Do schools let you know if they aren't accepting your online class?

[yanks26dmb]

I took my chem I/II via UNE. I know some schools clearly state, we do not accept online pre-reqs. Others state they have no problem with it. While still others do not state one way or another what their policy is. If I were to apply to such school, which has not given any indication about their stance in regards to online classes, should I assume they would simply let me know they aren't accepting my classes?

It's a curious situation, UNE, like many other schools, don't distinguish a class is online on the transcript. They are a brick-and-mortar institution with in-person classes....I don't see how a school would actually know in what format I took the class, unless they asked me point blank. Can it be assumed that schools will sometimes let it slide even if their official policy *may* state otherwise?

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[yanks26dmb]

bump

 

[FutureDrB]

I took my chem I/II via UNE. I know some schools clearly state, we do not accept online pre-reqs. Others state they have no problem with it. While still others do not state one way or another what their policy is. If I were to apply to such school, which has not given any indication about their stance in regards to online classes, should I assume they would simply let me know they aren't accepting my classes?

It's a curious situation, UNE, like many other schools, don't distinguish a class is online on the transcript. They are a brick-and-mortar institution with in-person classes....I don't see how a school would actually know in what format I took the class, unless they asked me point blank. Can it be assumed that schools will sometimes let it slide even if their official policy *may* state otherwise?

Plenty of threads about this issue on the forum. We discussed this to death a few days ago, so that thread is probably still on the first page somewhere.

I'm not aware of any DO schools that specifically state they don't take online courses, so please include links if you have them.

To my knowledge (and someone else posted a list on here) there are only two MD schools (Harvard and Johns Hopkins) that specifically don't accept them.

Short answer, if the transcripts don't say the class was online, no they won't know.

Schools don't even see your transcripts unless you're accepted. (I just found this out myself a few days ago.)

As I've stated in previous posts, I took all of my pre-reqs online except for biochemistry. Many other "onliners" here on SDN as well.

Also, regarding UNE, someone posted earlier today or yesterday about what UNE transcripts say, and apparently they don't say the word "online" on them, but the courses are denoted differently according to the UNE rep who wrote the person back.

This is a guess, but I know at my university (not where I did my online pre-reqs, courses are denoted with a "D" before the course number.) That may be what UNE does too, or something similar.

 

[yanks26dmb]

Plenty of threads about this issue on the forum. We discussed this to death a few days ago, so that thread is probably still on the first page somewhere.

I'm not aware of any DO schools that specifically state they don't take online courses, so please include links if you have them.

To my knowledge (and someone else posted a list on here) there are only two MD schools (Harvard and Johns Hopkins) that specifically don't accept them.

Short answer, if the transcripts don't say the class was online, no they won't know.

Schools don't even see your transcripts unless you're accepted. (I just found this out myself a few days ago.)

As I've stated in previous posts, I took all of my pre-reqs online except for biochemistry. Many other "onliners" here on SDN as well.

Also, regarding UNE, someone posted earlier today or yesterday about what UNE transcripts say, and apparently they don't say the word "online" on them, but the courses are denoted differently according to the UNE rep who wrote the person back.

This is a guess, but I know at my university (not where I did my online pre-reqs, courses are denoted with a "D" before the course number.) That may be what UNE does too, or something similar.

There are definitely do schools that don't take online classes...nyit, western, and wcu come to mind. That said I'm not wondering IF schools take online classes, I've definitely seen those threads.

I'm wondering if the onus is on us to tell them the class was online, even if not adked. For instance western doesn't list no online on their Website but i know they don't take online labs because i called and asked. That said if they don't question my classes should I assume they're just letting it slide?

 

[FutureDrB]

There are definitely do schools that don't take online classes...nyit, western, and wcu come to mind. That said I'm not wondering IF schools take online classes, I've definitely seen those threads.

I'm wondering if the onus is on us to tell them the class was online, even if not adked. For instance western doesn't list no online on their Website but i know they don't take online labs because i called and asked. That said if they don't question my classes should I assume they're just letting it slide?

You would have to ask the schools directly. (In all honesty though, I wouldn't even take what they said to heart, because I'm sure they say they don't accept them just so you take them in-class.) But I'm a pessimist, so take that as you will.

However, as I said, there are a lot of people on here who took online pre-reqs and I haven't heard of a single one getting denied an acceptance because of it.

UNE is fairly reputable in the DO world and a number of people on here have taken their online Biochemistry course and apply all over the place.

 

[yanks26dmb]

You would have to ask the schools directly. (In all honesty though, I wouldn't even take what they said to heart, because I'm sure they say they don't accept them just so you take them in-class.) But I'm a pessimist, so take that as you will.

However, as I said, there are a lot of people on here who took online pre-reqs and I haven't heard of a single one getting denied an acceptance because of it.

UNE is fairly reputable in the DO world and a number of people on here have taken their online Biochemistry course and apply all over the place.

Thanks for the feedback. So do you think it'd be best and simply wait for the school to mention it?

 

[FutureDrB]

Thanks for the feedback. So do you think it'd be best and simply wait for the school to mention it?

No problem. Well, I don't want to advise you specifically on what you should do, but if there are school's you're interested in that you think won't take an online course, I would contact them directly.

But, know that if you take a course online and it is not designated on your transcripts that it was an online course, they won't know you took it online.

 

[yanks26dmb]

I suppose this is a question more for an adcom... @Goro @gyngyn woild love your opinions if you get a moment free...

If a school doesn't state on their website whether or not they accept online labs and/or prereqs, is it reasonable for the applicant to assume the school will let the applicant know that a certain class isn't accepted and needs to be retaken before matriculation?

 

[Goro]

Haven't a clue...this is the realm of our wily old Admissions dean.

Suggest calling schools to verify. I do know that mine accepts them as long as they're offered by an accredited university.

I suppose this is a question more for an adcom... @Goro @gyngyn woild love your opinions if you get a moment free...

If a school doesn't state on their website whether or not they accept online labs and/or prereqs, is it reasonable for the applicant to assume the school will let the applicant know that a certain class isn't accepted and needs to be retaken before matriculation?

 

[gyngyn]

If a school doesn't state on their website whether or not they accept online labs and/or prereqs, is it reasonable for the applicant to assume the school will let the applicant know that a certain class isn't accepted and needs to be retaken before matriculation?

No. I would not assume that.
We have posted criteria, there is no way we could contact everyone who doesn't meet them.
On the other hand, if an accepted student doesn't meet a requirement by matriculation, we certainly let them know.

 

[yanks26dmb]

No. I would not assume that.
We have posted criteria, there is no way we could contact everyone who doesn't meet them.
On the other hand, if an accepted student doesn't meet a requirement by matriculation, we certainly let them know.

Of course. I'm mainly wondering about schools that do not list any sort of criteria in regards to online labs.

 

[gyngyn]

Of course. I'm mainly wondering about schools that do not list any sort of criteria in regards to online labs.

They must like getting contacted if they don't state what is required up front!

 

[ForensicOdontology]

Of course. I'm mainly wondering about schools that do not list any sort of criteria in regards to online labs.

I'm the one who emailed. Here is the communication:

My Email:

"Good Morning,

I am interested in your online/distance learning science prerequisites for health professionals route, and I was curious about a few of things:
1.) Are courses taken online the same as those taken in a classroom setting?
2.) Do they appear as online or distance learning classes on transcripts?
3.) How are courses displayed with regard to semesters? For instance, I understand that there is a course offered during the “fall semester, 2014” that starts on December 15th and goes well into what would be the Spring semester of 2015. If I took this class, would it appear just as any other “Fall 2014” course, or do transcripts list the dates taken?
4.) Would there be anything shown on my transcripts that would differentiate me in any way from any other traditional “brick and mortar” student?

Thank you for your time!"

UNE Pre-Health Admissions Response:

"The course topics are the same as the classroom setting courses, but we have a lot of different instructors and they have created different courses for the online offerings. As far as your other questions, you’ll need to speak with someone in the Registrar’s Office (207-602-2473). They have a transcript unit within their office that should be able to answer those questions. As far as I know, there are no labels added to these courses that signify that they are “online” or “distance” courses. The course number for online versus on-campus is different which would make it easy to figure out, but I believe that they do not label them as online courses."

To answer your question more directly, the difference between the descriptions is such that the on campus course number would show as BIOL 101, and the online course number would show as BIOL 1010 on your transcripts. In your case, were the schools not to ask you the nature of the course -- unless of course AACOMAS called you on it first -- the only way they would be able to tell the difference would be by actually looking up the courses on the UNE webpage (I assume; and you know what they say about assumptions.). Logic would have me believe that it's not feasible for them to do this for every applicant, so your transcript would have to stick out to them for some reason, for them to take the time an research what kind of class it was. Now that being said, they could simply already know the designations and their meanings by having seen 3,000 of them per cycle -- I'm sure yours wouldn't be the first UNE transcript they've seen. If you put Bio 1010 from UNE as having taken place in a classroom setting, and your fellow applicant showed the same class as being taken online or DL, would that prompt them to investigate the course designation? Idk.

Hope this helps.

 

[kkosp2451]

I have a question related to this - NYIT's FAQ's states in response to whether or not they take online courses:
"No, all pre-requisite coursework must be completed on an accredited institution." (http://www.nyit.edu/medicine/admissions/frequently_asked_questions/)
What if the course I am taking online is offered by an accredited institution, but it's an online course? I guess it's better to just call the school and ask, but anyone have any experience with this?

Also, looking at my unofficial transcript for the class I'm taking, it just indicates the course name and number (i.e., CHM 145). It doesn't say anything about a lab or online portion in the course name.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

I've read elsewhere on SDN that NYIT doesn't accept online or distance learning courses at all.

 

[kkosp2451]

I've read elsewhere on SDN that NYIT doesn't accept online or distance learning courses at all.

That's what I think too, but how would they know that the class is taken online? Would they call up the school?

 

[ForensicOdontology]

haha. You've asked what seems to be the unanswerable question. I alluded to that question right above your initial comment, where I said:

"To answer your question more directly, the difference between the descriptions is such that the on campus course number would show as BIOL 101, and the online course number would show as BIOL 1010 on your transcripts. In your case, were the schools not to ask you the nature of the course -- unless of course AACOMAS called you on it first -- the only way they would be able to tell the difference would be by actually looking up the courses on the UNE webpage (I assume; and you know what they say about assumptions.). Logic would have me believe that it's not feasible for them to do this for every applicant, so your transcript would have to stick out to them for some reason, for them to take the time an research what kind of class it was. Now that being said, they could simply already know the designations and their meanings by having seen 3,000 of them per cycle -- I'm sure yours wouldn't be the first UNE transcript they've seen. If you put Bio 1010 from UNE as having taken place in a classroom setting, and your fellow applicant showed the same class as being taken online or DL, would that prompt them to investigate the course designation? Idk.

Hope this helps."

I honestly think it would come down to a matter of:
1.) They don't know, don't realize the difference and you get away with it.
2.) They've seen your institutions transcripts before, know what to look for, and contact the University to verify. (Common sense would have me believe that this would be less likely an option just because of how many transcripts they receive. I have also read somewhere on here that schools don't actually get your transcripts until after you've been accepted.)

As you probably read, my answer is in regards to an email I receive from UNE that states that while there is no "Online/DL" designation, the course numbers between online/DL and on campus courses are different, so they could find out if they looked into it.

May I ask where you're taking the online class/classes?

 

[kkosp2451]

haha. You've asked what seems to be the unanswerable question. I alluded to that question right above your initial comment, where I said:

"To answer your question more directly, the difference between the descriptions is such that the on campus course number would show as BIOL 101, and the online course number would show as BIOL 1010 on your transcripts. In your case, were the schools not to ask you the nature of the course -- unless of course AACOMAS called you on it first -- the only way they would be able to tell the difference would be by actually looking up the courses on the UNE webpage (I assume; and you know what they say about assumptions.). Logic would have me believe that it's not feasible for them to do this for every applicant, so your transcript would have to stick out to them for some reason, for them to take the time an research what kind of class it was. Now that being said, they could simply already know the designations and their meanings by having seen 3,000 of them per cycle -- I'm sure yours wouldn't be the first UNE transcript they've seen. If you put Bio 1010 from UNE as having taken place in a classroom setting, and your fellow applicant showed the same class as being taken online or DL, would that prompt them to investigate the course designation? Idk.

Hope this helps."

I honestly think it would come down to a matter of:
1.) They don't know, don't realize the difference and you get away with it.
2.) They've seen your institutions transcripts before, know what to look for, and contact the University to verify. (Common sense would have me believe that this would be less likely an option just because of how many transcripts they receive. I have also read somewhere on here that schools don't actually get your transcripts until after you've been accepted.)

As you probably read, my answer is in regards to an email I receive from UNE that states that while there is no "Online/DL" designation, the course numbers between online/DL and on campus courses are different, so they could find out if they looked into it.

May I ask where you're taking the online class/classes?

Thank you very much! That all makes a lot of sense. I guess my confusion came in because the campus course is listed as CHM 145, and that's what appears to show on my unofficial transcript. There is no difference between what is shown there and what is listed as the course would be listed during any other semester. That's why I was curious as to how they would know. Assuming that it's easy to make a phone call to the school, I was wondering if it would stick out on my application in any way if they didn't do that.

I'm taking the course online through a community college. The college itself is a bit far from me, but not a crazy amount. Maybe 3-4 hours at most. But it's in my state. Unfortunately, this was my only option as none of the 4-year universities around me offered the course at this time.