Do allopathic schools accept this?

[xnfs93hy]

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I was asked by my friend to pose this question to others who might know better, so here goes.

So, my younger buddy is interested in medicine. He's fresh out of high school and is a chem major at a local community college. There is an agreement with our state's flagship university where if you maintain a high enough GPA and receive an Associate's degree, you get a very large scholarship from the four year institution (the scholarship covers a large amount of total expenses.) So, this is his plan.

The issue he is facing is whether or not to take medical school pre-reqs at the CC. Some of the classes he needs to take in order to get his A.S. in Chemistry are:

General Chemistry I and II
Organic Chemistry I and II
General Physics (calc-based) I. Not sure if he needs to take Gen. Physics II.
Calculus I, II, III and Diff. Eqs.

As you can see, a lot of the pre-reqs overlap with his degree requirements. Now, when he goes on to a four year institution, he will need to take a number of higher-level science classes.

Assuming he does well enough in his upper-level science courses at the state school, would it be fair to say that he is in good shape to apply to medical school? Do all allopathic schools accept pre-reqs taken at a community college? I know for a fact that our in-state schools will accept this. Do all allopathic and osteopathic schools accept this, though? I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that there are some medical schools that will only take pre-reqs if they were taken exclusively at a four year institution.

I'm just looking for some advice to pass along to my friend. I'm trying to be as specific as possible, but if there are further questions, then feel free to post them. I haven't been in this situation, so pardon my ignorance.

 

[Lawpy]

I don't know about DO schools, but many MD schools don't accept CC credits in prereqs. It's school-specific and can be addressed by getting an MSAR

 

[italiancowgirl]

Depends on the school and also sometimes on if more advanced classes were done at the 4 yr university. Some CC courses I took were accepted because I took an advanced course later at a 4yr.

 

[xnfs93hy]

I don't know about DO schools, but many MD schools don't accept CC credits in prereqs. It's school-specific and can be addressed by getting an MSAR

I see. Thank you. I'll encourage him to purchase the MSAR.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Something that might be worth looking into is if upper levels in the same subject may count towards the requirement. This is something I don't personally know a lot about, but it's worth investigating. Logically speaking, if you can excel in upper level chemistry courses at a university, it could be implied that you would have done well in general chemistry at that university, although this isn't always the case.

 

[WinslowPringle]

Depends on the school. 5 years ago when applying, all the schools I was looking at (Midwestern state schools and a few private) accepted pre-reqs from CC provided one was graduating with a 4 year degree. Had transfer credits in: Gen Bio I, II; Gen Chem I, II; Calc I; Biochem.

 

[Goro]

Yes
Assuming he does well enough in his upper-level science courses at the state school, would it be fair to say that he is in good shape to apply to medical school?

Yes. MSAR Online will tell you who does and who doesn't . A wise investment.

Do all allopathic schools accept pre-reqs taken at a community college? I know for a fact that our in-state schools will accept this.

No
Do all allopathic and osteopathic schools accept this, though?

Not true.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that there are some medical schools that will only take pre-reqs if they were taken exclusively at a four year institution.

 

[Lawpy]

Something that might be worth looking into is if upper levels in the same subject may count towards the requirement. This is something I don't personally know a lot about, but it's worth investigating. Logically speaking, if you can excel in upper level chemistry courses at a university, it could be implied that you would have done well in general chemistry at that university, although this isn't always the case.

It is accepted that upper levels satisfy prereqs for reasons you mentioned (and for other practical reasons). Heck, even a strong MCAT eliminates the needs for prereqs, as it should.

 

[NeuResurgens]

It is accepted that upper levels satisfy prereqs for reasons you mentioned (and for other practical reasons). Heck, even a strong MCAT eliminates the needs for prereqs, as it should.

Makes sense to me. Thanks for the input!

 

[deleted577188]

I would get an associates in arts or something that'll allow him to take a lot of his GE's and maybe some math courses. The thing is, his major could change five times before he settles on chemistry. This is why I wouldn't want to risk wasting 2 years, or rather spending 2 years post-HS doing work that *might* or might not count for certain medical schools later on.

Ex: What if he takes his pre-req chemistry courses at the CC but changes his major at the university level because he hated chemistry, so he cannot take upper levels to supplement the matriculation requirements of medical school?
Does anyone see where I'm going with this?