Father, older applicant, and full-time worker. Will doing my first 2 at CC be frowned upon? Summer school?

[mathdad]

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Hi all!

After high school, I immediately went to work in a trade. I'm now 25, have a child, and work for a large company that offers some modest tuition assistance. After talking to my significant other we have determined that college would be a good option for me and wouldn't be too much of a burden on the family. The tuition assistance won't cover everything at my state school even with financial aid and in-state residency. My local community college and state school have a 2+2 partnership where you attend 2 years of community college and earn an associate's degree and then attend another 2 years at state school and earn a bachelor's degree. I'd like to pursue that option as community college is much more affordable than state school (as in less than 1/2 the cost). My only concern is that medical schools might frown upon the first 2 years at community college, but why would it matter if I succeed in upper-division courses at state school?

Secondly, how might medical schools view spreading out my course load by taking some courses over the summer? I've read on here that having lighter semesters should be avoided, but what about my circumstances? It will certainly be a challenge balancing family life, full-time work, and ~15+ credits per semester (not to mention volunteering, shadowing, research, etc). I'm sure someone will mention how will I manage the rigor of medical school and full-time work but my plan would be to save as much as possible prior to matriculation and take out enough loans to cover living costs for the duration of medical school. Would medical schools understand? Would there even be an opportunity for me to explain at any point in the application process?

Should I just cave and go straight to state school and choke on the extra debt?

Thanks in advance and if you have any tips, resources, or suggestions I'd gladly check them out.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Most adcoms are good about recognizing you going to school while working full-time. Taking a lighter course load each term, including summer terms, shouldn't hurt you.

The no CC rule isn't really applicable in your situation. That's more for the students who do all of their courses at a university and take the harder science courses over the summer at their local CC. 2 years at CC and then finishing out at university is fairly common and a great way to save money.

While working full-time and going to school part-time is doable, I highly recommend saving up your vacation days and taking at least 3 full weeks off before you take the MCAT. It is a beast and you cannot half-a s s it.

 

[Nugester]

Your plan sounds solid (2+2). As long as you do well on your classes + MCAT and fill out the extracurriculars, it shouldn't matter whether you spread it out. You should be fine come application time. Adcoms welcome the non-traditional student, which you are. Good luck!

 

[Goro]

Hi all!

After high school, I immediately went to work in a trade. I'm now 25, have a child, and work for a large company that offers some modest tuition assistance. After talking to my significant other we have determined that college would be a good option for me and wouldn't be too much of a burden on the family. The tuition assistance won't cover everything at my state school even with financial aid and in-state residency. My local community college and state school have a 2+2 partnership where you attend 2 years of community college and earn an associate's degree and then attend another 2 years at state school and earn a bachelor's degree. I'd like to pursue that option as community college is much more affordable than state school (as in less than 1/2 the cost). My only concern is that medical schools might frown upon the first 2 years at community college, but why would it matter if I succeed in upper-division courses at state school?

Secondly, how might medical schools view spreading out my course load by taking some courses over the summer? I've read on here that having lighter semesters should be avoided, but what about my circumstances? It will certainly be a challenge balancing family life, full-time work, and ~15+ credits per semester (not to mention volunteering, shadowing, research, etc). I'm sure someone will mention how will I manage the rigor of medical school and full-time work but my plan would be to save as much as possible prior to matriculation and take out enough loans to cover living costs for the duration of medical school. Would medical schools understand? Would there even be an opportunity for me to explain at any point in the application process?

Should I just cave and go straight to state school and choke on the extra debt?

Thanks in advance and if you have any tips, resources, or suggestions I'd gladly check them out.

Med schools know that non-trads have a life, and so CCs are OK, especially when it's the first two years.

Never explain unless specifically asked.