How does it look if you take CC classes AFTER graduating from a university?

[JJR22]

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I got my degree in May 2011 but wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, so I spent some time shadowing different specialties (optometry, dentistry, medicine, etc.). I reached my conclusion of pursuing medicine, and have been taking a few science classes here and there (just 3 or 6 hours per semester) since I've graduated. Most of them have been at a nearby university but one of the classes I want to register for closed up and I was thinking about taking it at a community college (Anatomy 1). I took a few upper division classes during undergrad (Biochem, Genetics) and made A's in most of them.

Do adcoms really care where you take classes after you've gotten a degree? Thanks

 

[Nymphicus]

It looks fine.

 

[SaintJude]

Considering the economy & how expensive university classes are compared to CC classes, it should be totally understood that you may be doing it to be frugal. Totally fine in my book.

But I guess an actual admin should have the final word.

 

[BABSstudent]

I got my degree in May 2011 but wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, so I spent some time shadowing different specialties (optometry, dentistry, medicine, etc.). I reached my conclusion of pursuing medicine, and have been taking a few science classes here and there (just 3 or 6 hours per semester) since I've graduated. Most of them have been at a nearby university but one of the classes I want to register for closed up and I was thinking about taking it at a community college (Anatomy 1). I took a few upper division classes during undergrad (Biochem, Genetics) and made A's in most of them.

Do adcoms really care where you take classes after you've gotten a degree? Thanks

Anatomy at a CC? How many cadavers do they have? The CC anatomy class by me has a worksheet lab and occasionally uses fake bones.

My opinion as a TA for anatomy is that learning by worksheet does not actually teach anatomy. You have to see how everything relates to one another and then touch/feel your way around.

The university anatomy lab at my school uses the medical student prosections and past bodies. All total, that comes to 15+ different cadavers and tons of isostructures (legs, arms, penis, stomach, etc.). We study something different on each body so it is way more inclusive of what you learn at a CC. The anatomy teacher is also the guy that probably wrote your textbook for anatomy, so the standards for us are much higher.

 

[Nymphicus]

Anatomy at a CC? How many cadavers do they have? The CC anatomy class by me has a worksheet lab and occasionally uses fake bones.

My opinion as a TA for anatomy is that learning by worksheet does not actually teach anatomy. You have to see how everything relates to one another and then touch/feel your way around.

The university anatomy lab at my school uses the medical student prosections and past bodies. All total, that comes to 15+ different cadavers and tons of isostructures (legs, arms, penis, stomach, etc.). We study something different on each body so it is way more inclusive of what you learn at a CC. The anatomy teacher is also the guy that probably wrote your textbook for anatomy, so the standards for us are much higher.

Most four year universities don't offer cadaver dissection or lab for their undergrad anatomy courses. You'd most likely be on cats or pigs.

 

[SaintJude]

I've never even taken anatomy--it's not even a pre-req, so I wouldn't pay 1k-2k extra just to take a class that's not even required. You'll learn it in med school anyway.

But BABS is right, probably not same quality.

 

[BABSstudent]

I've never even taken anatomy--it's not even a pre-req, so I wouldn't pay 1k-2k extra just to take a class that's not even required. You'll learn it in med school anyway.

But BABS is right, probably not same quality.

The OP could always audit the course. Might be cheaper and still allow him/her to take the course.

 

[Xenops]

Anatomy at a CC? How many cadavers do they have? The CC anatomy class by me has a worksheet lab and occasionally uses fake bones.

Really depends on the CC. My CC's anatomy class had lots of dissection on cats, cow eyes, sheep lung and heart, some pig stuff. After you pass this class you have the option of taking the cadaver prosection class where YOU dissect the cadaver. I loved it. 😍

 

[BABSstudent]

Really depends on the CC. My CC's anatomy class had lots of dissection on cats, cow eyes, sheep lung and heart, some pig stuff. After you pass this class you have the option of taking the cadaver prosection class where YOU dissect the cadaver. I loved it. 😍

That sounds awesome. Maybe the OP should contact each school and find out how the lab is taught in each.

 

[LizzyM]

If the course is not a pre-req, it is usually fine.

If it is a pre-req and it does not appear that you were taking it at a CC to artificially boost your gpa or because you hadn't done well in science classes at a 4-year school, then it looks fine.

If it is a pre-req and you have a poorer gpa at 4-year school(s) then it looks like you chose CC to get a gpa boost.

 

[Daneosaurus]

Anatomy at a CC? How many cadavers do they have? The CC anatomy class by me has a worksheet lab and occasionally uses fake bones.

My opinion as a TA for anatomy is that learning by worksheet does not actually teach anatomy. You have to see how everything relates to one another and then touch/feel your way around.

The university anatomy lab at my school uses the medical student prosections and past bodies. All total, that comes to 15+ different cadavers and tons of isostructures (legs, arms, penis, stomach, etc.). We study something different on each body so it is way more inclusive of what you learn at a CC. The anatomy teacher is also the guy that probably wrote your textbook for anatomy, so the standards for us are much higher.

My CC has cadavers. My Bio prof (also my wife's anatomy prof) dropped out of med school during third year for personal reasons (she told us why, but it's not for me to tell others).

 

[deleted357625]

do whatever you want man

 

[dsoz]

I earned my BS a double digit number of years ago and have been working since. I took intro to immunology and A&P at a CC and biochem at a university to show that I am not "brain damaged."

It did not hurt my application based on the number if IIs that I had and 3 acceptances before I canceled a bunch of interviews.

The CC A&P class that I had was full of pre-nursing students. Some were taking it for the second or third time. They had to have an A in it to be considered by the nursing programs so there were a lot of re-takes. The CC that I went to has a reputation of having a good A&P class, even though they don't have cadavers. I am sure that med school A&P will be a completely different level of difficulty.

I say go for it. Any exposure to the language of A&P will help out a little.

dsoz