Finishing Pre-Reqs (NYC)

[dapdrow]

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I am just wondering if anyone who lived/lives in NYC and attended a school within the CUNY system had any other suggestions for me as to what I could look into regarding the situation I am finding myself in right now.

In 2008, I finished my B.S. in laboratory sciences. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so I threw myself into a program similar to Teaching Fellows and finished my M.S.Ed. in 2010. After finishing up my AmeriCorps requirement, I left the job I was at for two years, began working in a laboratory and studied for (and passed) my ASCP exam in order to be a licensed lab technologist in NY. Right now I work the night shift and I'm really bored to tears.

For years I have contemplated applying to DO schools and I had outlined a plan to do that because I really love the clinical sciences and really want to become a physician. However, now that I'm trying to get everything into place, I'm finding it to be difficult. I need to finish the second semester of physics, plan on retaking organic chemistry I and then take organic chemistry II. Being that I only need two (but really, three since I want to do the retake) classes, I have been trying to enroll into CUNY schools as a non-degree student.

I have found it to be relatively easy to enroll in some schools (Hunter, CSI) and surprisingly not in others (Kingsborough, a CC.) But the real problem occurs when I try to register for a class. When I was an undergrad in CUNY, I already had enough trouble getting into classes as a degree-seeking student. Now as a non-degree student, I am finding it nearly impossible. Everything is closed. Completely. There are no seats open in any of the classes that I need and any classes with labs don't allow a person to overtally.

So, I was just wondering: (1) Has anyone completed pre-medical coursework at CUNY after graduating but not necessarily through a post-bac program? If so, how did you manage to get into the classes that you needed? (2) Does anyone have any recommendations for schools (outside of CUNY) in NYC that are not insanely expensive? I am starting to feel like I am going to have to go all the way back to the Bronx to take classes, and after working 10 PM - 6 AM, a two-hour train ride 2-3x/week is not looking great.

Thanks.

 

[MedicineMike]

I remember looking at Hunter College because I already planned on moving to NYC and figured I would take 1 or 2 more science classes since I haven't heard back from schools. I ended up getting accepted right after moving up there but I found that Hunter was very good at helping me in the app process. I lived across from Baruch college when I lived there and they were also nice. However, I don't think they had too many pre-med based science courses.

I, like you, am a post-bacc student. I started out as a non-degree seeking student because I already had a degree prior to taking pre-reqs (just like you). What made my life easier was actually declaring a degree. Once I did that, I was able to register for classes like a normal student was. Actually, I ended up getting priority because I had more hours than everyone (obviously). Declaring a degree does NOT mean you have to complete it. Just take the courses you need to finish and then that's that...

 

[FightinUruKai]

apply to become a second degree student - it gives you a better chance at selecting courses. You are not obligated to finish the degree. Also, consider going to schools besides Hunter, such as Queens College or City College, because Hunter is well known for their post bac program and those classes will fill that much quicker.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Definately apply as a second degree student. Getting into pre-med classes through Hunter or other CUNY's can be very difficult b/c they are notorious for overenrolling. All classes fill way before you have a shot of enrolling. If you email the teachers or attend the first lecture of a class and then talk to the teacher you can usually get in, just explain your situation and BS a little. Courses with labs are the MOST difficult to get in b/c they don't sign in extra students. So far I have been pretty on top of my stuff and got into every class I wanted last semester and this semester.

 

[dapdrow]

Thanks guys! If I don't have any luck this semester, I will be applying as a second degree student. (Not sure why I didn't consider this before but I also have a million credits so I probably would get a decent registration time.)

 

[Postal]

Thanks guys! If I don't have any luck this semester, I will be applying as a second degree student. (Not sure why I didn't consider this before but I also have a million credits so I probably would get a decent registration time.)

Good Luck! I did some classes at Hunter as a second degree student. I thought their classes were pretty good. I enrolled in their post-bac program and got a committee letter from them. Since you only need two classes you won't qualify for a committee letter so try to get some letters of recommendations from your professors( if you don't have any from previous professors) . Use interfolio to store those letters so that you've got some lined up when you're ready for applying.

 

[ghostman]

This probably doesn't apply to large courses like Organic Chem and Physics, but when I was looking for a Biochem course, I noticed it was closed out at the CUNYs I had intended to go to. So I looked up the professor for the course and emailed him directly. He said he never closes out his class if someone is interested and he'll "overtally" on the course as long as I have the necessary pre-reqs. Just finished the course this fall.

On a side note, I was in a similar situation to yours 3 years ago. I was a non-degree student at Hunter, but when it came time to register, nothing was left. I lost a semester because of that. That led to my decision to move to Boston and attend classes at Harvard University Extension School. Great post-bacc program there, especially the Chem courses (Orgo was very, very well taught). It's night classes and costs about the same as CUNY, but of course, if you're settled in NYC, it'll be pricey to move.

 

[dapdrow]

Update: I was finally able to register for physics II at a CUNY school --- the College of Staten Island. For anyone possibly looking to take classes as a non-degree or part-time student in NYC in the future, their science & engineering department is REALLY nice and they do let you overtally.

I did submit an application as a second degree student for the following year because apparently they charge non-degree students more money. I had to pay $420 more for the class as a non-degree student. That sucked. But I'm happy to be in the class.

 

[Cornell08]

Definitely second the comment about registering as a second degree student. It also saves you a ton of money.

I took my pre-reqs at CCNY minus Gen Chem which I took at Hunter. I was able to finish them all full-time in a summer, fall, and spring semester going full-time. CCNY was hit or miss-- I have a long post of recommendations I posted in the post-bacc board.

 

[AlabamaPop]

definitely second the comment about registering as a second degree student. It also saves you a ton of money.

I took my pre-reqs at ccny minus gen chem which i took at hunter. I was able to finish them all full-time in a summer, fall, and spring semester going full-time. Ccny was hit or miss-- i have a long post of recommendations i posted in the post-bacc board.

+1