GPA Bump: CC or University?

[DD214_DOC]

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Help me decide. I wanted to take more classes to bump the GPAs up a bit in the event I have to reapply yet again. However, I an unable to decide between going into a 4-year program at a university (either in Nursing or Chemistry) or entering a diploma surgical tech program at a community college, where my first course would be a 4-credit A&P class.

I'm sure the CC courses will count, but will it look like a lame attempt to boost the GPA? I don't know that I really have the time to do the four-year college.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Help me decide. I wanted to take more classes to bump the GPAs up a bit in the event I have to reapply yet again. However, I an unable to decide between going into a 4-year program at a university (either in Nursing or Chemistry) or entering a diploma surgical tech program at a community college, where my first course would be a 4-credit A&P class.

I'm sure the CC courses will count, but will it look like a lame attempt to boost the GPA? I don't know that I really have the time to do the four-year college.

Since you already finished your Bachelors at your university, it won't look bad AT ALL to take classes at a CC (closer to home, less expensive, ...). I took some of my pre-reqs at a CC while I was taking classes at my University and it was not brought up once... definately go with the CC.

 

[redwings54]

The question of whether to take classes at a 4 year school or a CC has been debated many times on here. Even I started a post like this when I was trying to decide where to do my post bac. Here is a link to the old thread that got a lot of discussion.

4 year vs CC debate

My opinion and what I ended up doing was going to a 4 year school. My advisor said that there is a lot of talk about this topic between advisers on their listserves and the overall consensus is to go to a 4 year school. Especially if you have your degree, which I cant remember if you do or dont, taking classes at a CC is sometimes viewed as taking the easy way out and doing less work. Remember, a CC is just the first two years of college so there is a lower likelyhood of taking upper level classes that schools like to see on your transcript. If you are entering a program such as nursing or surgical tech just to raise your grades though, there are better ways to do it than that. If you want to use it for a bit then go ahead and become a tech or nurse. I just feel as though it is a real lot of work if you dont want to use it at all for nothing else besides boosting your GPA.

 

[DD214_DOC]

The GPA boost was an added benefit; I'm trying to find something that will allow me to continue if I'm not admitted this go around. The biggest mistake I made in college is assuming I'd go directly into med school.

From the post, "If these are classes beyond the pre-requisites, there really isn't any question or concern"

I've finished all my prereqs. The CC just fits with my schedule, whereas the four-year doesn't. I guess adcoms will have to get over it.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I don't know many CC's that offer upper level classes if you are done your prereqs. None of the ones I know in NJ, PA, or OK do ...

My feeling is this ... if you want to become a doctor, why train to be something else if you aren't going to end up doing it. IE. surg tech. You could go to school for that and it might boost your grades but they also do look at the classes. And would expect you to stick with it a few years get the clinical then move on. Otherwise I'd say get a 2nd degree in hard science, prove you can do the science course load (or a post-bacc program) then move on.

Just my experience. I was going to do the same thing with a BSN in nursing but decided against it after talking to some admissions.

 

[DD214_DOC]

As it is, I'm standing at a 3.29/3.33 cumulative/science, which is well within the accepted range for DO schools. Maybe I'm just being a little paranoid? I don't really need another degree or more than 6-7 hours of science to get me above 3.40.

I think I may just take some upper science courses through the UC Berkeley extension thing if I don't get in again this time. It won't matter for this year, as adcoms would never see my grades from Fall anyways.

 

[Dorkus Maximus]

My sister is a D.O. - graduated from DMU in 2001. She took a lot of her required pre-reqs from a CC (year of O-Chem, and a semester each of Chem and Bio) with no questions asked by the admissions committee.

I received my undergrad in Business from CU and now live in Montana with no universities within 150-200 miles. As such, I'm taking all my prereqs from a CC! Hopefully that don't look too poorly on it... but if they do, like someone else said, it's cheaper, closer, and just the basics anyway.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Well, perhaps I confused some of you. My prereqs are finished. I currently have a 3.33 science GPA. I have had all A's in sciences my last year. (Unfortunately I suck at liberal arts, so I had C's in non-science courses my last semester).

Really I just want something to boost my science GPA a bit and get my cumulative back over 3.30. THe UC berkeley stuff is expensive ($700 per class) considering I can take 7 hours of classes at the CC for the same price.

Dunno. I'll see what happens. I would imagine the Berkeley stuff would look better, but it's the same GPA either way.

 

[chan]

Just take the classes at the CC... . As long as you do awesome on the MCAT it wont matter. I mean, think about it. If someone has a 3.4 GPG from an almighty universitiy and has a 30 MCAT, or they have a 3.7 GPA and a 33 MCAT from a CC who is more likely to get accepted? If you have already finished your bachleors and are going back to do prereqs you should be fine.

I dont know how people can say adcoms will look down on this. They should be looking at the students who do this as some of the brightest because they are actually thinking about saving money instead of blowing thousands of dollars on a couple prereqs.

 

[sunnyjohn]

Help me decide. I wanted to take more classes to bump the GPAs up a bit in the event I have to reapply yet again. However, I an unable to decide between going into a 4-year program at a university (either in Nursing or Chemistry) or entering a diploma surgical tech program at a community college, where my first course would be a 4-credit A&P class.

I'm sure the CC courses will count, but will it look like a lame attempt to boost the GPA? I don't know that I really have the time to do the four-year college.

JKD,

I certainly understand wanting to take a few classes to improve your GPA. I think you stand an ok shot now.

Sounds like you want to be sure you are employable if you don't get into med school. I understand that. Even though people say ad coms aren't to fond of them, If go with nursing at the CC.

I am a surgial tech. I will also be an RN by next summer. At the same time I am retaking prereq's and upper level classes.

I LOVE being a Surgical tech. Scrubbing in surgery is great. I work as a traveller and met some world famous surgeons. Being a tech is what rekindled my desire to go to med school.

With that said if you are going to choose between nursing and surg tech, do nursing. From a financial standpoint, you'll come out better. You also get to do more clinically. A nurse can do what a tech does (with training).

I really don't think you need to go this route though. Your numbers are decent. Apply widely.

 

[mshheaddoc]

As it is, I'm standing at a 3.29/3.33 cumulative/science, which is well within the accepted range for DO schools. Maybe I'm just being a little paranoid? I don't really need another degree or more than 6-7 hours of science to get me above 3.40.

I think I may just take some upper science courses through the UC Berkeley extension thing if I don't get in again this time. It won't matter for this year, as adcoms would never see my grades from Fall anyways.

Ok first of, when you applied ... why didn't you get in? Did you talk to the schools about that? Did you apply strictly MD? How strong were your LOR? How strong was your MCAT? What type of experience do you have?

Honestly, I don't understand how CC have upper level prereqs as usulaly they are only 2 year institutions. I would try to do a 4 year institution if you had the chance and I will reiterate. Why spend the money for a second degree if you aren't going to ultimately use it as a career? Why not get true clinical experience as a CNA then? Why not do a post-bacc program to strengthen your record?

 

[DD214_DOC]

Ok first of, when you applied ... why didn't you get in? Did you talk to the schools about that? Did you apply strictly MD? How strong were your LOR? How strong was your MCAT? What type of experience do you have?

Honestly, I don't understand how CC have upper level prereqs as usulaly they are only 2 year institutions. I would try to do a 4 year institution if you had the chance and I will reiterate. Why spend the money for a second degree if you aren't going to ultimately use it as a career? Why not get true clinical experience as a CNA then? Why not do a post-bacc program to strengthen your record?

To answer your questions:

I don't know why I didn't get in. I contacted both schools that rejected me post-interview and they literally would not tell me anything. It was probably the MCAT, though I wonder why they would even bother interviewing me?

Currently I'm in a phlebotomy class and should be licenensed by mid-to-late September. It seems I'd get some pretty decent clinical experience doing this.

I spent some time looking over my science grades last night. When I broke my grades down by subject, as AACOMAS does, I had these averages:

Biology 3.25
Inorganic Chemistry 3.75
Organic Chemistry 2.68
Physics 3.62

Biology I took freshman year. However, all the sciences afterwards (except organic) have been all A's and one B.

I found out that retaking organic I and getting an A will bump my science GPA up to a 3.47. However, the two prereqs I need for surg tech will bring it up to a 3.43, although these are not upper-level courses.

As another said above, I'm also trying to career plan. The job I have been offered now has mandatory 10-week training that basically voids any interviews I may get, so taking it will be med school suicide. I also don't really want to be a PBT all my life if I never get in.

I think I'm in quite a pickle.

 

[mshheaddoc]

#1 - if they didn't tell you anything if it were me, I'd bother them again. That is just if its me. I don't take "I don't know for an answer". Since they didn't say "MCAT" or "GRADES" that leads me to believe the lack of strength in LORs. So if you have any other LORs you can submit, I suggest getting strong candidates. I was advised by 2 adcoms that LORs are often the death of people.

I would also talk to your phelobotomy position about med school interviews. If med school is your priority then I wouldn't let your job get in the way. If you want this badly enough you would have ot figure it out.

I'm imagining due to family issues you aren't applying ot post-bacc programs?

 

[DD214_DOC]

I'm not applying to post-bacc because I don't have the freedom to do so (Married), not to mention I don't think my grades are bad enough to warrant an entire program.

From what I know of them, my LORs are actually very good. I think my PS and LORs are why I received interviews everywhere I applied. I was actually complimented at one interview and told that I would make a good physician. Why I was ultimately rejected is anyone's guess.

 

[mshheaddoc]

That's frustrating JKD. Such a competitive process. I would try to work something out with your employer definitely though and apply to tons of schools!

 

[DD214_DOC]

The ADN thing may not be such a bad idea. After looking, I can complete it in the same amount of time as the surgical tech thing. I guess if I ever end up having to rely on another career, the ADN would be the wiser choice.

 

[mshheaddoc]

The ADN thing may not be such a bad idea. After looking, I can complete it in the same amount of time as the surgical tech thing. I guess if I ever end up having to rely on another career, the ADN would be the wiser choice.

true because then you could do an online BSN/NP if you wanted.