Do I have any other choices?

[the Undergrad]

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Hi guys,

Well I'm technically a sophomore at a community college at the moment. I graduated from hs in 2001 and I had initially planned to transfer to UCLA by their winter 2004. And, believe me, I worked hard toward reaching that goal(of transfering to UCLA) and now I'm pretty much done with 60 units(yes, you need atlease 60 units to transfer). However, much to my dismay, I recently found out UCLA closed its Winter 2004 quarter to all the transfer applicants(apparently UCLA, UCB, and UCSD). Well that means that now Ill have to wait till November of THIS year to apply for their Fall 2004 quarter. And this is where the problem takes off. Applying in THIS november means It will take me five years, instead of four, to complete my undergrad studies(a Bio/Psych major, btw...eventually wanna go to med school).

On the positive side, the only bright side I see in staying another year at this community college is that Ill finish my hardcore lower div sci courses at a much cheaper price/unit and with small classses, as compared to uni.


Hence, some questions I hope some kind souls out there REPLY to(duh, many many ppl VIEW it but few are kind enough to reply..haha, j/k). Anyways, here goes:

-Should I forget about going for UCLA and apply to other UCs(w/the exception of Cal and SD as they are ALSO closed) for Winter 2004 and attend uni in winter and complete rest of my lower div and upper div sci courses there?

-Would it make a bad impression on the med school committee if they see I spent three years at a community college? Are my science courses taken at CC going to be looked upon as "easy" compared to the same course at a university? (REALLY IMP. Question)


(IF i stay at the CC, that would mean me completing almost all my lower div science courses at the community college.)

-Am I making a mistake by spending another year at a CC eventhough Im ready and qualified to transfer, just because of attending UCLA? Consider the already long medical education down the years...

-Do I have ANY OTHER option? Any stories?

I'm posting this message in this forum for two reasons. First, because this is directly related to my long term goal of attending med school as if I stay at this CC for another year(when I really dont need it), Im putting an year off. And, second, cuz all of you have been there and done it soy'all might be good advice. This is really serious for me. So plz be serious. Thanks!

 

[Joe Joe on da Radio]

how about working in a clinically-related job for the year? research? volunteer? or all of the above? i think that might be time better spent than taking another year of courses at a CC when you don't *have* too. g'luck with ucla. PM me if you have any questions about bruin life and academics as i did my ugrad there.

--joe joe

 

[abw]

Hey!

First thing I would do would be to call an admissions counsellor &/or the pre-med advisor at UCLA to ask their opinion.

I'm not familliar with the UC's at all, so I really can't give great advice. You could possibly go part time at UCLA if you're die-hard to go there and don't want to transfer somewhere else. That way you might be able to do some lower science classes there and pick up a couple more classes at CC to fill out your schedule so you don't waste time.

You might want to check out UCLA grad requirements before you pay for a third year at CC though because many schools require transfers to have X amount of credits specifically from their school in order to graduate.

At my school, they have something called a "special student" for those who missed app. deadlines. In it, they let you take up to 2 classes a semester until the next cycle, and provided you get 3.0 or better, you're automatically accepted. Maybe UCLA has something like that?

The best thing to do though is to call someone at UCLA.

 

[DrInW8ing]

I'll try to answer your questions, however, there is no right or wrong approach to your situation.

Taking more CC classes will probably help your GPA. It is more probable that you will receive better attention and instruction at the CC.

However, you might get too spoiled with the CC teaching approach. The teaching is bound to be different at a University. More of the learning will be on your own.

Taking the year off or going part time until you get into UCLA may not be a bad idea.😉 This will allow you time to gain some health care experience, unless you have already done so.

Each medical school looks at your undergraduate course work differently. Some will look down upon you attending a CC. Other schools won't give a hoot; they want to see a high GPA.

If you have an idea about which medical school(s) you eventually want to attend, contact the admissions offices and inquire about how they perceive your undergraduate course work. This will best answer your question.

Hint-- Stay in contact with the medical school admissions throughout your undergrad! It will show to the shcool that you have a strong desire.

Well, I have either given you some worthy advice or further confused you.

Good Luck!

 

[Yogi Bear]

Originally posted by the Undergrad
Hi guys,

Well I'm technically a sophomore at a community college at the moment. I graduated from hs in 2001 and I had initially planned to transfer to UCLA by their winter 2004. And, believe me, I worked hard toward reaching that goal(of transfering to UCLA) and now I'm pretty much done with 60 units(yes, you need atlease 60 units to transfer). However, much to my dismay, I recently found out UCLA closed its Winter 2004 quarter to all the transfer applicants(apparently UCLA, UCB, and UCSD). Well that means that now Ill have to wait till November of THIS year to apply for their Fall 2004 quarter. And this is where the problem takes off. Applying in THIS november means It will take me five years, instead of four, to complete my undergrad studies(a Bio/Psych major, btw...eventually wanna go to med school).

On the positive side, the only bright side I see in staying another year at this community college is that Ill finish my hardcore lower div sci courses at a much cheaper price/unit and with small classses, as compared to uni.


Hence, some questions I hope some kind souls out there REPLY to(duh, many many ppl VIEW it but few are kind enough to reply..haha, j/k). Anyways, here goes:

-Should I forget about going for UCLA and apply to other UCs(w/the exception of Cal and SD as they are ALSO closed) for Winter 2004 and attend uni in winter and complete rest of my lower div and upper div sci courses there?

-Would it make a bad impression on the med school committee if they see I spent three years at a community college? Are my science courses taken at CC going to be looked upon as "easy" compared to the same course at a university? (REALLY IMP. Question)


(IF i stay at the CC, that would mean me completing almost all my lower div science courses at the community college.)

-Am I making a mistake by spending another year at a CC eventhough Im ready and qualified to transfer, just because of attending UCLA? Consider the already long medical education down the years...

-Do I have ANY OTHER option? Any stories?

I'm posting this message in this forum for two reasons. First, because this is directly related to my long term goal of attending med school as if I stay at this CC for another year(when I really dont need it), Im putting an year off. And, second, cuz all of you have been there and done it soy'all might be good advice. This is really serious for me. So plz be serious. Thanks!

have u tried taking 'extension' courses for the fall semester? that might be the best way if u want 4 years. another option would be to take summer classes at ucla.