Fork in the road question...

[hibore222]

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I'm planning on completing my pre-reqs at a local four-year public university. I read a lot about the "university vs. community college" debate, and I ultimately think that the university would be the wiser decision. Additionally, I think I'd be happier at the uni, based on my interaction with administration/faculty so far.

I was hoping to take GenChem I at night this spring at the university, but I just found out today that, due to my work schedule, I will be unable to take it, as I'm currently working a M-F office job from 9-6 and the class doesn't fit into my schedule (I had asked my boss if I could alter my schedule to fit in the course, but due to company policy, it's not allowed). Starting this summer, I plan on leaving my job and being a full-time student. My goal is to apply for the fall 2014 med school class, So, anyways, I'm left with 3 options....

1) Take GenChem I at the very nearby CC at night this spring, then take the rest of my classes at the university starting this summer (taking out loans for tuition and living expenses). I'd still be able to finish all pre-reqs by the end of Spring 2013, and apply starting in the summer of 2013.

2) Leave my job now, start taking classes at the university in January. The only downside to this is an extra 4 months of living expenses loans. (Though, if money weren't an option, I would definitely do this).

3) Take all pre-reqs at the CC.

Regarding option 1, I'm worried that med schools might not be a big fan of me taking one pre-req at a CC, and then taking the rest at a university.

And the debate about option 3 has already been discussed ad nauseum.

Thoughts on what you all think is the wisest course of action?

Thanks!

 

[ShoTyme]

I'm not going to get into the whole CC vs University thing. That said, no one will care if you take Gen Chem at a CC. That is obviously easily explainable should it be brought up, which I'm sure it won't. As far as leaving your job, that's up to you. I got laid off, so my decision was easy. Though, ultimately I knew I was going to go full time anyway. You say you are going to go to school full time next semester. At some point, most people who are serious do just that (I did say most. Before I get flamed, there are always exceptions). For me, cutting down tremendously on my lifestyle, getting student loans, and a wife that busts her ass cover all the essentials so that I am able to do this full time. Analyze your own situation. Are you doing everything possible to give yourself the best possible chance of getting accepted? If so, then great. If not, then make changes. Simple. Good luck!

Sho-

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Ultimately, it depends on the schools you are applying to. As a rule of thumb, however, if your performance at the university and CC are consistent, and you do well on the MCAT, you should have nothing to worry about.

 

[hibore222]

Thanks for the early replies.

 

[FutureDrB]

I know this has been discussed to death, but I took all of my pre-reqs at a community college and I'm not worried about it.

The universities around here didn't offer science classes at night and I work full-time during the day. Plus, I'm a single father and certainly wasn't in the financial position to quit my job just to go back to a university full-time to satisfy pre-reqs. So... if adcoms don't understand that, I'm not sure what to tell them. Haha.

I did however have to take a couple of upper-level science classes at the university since obviously CC doesn't offer them. Since there were only two, I just squeezed them into my work schedule.

 

[hibore222]

Awesome to hear Future. I have so much respect for non-trads going through this spouses and/or kids. When will you be applying for med school? Have you taken the MCAT yet?

Best of luck in the process!

 

[FutureDrB]

Awesome to hear Future. I have so much respect for non-trads going through this spouses and/or kids. When will you be applying for med school? Have you taken the MCAT yet?

Best of luck in the process!

Thanks. It's been a long road. I've been working on this for 10+ years now. Not applying until next cycle. I'm taking the MCAT in March!

Never give up people. If you want something badly enough, you'll get there. 👍

 

[montessori2md]

I would revisit this topic with your boss at least once more before quitting your job. I would also start shopping for a job with more flexibility. I find it amazing that they would rather replace you than give you a slightly less than 9-6 schedule. But then, the economy wasn't totally in the toilet back when I was doing the work/school juggling act.

Debt = Stress

I agree w/ above advice regarding CC coursework. 1) It depends and 2) if CC courses are a minority of your pre-reqs, most schools won't care as long as you are otherwise a sound applicant.

If you are really going to quit your job and live on loans, I'd make darn sure your university has a good health sciences advisor before paying the tuition. But I'd say no work and all debt is a poor strategy unless you have a sugar daddy/momma.

 

[hibore222]

Thanks for the thoughts.

The biggest issue is that for the universities and CCs near me, all of them only offer some of the pre-reqs (especially the Orgos) during the daytime. So, for a decent part of the next year, a "normal hours office job" is out of the question. Additionally, I still need to take all of the science courses, and I hope to complete them all by May of 2013, so that I can start applying in summer 2013.

I do plan to have some sort of job during the time that I am taking the pre-req, but since I'll be in at least 3 labs at once (this fall, and possibly spring 2013), I don't plan on working full-time. I'd have no problem doing a UPS-type job while doing the pre-reqs, but given the brutal economic situation we're in, it's not like those types of jobs are readily available. Additionally, I do plan to do volunteering and research to strengthen my application.

Could you explain the importance of having a good health sciences adviser? I know exactly which courses, and I've mapped out when I will take them. What are the other benefits that a good HS adviser can help me with?

Thanks!