Community College

[Whittnay]

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I just graduated from high school. For my freshman and sophmore year, I have to attend the community college where I live. When I transfer to a four year, are my chances of getting into a competitive university lowered- especially if i want to transfer out of state (Massachusetts)? I would appreciate any responses to this question- thanks

 

[Popoy]

I know of someone who went to Santa Rosa Community College for three years and then transferred to UCDavis.... She did extremely well during her first two quarters in UCDavis and did really well in her MCAT's. She is now attending University of Michigan Medical School.... She got accepted to 5 allopathic medical schools, btw.

Just something to let you know that it's possible.... When you transfer to a four year, make sure you do well and then do well in your MCAT's.... Good luck and best wishes.

 

[Stephen Ewen]

Do searchs with the search function of this site. This topic has been covered at good length in the past numerous times, and you may benefit thereby. Best wishes.

 

[Whittnay]

That was all I needed to hear- thank you guys so much!

 

[Atlas]

I went to my local CC out of necessity too. My family is very poor and every single member of my family is sick with some type of disease whether it's kidney failure or lupus. I've had to stay close to home and play doctor from a very early age, so I was content and determined to do well at my CC (which BTW is a one of the best CC's in the state of IL). I transferred to a top-notch, private, liberal arts school which has a great reputation and acceptance with medical schools in Illinois. BTW, I've contacted all of the medical schools I'm interested in and none of them say that my CC work will hurt me so long as I demonstrate the same level of knowledge on the MCAT as those that went to a 4 year university. I think Popoys story is tremendous and sums up alot. It doesn't matter so much per se where you went to college, but it's what you did while you were there that counts.

Best of Luck!

 

[Peregrin]

One potential caveat: Be sure to ask the schools to which you plan to apply whether or not the pre-med requirements may be taken at a community college (or under which circumstances it is acceptable). I needed to take some pre-reqs post-bacc, and I found out that Wayne State and U-M *DO NOT* accept CC credits for pre-reqs (MSU does) and they need to be taken at a 4-year institution. (I only know about MI schools, sorry.) There may be different "rules" for different situations.

My point? Ask now to save time and potential heartache later.

 

[Atlas]

It is true that some medical schools won't acknowledge CC work, which is unfornate for some. For me, my situation is much better. All of the schools I've contacted said my CC work is acceptable as long as I perform well on the MCAT. All-in-All, it's always a good idea to check and see which schools will take your CC work.

 

[Nova]

Being 16 years out of high school, which was my last class time, I'm doing a couple of years at my local CC. I plan on transferring to UVA, which isn't too far away. UVA undergrad takes all credits from CC, and UVA medical is my first choice for a medical school.

With luck, I won't have to leave Virginia.

Nova

 

[slindsay198]

I attended a CC for two years after high school b/f transferring to a 4 year school, and i had no trouble getting into med school. They placed no emphasis on where i went, but what i did while i was there. Good luck!

 

[SirJosh]

Same story as slindsay198. Do well wherever you may go and you should be fine.
-J

 

[Winged Scapula]

I'll move this over to the Pre-Allopathic Forum for ya.

 

[Medic171]

Originally posted by Peregrin:
•One potential caveat: Be sure to ask the schools to which you plan to apply whether or not the pre-med requirements may be taken at a community college (or under which circumstances it is acceptable). I needed to take some pre-reqs post-bacc, and I found out that Wayne State and U-M *DO NOT* accept CC credits for pre-reqs (MSU does) and they need to be taken at a 4-year institution. (I only know about MI schools, sorry.) There may be different "rules" for different situations.

My point? Ask now to save time and potential heartache later.•

Are you sure? When I contacted those schools, they told me "any accredited institution of higher learning" was acceptable, including cc, as long as the student transfers and completes a bachelor degree. Were they fibbing to me?

In fact, I was under the impression that it was ok for any school's pre-requisites, as long as the student eventually trasferred to a 4 year school and obtained a bachelor degree. That is what the Michigan schools told me, and that is what every other school I have contacted has told me as well.

If you were saying that they will not accept cc credits for pre-reqs taken as post-bac, that may be true.

 

[Atlas]

Sir Josh,

I see that you go to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine! Great school! I just contacted the admissions office about my CC credits and they gave me this spiel about it is rare for a student to do 2 years at a CC, transfer to a 4 year school, and then be accepted to their program. Isn't that what you did?! Why did they tell me that? I was interested in applying there, until I read that. Overall, they said they don't have a problem with my CC credits...it's just that they thinks it's rare to be accepted after 2 years at a CC and then 2 years somewhere else. Please explain this.

 

[Atlas]

Slindsay,

Do you go to LECOM? just curious.

 

[NPreMed]

Hi, What about in California? Are CC credits acceptable to the schools out here?

 

[Peregrin]

Medic171,

I was told quite specifically that I *could not* take CC courses to fulfill my pre-reqs (I was considering it specifically for the bargain tuition-wise) by both UM and Wayne. NOTE: This was for my specific situation (post-bacc), I don't think that what you were told conflicts with my experience. CC credits that transfer can be considered equivalent credits at the 4-year institution. But since I was not pursuing degree, it was not an option. People are coming to this field from all kinds of different directions in different situations. That is why I say again, ask the questions now just to be sure that your situation is acceptable before it's too late.

Cheers!