DIY postbacc across multiple schools? Can I be a second-degree seeking student twice?

[ImNotACat]

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Apologies if this is the wrong section to post this question in.

I'm currently in the planning phase of beginning a career switch from software engineering into medicine. I've been doing as much research as possible (and SDN has been so helpful for that) and trying to piece together how I plan to take the prerequisite courses I need, since as of now I only have calculus and physics and nothing else.

I currently live in Virginia, but my partner is planning to attend grad school in NYC starting next year and so we both have plans to relocate there. I have found a great program at CCNY that is a post-bacc pre med program that includes a committee letter but operates as a DIY post-bacc in that you are not set to a schedule and are on your own for everything. The pre-med department advised that I should apply to CCNY as a second-degree seeking student which will allow me to register with the senior undergrad class and have a better chance at getting the sections I need, and I plan to do that.

However, I currently have quite a bit of time on my hands until then, and I'd like to get started on my prereq coursework in Virginia if I can, especially since I already have in-state tuition. I live near GMU and I'm hoping that I can take a semester or two here before moving to NYC, since it will save me a ton of money. I plan to take Biology I & Chemistry I if possible.

I'm running into the same issue of registration, since I work full time I have no choice but to be picky about when I can attend class. For this reason I think I'd need to apply as a second-degree seeking student at GMU as well so that I can register with the undergrad class, instead of an entire month later when the sections I need may well be full.

Does anyone know if there's an issue with enrolling at GMU as a second-degree seeking student (in say, biology), then dropping out after a semester and eventually doing the same thing at CCNY? Will I get in some kind of "trouble" enrolling as a second-degree seeking student with no intention of ever actually graduating? Anyone done something similar before?


Additionally, if I can't get the sections I need, would it be worth it to take these classes at my local CC, if I plan for the rest of my post-bacc (a further 45 credits most likely) to be completed at a 4-year state school (CCNY)? I'm fairly certain CC would have more flexibility for registration and evening/weekend sections, but I'm not sure if med schools will look at taking a couple classes in CC as "taking the easy way out".

Thanks all, the advice on here is invaluable.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Nobody cares if you take classes at multiple schools as a post bacc. Do what you can at a CC to save money.

 

[ImNotACat]

Nobody cares if you take classes at multiple schools as a post bacc. Do what you can at a CC to save money.

I understand that med schools don't care, I'm more wondering about the undergrad schools caring, in this case mostly GMU.

Basically, is there any reason I shouldn't apply as a second-degree seeking student if I only plan to take a couple classes? I'm only interested in doing so in order to get a better registration date, but I feel like there might be more strings attached doing that vs just being a non-degree seeking student. I emailed admissions and as is typical I didn't get any real answers to this question, so I was hoping someone would have some experience there.

 

[karaya]

No, they don't care. Degree students drop out all the time; you'll simply join their ranks. You won't be around long enough to be penalized.

From my experience as a nontrad, and even if the class is full--just show up on the first day and ask for a permission number. Someone inevitably drops.