Hey guys. So I was just wondering, is it a bad idea to start off at a community college, and then transfer to a 4 year university? I ask because I want to go to college in Florida, and since I'm out of state, I suspect it will be harder for me to get accepted, so as a backup plan, I may try to transfer to a 4 year after taking 2 years in a community college. Although, I am going to apply to colleges here in PA as well, but just in case. All of my friends and family members say "Community college is bad. You won't be able to get a good degree by going to a community college. Thats where all the slackers and stupid people go." Now I really doubt that is true. So anyway, is it bad to start off at a community college and then transfer into a 4 year university for a biology degree?
Is it bad to start off at a Community College?
- Thread starter Aviator97
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From what I have read, it is not necessarily bad to start off at a community college. Perhaps one, two, or even three natural science courses at a community college is okay, but just make sure to take majority of your natural science courses (assuming you are pre-med) at a four year university. I have also read that it is not okay to take your natural science courses at a community college while you are enrolled in a four year university. An example would be taking biology or such during the summer while being enrolled into a four year.
I myself am at a community college and I plan on transferring by next spring. You don't want to transfer too late because you are playing with chance by doing so. What I mean by that is once you have a good GPA, apply for your transfer that way you get your foot inside the first of many doors.
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Sometimes it's looked down upon. Make sure you take Medical School pre-requisites at the 4 year college as opposed to the 2 year.
Really.
Oh okay thanks. Yeah I've heard that its looked down upon...thats what scares me. I mean I'm going to apply to about 14 universities all in FL so...one of them has to like me!!!
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Have you considered the experience you will be missing out on? From what I have seen community college tends to be mostly commuting students with no real social/extra curricular scene. You only get to experience college once (theoretically anyway), do you feel comfortable missing out on two years of this? What about going to your home state school and then transferring if necessary?
Survivor D.O.
Survivor D.O.
I started at community college (cheaper and could live at home when I was young). As long as you take upper division science courses at a four-year school, you should be okay taking courses at CC, even some of the prerecs.
I'm fine with missing out on experiences. Thats not a real big deal for me. Am I actually able to transfer from a 4 year here in PA to a 4 year in FL?
Oh okay cool thanks! What do you mean by upper division science courses by the way?
No, introductory courses are usually designated 100 level (like biology 101...). 200, 300, and 400 classes are upper classmen courses (genetics, biochemistry... for biology courses). As long as all of your science classes aren't CC, you should be okay (i.e. take genetics at a four-year school after taking intro biology at CC). They won't expect you to take more chem and physics than you'd get at the CC, although upper division courses definitely helped me with the MCAT (physical chemistry, modern physics...) More clear now?
Ah okay yeah that clears it up now. Thanks.
Graduate/Med schools know that everyone comes from different circumstances. If your parents are financially struggling and can't afford to send you to a 4 year university right off the bat, then there's nothing you can do except go to a community college. (like me). If you get straight As and transfer to a good school, my counselor said there is nothing wrong with going to a CC.
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Wow, I can't help but notice how similar we are. We both live in Philadelphia, like aviation, and are considering CC. I'm considering Northampton Community College in Bethlehem because not only does it have dorms, but I will be in their honors program. You should look into it since you are a Pennsylvanian like me!
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You should only stay there for a year or less. And make sure you don't take the premed reqs there.
CLASSES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
-Biology
-Chemistry
-Physics
-Math
-Social Sciences
CLASSES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
-Biology
-Chemistry
-Physics
-Math
-Social Sciences
