Enrolling in science courses

[Piper84]

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I've taken all of my med school pre-reqs about 5 years ago at a 4-year university while I was earning my degree. Recently, I've been told that I should enroll in a couple of upper division science courses between now and when I apply (June 2011) to help my application. I have a few questions about this though...

1. Do I want to take courses that I've never taken before? Do I re-take courses I've already completed? I know the biggest benefit to taking courses is to learn and review the material... but are there any Bio/Chem classes that I should try to focus on?

2. Do I enroll in these courses through a community college? Or through a 4-year university? If it's through a 4-year school, do I need to go through the entire application process just to take 1-2 courses?

Does anybody have any advice for me? Thanks for the help! I am a little clueless about this all and trying to figure out as much as I can...😉

 

[Econ2MD]

1. Don't retake courses already taken unless you earned a C or worse. Have you taken Biochem or genetics? Anatomy or physiology? Biochem and/or genetics are required at quite a few schools and strongly recommended at many others. Many on SDN found anatomy/physiology helpful but I didn't take either.

2. I would take them at a 4 year university. You should be able to enroll as a non-degree seeking student very easily. Usually you don't get to register early, but those upper level courses typically have room. Just ask the school(s) you want to attend on their process. FYI, I did this at two schools and it was very easy to get enrolled. Basically, I just filled out a one-page application and paid the tuition.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Agree with the poster below EXCEPT biochem is way more useful than genetics, so given the choice I'd take the former (only place I know of that requires genetics is KCUMB osteopathic school of medicine).

You appear to be in San Jose. So, no you do not need to go through the application process. San Jose State and many of the other state schools have "Open University" which basically allows you to sign up for a single course (they give preference to degree seeking students and then open the university to the public so to speak).

Berkeley Extension in Redwood City is also a good place to take class (though, a tad bit more expensive than the state schools).

I've taken all of my med school pre-reqs about 5 years ago at a 4-year university while I was earning my degree. Recently, I've been told that I should enroll in a couple of upper division science courses between now and when I apply (June 2011) to help my application. I have a few questions about this though...

1. Do I want to take courses that I've never taken before? Do I re-take courses I've already completed? I know the biggest benefit to taking courses is to learn and review the material... but are there any Bio/Chem classes that I should try to focus on?

2. Do I enroll in these courses through a community college? Or through a 4-year university? If it's through a 4-year school, do I need to go through the entire application process just to take 1-2 courses?

Does anybody have any advice for me? Thanks for the help! I am a little clueless about this all and trying to figure out as much as I can...😉

 

[Piper84]

Thank you both for the helpful advice!

Mspeedwagon, I looked into both SJSU and UC Berkeley Extension. Both look great... I am getting excited! Thanks again!