Community College Woes

[DHANU]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi Y'all,

from my trolling through sdn I see a lot of community college related conversations..the disadvantages.. blah...blah. and it has honestly scared me a bit you know (not from medicine though🙂). I really do have the dream for medical school but it seems that people do look down upon community college. All in all, I could go on a long tangent about myself but really I want to know if anyone has had a similar path as me and what as a community college student what should one do or not do? Any suggestions critiques are invited because sdn is a real dynamic community. A bit of context, I graduated high school 1 year ago and I ended high school with a basic GPA no real prospects and been rescinded from a university because of barely passing easy classes. I had a shock and really had to do 3 years of growing up in 6 months because I have really young siblings and aging parents. I went to community college in the bay area and worked really hard this last year acing prereqs and planning. I'd like to have a conversation with anyone interested in helping a dreamer it will be much appreciated.

Best regards!

 

[ill be a doc soon]

Oh man, I remember having the same feeling when I was in community college. I emailed a couple of medical school admissions and asked them how they viewed community college transfers, and the conclusions I came to was this:
- It doesnt really matter that much, as long as you take some upper level science courses like biochemistry, genetics, microbiology once you transfer
- Maintain your gpa: Getting a 3.8 at CC and a 3.2 at a university is a big no no.
- Taking important prereqs at CC (like O-chem) after you transfer would seem like you're trying to avoid getting weeded out.

Some schools do have this bias against CC classes, and they wont accept classes taken at a CC. Buy the MSAR and find out which schools they are and just dont apply to them 🙂

 

[bbbcccppp]

It might help to know your gpa and how many credits you have so far


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[miniman]

It might help to know your gpa and how many credits you have so far


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

yeah it might... 🙂 lol

 

[DHANU]

Oh man, I remember having the same feeling when I was in community college. I emailed a couple of medical school admissions and asked them how they viewed community college transfers, and the conclusions I came to was this:
- It doesnt really matter that much, as long as you take some upper level science courses like biochemistry, genetics, microbiology once you transfer
- Maintain your gpa: Getting a 3.8 at CC and a 3.2 at a university is a big no no.
- Taking important prereqs at CC (like O-chem) after you transfer would seem like you're trying to avoid getting weeded out.

Some schools do have this bias against CC classes, and they wont accept classes taken at a CC. Buy the MSAR and find out which schools they are and just dont apply to them 🙂

Hey thanks for the easing comments I will purchase the MSAR

 

[DHANU]

yeah it might... 🙂 lol

It might help to know your gpa and how many credits you have so far Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Oh dear. Will update post for future posters but for your guys sake 36 units with a 3.78 gpa so far
Courses done: Working on GE, Major transfer requirements, prereqs, interest courses
Intro General Chem
General Chem 1
Precalc
Trig
Composition & Reading 1
General Chem 2
Calc 1
Critical Thinking
History US after 1865
In progress:
Public Speaking
Intro Sociology
Will do rest of standard prereqs including physics, bio, organic, pysch following semesters
Already done 2 regular semesters, Will transfer in 4 more regular semesters plus 2 summers (3 years total spent)( is that bad?))

 

[bbbcccppp]

You are doing fine. My concern isn't bias against cc. It is making sure that you are getting adequately competent in your sciences because you will be put to the test in a couple of years with the MCAT. I feel your gpa is at target but you will want to show that you can maintain it when you transfer. Then you will want to destroy the mcat. Have you done any volunteering? Are you planning to do 3 years at cc?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[PreMedMissteps]

I went to community college in the bay area

CA CCs are considered some of the best in the nation. Assuming that you're going to transfer to a UC, then when you do so, either finish some premed prereqs there (to demonstrate capability of univ coursework) or take some additional higher level BCPM courses there.

JMHO, but I think you should take OChem at a UC. You'll also be taking courses like cell bio, genetics, biochem, etc at a UC.

You're a bio major?

Are you going to TAG into a UC? Which one do you want?

As a CA student, you already know that you'll have to apply to many OOS med schools since getting into a CA med can be almost impossible.

 

[bbbcccppp]

It might help to know your gpa and how many credits you have so far


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Not trying to be snarky. Please don't take as such.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[DHANU]

I tend to agree with the above. For most traditional students who go from CC to University as a biological sciences major, it is fine. Most schools , even JHU, accept CC now but do state that they view these as less rigorous and thus make you less competitive, hence take a large portion of prereqs or significant science work at university. Students who arent following the "traditional" path as a science major, can have a trickier path in doing this and must plan carefully which courses at CC and which at Uni

See I figured as such and I would preferably transfer asap and do the bare minimum at cc to prove my mettle at a 4 year but for my major (biotechnology) it is absolutely required that one finish the prereqs which coincidently require a great deal of the primary med school prereqs before I can transfer. Biochemistry, genetics, and many very science courses will be heavily a part of my 4 year curriculm at UC Davis. Would this makeup for the perceived lack in community college rigorousness?

 

[DHANU]

You are doing fine. My concern isn't bias against cc. It is making sure that you are getting adequately competent in your sciences because you will be put to the test in a couple of years with the MCAT. I feel your gpa is at target but you will want to show that you can maintain it when you transfer. Then you will want to destroy the mcat. Have you done any volunteering? Are you planning to do 3 years at cc?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

I wholeheartedly will strive to crush that exam and my gpa is of utmost priority. I am volunteering at a hospital, intend to begin tutoring esl students or at my old highschool in the fall. Yes I will be taking 3 years for 3 reasons(lol).

I am starting a 2 year program as a research/lab assistant at a biotech company in a virology lab (main reason)

my prereqs almost always conflict bc my cc district is stupid so I can only do 2 science courses at a time

I want to complete all my general education meanwhile sprinkling some random interest course that I may not have time or see at a 4 year

CA CCs are considered some of the best in the nation. Assuming that you're going to transfer to a UC, then when you do so, either finish some premed prereqs there (to demonstrate capability of univ coursework) or take some additional higher level BCPM courses there.

JMHO, but I think you should take OChem at a UC. You'll also be taking courses like cell bio, genetics, biochem, etc at a UC.

You're a bio major?

Are you going to TAG into a UC? Which one do you want?

As a CA student, you already know that you'll have to apply to many OOS med schools since getting into a CA med can be almost impossible.

I will be doing Biotechnology which is impacted and very specific to UC Davis but I will TAG into it. I would take ochem but its part of the transfer requirements and can't be held off till transfer. These are the program requirements after prep coursework is done UC Davis General Catalog | Biotechnology Requirements. My other reasons for finishing my general prereqs are stated above

 

[DrfluffyMD]

Hi Y'all,

from my trolling through sdn I see a lot of community college related conversations..the disadvantages.. blah...blah. and it has honestly scared me a bit you know (not from medicine though🙂). I really do have the dream for medical school but it seems that people do look down upon community college. All in all, I could go on a long tangent about myself but really I want to know if anyone has had a similar path as me and what as a community college student what should one do or not do? Any suggestions critiques are invited because sdn is a real dynamic community. A bit of context, I graduated high school 1 year ago and I ended high school with a basic GPA no real prospects and been rescinded from a university because of barely passing easy classes. I had a shock and really had to do 3 years of growing up in 6 months because I have really young siblings and aging parents. I went to community college in the bay area and worked really hard this last year acing prereqs and planning. I'd like to have a conversation with anyone interested in helping a dreamer it will be much appreciated.

Best regards!

I went to a community college and got into a top 20 med school. I transfered to a top 5 college though.

 

[bbbcccppp]

See I figured as such and I would preferably transfer asap and do the bare minimum at cc to prove my mettle at a 4 year but for my major (biotechnology) it is absolutely required that one finish the prereqs which coincidently require a great deal of the primary med school prereqs before I can transfer. Biochemistry, genetics, and many very science courses will be heavily a part of my 4 year curriculm at UC Davis. Would this makeup for the perceived lack in community college rigorousness?

I wonder if you would be wise to repeat some of the sciences that you already completed at cc but after transfer. It would alleviate some of the problems mentioned above, be easily and well explainable given the above posts, and serve as a refresher for the MCAT. I wonder what others have to say about this.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[PreMedMissteps]

See I figured as such and I would preferably transfer asap and do the bare minimum at cc to prove my mettle at a 4 year but for my major (biotechnology)

If your goal is to transfer to a UC, then you need to fulfill whatever the req'ts are to TAG. Have you sat down with your CC advisor who is an expert in TAG?

 

[Geo16]

TAG TO SANTABARBARA MY DREAM SCHOOL AAHH
I was lucky enough to go to CC and transfer to Berkeley to study what I want. Geography and Earth Science

 

[DHANU]

If your goal is to transfer to a UC, then you need to fulfill whatever the req'ts are to TAG. Have you sat down with your CC advisor who is an expert in TAG?

yessir I have and I would not be able to leave prereqs till transfer

 

[PreMedMissteps]

yessir I have and I would not be able to leave prereqs till transfer

Why is that? All the prereqs are not needed for an AA degree. I can see possibly having to take one semester of bio, one semester of physics and one semester of chemistry. but I really doubt that you be required to take two semesters of bio, two semesters of Chem, two semesters of organic chemistry and two semesters of physics before being allowed to transfer

 

[ChiefsIntern]

Hi Y'all,

from my trolling through sdn I see a lot of community college related conversations..the disadvantages.. blah...blah. and it has honestly scared me a bit you know (not from medicine though🙂). I really do have the dream for medical school but it seems that people do look down upon community college. All in all, I could go on a long tangent about myself but really I want to know if anyone has had a similar path as me and what as a community college student what should one do or not do? Any suggestions critiques are invited because sdn is a real dynamic community. A bit of context, I graduated high school 1 year ago and I ended high school with a basic GPA no real prospects and been rescinded from a university because of barely passing easy classes. I had a shock and really had to do 3 years of growing up in 6 months because I have really young siblings and aging parents. I went to community college in the bay area and worked really hard this last year acing prereqs and planning. I'd like to have a conversation with anyone interested in helping a dreamer it will be much appreciated.

Best regards!

DHANU,
It is a relief to see posts like this I myself am at a CC and really and have roughly the same amount of time completed. Additionally I am volunteering at a level 1 trauma center nearby. In a way it can almost feel discouraging that you're at a CC or at least it does to me but as many people on here have shown it certainly is in many ways no less than starting out at a 4 year. I say all of this just to say the best of luck to you. All the hard work and less student loans from CC will pay off in due time!

 

[PreMedMissteps]

If your goal is to transfer to a UC, then you need to fulfill whatever the req'ts are to TAG. Have you sat down with your CC advisor who is an expert in TAG?

yessir I have and I would not be able to leave prereqs till transfer

Why is that? All the prereqs are not needed for an AA degree. I can see possibly having to take one semester of bio, one semester of physics and one semester of chemistry. but I really doubt that you be required to take two semesters of bio, two semesters of Chem, two semesters of organic chemistry and two semesters of physics before being allowed to transfer

I hope @DHANU comes back and clarifies. He should be able to leave some lower level prereqs until he transfers to a UC.

Dhanu are you doing TAG or IGETC or both?

 

[DHANU]

I hope @DHANU comes back and clarifies. He should be able to leave some lower level prereqs until he transfers to a UC.

Dhanu are you doing TAG or IGETC or both?

Sorry long weekend lol. But yeah I am doing TAG and IGETC. As far as I can tell the major I want at the UC to TAG I need Calc 1&2, Chem1&2, Bio1&2. Not to transfer but to expedite the last 2 years I am finishing the rest because I am staying in cc for 3 years total. I could easily leave physics and orgo for the 4 year but I would be taking veryyyy light semesters and I think that'd look bad. Like I did before I intend to take upper division course in the 4 year.

 

[DHANU]

DHANU,
It is a relief to see posts like this I myself am at a CC and really and have roughly the same amount of time completed. Additionally I am volunteering at a level 1 trauma center nearby. In a way it can almost feel discouraging that you're at a CC or at least it does to me but as many people on here have shown it certainly is in many ways no less than starting out at a 4 year. I say all of this just to say the best of luck to you. All the hard work and less student loans from CC will pay off in due time!

😉 Right backatcha buddy, stay strong. Started this thread hoping someone was sharing the journey and is now a successful accomplished physician/surgeon with tips for youngings. It's hard man and confusing, I wish I knew young doctors

 

[PreMedMissteps]

Sorry long weekend lol. But yeah I am doing TAG and IGETC. As far as I can tell the major I want at the UC to TAG I need Calc 1&2, Chem1&2, Bio1&2. Not to transfer but to expedite the last 2 years I am finishing the rest because I am staying in cc for 3 years total. I could easily leave physics and orgo for the 4 year but I would be taking veryyyy light semesters and I think that'd look bad. Like I did before I intend to take upper division course in the 4 year.

It sounds like you're trying to tag into Berkeley.

Not sure I understand. You're doing 3 years at a CC, right? And then the plan is to do 2 years at a UC, right?

Edit: so you're worried that if you saved physics and orgo for the UC then next year would be too light? If that's the concern, then take something else. Or take one of the Orgos and one of the physics and save the orgo II and physics II for the UC.

What are you planning on taking at the UC during your first year there?
What are you planning on taking at the UC during your second year there?

When were you planning on applying to med school?

 

[hall1ms1b]

To transfer into a UC as a Biochemistry/mcdb you MUST finish
bio 1/2
Chem 1/2
Org 1/2
Physics 1/2 and calc 1/2 at your CC.

Chem majors require calc 3.
Bio majors don't require Chem.
*Go on assist.org and even your transfer center will tell you that UC will accept only transfer students who have completed the above pre reqs at the CC


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[OchemOficionado]

To transfer into a UC you MUST finish
bio 1/2
Chem 1/2
Org 1/2
Physics 1/2 and calc 1/2/3 at your CC.
*Go on assist.org and even your transfer center will tell you that UC will accept only transfer students who have completed the above pre reqs at the CC


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Only if the major they are applying to UC with requires those classes. I think that's what you're saying but I want to make sure it's clear.

 

[PreMedMissteps]

Only if the major they are applying to UC with requires those classes. I think that's what you're saying but I want to make sure it's clear.

Exactly, certainly that's not required for every major.

It's probably not even required for a bio major. What majors require Calc 1,2 &3 and both orgos except for maybe bio med or chem engineering

 

[OchemOficionado]

Exactly, certainly that's not required for every major.

It's probably not even required for a bio major. What majors require Calc 1,2 &3 and both orgos except for maybe bio med or chem engineering

Right. I don't even feel like going on assist.org and checking, but the answer is there. I preach assist.org to my students allllllllll the time. Look there, don't listen to your peers.

 

[PreMedMissteps]

To transfer into a UC you MUST finish
bio 1/2
Chem 1/2
Org 1/2
Physics 1/2 and calc 1/2/3 at your CC.
*Go on assist.org and even your transfer center will tell you that UC will accept only transfer students who have completed the above pre reqs at the CC


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

For what major? What major would require both orgos AND Calc 1, 2 and 3 except for maybe biomedE or ChemE? I doubt that a biology or chemistry major transfer would need to have calc 1, 2 and 3

 

[Blanky]

Im another with lots of CC courses, I have Bio 1/2 Chem1/2 Orgo 1/2 and physics 1 from my CC (Didnt know that CC courses are "frowned" upon until i found this site.) I have a 3.88 GPA with As in all the prereqs and i plan to take Physics 2, Biochem, Genetics, Immunology , Human morph/function 1/2 at my University while i finish my Neuroscience BS and hoping that's enough upper levels to prove my worth. Sounds like we are in the same situation I feel like things will work out fine.

 

[DHANU]

Right. I don't even feel like going on assist.org and checking, but the answer is there. I preach assist.org to my students allllllllll the time. Look there, don't listen to your peers.

For what major? What major would require both orgos AND Calc 1, 2 and 3 except for maybe biomedE or ChemE? I doubt that a biology or chemistry major transfer would need to have calc 1, 2 and 3

I'm doing biotechnology/ maybe pharmaceutical chemistry so yeah that individual is correct. I wouldn't be able to TAG into berkeley because they don't do TAGs. See above response to other posters as to clarification what my main issue is. I am staying at a CC for 3 years to finish necessary prereqs to transfer which coincidentally is also a good portion of the medical school prereqs. Whichever school I go to in the UC / CSU they will need me to complete my transfer reqs as most science majors are impacted these days in Cali. I was only wondering if it is looked down upon doing 3 years at CC and doing those prereqs by adcom's because on SDN there are many philosophies so I was hoping someone had done what I was doing and were successful in admission. Feel me?

Im another with lots of CC courses, I have Bio 1/2 Chem1/2 Orgo 1/2 and physics 1 from my CC (Didnt know that CC courses are "frowned" upon until i found this site.) I have a 3.88 GPA with As in all the prereqs and i plan to take Physics 2, Biochem, Genetics, Immunology , Human morph/function 1/2 at my University while i finish my Neuroscience BS and hoping thatz enough upper levels to prove my worth. Sounds like we are in the same situation I feel like things will work out fine.

 

[OchemOficionado]

There have been plenty of people to do what you're doing that have been successful. Do what you have to do to transfer and succeed in upper divs once you get to a uni. It's simple. There will be stigma in some places. You'll live. Kill the MCAT.

 

[DHANU]

There have been plenty of people to do what you're doing that have been successful. Do what you have to do to transfer and succeed in upper divs once you get to a uni. It's simple. There will be stigma in some places. You'll live. Kill the MCAT.

hahaha, thankyou it is appreciated. that's all I was asking for. Some clarity in the haze of opinions around.

 

[PreMedMissteps]

I'm doing biotechnology/ maybe pharmaceutical chemistry so yeah that individual is correct. I wouldn't be able to TAG into berkeley because they don't do TAGs. See above response to other posters as to clarification what my main issue is. I am staying at a CC for 3 years to finish necessary prereqs to transfer which coincidentally is also a good portion of the medical school prereqs. Whichever school I go to in the UC / CSU they will need me to complete my transfer reqs as most science majors are impacted these days in Cali. I was only wondering if it is looked down upon doing 3 years at CC and doing those prereqs by adcom's because on SDN there are many philosophies so I was hoping someone had done what I was doing and were successful in admission. Feel me?

Thank you for the clarification.

So you'll take BioChem at your UC. What about Cell Bio or some other upper division recommended premed course?

Calif SOMs are used to seeing applicants with CC credits because CAlif has such good CCs. But, the likelihood that you'll get into a Calif SOM are low (low for any Calif applicant), so your bigger concern will be how med schools outside of Calif will view the situation. They often want to see demonstrated proficiency at the university, meaning that they'll want to see that you've taken some bio and chem upper division courses. With that major, you probably will, right?

And, you'll be applying after you graduate, right?

 

[hall1ms1b]

Sorry guys I was wrongly assuming you would be entering the UC system as a science major ( bio , Chem, biochem)But yes you are correct. Not all majors require calc 3 like Chem/ bio chem. I just checked Assist.org now and looks like they removed Bio as a requirement, too for Chem or biochem majors. Sorry guys forgive me !!! So...definitely check assist.org every term since they can change stuff around instead of listening to me

Edit: Can everyone see my emojis ( iphone) Bc there is no emoji feature in the mobile app.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[njtrimed]

I spent two years at a CC, got into a few Ivy League schools, but chose a full scholarship at a state school. I chose a science major there and maintained a 3.8+ GPA in almost entirely upper-level science classes. I don't think CC works against you unless the classes are actually weak and you don't learn enough to maintain the same high GPA when you transfer. I would actually advise this route to anyone who is not financially set for college; med school is expensive enough and it helps to start debt-free.

 

[Hopefulpremed123]

Hi Y'all,

from my trolling through sdn I see a lot of community college related conversations..the disadvantages.. blah...blah. and it has honestly scared me a bit you know (not from medicine though🙂). I really do have the dream for medical school but it seems that people do look down upon community college. All in all, I could go on a long tangent about myself but really I want to know if anyone has had a similar path as me and what as a community college student what should one do or not do? Any suggestions critiques are invited because sdn is a real dynamic community. A bit of context, I graduated high school 1 year ago and I ended high school with a basic GPA no real prospects and been rescinded from a university because of barely passing easy classes. I had a shock and really had to do 3 years of growing up in 6 months because I have really young siblings and aging parents. I went to community college in the bay area and worked really hard this last year acing prereqs and planning. I'd like to have a conversation with anyone interested in helping a dreamer it will be much appreciated.

Best regards!

I finished Bio 1/2, G. chem 1/2, Ochem 1/2, Physics 1/2 in two years at a CC and am transferring to UCLA to major in MCDB. I transferred with a 3.83 gpa. Anyone here a UCLA student or transfer?? 🙂