Community College

[Pierson5]

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I am currently completing coursework at a Community College in California. I have completed all my GE requirements and am planning on transferring to UCSD. Problem is, I originally intended to take all of my med pre-reqs (besides Ochem) here at the CC. I have been browsing SDN and realize that is probably not the best idea and have decided to try and transfer ASAP. UCSD applications were due 2 months ago. So unless I'm mistaken, the soonest I can apply would be November of 2011, and finally attend Fall of 2012...

My question is, what should I do during that time? Should I complete my pre-reqs at CC (Calc/chem (intro) next semester, intro Biology courses, physics I & II, Calc I & II etc..) or take time off and continue volunteering/hospital internship. I already have 56 credits taken. UCSD accepts a maximum of 70 transferable credits.

 

[FloridaMedicine]

I am currently completing coursework at a Community College in California. I have completed all my GE requirements and am planning on transferring to UCSD. Problem is, I originally intended to take all of my med pre-reqs (besides Ochem) here at the CC. I have been browsing SDN and realize that is probably not the best idea and have decided to try and transfer ASAP. UCSD applications were due 2 months ago. So unless I'm mistaken, the soonest I can apply would be November of 2011, and finally attend Fall of 2012...

My question is, what should I do during that time? Should I complete my pre-reqs at CC (Calc/chem (intro) next semester, intro Biology courses, physics I & II, Calc I & II etc..) or take time off and continue volunteering/hospital internship. I already have 56 credits taken. UCSD accepts a maximum of 70 transferable credits.

if you haven't taken any prereqs yet, I think you should try take bio 1 and chem 1 now in the spring and bio 2 and chem 2 in the summer. With the rest of your time, go get that clinical experience or volunteer. But school is opening up soon so time is of the essence to get into these classes for spring.

 

[Pierson5]

if you haven't taken any prereqs yet, I think you should try take bio 1 and chem 1 now in the spring and bio 2 and chem 2 in the summer. With the rest of your time, go get that clinical experience or volunteer. But school is opening up soon so time is of the essence to get into these classes for spring.

I'm already enrolled in Chem 1 and Calc 1. There is no way I'd be able to get into bio 1. Would taking calc be a bad idea?

I have heard it is not recommended taking pre-reqs during summer, which makes sense.

 

[FloridaMedicine]

I'm already enrolled in Chem 1 and Calc 1. There is no way I'd be able to get into bio 1. Would taking calc be a bad idea?

I have heard it is not recommended taking pre-reqs during summer, which makes sense.

I have taken a prereq in the summer and got an "A" however It wasn't one those fast paced short classes offered in the summer. I don't think taking calc is a bad idea unless you aren't ready for it. If you take your other prereqs and higher level science courses at an accredited 4 year institution and demonstrate you can handle it and do well have nothing to worry about my friend.

 

[RebelxSoldier]

^^ If you don't mind me asking, how long was the summer course that you referred to? The longest summer courses offered at my school are 6-7 weeks.

 

[FloridaMedicine]

^^ If you don't mind me asking, how long was the summer course that you referred to? The longest summer courses offered at my school are 6-7 weeks.

I maybe wrong because it was sometime ago but I belive 8-10 weeks

 

[Pierson5]

I have taken a prereq in the summer and got an "A" however It wasn't one those fast paced short classes offered in the summer. I don't think taking calc is a bad idea unless you aren't ready for it. If you take your other prereqs and higher level science courses at an accredited 4 year institution and demonstrate you can handle it and do well have nothing to worry about my friend.

Well, I'm not too worried about getting the grade. I have read that taking science courses over the summer, especially at a CC, looks like you're taking an "easy" route. I guess what you said in your third sentence would take care of that. I'm planning on majoring in Biology when I do transfer to UCSD, so I think demonstrating I can handle higher science courses wouldn't be an issue, but what if I take all my calculus and physics at CC? Would it be recommended I take them at UCSD instead? Or would it matter? (assuming I don't need to take any higher courses in physics or math)

Thankyou for your quick responses by the way. I feel like I just wasted a year and a half I could have been accomplishing something at UCSD.

 

[jvesco22]

You really think you're going to get accepted as a transfer student to UCSD for Bio without completing some/most of the science prereqs?

Good luck with that.

 

[Pierson5]

You really think you're going to get accepted as a transfer student to UCSD for Bio without completing some/most of the science prereqs?

Good luck with that.

Haha, guess I couldn't have transferred in November anyway. I'm just trying to figure out if I should "save" some pre-reqs (calc/physics) for UCSD, or just take them while I'm at CC anyway.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I am currently completing coursework at a Community College in California. I have completed all my GE requirements and am planning on transferring to UCSD. Problem is, I originally intended to take all of my med pre-reqs (besides Ochem) here at the CC. I have been browsing SDN and realize that is probably not the best idea and have decided to try and transfer ASAP. UCSD applications were due 2 months ago. So unless I'm mistaken, the soonest I can apply would be November of 2011, and finally attend Fall of 2012...

My question is, what should I do during that time? Should I complete my pre-reqs at CC (Calc/chem (intro) next semester, intro Biology courses, physics I & II, Calc I & II etc..) or take time off and continue volunteering/hospital internship. I already have 56 credits taken. UCSD accepts a maximum of 70 transferable credits.

I wouldn't listen to most people here and their rabid anti-CC attitude. If you're to major in a natural or biological science, you will "prove" your capacity through the upper division courses and the MCAT. Don't waste your time waiting. Take as many courses as you can now, since they'll be cheaper and save you time.

 

[Pierson5]

I wouldn't listen to most people here and their rabid anti-CC attitude. If you're to major in a natural or biological science, you will "prove" your capacity through the upper division courses and the MCAT. Don't waste your time waiting. Take as many courses as you can now, since they'll be cheaper and save you time.

Thanks for the response. I guess I just wanted to get into UCSD as soon as possible due to other resources they have there that are not available at CC. Research experience, pre-med advisers, etc..

 

[TriagePreMed]

pre-med advisers

Oh how you will regret saying that after you get to know them.

By the way, for most medical schools math is irrelevant, so don't "save" it for SD.

 

[FloridaMedicine]

I wouldn't listen to most people here and their rabid anti-CC attitude. If you're to major in a natural or biological science, you will "prove" your capacity through the upper division courses and the MCAT. Don't waste your time waiting. Take as many courses as you can now, since they'll be cheaper and save you time.

I agree... but be sure to research many med schools and the ones you like the most on this matter. For instance, like I have stated in other threads similar to this, University of Miami doesn't mind students taking classes and prereqs at a cc but try not take all of them there. If you get "A's" at a CC show them you can get a "A" at 4 year institution. How can they ever say you took the easy way out if you are getting A's at both? 🙂

 

[werd]

i'd try to take the courses at UCSD. many medical schools strongly prefer the prereqs be taken at universities. some don't accept/don't count prereqs taken at a community college. you don't want to waste your time and have to repeat coursework.

 

[Silverman780]

Ahem, The general SDN consensus is that it is perfectly fine to take your pre-req's at a CC. If you decide to take ALL if them then you might want to consider doing some upper division science/math/chem courses at the university to show that the CC courses weren't dumbed down. Personally I attend a CC right now and my biology and chem courses were either harder or the same difficulty at the local universities.

But if you feel that you don't want to "chance it". Use the time to beef up your EC's and math prep for the MCAT.

 

[Musclemass]

I attend a CC right now and my biology and chem courses were either harder or the same difficulty at the local universities.

How do you know? Did you take the same classes at the local universities you're referring to?

 

[WorldChanger36]

I went to a CC and still take a few classes here and there from them. It is still a great education. Take what you can and don't worry about transfer credit as everything counts under AMCAS.

 

[FloridaMedicine]

How do you know? Did you take the same classes at the local universities you're referring to?

I know you weren't talking to me but I thought I'd say this. My bio professor at my school taught the same exact bio course at the local cc and she said there were no difference. Same material and same exact test.. however i'm not saying its not like this everywhere

 

[CougarMD]

You really think you're going to get accepted as a transfer student to UCSD for Bio without completing some/most of the science prereqs?

Good luck with that.

This.


Anyone who isn't in CA and hasn't dealt with the CC to UC system...this is the ticket. You are going to have a very hard time getting into Bio if you DON'T take the prereqs at CC. They don't want you clogging up their lower division classes after you transfer. They want you to do upper division, pay them, and get the heck out🙂

Also, look into doing TAG (Transfer Acceptance Guarantee) if you can. It is hard to get into a UC these days. You need every edge you can get.


As someone else has said, all of the "worries" about taking CC classes will be negated by the upper division Bio classes you will take once you transfer. The CC worry comes more into play when you were at a university for 4 years but somehow mysteriously took every prereq course at a CC. That is not the case. You are a transfer student. This is the way you're SUPPOSED to do it.

I'd say that the biggest difference in California between taking classes at a CC and a UC is that the class size is smaller and you have more opportunities to talk to your professors, get help, and get letters of rec. The material is the material...and the books are generally the same books.

You'll be fine🙂

I went from CC to a UC so if you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

 

[Pierson5]

This.


Anyone who isn't in CA and hasn't dealt with the CC to UC system...this is the ticket. You are going to have a very hard time getting into Bio if you DON'T take the prereqs at CC. They don't want you clogging up their lower division classes after you transfer. They want you to do upper division, pay them, and get the heck out🙂

Also, look into doing TAG (Transfer Acceptance Guarantee) if you can. It is hard to get into a UC these days. You need every edge you can get.


As someone else has said, all of the "worries" about taking CC classes will be negated by the upper division Bio classes you will take once you transfer. The CC worry comes more into play when you were at a university for 4 years but somehow mysteriously took every prereq course at a CC. That is not the case. You are a transfer student. This is the way you're SUPPOSED to do it.

I'd say that the biggest difference in California between taking classes at a CC and a UC is that the class size is smaller and you have more opportunities to talk to your professors, get help, and get letters of rec. The material is the material...and the books are generally the same books.

You'll be fine🙂

I went from CC to a UC so if you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

Thank you for the offer, if I have any questions in the future I'll be sure to do that. I will definitely look into TAG. Otherwise, this thread answered all my questions, thanks to everyone for the responses.

 

[hcj]

Try talking to a pre-med advisor at UCSD. I did that and she was able to tell me which classes to take at CC and which to wait and take at University. In fact, she later helped with the whole transfer process and it was a pretty positive experience. I just went to the University website and emailed the department to get started.
Of course, she had a lot of knowledge about the CC I was attending and knew what courses were frowned upon by med schools. I hope you can find someone like this since it seems like most people on here only have bad advisors....

 

[Pierson5]

Try talking to a pre-med advisor at UCSD. I did that and she was able to tell me which classes to take at CC and which to wait and take at University. In fact, she later helped with the whole transfer process and it was a pretty positive experience. I just went to the University website and emailed the department to get started.
Of course, she had a lot of knowledge about the CC I was attending and knew what courses were frowned upon by med schools. I hope you can find someone like this since it seems like most people on here only have bad advisors....

I will definitely look into that. Thanks