Help me choose...

[RANE]

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All,
First I want to say thanks to all of you for your contributions to this forum. Lots of useful info here .

I just went to my community college and here is whats available. keep in mind that I will be working full time and have no prior college education.

As-Science & Math
AS-Science and Math Biology option
AS-Science and Math Chemistry option
AS-Science and Math Math Option
AS-Science and Math Physics Option

What the heck do I choose?

Thanks

 

[Moki]

I think it depends on what you gravitate to. . . chem/bio/physics.

FWIW - Of the choices, I would pick Science and Math Biology option.

Good luck.

 

[akinetopsia]

You don't technically have to major or get an associate's and bachelor's degree in biology, or chemistry, or math, or physics, or "pre-med." I just wanted to throw that in there.

For example, you could major in art history if you liked it, and take the med school prerequisites in your schedule (year of biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics with labs). Also it's a good idea to check the individual schools you're applying to, some like a year of English/literature, a semester of calculus or statistics, etc. I think it's preferred to take the prerequisites at a 4-year institution versus a community college, or at least the majority of them, so that's something else to think about as you go through this process.

If I had to choose between those options though I would go for AS Biology. You'll probably take animal & plant biology at community college at least, maybe even some chemistry. However, I'd still take organic at a 4 year institution.

Good luck!

 

[PunkmedGirl]

You don't technically have to major or get an associate's and bachelor's degree in biology, or chemistry, or math, or physics, or "pre-med." I just wanted to throw that in there.

For example, you could major in art history if you liked it, and take the med school prerequisites in your schedule (year of biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics with labs). Also it's a good idea to check the individual schools you're applying to, some like a year of English/literature, a semester of calculus or statistics, etc. I think it's preferred to take the prerequisites at a 4-year institution versus a community college, or at least the majority of them, so that's something else to think about as you go through this process.

If I had to choose between those options though I would go for AS Biology. You'll probably take animal & plant biology at community college at least, maybe even some chemistry. However, I'd still take organic at a 4 year institution.

Good luck!

I agree that you don't have to be a science major to go into medicine. Taking your pre-reqs at a CC isn't bad either(still debated I think), just take some upper level biology courses at a 4-year institution.

 

[J ROD]

Start with Bio I and Chem I.

 

[teacherman84]

Start with Bio I and Chem I.

With no prior college you probably need to take college level algebra before chem I. Even if it isnt a requirement, if you have no math background I would make sure you have at least Alg down before chem and physics. And always make sure you are taking the Bio, Chem, physics intended for science majors and not the lower level intro stuff.

 

[J ROD]

With no prior college you probably need to take college level algebra before chem I. Even if it isnt a requirement, if you have no math background I would make sure you have at least Alg down before chem and physics. And always make sure you are taking the Bio, Chem, physics intended for science majors and not the lower level intro stuff.

I change my vote. I was not thinking about no prior experience. I agree you need to have basics down before you do some of the sciences. Maybe even start with English and Math to get them out of the way. History is also an option.

 

[njbmd]

All,
First I want to say thanks to all of you for your contributions to this forum. Lots of useful info here .

I just went to my community college and here is whats available. keep in mind that I will be working full time and have no prior college education.

As-Science & Math
AS-Science and Math Biology option
AS-Science and Math Chemistry option
AS-Science and Math Math Option
AS-Science and Math Physics Option

What the heck do I choose?

Thanks

Before you look at associates degrees, get your placement tests done so that you can see where you will start. It isn't necessary to obtain an associates degree to transfer to four-year college so keep this in mind. You want to take the fewest amount of credits that will transfer so drop the associates degree once you have completed your general education reqs (English, humanities, math) and completed your pre-med pre-reqs. After that, you can transfer to a four-year college and major in what you want.

If you are working full-time, you are only going to be able to take part-time coursework because you have to do extremely well in you studies. Again, once you have taken enough courses to transfer, do so and don't worry so much about which associates degree to obtain. It's the bachelor's that counts.

 

[EdLongshanks]

You want to take the fewest amount of credits that will transfer so drop the associates degree once you have completed your general education reqs (English, humanities, math) and completed your pre-med pre-reqs. After that, you can transfer to a four-year college and major in what you want.

I have a little recent experience with this and I'm not sure that this is entirely accurate. If your 4 year college works in conjuction with the local community college (this is the way it works here in Tulsa) then the AA + BA degree is actually the best route. The 4-year universities add extra stupid little requirements (like a Physical Education course or some extra humanities courses) if you don't get your AA first.

In Tulsa you cannot go to a public 4-year university without using Tulsa Community College. The whole public system is geared to toward cooperation between the schools. Therefore the AA+BA is the best option. This really isn't that hard. The AA is mostly just humanities, history, Biology I, Chem I and other boring little courses like that. Most of them can be CLEPed anyway.

This may be a purely local situation. For example, there is not a single public college Calculus I course offered in Tulsa except at TCC. This may not be true in other cities.