In a bind with pre-reqs...

[HenryH]

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I have recently decided to set my sights on going to a DO school (will be applying May of 2009) and, having previously intended on attending dental school, I have not completed physics (DAT does not test physics knowledge). However, during every semester preceding my senior year (I'm a sophomore), the classes I'm required to take for my major (biology) will only be offered during the same time slots that my school's physics courses are being offered. In other words, Ecology is only offered on MWF from 10:00 - 10:50 AM and so is physics.

Would DO schools have a problem with me taking physics over the internet? That strategy seems to be the only viable one, especially if I want to take physics in preparation for the MCAT. At the end of this semester, I will be DONE with all other pre-requisites. 😀 👍

 

[aliDO]

post some links to online physics courses you are considering and I can better tell you. It must have a lab included. I know at least one osteopathic school offers organic chemistry online for undergrads students to have more access to it, so maybe it won't be too bad. In class courses always look better, but if is your only options, then well, you have no choice.

 

[HenryH]

Thanks for your input, aliDO. I actually have not evaluated any courses yet; would you have any suggestions? You seem to have experience in this area.

An idea just occurred to me about the lab; perhaps my school would allow me to take their physics lab if I were to provide proof that I am enrolled in a legitimate online lecture course...

 

[Jpc984]

Would it be impossible to take the course as independent study?

Also, for the online course, I think the school has to be an accredited college to count.

 

[EEL08]

I think you should just go dental so you can skip physics.

Is it obvious that physics and I aren't friends? 😉 Do you have a community college in the area that might offer a class that would work for you?

 

[aliDO]

Maybe your school would let you just take the lab. At my university the lab and course were separate. Independent study or a community college might be a good way too, is possible. Try a search on physics online courses. That might yield some results. It's probably one of the hardest classes to get a legit online course in. Also, talk to schools that your interested just to make sure. Online classes usually aren't cheap, so don't waste your time and money. Good luck.

 

[ShyRem]

I would highly recommend contacting the schools you're interested in and asking them this question. Some will have a problem with it, some won't.

 

[Powdermonkey]

Is summer school not an option?

 

[tlvuong4]

if the physics course is offered over the internet at the university/college you're attending now then I don't see why it would be a problem. plus, would they even see that on your transcript? Usually transcripts just have the class number, amount of credits, and the grade. It might say who the instructor was but I'm not sure it would say what time the class was, room, and whether or not it's an internet course.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

i second the community college option**
thats a good idea.
they might even have more classes offered at night since the institution caters more to a community and students who work all day.
id check it out if i were you.

 

[HarMegido]

u can try summer school or a comm college in the summer. but i agree with eel, dentistry is an awesome profession and the DAT seems so much more fun than the MCATs

 

[MossPoh]

It is really odd that your school organizes it that way. Can you not forgo one of the classes and take it the next semester? It isn't a crime to take a little longer either. Community college works, but don't just rush through the stuff. I'd probably take the physics and ditch some of the other requirements until a later date if it is doable. Almost every school I've been to, or talked to some one at offers multiple sections of physics for just that reason.

 

[Isoprop]

I would highly recommend contacting the schools you're interested in and asking them this question. Some will have a problem with it, some won't.

it would be a moot point if the online classes weren't listed as online on the transcripts. so i would first check if they list the course as "distant learning" on the transcript before making any calls.

 

[prionsRbad]

I think you should just go dental so you can skip physics.

Is it obvious that physics and I aren't friends? 😉 Do you have a community college in the area that might offer a class that would work for you?

Physics and I are not friends anymore either! We broke up a looong time ago after a very bad relationship. 😉

 

[Powdermonkey]

i second the community college option**
thats a good idea.
they might even have more classes offered at night since the institution caters more to a community and students who work all day.
id check it out if i were you.

CC for summer school. Physics probably wont be every day, but it puts a strain on you if you have to work.

My physics class was at night from 6-9 and the lab was the next day from 6-9. So that way if you have to work, or go to class at your real school, you can still make it to class.

Or just take a little longer to finish all your requirements. That would give you more time to study for the MCAT, plus give you more time to get LORs, shadow, work in a hospital, or whatever you want to do.

 

[Marthea007]

CC for summer school. Physics probably wont be every day, but it puts a strain on you if you have to work.

My physics class was at night from 6-9 and the lab was the next day from 6-9. So that way if you have to work, or go to class at your real school, you can still make it to class.

Or just take a little longer to finish all your requirements. That would give you more time to study for the MCAT, plus give you more time to get LORs, shadow, work in a hospital, or whatever you want to do.

This is the best idea I think. I also couldn't take physics at my school (didn't even take it before I graduated, but whatever) so I took night classes at a community college because I was working full time. It sucked something awful that summer because you'll work 8-5, drive about 45 min and be in class from 6-9 only to have about an hour drive home, 4 times a week (sorry, I digress... 😀) But it was the best way and they integrated lab in to lecture. No one that I talked to had a problem with it. But if you can afford to take physics 1 and 2 over the summer like this it's probably best. Plus since they're summer courses and you're applying in May, you should be all done with them by the end of august, before you go to any interviews. 👍

 

[Punchap]

I have recently decided to set my sights on going to a DO school (will be applying May of 2009) and, having previously intended on attending dental school, I have not completed physics (DAT does not test physics knowledge). However, during every semester preceding my senior year (I'm a sophomore), the classes I'm required to take for my major (biology) will only be offered during the same time slots that my school's physics courses are being offered. In other words, Ecology is only offered on MWF from 10:00 - 10:50 AM and so is physics.

Would DO schools have a problem with me taking physics over the internet? That strategy seems to be the only viable one, especially if I want to take physics in preparation for the MCAT. At the end of this semester, I will be DONE with all other pre-requisites. 😀 👍

I know that LECOM-B doesn't accept internet courses (I tried). You should contact the individual schools you want to apply to and ask. I had a quarter of physics left to take, so I enrolled at a CC. This is a good option for you probably b/c they offer a lot of night courses that won't conflict with your school's day schedule. Good luck!

 

[EEL08]

I know that LECOM-B doesn't accept internet courses (I tried). You should contact the individual schools you want to apply to and ask. I had a quarter of physics left to take, so I enrolled at a CC. This is a good option for you probably b/c they offer a lot of night courses that won't conflict with your school's day schedule. Good luck!

I think it depends too as someone mentioned before. I have taken online courses and they show up on my transcript like any other course. Depending on how your school lists the course on your transcript the schools you apply to may not even know the difference.

 

[DMU DO]

Can you skip ecology for now and take physics?