Interesting Situation (or maybe not?)

[firemedicrr]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello all,

Thank you in advance for reading. I'm looking for some advice and would love some encouragement if any of you have been in similar situations!

A little background on me here:

I am a 20 year old that has graduated from a CC with my AAS in EMS and have obtained my Paramedic certs. I did well in high school and actually spent my last year of "high school" attending all my classes at the CC. I had offers for scholarships to several universities, but I didn't want to go to college and do my undergrad in something general that may or may not lead to good employment opportunities. I chose to continue at the CC and do my Associates.

While doing this, I worked full time as an EMS provider in the field and part time as an ALS provider in a level II trauma center Emergency Department. I am still employed at both of these locations. I finished by AAS with honors and a GPA of 3.68.. but now I feel stuck.

I cannot afford to quit my job to go back to school (nor would I be happy if I wasn't providing patient care) and my schedule doesn't allow me to take traditional courses- to finish my bachelor's I will have to do an online program. There are several available as an extension of my degree (I would ultimately have my BS in Health Services with a concentration in management and a minor in human services) BUT this leaves me stuck for my remaining prereq's. I guess more than anything I'm looking for some advice on this:

I haven't applied to a bachelor's program as I feel I need to finish my sciences first if I plan on doing them at the CC from what I have read. Is this really as big of a deal as it seems cracked up to be? I feel that I have a good reason- I'm not doing it to take the easy way out, but I have looked and none of the local universites offer any evening science classes which is all I could take. The CC does. Also, I think ultimately for my future as an MD, the experience I have from keeping my job will be an invaluable part of my application.

I also feel weary about finishing my bachelor's online. I know that in terms of my degree that's not going to be obvious to an admissions committee, nor do I think it should matter, other than that I won't have the same opportunity to utilize these faculty for non-science LOR's because I feel it will be hard for them to evaluate me as you don't have the classroom interaction.

I would like to have some sort of more solidified plan in the near future, so that I can take the remaining prereq's I need and finish my undergrad. If I take the same course load I took for my associates while working, I will be done with my undergrad and required sciences in 2 years.

Opinions on this? Suggestions? Anyone been in a similar situation?

 

[Catalystik]

There seems to be a slow change in attitude about accepting some distance-learning coursework, but many med schools still discriminate against it. Before you spend money on taking classes, only to find later that the classes won't be accepted and need to be retaken in a brick and mortar institution, I suggest you call med schools you are most likely to apply to and ask their policy about on-line courses. At the least, I think you'll find that no one wants to accept any science class having a lab component that wasn't taken in a classroom. And you're right: how else will you get the necessary LORs if you don't travel to one?

CC coursework is also less preferred than that taken at a 4-year school, particularly for the prerequisites, out of the concern that it will not have sufficient rigor to allow for mastering the concepts needed to do well on the MCAT. But a stong MCAT score can override that concern at many schools.

All that said, there is no rush to complete college now and apply to med school. Why not take a few years to enjoy your current occupation, make enough money to feel financially more stable, and then return to school. Appllicants in their 30s, 40s, and 50s in SDN's Non-Trad Forum are proving it can be done successfully.

 

[firemedicrr]

So it wouldn't be okay to do my undergrad online? From what I've done so far, in terms of your transcripts, etc, the fact that you did distance learning isn't indicated on your transcripts.

Obviously, I wouldn't do any of the prereqs in an online or blended format, but is that the general concensus toward completing an undergrad as well? I did all of my AAS on campus, but I don't see it being feasible for me to ever be able to expect to quit my job and go back to school full time just to do my undergrad. Med school, sure; but not to go do my undergrad with the uncertainty of admission to med school in the end.

As far as to why I want to do it now and not wait a few years, I just enjoy school. I want to be able to do more; I have always known that med school was what I wanted, but I didn't really feel traditional college was a good fit for me considering my life circumstances at the time.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Catalystik]

1) So it wouldn't be okay to do my undergrad online?

2) From what I've done so far, in terms of your transcripts, etc, the fact that you did distance learning isn't indicated on your transcripts.

3) Obviously, I wouldn't do any of the prereqs in an online or blended format, but is that the general concensus toward completing an undergrad as well?

1) It is unlikely from my experience to be an option greeted with enthusiasm. But as I said, attitudes are slowly changing. A policy at a given school from last year may have changed by now. You won't know if you don't ask.

2) An official transcript isn't the same as what you can view on-line. Maybe no one will know. Maybe they will. Knowing for sure would be important. If you stick to Gen Ed requirements, math, and English, it is less likely to be an issue.

3) Traditionally (as a generalization), there is a general bias against distance learning. A class a semester seems to be tolerated at many places. A completed degree, however, is unlikely to be viewed well. I cannot, obviously, speak for every med school.

If you call a few places and find out differently, please come back and let us know, so that future people using Search to answer this question will have the benefit of your research. You can also use the Search function yourself to gain a broader view of what others have found out in the past, but here are a few:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=645984
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=8049744&highlight=distance#post8049744
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7741897&highlight=distance#post7741897
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=473895

 

[firemedicrr]

Thanks for your input so far. I will let you know what I find out.

Also, thanks for the links, those were helpful 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

Happy to help.