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markthedoctor
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I'd say most medical schools don't care about where you took your pre-reqs, and even fewer will care if you go on to uni and ace a few upper division science classes.
IMO, go to CC, take whatever classes you can, including med pre-reqs, and then go on to uni and take a few classes like Biochem and Genetics to prove that your pre-req grades aren't due to CC "easiness".
IMO, go to CC, take whatever classes you can, including med pre-reqs, and then go on to uni and take a few classes like Biochem and Genetics to prove that your pre-req grades aren't due to CC "easiness".
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I agree with this post. If you can demonstrate that you can still maintain a high GPA once you transfer to a four-year institution then it will be ok.
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You'll be fine. Community college is a great way to start.
Pros:
Pros:
- Cheaper
- Smaller classes
- Financial aid can pay almost everything (tuition, fees and textbooks.)
- If you are not ready to go on your own, you will be prepared once you are ready to transfer to a university.
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Depending on the university, I feel community colleges give a much better education. The class sizes are smaller and professors there want to teach. They are not doing it begrudgedly as part as their contract to conduct research. It's also much, much cheaper. The only true downside is that there are a lot of people that don't know what they are doing and get stuck there and accomplish nothing. You have to find those few others who are motivated.
OP - you will be fine. Do your prerequisites at a CC, especially if you'll be a science major. Only a minority of schools require 4-year units. There is no law forcing schools to take CC units, so they are not going to toss you aside if they say they accept CC units. Also, try to get involved in research. You'd be surprised how many programs out there are looking for local CC students to do summer/year-long research.
OP - you will be fine. Do your prerequisites at a CC, especially if you'll be a science major. Only a minority of schools require 4-year units. There is no law forcing schools to take CC units, so they are not going to toss you aside if they say they accept CC units. Also, try to get involved in research. You'd be surprised how many programs out there are looking for local CC students to do summer/year-long research.
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This is a little long, so my short point is at the end of each paragraph for easier reading.
I went the CC route myself for two years--dual enrollment beginning after my junior year of HS--then transferred to a four year college when I finished my associate's degree. It's a really good deal for all the reasons people have listed--smaller class sizes, much cheaper, etc. Also, as others have said, so long as when you do transfer you maintain a high GPA in your classes, no medical school will look down on you. Simple fact is that education is very, very expensive, especially graduate level--if you can start at a CC and transfer to a state school, you'll have less stress than someone with an outstanding 50-100k in student loans from undergrad. Bottom line: keep it cheap now and you're being financially smart.
As comparisons go (and let me be clear that this is all from personal experience), I actually prefer the two CC's to the two university's I have attended. The average student was older--people had more life experience and were more motivated to improve their lives as a whole than your average fresh out of high school kid going on mom and dad's dime/out in the real world for the first time and partying hard. It was a place where I had an easier time finding a community of like-minded people. Certainly there were those who slacked off and one could call 'dumb as rocks,' but the environment was good overall. It was an easier transition for me and I met a lot of cool people. Bottom line: you'll still get a good community experience as well.
Academics wise, don't worry about transferring credits within your state. Most (maybe all?) states have agreements with community colleges. If you finish an associate's at one of their CC's and then go to their state school, everything will automatically transfer. One caveat: it will be guaranteed to transfer, but it's probably a good idea to figure out which university you want to transfer to now so you can look at the classes required for their four year degrees and make sure that the classes you're transferring are the ones you actually need. Ex. Bio 101, 102, and 103 will transfer--but they may transfer as non-major biology if your CC offers, say, 181/2/3 for 'majors' instead. Bottom line: make sure what you're taking in fact covers your pre-reqs. Not normally a HUGE issue though--I personally had no problem.
A major problem I did encounter at CC was the issue of self-motivation. It's not that the subjects have somehow become easier at a CC. They haven't. However, the standards are often much more lenient, so the average 'smart kid' can get high grades with less work than a university counterpart. I was pretty shocked by how much more I needed to know when I got to university to ace exams. At a CC, you have got to self-motivate. No one will hold your hand to get to that higher bar. There's a lot of 'plug and chug' type exams that are really easy to cram and brain dump the info from afterwards while still doing well. If you can force yourself to learn things and retain them, you'll set yourself up for success and profs will often single you out to help you. Bottom line: aim to master material, even if the course doesn't necessarily 'require' it in our pre-reqs; you'll thank yourself come MCAT time.
I went the CC route myself for two years--dual enrollment beginning after my junior year of HS--then transferred to a four year college when I finished my associate's degree. It's a really good deal for all the reasons people have listed--smaller class sizes, much cheaper, etc. Also, as others have said, so long as when you do transfer you maintain a high GPA in your classes, no medical school will look down on you. Simple fact is that education is very, very expensive, especially graduate level--if you can start at a CC and transfer to a state school, you'll have less stress than someone with an outstanding 50-100k in student loans from undergrad. Bottom line: keep it cheap now and you're being financially smart.
As comparisons go (and let me be clear that this is all from personal experience), I actually prefer the two CC's to the two university's I have attended. The average student was older--people had more life experience and were more motivated to improve their lives as a whole than your average fresh out of high school kid going on mom and dad's dime/out in the real world for the first time and partying hard. It was a place where I had an easier time finding a community of like-minded people. Certainly there were those who slacked off and one could call 'dumb as rocks,' but the environment was good overall. It was an easier transition for me and I met a lot of cool people. Bottom line: you'll still get a good community experience as well.
Academics wise, don't worry about transferring credits within your state. Most (maybe all?) states have agreements with community colleges. If you finish an associate's at one of their CC's and then go to their state school, everything will automatically transfer. One caveat: it will be guaranteed to transfer, but it's probably a good idea to figure out which university you want to transfer to now so you can look at the classes required for their four year degrees and make sure that the classes you're transferring are the ones you actually need. Ex. Bio 101, 102, and 103 will transfer--but they may transfer as non-major biology if your CC offers, say, 181/2/3 for 'majors' instead. Bottom line: make sure what you're taking in fact covers your pre-reqs. Not normally a HUGE issue though--I personally had no problem.
A major problem I did encounter at CC was the issue of self-motivation. It's not that the subjects have somehow become easier at a CC. They haven't. However, the standards are often much more lenient, so the average 'smart kid' can get high grades with less work than a university counterpart. I was pretty shocked by how much more I needed to know when I got to university to ace exams. At a CC, you have got to self-motivate. No one will hold your hand to get to that higher bar. There's a lot of 'plug and chug' type exams that are really easy to cram and brain dump the info from afterwards while still doing well. If you can force yourself to learn things and retain them, you'll set yourself up for success and profs will often single you out to help you. Bottom line: aim to master material, even if the course doesn't necessarily 'require' it in our pre-reqs; you'll thank yourself come MCAT time.
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markthedoctor
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markthedoctor
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Since you're in CA, as a general rule, follow the IGETC
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I finished my two years at a CC. Your state school will not care.
Save money and go to the CC.
Save money and go to the CC.
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You're not going to miss out on the 'college experience' going to a community college. Your experience will be different from every other person you know, regardless of which school you attend, just based on your personality, major, activities, and a million other things. You may miss out on living in a dorm, but between you and me, that's not the worst thing ever. Having a social life and making friends will be no different. You'll meet people in class, the library, and grabbing lunch same as in high school, believe me. People aren't suddenly anti-social at a CC and you're definitely going to be able to meet new people and join the student community.
As for your second question regarding transfer classes, so long as you complete your associate's, I believe (for all the states I know, anyway, and definitely CA) all public universities automatically accept your associate's as fulfilling your general ed reqs and then you only need to finish major courses. You can save those until you go to university or just start them at CC, though I'd suggest taking the intro courses of bio/chem/phys just to get them finished.
If you're still worried, try going to CC for the summer to get a feel. It's not nearly as full as going fall-spring, but you'll get an idea. If you're open minded, I think you'll enjoy it.
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markthedoctor
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Why don't you just apply to the best state school and see what kind of financial aid package they give you? If your parents are really that low income that they cannot afford to pay for much, you should get a nice financial aid package (grants and all that good stuff). Then go there and during summer breaks from the Uni knock out some courses (that you make sure transfer) at a community college.
The only reason I am saying this is that a good university will have better resources to help you pursue the things you are really into, be it research/study abroad opportunities. You'll also meet way more like-minded people. (not that you won't at a CC, but it will be easier at a uni)
Depending on your CC you will have an interesting mixture of highly-motivated students and some not so motivated who'll make you think 'what the hell are you even doing here'? (again at a uni same thing sometimes but it is way more prevalent at a CC)
You can 'maybe' accomplish these things at a CC, but it will require a bit more work on your part. As others have mentioned some universities are open to CC students coming in and getting some hands are research experience. Yet most are much more open and receptive to students admitted to their institution who can still continue projects during the school year.
I have been getting into some research this summer and I feel as if I am quite behind some of the undergrads I've been working with as far as research prowess.
I did some time at a CC and will be transferring to a really good state school, so I thought these things are something to really think about.
The only reason I am saying this is that a good university will have better resources to help you pursue the things you are really into, be it research/study abroad opportunities. You'll also meet way more like-minded people. (not that you won't at a CC, but it will be easier at a uni)
Depending on your CC you will have an interesting mixture of highly-motivated students and some not so motivated who'll make you think 'what the hell are you even doing here'? (again at a uni same thing sometimes but it is way more prevalent at a CC)
You can 'maybe' accomplish these things at a CC, but it will require a bit more work on your part. As others have mentioned some universities are open to CC students coming in and getting some hands are research experience. Yet most are much more open and receptive to students admitted to their institution who can still continue projects during the school year.
I have been getting into some research this summer and I feel as if I am quite behind some of the undergrads I've been working with as far as research prowess.
I did some time at a CC and will be transferring to a really good state school, so I thought these things are something to really think about.
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USC's general ed. requirements are a little bit different. Following IGETC is still a great plan, but it's super helpful to reference the USC articulation agreement before deciding on what general ed. classes to take in each section of the IGETC.
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It sounds to me like the OP will be a science major, so I definitely agree, you can do two years at a CC and then transfer to a four-year university.
I personally chose to do all of my pre-reqs (and two upper level bio courses) at a 4 year university because I am a non-science major (that too in a major which is not that rigorous) and will not be taking any other science coursework. I did everything else at a community college.
As another poster mentioned, be sure not to just do the bare minimum to get an A in your CC coursework if the professor is lenient. It will come back to bite you when you are preparing for the MCAT and doing upper level coursework.
I personally chose to do all of my pre-reqs (and two upper level bio courses) at a 4 year university because I am a non-science major (that too in a major which is not that rigorous) and will not be taking any other science coursework. I did everything else at a community college.
As another poster mentioned, be sure not to just do the bare minimum to get an A in your CC coursework if the professor is lenient. It will come back to bite you when you are preparing for the MCAT and doing upper level coursework.
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markthedoctor
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Volunteer instead. Two years of research is plenty for top 20 schools. What's important is that you keep yourself busy and do more than the minimum. However, keep in mind that even in CC, there are still research opportunities, they'll just be at a nearby uni and they'll accept CC students.
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MCC or CGCC??? I live in AZ too.
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markthedoctor
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Oh that's northwest from me. I'm over by Apache Junction haha. I haven't heard to bad about Rio Salado College! But Paradise Valley CC sounds pretty fancy based on "Paradise Valley" and its elegance.
Youre class of 2014 too huh? We rock btw.
Also how are your test scores? ASU offers merit scholarships that actually covers a good chunk of undergrad tuition...
Youre class of 2014 too huh? We rock btw.
Also how are your test scores? ASU offers merit scholarships that actually covers a good chunk of undergrad tuition...
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markthedoctor
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That GPA is not bad at all. How are your SAT's looking? Only share if you feel comfortable...
But yeah, your best bet is do 2 years at a CC, and the rest at ASU or U of A. Also, I wouldn't do any pre-reqs at a CC. That's just me tho.
But yeah, your best bet is do 2 years at a CC, and the rest at ASU or U of A. Also, I wouldn't do any pre-reqs at a CC. That's just me tho.
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markthedoctor
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