Doing prerequisites at community college?

[CashRag33]

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Have anyone done their prerequisites at a community college while enrolling in a university because they had a major other than science? Or finish their degree, then take prerequisites classes at community college?

 

[MexicanDr]

Have anyone done their prerequisites at a community college while enrolling in a university because they had a major other than science? Or finish their degree, then take prerequisites classes at community college?

Regardless of the major you have you can take the pre-reqs at the 4 year, which is recommended.

 

[SustainedEnigma]

Regardless of the major you have you can take the pre-reqs at the 4 year, which is recommended.

by who? half a dozen schools in the entire country?

 

[CashRag33]

Yeah, it's hard to take them at the 4-year school because most of the classes are filled up by science major or 1st and 2nd year students.

 

[littlealex]

You're taking it at a CC because it's easier to get an A. You know that, and so do the Adcoms.

It shows weakness and diminishes the legitimacy of your application. If you can help it, take it at a 4 year.

 

[sphun65]

You're taking it at a CC because it's easier to get an A. You know that, and so do the Adcoms.

It shows weakness and diminishes the legitimacy of your application. If you can help it, take it at a 4 year.

A little presumptuous... Have you ever taken a CC course?

Cashrag, as long as you don't take ALL of your prereqs at CC, you will be fine. However, it would be ideal if you took an upper level course at your university after you take the specific prereq in question. It shows that you can handle the material and aren't just trying to cover up a weakness, as alluded to previously. For example, taking biochem at your university after taking organic at CC (and getting an A).

 

[DrCaboVerde]

Would this vary by institution? Wouldn't the adcoms know that cc courses are more affordable and so students may be inclined to pursue that option?

 

[Caesar]

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2009/04/community-college-and-professional-school-admissions/

This may be relevant to your interests.

 

[teenmachinery1]

Have anyone done their prerequisites at a community college while enrolling in a university because they had a major other than science? Or finish their degree, then take prerequisites classes at community college?

english

 

[pennstate4life]

community college? med schools love students who take the easy way out and do the bare minimum.

 

[teenmachinery1]

community college? med schools love students who take the easy way out and do the bare minimum.

don't let pennstate4life fool you into believing he's as ******ed and ignorant as his posts (all of them so far from what i can tell) might suggest.

If you're concerned about how schools receive prereqs done at CC's, reference their websites or call their admissions office.

for example: my state school, the university of washington, stated on their website that if you took prereqs at the CC they would prefer you also take prereqs at the 4-year so they can compare grades.

 

[NYRN]

Would this vary by institution? Wouldn't the adcoms know that cc courses are more affordable and so students may be inclined to pursue that option?

They do know this, especially if the student is a non-traditional. The adcoms know that students who already hold a bachelors degree are not entitled to financial aid or government loans, and not everyone can afford to pay $1000 a credit out of pocket.

That being said, I do think it depends on the school, and I do think that if your bachelors degree is in progress and you take all your prereqs at CC and then take only humanities and electives at the 4 year school, that may look suspect.

Whoever said that CC classes are easier don't know what they are talking about. When I was in CC years ago, I didn't even know what a curve was because there was no such thing. You got the grade you earned and that was it. I had one professor that used to teach medical students and his exams were so hard, that only 2 people passed. There were plenty of shaken up premeds in that class!

Plenty of MD's I know say that they had classmates from top universities who's grades were so inflated that despite that 4.0 they graduated with, they didn't do so hot in med school.

You have to push yourself to get whatever it is you need out of your classes no matter where you take them. Put in that extra effort to earn an A and to study that material that will be on the MCAT.

Don't let naysayers put you down. They are not adcoms, and there are plenty of people who get into medical school with classes from CC, especially if they kick ***** on the MCAT.

Good luck!!

 

[pennstate4life]

don't let pennstate4life fool you into believing he's as ******ed and ignorant as his posts (all of them so far from what i can tell) might suggest.

If you're concerned about how schools receive prereqs done at CC's, reference their websites or call their admissions office.

for example: my state school, the university of washington, stated on their website that if you took prereqs at the CC they would prefer you also take prereqs at the 4-year so they can compare grades.

So you are saying I am wrong for bringing up the fact that med schools look down upon students who take the easy way out? My suggestion is don't even think about community college because it is frowned upon in most schools.

 

[PremedGunner]

im taking all my prereqs at a cc. let the chips fall where they may

 

[Neurocentric]

If you're already in a 4-year uni, don't go to CC for your pre-reqs. That's a waste of time, and honestly, I have a feeling it's going to look weird to an adcom. Note: regardless of me being an adcom or not, it takes common sense to see that it would look weird. I don't have to be an adcom to know that.

I went to CC first, but I took my gen. ed courses there only. No pre-reqs.

Is there a reason why you want to do this? If you think it's because the classes will be easier: One, that's not necessarily true, and two, maybe you're not cut out for all of this if you're trying to take the courses in a "easier" way.

If you're doing it for monetary reasons, that makes no sense, so I really have no clue why doing that is even an option if you're already enrolled in a four-year uni.

 

[teenmachinery1]

So you are saying I am wrong for bringing up the fact that med schools look down upon students who take the easy way out? My suggestion is don't even think about community college because it is frowned upon in most schools.

you can't back a single assertion in this ignorant remark with a single source

so give it up.

and retake that logic class at penn state... lulz u think you're so smart

 

[Neurocentric]

don't let pennstate4life fool you into believing he's as ******ed and ignorant as his posts (all of them so far from what i can tell) might suggest.

If you're concerned about how schools receive prereqs done at CC's, reference their websites or call their admissions office.

for example: my state school, the university of washington, stated on their website that if you took prereqs at the CC they would prefer you also take prereqs at the 4-year so they can compare grades.

you can't back a single assertion in this ignorant remark with a single source

so give it up.

and retake that logic class at penn state... lulz u think you're so smart

So you're giving him **** for stating that.. when in your previous post, UDub states that they would want the pre-reqs taken at a four year so they can compare grades.. wonder why that is? 🙄

I'm pretty sure a good list of schools - maybe I can find it with some research - would prefer you take the courses at a 4-year, or if you do take them at CC, they'd like you to retake them at a 4-year, just like the very college you go to.

OP, just take the pre-reqs at your 4 year. Make it a hell of a lot easier on yourself.

Are we done with posts like this yet?

 

[teenmachinery1]

So you're giving him **** for stating that.. when in your previous post, UDub states that they would want the pre-reqs taken at a four year so they can compare grades.. wonder why that is? 🙄

I'm pretty sure a good list of schools - maybe I can find it with some research - would prefer you take the courses at a 4-year, or if you do take them at CC, they'd like you to retake them at a 4-year, just like the very college you go to.

OP, just take the pre-reqs at your 4 year. Make it a hell of a lot easier on yourself.

Are we done with posts like this yet?

you have reading troubles

 

[Neurocentric]

you have reading troubles

Not really. 🙂 But nice rebuttal.

 

[pennstate4life]

you can't back a single assertion in this ignorant remark with a single source

so give it up.

and retake that logic class at penn state... lulz u think you're so smart

I really feel chemistry between us. I hope you are a lady because we will make a good couple.

 

[teenmachinery1]

I really feel chemistry between us. I hope you are a lady because we will make a good couple.

sorry i don't date premeds... call me when you get accepted though and we'll see 😉

 

[CarlATHF]

Most schools prefer pre-req's to be taken at a 4 year University. Fair or not, as stated in the article posted by Caesar the courses that are taken at CC's tend not to be viewed as being as rigorous as those at a 4 year Uni.

Life's a *&^&* and then you die. Suck it up and take it at the Uni.

 

[SustainedEnigma]

sounds like most of you bitches with anti-CC feelings are repulsed by the idea of someone who doesn't go to a "TaWp 20 INstITuTIOn" taking your spot.

I hope you all get rejected over the guy that took his prereqs at HuckleBerry Apricot Community College.

 

[pennstate4life]

sorry i don't date premeds... call me when you get accepted though and we'll see 😉

I'm not a premed. I just like to give unsolicited advice to strangers. You can also find me on pre-law, pre-dental, pre-podiatry, pre-FBI forums. Does it turn you on that I'm not a premed?

 

[teenmachinery1]

I'm not a premed. I just like to give ******ed advice to strangers. You can also find me on pre-law, pre-dental, pre-podiatry, pre-FBI forums. Does it turn you on that I'm not a premed?

um...

that explains why your advice is so prescient and helpful

you know everything about applying to medical, dental, and law school!!

👍

 

[pennstate4life]

um...

that explains why your advice is so prescient and helpful

you know everything about applying to medical, dental, and law school!!

👍

And FBI. I see you what you did to my quote you sneaky sneaky rascal 🙂 It's a cute trick though.

 

[teenmachinery1]

I'm not a premed. I just like to give unsolicited advice to strangers. You can also find me on pre-law, pre-dental, pre-podiatry, pre-FBI forums. Does it turn you on that I'm not a premed?

aye, looking at your posts i seemed to have been tricked into feeding a troll... depressing.

on the up-side: i'm in med school and you're a loser!

 

[pennstate4life]

aye, looking at your posts i seemed to have been tricked into feeding a troll... depressing.

on the up-side: i'm in med school and you're a loser!

Congratulations! Seriously I am happy for you. I also give pre-residency advice so don't be shy!

 

[starl3tte]

I went to a 4 year university as a non-science major. During the end of my 3rd year, I started taking some pre-med courses (bio, some g-chem). After I graduated, I went to a local CC where I took the remaining pre-med courses (g-chem, o-chem, physics, calc). Going to a CC had its advantages and disadvantages for me. Biggest advantages were small class size (~30 people, vs. 300 people lecture halls at my university), more face time with the professors, getting awesome LORs, and insanely low cost. The biggest disadvantage I perceived, at the time, was the negative stigma that might come with it (just read through this thread for people's opinions). I don't know what was said about my med school application behind closed doors, but I can tell you that during interviews, NONE of my interviewers ever brought up my having attended a CC.

If you are going to take pre-med courses at a CC, I'd recommend that you at least take some of the courses at a 4-year. Doing well in your science classes at BOTH the 4 year and CC, in addition to a solid MCAT, should leave little doubt in adcom's minds about your academic ability.

Just wanted to throw one last thing out there - a lot of CC's do have negative reputations (too easy, not much harder than high school, etc). This is why if you choose to attend a CC, you should look for one with high transfer rates into good schools, accredited, in a good school district, etc. At the CC I attended, most of the pre-med courses I took did not grade on a curve, were often taught by professors from the same 4 year univ I attended, and were NOT known for being the "easy route." There's no need to throw all CC's under the bus.

 

[SustainedEnigma]

I went to a 4 year university as a non-science major. During the end of my 3rd year, I started taking some pre-med courses (bio, some g-chem). After I graduated, I went to a local CC where I took the remaining pre-med courses (g-chem, o-chem, physics, calc). Going to a CC had its advantages and disadvantages for me. Biggest advantages were small class size (~30 people, vs. 300 people lecture halls at my university), more face time with the professors, getting awesome LORs, and insanely low cost. The biggest disadvantage I perceived, at the time, was the negative stigma that might come with it (just read through this thread for people's opinions). I don't know what was said about my med school application behind closed doors, but I can tell you that during interviews, NONE of my interviewers ever brought up my having attended a CC.

If you are going to take pre-med courses at a CC, I'd recommend that you at least take some of the courses at a 4-year. Doing well in your science classes at BOTH the 4 year and CC, in addition to a solid MCAT, should leave little doubt in adcom's minds about your academic ability.

Just wanted to throw one last thing out there - a lot of CC's do have negative reputations (too easy, not much harder than high school, etc). This is why if you choose to attend a CC, you should look for one with high transfer rates into good schools, accredited, in a good school district, etc. At the CC I attended, most of the pre-med courses I took did not grade on a curve, were often taught by professors from the same 4 year univ I attended, and were NOT known for being the "easy route." There's no need to throw all CC's under the bus.

great post brotha

👍

 

[Neurocentric]

I went to a 4 year university as a non-science major. During the end of my 3rd year, I started taking some pre-med courses (bio, some g-chem). After I graduated, I went to a local CC where I took the remaining pre-med courses (g-chem, o-chem, physics, calc). Going to a CC had its advantages and disadvantages for me. Biggest advantages were small class size (~30 people, vs. 300 people lecture halls at my university), more face time with the professors, getting awesome LORs, and insanely low cost. The biggest disadvantage I perceived, at the time, was the negative stigma that might come with it (just read through this thread for people's opinions). I don't know what was said about my med school application behind closed doors, but I can tell you that during interviews, NONE of my interviewers ever brought up my having attended a CC.

If you are going to take pre-med courses at a CC, I'd recommend that you at least take some of the courses at a 4-year. Doing well in your science classes at BOTH the 4 year and CC, in addition to a solid MCAT, should leave little doubt in adcom's minds about your academic ability.

Just wanted to throw one last thing out there - a lot of CC's do have negative reputations (too easy, not much harder than high school, etc). This is why if you choose to attend a CC, you should look for one with high transfer rates into good schools, accredited, in a good school district, etc. At the CC I attended, most of the pre-med courses I took did not grade on a curve, were often taught by professors from the same 4 year univ I attended, and were NOT known for being the "easy route." There's no need to throw all CC's under the bus.

I'm glad that all worked out for you. I honestly have not experienced taking pre-reqs at a CC, so I never knew how it actually works.

A lot of things some new posters need to realize is that a good portion of the pre-meds on here are not willing to accept that others will take a quote en quote "easy" way out, i.e. taking pre-reqs at a CC. Everyone (or mostly everyone) is taking pre-reqs at a four year, and in the OPs case, he is already taking his BA at a four year university, so taking his pre-reqs at a CC is completely useless IMO. Not only is it a waste of extra money, but it looks odd to be taking normal courses at a four year university, while taking your medical school pre-requisites at a CC which is - what a lot of people assume - sub par compared to a four year.

That's just my opinion, and trust me, I am not throwing CCs under a bus. I went to a CC in the beginning, so that would make me a hypocrite.

 

[Quaero]

If and only if your institution doesn't offer the courses than you have a good reason to take them at CC.

 

[teenmachinery1]

If and only if your institution doesn't offer the courses than you have a good reason to take them at CC.

Is it OK to take pre-health requirements at community college?

MYTH—You shouldn't take your science courses at a community college.
FACT—Many students take the first year or even two years of prerequisites at a community college. The important thing is to get started.

How do graduate programs feel about prerequisite courses taken at community colleges? The answer isn't black and white. The level of the coursework at community colleges is certainly comparable; you'll cover the same topics in the same depth as you would in the equivalent courses at the UW. However, graduate programs also want to see how you do in science coursework at a 4-year school. Therefore, we recommend that you take additional sciences after you transfer to the UW.
The biochemistry sequence required by many health graduate programs is not offered at community colleges, so most likely, you will be taking at least biochemistry at a four-year school. If you plan to complete a science major, you will have some advanced science coursework completed at a four-year school and the graduate schools can also use those grades to evaluate your performance in science courses. However, this does not mean that you must choose a science major! You could also take additional science electives and complete a non-science major.
The bottom line is that you should take the prehealth courses where ever it is best for you to take them. This doesn't mean where you can get the highest grades, but where you will learn the material as well as possible. If community college is the best place for you now, take the courses there. Once you transfer to the UW, however, it is generally not a good idea to return to the community college to take additional science classes.


http://www.washington.edu/uaa/gateway/advising/prehealth/transfers.php


this is from a little-known school with shifty credentials... the university of washington school of medicine or something <sarcasm>

 

[TylerJ]

I'm a non-traditional student who is currently doing some of my requirements at a community college.

I recently separated from the military and was unable to meet the deadline to attend UMD or any other decent 4-year institution for transfer students. Instead of wasting my time for a semester, I enrolled at a local CC and will not miss out on time. Furthermore, the CC I am attending is known for pumping out engineer/science transfer students to UMD, so it is a quality institution.

Also, I may reenroll for the summer semester. Why? Well, I am taking physics, gen. chemistry and calculus 2. For reasons of consolidation, I want to retake the next series of courses over the summer at the same institution, and to save on book costs.

Am I concerned how an adcom will interpret my CC experience? No. I plan on doing well on my MCAT. Regardless of where I take my courses, the MCAT is an equalizing factor. If I go to Harvard for undergrad and do poorly on my MCAT, I believe that is FAR worse than attending a CC and doing well on my MCAT. As long as you learn the material and are not there purely for the "ease"(which if you are, then you are going into the wrong field), you will be fine.

Lastly, I find it much more appealing to be in a class of 30-40 students being taught by a PhD; than a TA teaching a class of 100+ students many of whom ask really dumb questions, because the actual professor is conducting research instead. After all, who will I want for my LoRs? Not a TA.

That's my two cents.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

I spoke with several different ADCOM's on this matter. Take this answer for what its worth:

I will specifically name two schools. Michigan and Michigan State University (one MD vs one DO). I was told by both, in pretty general statements that it doesn't matter where your first 2 years were taken, AS LONG AS your grades do not fluctuate when you make the jump to a 4 year university. If we see that you jump to a 4 year and your grades fumble we know that you cannot handle the rigors of medical school, and therefore will judge your application accordingly.

I can tell you now from whatever some of you have experienced, or those who have only been at a 4 year university and are saying that a CC is the easy way out, that your not correct. I spent 2 years at a local CC then transferred to EMU, I will tell you that some of the courses at EMU feel easier than at the CC. My A&P class was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, it was taught by the the professor that instructs Gross A&P at UofM medical school.

If you have not been there please do not act like you know it will reflect bad upon your application.

Students looking for the answer to the question about CC vs Unv. Easiest way to get the answers you want, call your medical schools of interest and ask the ADCOMs directly.

 

[Neurocentric]

I spoke with several different ADCOM's on this matter. Take this answer for what its worth:

I will specifically name two schools. Michigan and Michigan State University (one MD vs one DO). I was told by both, in pretty general statements that it doesn't matter where your first 2 years were taken, AS LONG AS your grades do not fluctuate when you make the jump to a 4 year university. If we see that you jump to a 4 year and your grades fumble we know that you cannot handle the rigors of medical school, and therefore will judge your application accordingly.

I can tell you now from whatever some of you have experienced, or those who have only been at a 4 year university and are saying that a CC is the easy way out, that your not correct. I spent 2 years at a local CC then transferred to EMU, I will tell you that some of the courses at EMU feel easier than at the CC. My A&P class was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, it was taught by the the professor that instructs Gross A&P at UofM medical school.

If you have not been there please do not act like you know it will reflect bad upon your application.

Students looking for the answer to the question about CC vs Unv. Easiest way to get the answers you want, call your medical schools of interest and ask the ADCOMs directly.

The thing I would like to know - and I hope this does not make me sound ignorant on my part - don't normal Bachelor's Degrees take four years to complete? I know at least for mine it does, just looking over the courseload itself and what I have to complete before graduation. If this is so, why would you even want to take your pre-reqs at a community college first when you still have to complete your major's requirements as well? And if you do go to CC first and want to start a major there, wouldn't you have to finish it there?

I know those questions sound a bit silly, but I am only aware of my own situation, and that was I needed my grades up from high school, so I went to CC for a year to do that, did the gen. eds and got my GPA up to a 3.5, and transferred over to a 4 year where I picked a major, and here I am doing that as well as the pre-reqs for medical school. I never thought that taking pre-reqs at a community college made sense, especially since I need to have a BA in something for medical school, and the CC I went to only offered Associate degrees.

In any case, the OP is not asking if he should take his pre-reqs before enrolling/transferring to a four year. He's already enrolled in a four year, has a non-science major, and is asking if he can take his pre-reqs at a CC. Being that he is a non-science major, I'm guessing that he is on his own assumption that CC courses are easier, but like you posted, they are not. I know this firsthand as well. In the OPs situation, I find it kind of pointless to do what he wants to do. I just don't see it as logical, IMO.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

The thing I would like to know - and I hope this does not make me sound ignorant on my part - don't normal Bachelor's Degrees take four years to complete? I know at least for mine it does, just looking over the courseload itself and what I have to complete before graduation. If this is so, why would you even want to take your pre-reqs at a community college first when you still have to complete your major's requirements as well? And if you do go to CC first and want to start a major there, wouldn't you have to finish it there?

I know those questions sound a bit silly, but I am only aware of my own situation, and that was I needed my grades up from high school, so I went to CC for a year to do that, did the gen. eds and got my GPA up to a 3.5, and transferred over to a 4 year where I picked a major, and here I am doing that as well as the pre-reqs for medical school. I never thought that taking pre-reqs at a community college made sense, especially since I need to have a BA in something for medical school, and the CC I went to only offered Associate degrees.

In any case, the OP is not asking if he should take his pre-reqs before enrolling/transferring to a four year. He's already enrolled in a four year, has a non-science major, and is asking if he can take his pre-reqs at a CC. Being that he is a non-science major, I'm guessing that he is on his own assumption that CC courses are easier, but like you posted, they are not. I know this firsthand as well. In the OPs situation, I find it kind of pointless to do what he wants to do. I just don't see it as logical, IMO.

you are correct, CC usually only offers an associates. If you plan on a bachelors then yyou should make sure your classes will transfer to your 4 year school, thus crossing those classes off the list and u will start at the university as a junior.

My case living in michigan, I took all MACRAO accredited courses which directly transferred to EMU. I will graduate with a bachelors in biological science studies with emphasis on osteopathy in pre medicine.

Now I never received an associates from the CC, I went around it. I needed like 3 more classes which were not part of my EMU curriculum so I passed the op on the Associates. Not really that important in my mind.

2 Years at CC
2 Years at EMU (4 year degree will be from EMU)

 

[prwriter]

Okay, this is an informative thread. However, I'm not finding anything relating specifically to those of us who already hold both undergraduate and graduate degrees who, for some reason unknown to man, are considering medical school.

A full-time job negates the possibility of taking any courses at one of our local four-year colleges. The only college with the appropriate course offerings at the right times and tuition is a community college. Now what? If that's the only option, there's not much a med school can do.

The local community college offers every prerequisite needed. That's a welcome luxury, particularly since the courses meet after business hours and cost just over a hundred bucks per credit.

It seems to me that a non-traditional student has several advantages, such as demonstrated leadership, excellence at the graduate level, and years of professional experience that students straight out of four year universities lack. Given that, plus stellar MCAT scores, does it really make that much of a difference where the math and science courses were taken?

 

[familyaerospace]

prwriter, I'm in the same position that you are in.

I have a BS, MS, and am in a career change. I was going to do a formal post-bacc at a 4 year, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I recently found out I could not do that. Thus I will be taking half my pre-reqs at the local community college (I took physics at the cc and I still have to take organic, I have the rest plus upper division courses in bio and physics).

I'm honestly a little worried about that. I have years of paid work, research, teaching, and more service than one could shake a stick at (both clinical and nonclinical). All I really need is organic and to do well on the MCAT.

 

[BrainBuff]

I am sorry that you guys may be finding out about this after the fact, BUT, community college premed prereqs are a big NO NO. Someone in another forum pointed out that some secondary applications sent by the schools make a point of stating that the students should NOT take those courses at community colleges nor online. I have actually seen it on some of my secondaries as well.

For those who are still in the process of completing the requirements, just make sure you take them at an accredited 4 year university.

 

[deleted202457]

Have anyone done their prerequisites at a community college while enrolling in a university because they had a major other than science? Or finish their degree, then take prerequisites classes at community college?

I say do what you have to, but maybe take an upper level science at your university to show that you was capable of doing them at your university, but was just unable to. That's just my opinion, otherwise, unless a med school specifically states they won't accept CC classes and your MCAT is good, then you should be fine.

 

[fizzgig]

i would agree (haven't applied yet so agree kinda means guess 🙂) that if you prove yourself otherwise then it's likely to be ok. if there is a raised eyebrow or outright discrimination i'd think it would happen if you were a nonscience major who took all prereqs at CC.

fwiw if i need to take some classes to make prereqs (i think i'm stuck with a few) i will be taking them at a CC for money's sake. but i also will have an undergrad science major and a graduate degree in engineering, and i did take most of my prereqs in undergrad. so im' banking on nobody saying 'oh she probably did that because it's easier' given all the superfun science i've seen at 4yr institutions.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

I am sorry that you guys may be finding out about this after the fact, BUT, community college premed prereqs are a big NO NO. Someone in another forum pointed out that some secondary applications sent by the schools make a point of stating that the students should NOT take those courses at community colleges nor online. I have actually seen it on some of my secondaries as well.

For those who are still in the process of completing the requirements, just make sure you take them at an accredited 4 year university.

This is not true. Why would ADCOMs tell you that its ok, just to have their secondaries tell you its a big no no. That doesn't make any sense. I have talked with over a dozen schools. As long as you prove yourself with upper level science classes at a 4 year university and you handle them just fine, your CC credits will be more than enough to get you into med school.

So your telling me if you take 2 years at a CC and 2 years at a University and score a 35 on your MCAT, they are gonna say "No way, you took some CC classes, we cant let you in here, you took the easy way out, your a *******, good luck elsewhere!" I highly doubt it.

 

[aesposito]

prwriter and familyaerospace, I'm in the same boat.

I have a BS and MS and I plan to take my prereqs at the local CC because it's free (I'm an adjunct instructor there and get a tuition waiver). I'd be nuts not to take advantage of that, and when I called the medical school I want to attend, they said community college courses are fine.

I have kids to feed and that's that way it is.

A

 

[chman]

prwriter and familyaerospace, I'm in the same boat.

I have a BS and MS and I plan to take my prereqs at the local CC because it's free (I'm an adjunct instructor there and get a tuition waiver). I'd be nuts not to take advantage of that, and when I called the medical school I want to attend, they said community college courses are fine.

I have kids to feed and that's that way it is.

A

My opinions on this issue are known (check my blog). I am wondering, and certainly don't know, but does anyone think that there could be a potential ethical concern from adcoms regarding the above, aka taking the pre-reqs where you teach? Seems like there could be, possibly.

 

[aesposito]

My opinions on this issue are known (check my blog). I am wondering, and certainly don't know, but does anyone think that there could be a potential ethical concern from adcoms regarding the above, aka taking the pre-reqs where you teach? Seems like there could be, possibly.

Yes, I could see a conflict if it was in a department I work in, but I don't work in the sciences dept and don't know any of the instructors there.

Plus, many of the prereqs are classes I took 20+ years ago when I got my BS, so it's not like I haven't passed them once before.

If the school chooses to see a conflict, I'll just have to deal with it as it arises.

A

 

[NYRN]

Yes, I could see a conflict if it was in a department I work in, but I don't work in the sciences dept and don't know any of the instructors there.

Plus, many of the prereqs are classes I took 20+ years ago when I got my BS, so it's not like I haven't passed them once before.

If the school chooses to see a conflict, I'll just have to deal with it as it arises.

A

I think a solid score on the MCAT would put any question to rest about you being handed grades you didn't earn.

 

[BrainBuff]

This is not true. Why would ADCOMs tell you that its ok, just to have their secondaries tell you its a big no no. That doesn't make any sense. I have talked with over a dozen schools. As long as you prove yourself with upper level science classes at a 4 year university and you handle them just fine, your CC credits will be more than enough to get you into med school.

So your telling me if you take 2 years at a CC and 2 years at a University and score a 35 on your MCAT, they are gonna say "No way, you took some CC classes, we cant let you in here, you took the easy way out, your a *******, good luck elsewhere!" I highly doubt it.

Not true? Really?

Boston University School of Medicine Secondary Application -2010

"We encourage applicants to pursue a broad academic experience in the humanities and in the sciences. While we consider each academic record in its entirety, the BUSM Committee on Admissions generally prefers that applicants avoid using AP, CLEP, Community College, Junior College, foreign institution, or long distance/on-line course work in fulfillment of requirements".

You have thousands of students applying for approx 100 spots to each school. The point is that there will be plenty of students who will satisfy the adcoms preference because even though they "consider the academic record in its entirety " (read - the advanced courses you took, your life struggle as a non traditional student, etc, etc), they do prefer that "applicants avoid using Community College course work".

If someone already knows this going into it, why push it?

 

[BrainBuff]

I think a solid score on the MCAT would put any question to rest about you being handed grades you didn't earn.

Not quiet. Have you checked this year's U Chicago thread ? There is plenty of students who have been rejected outright after submitting the secondary, with MCATs of 38, 39 and even a 40 and solid GPAs. The only thing that they may have in common is that their undergrad colleges are either state colleges or third tier universities. I don't know what Chicago is looking for, but a great MCAT and GPA is not cutting it for some.

 

[chman]

Not quiet. Have you checked this year's U Chicago thread ? There is plenty of students who have been rejected outright after submitting the secondary, with MCATs of 38, 39 and even a 40 and solid GPAs. The only thing that they may have in common is that their undergrad colleges are either state colleges or third tier universities. I don't know what Chicago is looking for, but a great MCAT and GPA is not cutting it for some.

Did you even read the context to that statement? It had nothing to do with the ranking of the school.

I'm curious, did you go to community college?