I get A's in all the science classes needed to get in vet school, my GPA will barely average out to be a 3.0. Will they look past my years as a dumb kid and take into account that I was able to get A's in my most recent science courses? Will getting A's in a community college be enough or do I need to go to a university?

Thanks in advance everyone. 😕

 

[cowgirla]

I got my BFA in 2006 and though I have been successful in the art biz, I'm totally unhappy and regret my decision. I thought my dream of being a vet would disappear, but it's stronger than ever and after 4 years out in the world, I've decided to try and follow my dreams.

I am going to take science classes at a community college so I can apply to vet school. With vet school being so competitive, I am worried they might look down upon my decision to take classes at a community college rather than a university or private school. Is this the case? Does it matter WHERE you took your science courses as long as you get good grades?


Also, my first year of college I had a 3.8 GPA and managed to get an A in my year long Chemistry class. When I switched my major to art, the downward spiral hit and I ended up graduating with a 2.8GPA. I was young and dumb. Even if I get A's in all the science classes needed to get in vet school, my GPA will barely average out to be a 3.0. Will they look past my years as a dumb kid and take into account that I was able to get A's in my most recent science courses? Will getting A's in a community college be enough or do I need to go to a university?

Thanks in advance everyone. 😕

Some schools will overlook your previous bachelors, and make them "disappear" after a certain amount of time. I think Missouri is one, and I'm sure there are others.

A few schools also told me that upper level science classes need to be taken a university, not a community college. Nutrition was one that definitely could not be through the community college, and I believe biochem is another. By all means, I see nothing wrong with taking the general pre-reqs at the CC and saving some money!

 

[zuneski]

I got my BFA in 2006 and though I have been successful in the art biz, I'm totally unhappy and regret my decision. I thought my dream of being a vet would disappear, but it's stronger than ever and after 4 years out in the world, I've decided to try and follow my dreams.

I am going to take science classes at a community college so I can apply to vet school. With vet school being so competitive, I am worried they might look down upon my decision to take classes at a community college rather than a university or private school. Is this the case? Does it matter WHERE you took your science courses as long as you get good grades?


Also, my first year of college I had a 3.8 GPA and managed to get an A in my year long Chemistry class. When I switched my major to art, the downward spiral hit and I ended up graduating with a 2.8GPA. I was young and dumb. Even if I get A's in all the science classes needed to get in vet school, my GPA will barely average out to be a 3.0. Will they look past my years as a dumb kid and take into account that I was able to get A's in my most recent science courses? Will getting A's in a community college be enough or do I need to go to a university?

Thanks in advance everyone. 😕

I was also worried about this. I moved to start at a university after I graduated high school. I actually ended up moving back in with my mom 2 months later because I missed her and my dogs (I know-lame 😳). The next semester, I started at the local community college. I actually completed my first 2 years of undergrad at a cc. Even after I transferred to a university, I did my physics classes at a cc (as recommended by my university advisor). I applied to vet schools and it didn't seem to be a problem with any of them. Several people I know who applied have taken at least a few classes at a cc (esp physics and o-chem!). I've been accepted by several vet schools.

So anyway, my (long) answer to your question is probably not. As long as the cc is accredited and the classes you take fulfill the vet school requirements, there probably won't be a problem. Once you transfer to a university and fulfill the upper-division requirements, then you'll have the opportunity to show the vet schools that you can handle the difficulty/courseload of advanced courses. You'll probably also have the chance to get a "new" GPA after you transfer to a university, so it won't be reflected by your past grades.

As far as your past, I think if you can show that you can do well in your current/future science courses, then that will be viewed positively. There's also an explanation statement in the VMCAS if you feel the need to describe that situation when you apply.

Good luck with your vet dreams!

 

[livvie]

I did my bachelors at a university, then went back to school after a career change and did half my prereqs at a community college and half at a university and a handful online - here's how it broke down:

Community College:
Bio 1 & 2 w/ labs
Orgo 1 & 2 w/ labs
Physics 1 & 2 w/ labs

University:
Microbiology
Genetics w/ lab
Biochem 1 & 2 and lab
Physiology

Online:
Animal Science
Animal Nutrition
Statistics
Communication

Actually, when I was speaking with the Admissions department at UF before I began this journey, they actually suggested community college for the lower level classes. I ended up submitting 5 transcripts to each school. 🙄 Regardless, I've been accepted two places so far, so I guess it wasn't a problem. Oh, I had As in everything exept Statistics, so that probably helped.

 

[Morganator]

It probably depends on the school. I graduated in 2002 with my bachelors, and then decided in 2008 to go back and do the prereqs. I was worried about doing them at a CC to save money, but I called the school and they said it wouldn't be a big deal since I already had my bachelors. I did, however, have to take biochem and genetics elsewhere since they weren't offered at a high enough level at the CC. It probably won't be a big deal, but make sure to call admissions to find out.

 

[purplesaurus]

Hi yesnomaybe,

I'm a new poster here, too.

Anyway, I have a similar situation. I got my first degree (psychology), didn't do so well for multiple reasons, and then realized that psychology was not for me.

When I went back to school for vet school pre-reqs, I started at cc since they offered cheaper online classes that I could take while working. However, they did not offer any classes beyond the 200 level. Most vet schools (all the ones I've checked out, at least) require upper-level science courses, so you may have to attend a university at some point, anyway.

I don't think, however, having cc classes on your transcript would look bad. What they want to see is that you have good grades in the upper-level science classes.

 

[WIDVM]

You might be forgiven for low undergrad GPA as long as your science is strong and you do well in the rest of your classes. You'll also get a spot on the application to explain your circumstances and why you got the score you did.

The admission director I spoke with was adamant that all science courses be taken at a university. She said that being able to do well at that level was considered a better indicator of vet school success. I did take a semester of chem at a cc and still got in, but if you're trying to recover from a low GPA it might look better. You could always call a couple schools your interested in and see what they say.

 

[Jakesmom]

Similar situation here: going back for those science classes after a successful career teaching math. When I spoke with the admissions counselor at Ohio State, I asked the same question about cc vs. 4-year university courses. She said that, while the admissions people are understanding about someone trying to save money by taking what they can at a cc, her recommendation would be to take them all at a 4-year university. She stressed that my goal should be about making my application as competitive as possible, which the 4-year university would help do.

 

[zeebra44]

I think I may have something to offer when it comes to this thread, maybe? I went to a small community college for my first 1.5 years of college. I took Bio 1, Bio 2, Gen Chem 1, Gen Chem 2, both semesters of Physics, one semester of Organic Chem (honors) and Calculus there. My transfer GPA was a 3.97. While I went to school there, I worked full-time as a veterinary assistant at a local mixed practice animal hospital. I also became a member of Phi Theta Kappa (honors society for community colleges), and was involved in several other ways with the school. I took notes for a disabled student, was a tutor for Biology students, etc. I became close to some of my professors, and received excellent recommendations from them. I had the opportunity to transfer to Cornell for my last 2.5 years of undergrad. I worked my a** off at Cornell, and took a considerable amount of upper-level science classes. I personally feel that if you work hard and show your dedication for the profession, that it doesn't necessarily matter where all of your pre-reqs came from. I applied to 7 schools, was invited to interview at 5, have been accepted to 2 so far, was waitlisted at one (boo Kansas) and am waiting to hear from one still. Unfortunately, I was rejected from UPenn (boo UPenn). So, if you're at a community college, or find that there is no way around having to take some of your pre-reqs at a community college, I hope that this eases your mind a little! Just show dedication and hard work through it all, and the ad coms will see that, in my opinion.

 

[sunnyshine]

I think (like someone already mentioned) it depends on the school. Some Vet Schools could care less where you do the prerequisites so long as you get them done. Yet others do no accept community college credits or credits from two year institutions- Florida is kind of like that. From their website they say:
"all upper-division pre-requisite courses (3000-level courses such as microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, etc.) must be taken at a four-year institution."

So if you have your heart set on a particular school then I would check their website and make sure that you complete the credits in the manner they specify. If you don't have a choice school then community college credits will probably be fine because I don't think most schools really care. The most important thing about prerequisites, at least IMO, is that they are completed with satisfactory grade performance.

 

[Pomona2006]

I am going to take science classes at a community college so I can apply to vet school. With vet school being so competitive, I am worried they might look down upon my decision to take classes at a community college rather than a university or private school. Is this the case? Does it matter WHERE you took your science courses as long as you get good grades?

Community college classes are perfectly fine for the classes that the schools do not require a 4-year school or an upper division course. did all but 4 of my prereqs at community college because I was a non-trad (BA in psych, left grad school in psych for Vet Med) and it was cheap and close to where I lived. Davis didn't have a single problem with those courses. I made sure I did their 3 required upper division classes using distance education programs (through UC Berkeley, UNE, and CSU) and they were happy! There are plenty of people that get in with CC classes -- just do well in them!

Will they look past my years as a dumb kid and take into account that I was able to get A's in my most recent science courses? Will getting A's in a community college be enough or do I need to go to a university?

The VMCAS application has an explanation section for a reason -- for explaining your pitfalls or anything else that you feel needs explaining. Just make sure that you get excellent grades from here on out and they won't have any reason to doubt that the lower GPA was simply an abberation and not indicative of your capabilities as a student!

Much luck to you!

 

[yesnomaybe]

Thank you to everyone who replied! This has helped me immensely. I'm glad to read there are few others out there like me. I met with an advisor at my community college and she was NOT as helpful as you all. Plus I think she thought I was a joke trying to go back to vet school after having a degree in art. Oh well!

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll be visiting this forum often.

 

[nude mouse]

I have this theory that the non-state schools (penn, tufts, cornell) may give more weight to where you took your classes but that the state schools don't really care as long as your GPA is high.

Thoughts?

 

[zeebra44]

Thank you to everyone who replied! This has helped me immensely. I'm glad to read there are few others out there like me. I met with an advisor at my community college and she was NOT as helpful as you all. Plus I think she thought I was a joke trying to go back to vet school after having a degree in art. Oh well!

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll be visiting this forum often.

Ohh, you'll get ALL sorts of people thinking that your dreams of becoming a veterinarian are a "joke". I've had so many people tell me that I should choose a different profession because it's so hard to get into vet school. Don't take no for an answer, you can do it!

 

[sunnyshine]

nude mouse - I tend to agree with your assessment. I know that Penn is not favorable of CC credits.

 

[lalzi22]

I have this theory that the non-state schools (penn, tufts, cornell) may give more weight to where you took your classes but that the state schools don't really care as long as your GPA is high.

Thoughts?

I have to disagree. I called up the schools I was serious about going to at the beginning of Fall semester and asked them about taking a math pre-req at CC, and would it be a problem. UPenn and Tufts both said they didnt care at all, while Ohio State asked me not to if I could help it. I mean, it could be how many credits are CC or level also (mine is precalc, a 100 level course), but still, the private schools couldnt care less in my case, while the public school did.

 

[ekchad]

Some schools explicitly state that they weigh the difficulty of the school where you took your courses. How much they weigh it, I'm not sure.

 

[david594]

I have this theory that the non-state schools (penn, tufts, cornell) may give more weight to where you took your classes but that the state schools don't really care as long as your GPA is high.

Thoughts?

The vet school at cornell is actually under the state school system.

 

[cger]

Actually, when I was speaking with the Admissions department at UF before I began this journey, they actually suggested community college for the lower level classes. I ended up submitting 5 transcripts to each school. 🙄 Regardless, I've been accepted two places so far, so I guess it wasn't a problem. Oh, I had As in everything exept Statistics, so that probably helped.

First, congratulations on being accepted! I dream of saying those words. I'm currently a freshman attending a community college right now, even though Michigan SU is just as close. I've been in really close contact with the MSU CVM advisers who actually said, "We don't care if you come from Podunk University or Community College" for pre-reqs. 🙂 She stressed the utmost important of actually doing well in the classes, and further stated I would most likely continue doing well at LCC until it was time to switch. 🙂 They made me feel great about my decision because it will help save so much money for my undergrad!!!

I'm sure for the OP though, you could just talk with advisers from the school you are interested in to get a better vibe.

Everyone have a great day!

 

[gilch]

I think that maybe it is time for another list--those that care and those that don't.

Care
Cornell
Ohio

Don't
VMRCVM
Michigin
Missouri
Davis

 

[david594]

I think that maybe it is time for another list--those that care(and have it as a formal part of your numerical calculation) and those that don't.

You need to remember that at some point a human reads nearly every application. And while they may not have a line to give you 2 points for going to the IVY league school versus 1 point for a community college, they will ask themselves "Do we accept joe schmoe with his 3.2 GPA from MIT or jack smith with his 3.2 from podunk community college.... all other factors being equal".

Whether a school "cares" or not, only tells if your school is going to be evaluated in some official objective context, or simply in a subjective context of the people reading your app.

 

[gilch]

Yeah, I know it is not as simple as 'care or don't'.🙂

But there are some schools that say it makes no difference at all, and I think that Va-Md does not show evaluators the whole transcript, just the class list and grades by semester. I don't think it should make a difference at all, actually.

I think that my education quality was pretty similar at a CC and at a pretty research heavy 4 year university. There are things that you can't get at a 2 year--research experience and upper level science classes that are required or highly encouraged to be accepted to Vet School. But does Gen Physics change between accredited schools? There might be a difference in teaching styles. I know that my teachers spoke English, their top priority there was teaching, my class sizes were between 5 and 35 students and my professors were eager to help students. I've had good experiences at my university, but I don't think I've had a class that matched that. There is no such thing as a "weed out class" in my CC experience.

At my 4 year, students were not really encouraged to pursue long and difficult career paths (vet school, anyone???) by professors or even advisers. I got an AA degree for many reasons--I wanted to get used to a classroom again after being absent since I was 9, I wanted to start early and gradually, and I did want to save some money. I found great teachers and learned so much. If my GPA is a bit higher because of it, I say it is because CCs are more willing to help and I took no upper level classes there.


It really bothers me that 60+ of my credits would be degraded because the school had 'Community' in its name. I think some schools are more CC friendly and students should be aware of these facts when they apply. I would have liked to know 🙂.

 

[ColoradoDVM]

Thank you to everyone who replied! This has helped me immensely. I'm glad to read there are few others out there like me. I met with an advisor at my community college and she was NOT as helpful as you all. Plus I think she thought I was a joke trying to go back to vet school after having a degree in art. Oh well!

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll be visiting this forum often.

There are plenty of first career artists in vet school. At the school I applied to, I was told that 2nd career applicants add depth to the program. I would make an appointment and sit down in person at the vet school you want to attend. That kind of attitude from advisors is not helpful.

 

[yesnomaybe]

Well, here I am a few months later and I can reply with what I found out!

I met with an advisor at the vet school I want to apply for and she suggested I take my pre-reqs at a university. At this point, I had already taken biology and genetics at a community college, but I guess it's time to bite the bullet and start up at the university this fall. This school definitely didn't require it, but with as much competition out there is seems like you might as well do everything you can to beef up that application (especially for people like me who need to make up for the poor undergraduate gpa).

So no I am now deathly afraid of taking physics at the university here!

 

[Highlsnds3]

Just to add my experience. I did ALL of my classes, except biochem, at a CC. I was in the middle of finishing my biochem when I was accepted. I never asked, but was told repeatedly by advisors, instructors, and other students that I would have to do at least 2 years at a university because people just don't get into vet school right out of CC. I saved thousands of $$ by going to a CC and therefore am going into vet school with ZERO debt. To me the smaller class size and much lower cost was worth the possibility that they may not take me if I didn't have more university credits. My attitude was "the worst they can do is say NO". I did a lot of volunteer work for local non-profit spay/neuter programs, was an officer in the college honors society, and had a lot of life experience (spent 9 years in the military) so I felt I had a lot to offer besides my 3.74 GPA.

 

[luvmyleaguer]

Hey you guys...I don't know if this will be helpful or not. But, I emailed VMRCVM and NCSU CVM about this on Friday and VMRCVM emailed me back this morning! This is what they said:
Good morning, Amber,

Thank you for your email. We greatly appreciate your interest in the veterinary profession.

To your question, we neither give points nor take away points, for the accredited college/university chosen to take prerequisite courses.
So, no, we do not look down on prerequisites taken at a community college.

I welcome any additional questions you may have, Amber.

Best regards,
Joyce Massie


So..........that makes me really happy because I am doing my first 2 years at a CC to save money (and stay home with my horses) then transferring to a 4 year. When NC emails me back I will let you know.
Amber