Distance Courses

[DocKW]

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Are distance courses looked upon negatively by ADCOMS if the courses are taken on a post-bac basis (academic enhancer)? I want to increase my science GPA, but I wasn't sure if this would be a feasible way of doing so.

I work full-time in a location that doesn't have many evening courses available. The only institution that does only has 2 courses I could take this Fall, so I was debating about taking 1 or 2 more distance courses in addition to the evening ones.

Any advice/suggestions/thoughts are appreciated!

--KW

 

[ma-bas]

Sorry, no answer for you. I am weighing the same issue. I already have a M.S. degree but would like to enhance my gpa and don't feel like spending 2 or 3 nights a week in class after work, cuz I have already been there a few times. I would rather do it on my own time. I am considering UC extension both online and correspondence.

 

[femdoc]

It would seem as if doing the distance route would hamper your chances in that you need to have lab components with the pre-reqs, based upon the assumption that all of the distance coursework is done via email, web site, internet chat, etc. Most if not all med schools require lab work for bio, chem, orgo, and physics. But if anyone else knows differently, set me straight!

 

[Febrifuge]

I work for an online school (and a darn good one, too), plus I'm leaving it all behind to go post-bacc... and so I'm sort of uniquely qualified. But I have no answers.

If the school where I work offered the right sort of basic background requirement (like a refresher math class or Stats) that didn't have a lab component, I'd think about it. The potential for a high-quality class experience, where you'd learn a lot, is good. The reality is not always so... but the same is true of any school.

One place I could go for post-bacc courses has an online version of their intro Stats class. I'm considering taking that at the same time as classroom courses, just to have the flexibility. It'll all be on the same transcript with the same numbering system anyway.

I'd say, avoid any school that makes outrageous promises. And med schools want to see labs for your Bio, Chem, and Physics. Right there, most of us are in a position where online is not so hot an idea.

If we were going for MBA's, life would be different.

 

[DocKW]

I have completed all my pre-reqs, I am just taking upper level courses to up the GPA, and to keep me in the 'school-mode' while I am working. One school I am contemplating has courses like Mechanics and Human Ecology, non-lab uppler-level courses. I would just hate to take these courses and it ends up adcoms perceive them as 'incredible'.

Any more thoughts?

 

[femdoc]

 ?]I have completed all my pre-reqs, I am just taking upper level courses to up the GPA, and to keep me in the 'school-mode' while I am working. One school I am contemplating has courses like Mechanics and Human Ecology, non-lab uppler-level courses. I would just hate to take these courses and it ends up adcoms perceive them as 'incredible'.

Any more thoughts?[/QUOTE]



Then you should be fine with these, esp. if they are listed with the same or similar rubrics as the land-based courses.

 

[ma-bas]

 ?]I have completed all my pre-reqs, I am just taking upper level courses to up the GPA, and to keep me in the 'school-mode' while I am working. One school I am contemplating has courses like Mechanics and Human Ecology, non-lab uppler-level courses. I would just hate to take these courses and it ends up adcoms perceive them as 'incredible'.

Any more thoughts?

I'm with you, only need upper division courses. FYI, UC Berkeley Extension offers online and correspondence classes and has first semester Bio with a diy lab. (http://explore.berkeley.edu/UCExt/subdiscipline.asp?value=6.0.&action=Internet) Pretty cool. And on your AMCAS, you list the school as UC Berkeley Extension, and no one knows you took them online. Well, I guess if you live in NY and take classes in California, then it wouldn't be hard to figure out.

 

[UCSB2004]

I would contact an Admissions Com. member from some Med School just to be on the safe side. I'm sure you can find someone who will answer your question.

🙂

 

[Persistence101]

I would contact an Admissions Com. member from some Med School just to be on the safe side. I'm sure you can find someone who will answer your question.

🙂

Exactly. If you're unsure, contact a med school and they'd tell you. In my experience, the Director of Admissions at UC Davis has always been open to any questions regarding postbac classes.