help/advice needed for Los Angeles area

[amy888]

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Hi--
This message is directed to people who are familiar with Los Angeles and what it has to offer in terms of school. I need your advice.

Here's my story. I was once pre-med but stupidly decided to drop it. I came out with a BA in communication technology. I have taken Bio 1 and 2 and Chem 1 and 2 with poor grades. I would like to do a post-bacc but am afraid of rejection because I already took some science classes. (I graduated in 2002, so it hasnt been all that long)

I recently moved to the LA area after a few years overseas. I intend to stay in this area because my boyfriend cannot move from here. If you were me, what would you do:

-USC (I've heard not so good things about this, plus pricey)
-Scripps (I would need to take Calculus, where should I take it?)
-Put together my own program? where is best? have any of you done this?
-second bachelors? might be fun 😉 where would you go?

I would LOVE any and all advice! My new year's resolution is to get this thing kicked off. I want to go to dental school!

 

[Vytorin77]

You could look into UCLA Extension. I have a friend who has been happy doing her premed reqs there in the evening while working full-time. She has not had too much trouble getting into classes. It's cheaper than a private.

 

[amy888]

do you know if those extension courses come with a lab component? i was thinking they wouldnt be good enough for med school. more as hobby courses. but of course i could be mistaken since ive never taken one.

 

[drizzt3117]

what are your undergrad stats? If you are really interested in Scripps, call Jodi and talk to her. Her # is on the website. As I mentioned on another thread, 1200 SAT and 3.3 is probably the minimum #s to be a competitive applicant. The course is 12 months and will be more than enough to prepare you for dental apps.

 

[amy888]

my stats are:

SAT: 1170
undergrad: 3.1 overall

little less than competitive : (

what do you think d?

 

[BuMasters]

when i started to take my gchem classes, i met this guy who was 27 switching his career to medicine. He had a BA in art. he took his science courses through extension for 2 years and did good. He ended up going to vegas medical school while i was still completing my BA!

 

[PsychEpathic]

Consider one of the CSUs. There are cheap, and what you get is what you put into the classes. The instructors tend to be pretty helpful. I am working on postbac at CSU Northridge. It's going well for me and I am happy with my choice.

 

[imrep1972]

Consider one of the CSUs. There are cheap, and what you get is what you put into the classes. The instructors tend to be pretty helpful. I am working on postbac at CSU Northridge. It's going well for me and I am happy with my choice.

The only caveat I would add to that is that CSU's are generally thought of to be "lesser" schools. That means that a good performance at a CSU will not impress an ADCOM as much as a good performance at a UC or some private schools. Not trying to discourage anyone from doing it, just want to make sure people are aware of this before they make any decision.

That being said, I did a post-bac at CSUSB and eventually made it into med school.