Man Im Stressed: Fresno State or Fresno Community+Gaurenteed Transfer to UC Davis

[dcolon_et06]

Hey Everyone. Im a high school senior and I made a thread a couple days ago with trouble picking my order of pre-med classes. My two options due to an insufficient direct UC GPA approach were either going to a state school,CSU Fresno State for 4 years, or go to Fresno Community, then signing a gaurenteed contract transfer after 2 years to UC Davis by maintaining a 3.4+. The problem here is that I would be forced to take my pre-med classes at the city college (only way to get into the Molec/Cel Bio prog at Davis with gaurenteed contract transfer after talking to their counseler) and many of you who helped me on my thread before basically said that its a pretty bad idea. Im in a bit of a dilemna now and stress is hittin me hard because time is getting short (I have till May 1 to either accept or decline fresno state). Of course correct me if i'm wrong but my plan was to go to FCC then transfer to UCD thinking a UC would look a lot better for applying to med school. After listening to you guys say that it would be a bad idea, and actually thinking about it myself, it seems logical that pre med classes (the only real reqs to med school) at a community WOULD be pretty bad. My high school counseler, bless her, isnt much help because she doesnt know much about the process. In a sense, I leave it up to you guys figuring you are all going through, or have already gone through this process and have more experience than anybody I can really find. Fresno State or FCC+UCD. Your opinion and why you would choose. Thanks a bunch everyone.

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[masterMood]

go to fresno state. you made the point that you need to be there for 4 years. Well, why not go there for one year, and reapply to UC Davis, and other UC schools and see how that goes. Then try again the 2nd year if you don't get in. It's simply a bad idea to go to a community college especially for your pre-med requisites simply because you're taking it at a much easier place (and if it's not easy, then it's worse 🙂 ). In reality, the last year of college doesn't really matter as m uch as the first 3 years of your undergrad. So what is the point in goin gto the community college for 2/3 of your pre-med career for the benefit of 1/3 of your pre-med career at UC Davis.

Don't forget to mention that if you transferred to UC Davis in your third year, it'd be a pretty new environment, and it'd be pretty hard to acclimate to it and finally fill your social niche in 2 years.

There is no question that you must go to Fresno State and work hard making sure thatyour gpa is close to 4.0 as humanly possible. Once you have done this, you can consider transferring to a differnet school.

 

[riceman04]

Hey Everyone. Im a high school senior and I made a thread a couple days ago with trouble picking my order of pre-med classes. My two options due to an insufficient direct UC GPA approach were either going to a state school,CSU Fresno State for 4 years, or go to Fresno Community, then signing a gaurenteed contract transfer after 2 years to UC Davis by maintaining a 3.4+. The problem here is that I would be forced to take my pre-med classes at the city college (only way to get into the Molec/Cel Bio prog at Davis with gaurenteed contract transfer after talking to their counseler) and many of you who helped me on my thread before basically said that its a pretty bad idea. Im in a bit of a dilemna now and stress is hittin me hard because time is getting short (I have till May 1 to either accept or decline fresno state). Of course correct me if i'm wrong but my plan was to go to FCC then transfer to UCD thinking a UC would look a lot better for applying to med school. After listening to you guys say that it would be a bad idea, and actually thinking about it myself, it seems logical that pre med classes (the only real reqs to med school) at a community WOULD be pretty bad. My high school counseler, bless her, isnt much help because she doesnt know much about the process. In a sense, I leave it up to you guys figuring you are all going through, or have already gone through this process and have more experience than anybody I can really find. Fresno State or FCC+UCD. Your opinion and why you would choose. Thanks a bunch everyone.

I say go to fresno state. Going to CC is not bad by itself...but going solely to transfer to a UC is a bad idea. I have many high school friends who got caught in that idea that they can only go to a UC and opted to choose the road through a CC. Many of them got lost on that road (not b/c they fooled around, but b/c the UC's just reduced the number of people they were accepting from CC that year).

I dont trust that system...plus it almost seems like a slap in the face.

 

[dcolon_et06]

Thanks for the quick replies. Greatly appreciate it. More opinions welcome 🙂.

 

[doublepeak]

BTW: as of a couple of years ago you cannot transfer to a UC after one year, you need two years. My brother was looking to transfer to a UC after doing a year and a half at sonoma state (went there 5 or so years ago) and they told him he needed to go back to Sonoma State or go to a community college for the last semester if he wanted to apply.

I think it is best to go to Fresno State for quite a few reasons.
1) You can take premedical prerequisites right away without worry that they won't be acceptable.
2) If you really want to go to Davis (or another UC) you will still be able to apply to transfer after two years as Fresno State. You can transfer to a UC from a CSU. Although it is not gaurenteed (I know those JC have contracts with the UCs), logic says a person at a CSU is more prepared than someone from a JC and I'm sure the admissions people at Davis know that.
3) I know so many people who got lost when they went to the JC. Santa Rosa Junior College, the nearby JC to me, has a deal with Berkeley (I don't know that it is a guarenteed admit though) and a number of my classmates in high school went there with a UC in mind. No one that I know of has transfered to any UC and most are either dropped out or still taking classes there on their forth year. I think it is because JC classes are not motivating...I mean you could take the same classes while in high school and some are just community members taking it for fun but have no idea. I think the bar is placed a little higher at a CSU - which is a good thing especially if your goal is medical school. Disclaimer: I think the JC system in California is amazing especially compared to their counterparts in other states.
4) If you go outside of California then the prestige of a UC vs a CSU is virtually non-existant. Sure people know Berkeley and UCLA are good, but they really don't know about Davis or Santa Barbara in comparison to Cal Poly or Fresno State. Even in California, at my UCSF interview there were people from CSUs as well as UCs, Caltech, and Harvard - so your not out of the field.
5) There was a thread about CSU schools a bit ago, and the people were saying how supportive/informative their premed office was - something you won't have at a JC. They also talked about the small class sizes (get better letters of recommendation and making classes easier to do well in) and support for students that makes it better than a UC.

 

[BerkeleyMD]

Fresno State or FCC+UCD.

I'm from the Fresno area and would have to tell you that FSU is not the best option. Go to FCC and transfer to Davis. You will then graduate with a bachelors from a UC, that's big!

I have friends at state and its not as easy as med schools think, so getting that near 4.0 gpa that the ADCOM's are expecting from a FSU student is going to be tough.

However, if you are at Clovis Center or city, you can get a 4.0 without too much work (just make sure you get no less than a 3.8 to stay competitive). You can then transfer and maintain your GPA at Davis.

You don't want to be applying from FSU with a sub-3.5 gpa, and judging by most of my premed friends from FSU its very likely and common. That's why most FSU premed's end up a DO schools.

Good Luck!!

 

[chandelantern]

OP, I would take some of these opinions from people that are not familiar with the California school system with a grain of salt. I would go to FCC and then transfer to UC Davis after two years. In many other states, CC are not worth much and are not designed to feed into 4-year institutions, but in CA, that's what they are designed to do.

Yes, taking your pre-med req's at a JC may put you at a slight disadvantage for some med schools (BU for example), however you just have to make sure you take further coursework in those areas at UC Davis. If you're planning on majoring in biochem or MCB or something along those lines, you'll be fine. For example, you take general biology at your JC, then take genetics and NPB and maybe one other bio class at UCD. Make sure you take an upper div English class, biochemistry, etc. Plus make sure you study hard for the MCAT in areas like physics where you might not take upper div classes at UC Davis. HOWEVER, it's generally encouraged for most transfer students to wait and apply the spring of their 4th year, rather than their 3rd year. Not eveyone does, but you're typically a stronger applicant when you've had more than a few months to collect strong LOR, get some good experience, and prove you can handle the coursework.

Why am I siding for CC then UCD? Because I KNOW the support and guidance and opportunities at UCD far outweigh many other UC's and state schools for pre-meds. The number of students that apply to medical school from Fresno State is small, they do not have the resources to have such things that uc davis does, like an entire pre-health advising staff, arranged internships at UCDMC, a health professions committee letter, numerous pre-medical student organizations, the list goes on. These can be HUGE assets to you throughout your last two years when you're taking the mcat's, applying, etc.

You can PM me if you have any questions. Good luck with your decision!

 

[astrolux]

I did the JC thing and then went to a UC and it was absolutely the right thing to do, and I think that is the most important thing, doing what is right for you. Everyone has their own unique set of circumstances and motivations. I did the majority of my prereq classes at the UC, I was an english major, and so I can't relate to your situation very well. My recommendation would be to go to the CSU if you have the financial means and will be happy there. Not enjoying where you are at can seriously inhibit academic success. By the way, check out Kirexhana's profile if you want to see what a dedicated CSU student can accomplish.

 

[pseudoknot]

Listen to chandelantern's excellent post above.

 

[notdeadyet]

Listen to chandelantern's excellent post above.

I second chadelantern. Folks from out of California are not familiar with how the UCs handle things.

If you go to a JC and maintain a strong GPA, you will have a strong chance of being accepted to most of the UCs. It is nigh on impossible to transfer from a CSU to a UC after freshman year and VERY hard to do after sophomore year.

Can it be done? Yes. But by state policy, the preference is given first to JC transfers, then CSU/UC transfers. Very hard to do.

As for pre-reqs, take the minimum that you can in sciences to get in to your major, then you'll be taking lots of upper division credits. In spite of the doom and gloom about medical schools not accepting JC credits for core courses, when it was actually tossed out there, there were only one or two that people knew of for sure.

If you're getting A's in your upper division stuff at UCD, no one is going to question about the fact that your lower division classes were at a JC.

 

[Jaydiggity21]

I transferred tu UCD from a JC (actually 2 JC's), did really well, am now graduating with a 3.9 GPA in Biochem and molecualr bio and have gotten two acceptances at CA schools...my point, JCs dont mess up your chances to get into med schools and/or UCs and UCs do have a better reputation w/ med schools in and out of CA. Its all about how much work you put into the system. As for the direct transfer, as long as you maintain the GPA and meet the class requirements, there should be no problem (at least I had no problems). ADCOMs want to see that you transitioned to the UC well and that you are doing as well at the UC as you did at the JC. If you get a 4.0 at the JC and then transfer to a UC and get a 3.0, they are going to start to wonder. So as long as you work as hard as possible, it really doesnt matter whether its a JC or a CSU before you go to a UC. JCs just allow for more one on one work and they cost less money. PM me if you have other questions.

 

[doublepeak]

Folks from out of California are not familiar with how the UCs handle things.

If you go to a JC and maintain a strong GPA, you will have a strong chance of being accepted to most of the UCs. It is nigh on impossible to transfer from a CSU to a UC after freshman year and VERY hard to do after sophomore year.

I am from California. If you have a strong GPA at a JC you are very likely to get into a UC and it is impossible to get into a UC after freshman year; however many people go from CSUs to UCs. My brother got into UCSD from Sonoma State with mostly B's.

Since it seems like you live in Fresno now - go straight to the sources. Go to the prehealth office at Fresno State and ask straight up how their graduates fair and that will give you a better idea. Oh - another factor I just thought of is: if you can "coax by" at the JC are you going to be prepared enough to get A's in upper division bio classes the first quarters you are at Davis. Medical schools will expect you to get almost a 4.0 at the JC which is no problem, but they are really looking to see how well you cut it after you transfer. It would be good to try and find out that stuff too.

Either way it would be helpful to get some serious medically related involvement while you're in Fresno.

 

[deleted77919]

I am not from CA, but I was going to say exactly what chandelantern said (but he beat me to it), taking your pre-recs at a CC and then continuing on and doing more coursework in the area (and doing well) will convince most schools (might be out of luck for BU, but who cares).

Edit: The caveat being go where you'll be happiest/do best. It could be quite a pain to get used to a CC then have only 1 year (your 3rd) to try and kick butt at a UC. Remember, if you want to go straight from college to med school your senior year grades won't make it into the application.

 

[riceman04]

OP, I would take some of these opinions from people that are not familiar with the California school system with a grain of salt. I would go to FCC and then transfer to UC Davis after two years. In many other states, CC are not worth much and are not designed to feed into 4-year institutions, but in CA, that's what they are designed to do.

Yes, taking your pre-med req's at a JC may put you at a slight disadvantage for some med schools (BU for example), however you just have to make sure you take further coursework in those areas at UC Davis. If you're planning on majoring in biochem or MCB or something along those lines, you'll be fine. For example, you take general biology at your JC, then take genetics and NPB and maybe one other bio class at UCD. Make sure you take an upper div English class, biochemistry, etc. Plus make sure you study hard for the MCAT in areas like physics where you might not take upper div classes at UC Davis. HOWEVER, it's generally encouraged for most transfer students to wait and apply the spring of their 4th year, rather than their 3rd year. Not eveyone does, but you're typically a stronger applicant when you've had more than a few months to collect strong LOR, get some good experience, and prove you can handle the coursework.

Why am I siding for CC then UCD? Because I KNOW the support and guidance and opportunities at UCD far outweigh many other UC's and state schools for pre-meds. The number of students that apply to medical school from Fresno State is small, they do not have the resources to have such things that uc davis does, like an entire pre-health advising staff, arranged internships at UCDMC, a health professions committee letter, numerous pre-medical student organizations, the list goes on. These can be HUGE assets to you throughout your last two years when you're taking the mcat's, applying, etc.

You can PM me if you have any questions. Good luck with your decision!

Though many of the CC's in cali are designed to send people to UC's, the fact of the matter is that fewer people than expected actually end up matriculating into the UC system.

Plus I think it would be a slap in the face to be told by a UC that if I go to community college and maintain xyz gpa then I will be elligible to attend a UC...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

I say go with the option that appears to give you the least amount of trouble, and to me that appears to be the option of attending Fres. St. Plus if the OP is so interested in going to a diff 4 yr, he/she can apply to transfer.

Last point:
Grades from Fres. St and Cali CC's are not of equal weight (yes even when considering classes from the famed Santa Monica College). When comparing a 4yr to a 2yr the 4 yr always wins

 

[bainsstatic]

I didn't get into Davis, which is very close to home. I didn't want to go to Sacramento State University, so I went to CC - that was in 2003. It's 2006 now and I'm going to transfer in Fall '07 provided I raise my GPA (basically I need straight A's this semester, and I'm taking OChem). What I'm saying is, going to CC doesn't guarantee you anything because other situations may come up that will affect your GPA even in CC.
To whoever that says CC classes are "easy", etc., have you actually taken any classes that are easy in CC but difficult in university? Other than class size, I don't see a difference.

edit
And Chanderxxxxx is right on the money with support.

 

[Flopotomist]

WHen I was in CC, there was an agreement with the UC's that if you kept a certain GPA, you were guaranteed admission to a UC (not necessarily your first choice, but a UC)...

I took this route, and did fine. I think I would try to avoid a non-UC if possible. You will have more opportunities for research and other fun things at a UC. Just my thoughts.

 

[notdeadyet]

Though many of the CC's in cali are designed to send people to UC's, the fact of the matter is that fewer people than expected actually end up matriculating into the UC system.

Very true, but this is a cause and effect thing. Many students drop out and don't pursue four year college, just as many (but far less) UC students never end up graduating. That's not reflective of the school but the students. One thing you'll quickly learn at a JC is that there are students there because they flat out couldn't get in to a decent four year and may never and students that are at a JC to better their opportunities (for reasons grade or financial).

There's nothing in the JC water that leads to dropping out.

 

[notdeadyet]

Plus I think it would be a slap in the face to be told by a UC that if I go to community college and maintain xyz gpa then I will be elligible to attend a UC...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

I don't understand this? Again, Californian JCs are set up a little differently. Students are encouraged to go to junior colleges because there aren't enough spots at the UCs for all the qualified applicants. It's a state problem. (Much like the fact that there are disproportionately few medical school seats for a state that accounts for 13% of med school applicants, but that's another etttle of fish).

So JCs are set up as feeder schools to give students a path in to the UCs to essentially take over seats left by vacating students. The system isn't perfect, but it works.

I came via the JC system and never found any bitterness from four year students about "sneaking in" to the UC system. May seem funny for non-Californians, but it's just how the college system works out here.

 

[AcousticDoc]

Plus I think it would be a slap in the face to be told by a UC that if I go to community college and maintain xyz gpa then I will be elligible to attend a UC...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

I don't understand. How is it a "slap in the face?" To the OP, I reccomend going to the cc then transferring. As others stated, just take some upper divs when you transfer and maintain a good gpa. It's all about what you put in.

 

[riceman04]

I don't understand this? Again, Californian JCs are set up a little differently. Students are encouraged to go to junior colleges because there aren't enough spots at the UCs for all the qualified applicants. It's a state problem. (Much like the fact that there are disproportionately few medical school seats for a state that accounts for 13% of med school applicants, but that's another etttle of fish).

So JCs are set up as feeder schools to give students a path in to the UCs to essentially take over seats left by vacating students. The system isn't perfect, but it works.

I came via the JC system and never found any bitterness from four year students about "sneaking in" to the UC system. May seem funny for non-Californians, but it's just how the college system works out here.

Ok so I saw it as a slap in the face that UCSD was telling me to attend a JC first if I wanted to eventually attend UCSD after already being accepted to UCLA and Berkeley.

Overall there is nothing wrong with going to a JC, but typically JC's have always been associated with students who slacked off in high school. And being that I did not slack off in high school I felt as if my hard work was not appreciated (i.e a slap in the face).

Furthermore, despite JC's in cali acting as a second method for gaining acceptance into a UC, med schools usually dont see the grades earned in the same class at a cali JC and UC as being comparable, regardless of what is actually true.

 

[AcousticDoc]

Overall there is nothing wrong with going to a JC, but typically JC's have always been associated with students who slacked off in high school.

That's pretty true. There's a pretty bad social stigma attached with JC students. In fact, I'm one of those highschool slackers that had to take the JC route (2.2 highschool GPA baby!). From a larger perspective tho, the community college system in America (especially in California) is pretty amazing. There are very few countries in the world that offer second chance redemptions like this. If I was in France or China, my hopes of being a physician would have pretty much been terminated after my horrendous highschool years.

 

[Elastase]

I agree with both chadelantern, and jaydiggity. It makes more sense to go to a CC and transfer to a UC (I have taken this path, because I did not do well in highschool). UCs have a lot more students that go onto many medical schools compared to states school. I'm not saying that state schools are bad (there are some awesome students that have done well from state schools), but the UCs have a better reputation for producing students that are highly qualified for medical school.

I suggest you: goto the cc/jc, study hard...have the UCD agreement in your pocket, and apply to all the other UCs (UCB, UCLA, UCSD, etc.) Later, when you transfer make sure to take upper division bio classes at your UC. You will be very competative if you do well at both CC and UC. Good luck!

 

[MrDreamWeaver]

Don't listen to all the idiots who talk **** about JC. Why? Because how the hell can someone tell you the classes are "much easier[...](and if it's not easy, then it's worse )" if they haven't even enrolled in JC course?

As several people previously mentioned, JCs in cali are pretty much feeder schools to the UC system. UC schools wouldn't accept JC students if they didn't think the students would succeed in their program.

I am a JC student and I've busted my ass these past couple of years to gain acceptance to UCSD, UCSB, UCB and UCLA. I couldn't attend a 4-year University because I simply could not afford it. And you know what? I'm sick and ****en tired of having to hesitate before telling someone I go to a JC college. Why? Because the judgemental pricks like many of you will chuckle under their breath and automatically deem me as a *****.

Have a little bit more respect fellas... It's not our fault that our parents couldn't afford the tuition to a 4-year Institute, so stop treating us like *****s.

To the original poster: If you want to attend Fresno State, go for it. If you want to attend UC Davis, go for the community college route. It gives you some time to organize your life and direct yourself where you really want to be. You also leave yourself more doors open, incase you want to attend a different school and such.

 

[riceman04]

Don't listen to all the idiots who talk **** about JC. Why? Because how the hell can someone tell you the classes are "much easier[...](and if it's not easy, then it's worse )" if they haven't even enrolled in JC course?

As several people previously mentioned, JCs in cali are pretty much feeder schools to the UC system. UC schools wouldn't accept JC students if they didn't think the students would succeed in their program.

I am a JC student and I've busted my ass these past couple of years to gain acceptance to UCSD, UCSB, UCB and UCLA. I couldn't attend a 4-year University because I simply could not afford it. And you know what? I'm sick and ****en tired of having to hesitate before telling someone I go to a JC college. Why? Because the judgemental pricks like many of you will chuckle under their breath and automatically deem me as a *****.

Have a little bit more respect fellas... It's not our fault that our parents couldn't afford the tuition to a 4-year Institute, so stop treating us like *****s.

To the original poster: If you want to attend Fresno State, go for it. If you want to attend UC Davis, go for the community college route. It gives you some time to organize your life and direct yourself where you really want to be. You also leave yourself more doors open, incase you want to attend a different school and such.

Dude how can you expect people to respect you when you address people by calling them idiots.

Because how the hell can someone tell you the classes are "much easier[...](and if it's not easy, then it's worse )" if they haven't even enrolled in JC course?

I'm not sure if you were refering to something I said, but I dont recall saying that JC classes are easier (I have even heard that some SMC classes are hella hard). I do, however, recall saying that the classes from a JC and UC, respectively, will not be viewed the same.

And also did you receive a scholarship? The reason I ask is b/c, if anything, UC tuition has increased.

Best of luck

 

[AcousticDoc]

I am a JC student and I've busted my ass these past couple of years to gain acceptance to UCSD, UCSB, UCB and UCLA. I couldn't attend a 4-year University because I simply could not afford it. And you know what? I'm sick and ****en tired of having to hesitate before telling someone I go to a JC college. Why? Because the judgemental pricks like many of you will chuckle under their breath and automatically deem me as a *****.

What makes you believe that people will automatically think you are a ***** just because you go to a JC?

 

[dcolon_et06]

Two Question to those who recommend going to UCD. 1. Wouldnt it be harder to get good LOR's from professors that you'd barley get to know (or would you recommend me getting them from the city college professors (does it look bad if I get my LORs from city college profs?))2. I know research plays a decent part in my application. Is it possible to get into some sort of research program the summer I transfer in (soph-->junior)? I understand you are supposed to apply at the end of your junior year so it gets me to wonder when and how am I supposed to get research in unless I do it fresh-->soph summer at my city college which I didnt think would be as nice as UC research. Correct me but is research only done during summers or are there research programs during the school year? Thanks again for the awesome feedback.

 

[chandelantern]

Two Question to those who recommend going to UCD. 1. Wouldnt it be harder to get good LOR's from professors that you'd barley get to know (or would you recommend me getting them from the city college professors (does it look bad if I get my LORs from city college profs?))2. I know research plays a decent part in my application. Is it possible to get into some sort of research program the summer I transfer in (soph-->junior)? I understand you are supposed to apply at the end of your junior year so it gets me to wonder when and how am I supposed to get research in unless I do it fresh-->soph summer at my city college which I didnt think would be as nice as UC research. Correct me but is research only done during summers or are there research programs during the school year? Thanks again for the awesome feedback.

1.) LOR: yes, it is difficult to transition to UCD and get LOR and do everything else you need to apply by June of your Junior year. In most cases, it is recommended you take an extra year to improve all aspects of your application, making you that much more competitive (MANY students that aren't transfers choose to do this as well...the fact remains you are competing against everyone who does choose to take an extra 1-2-more years to get more experiences, assure high gpa, get good LOR, etc. If you choose to still apply the end of your 3rd year, to use the committee letter service at UCD (PHPAC) you will need at least one letter to be from a prof at UC Davis, but it is recommended you have more. You will have 2 full quarters to get these letters (maybe into your 3rd quarter, but it's best to get things done early if possible.)

2.) Research is not required to go to med school, but if you are interested in it, definitely pursue it! i don't know about opportunities at JC's for research, nor do I know about Fresno State, although I'm sure there's something. As far as summer programs, there are lots of summer research programs at numerous institutions across the US (including the NIH) you should look into. Typically, research is done part-time throughout the school year. You may be able to secure a position early before you start at UCD, but you would have to be proactive...emailing/visiting professors/labs that you are interested in working with.

One last piece of advice, if you come to Davis, be sure to attend the "applying to medical school as a transfer student" workshop, and also visit the Health Sciences Advising office. Using your resources is key!!!

 

[thedelicatessen]

Coming from a CA college student, I would recommend attending the JC and then transferring to UC. Even though you wouldn't have to move if you just stayed at Fresno State, being at the JC will allow you to better prepare for the difficult upper division coursework and medical school. Plus, I have heard that it is difficult to transfer from a state university to the UC, so if you ultimately want graduate from a UC, you will have to start at the JC. Once you attend a UC school, you will have a large support system of students and staff for preparing to go to med school. I know of many transfer students who have continued to excel at UCs and are now headed towards very good careers. Good luck!

 

[oxeye]

I went to a CA JC for my first two years of undergrad. My high school grades were fine (ranked #4 in a class of 300+), but I wasn't emotionally ready to move away from home yet. None of the 4 year schools within driving distance appealed to me.

I do dislike the stigma attached to a JC - particularly the one where everyone assumes that a JC has easier classes than a 4 year college. This is absolutely not always true - it depends on the schools. The JC I went to had biology courses that were significantly more difficult than the biology courses I have taken as a post-bacc at a neighboring state's 4 year college (I left CA after I graduated with my BA).

I transferred to UCB from the JC. I applied to 4 UC's and was accepted at all of them - UCB, UCLA, UCSD, UCSC. Interestingly enough, my GPA at UCB was exactly the same as my GPA at the JC. So the JC apparently prepared me well enough to succeed at Berkeley ...

As far as LORs go - I chose to do an honor's thesis. My advisor for that is writing one of my LORs. This thesis also counts as research experience (though not medical research, unfortunately - I was not considering medicine as a career choice at the time). If you take upper division science classes after you transfer and do some sort of thesis, then you should be able to get the LORs from the UC professor's pretty easily.

For the original poster - if you are 99.9% sure that you can keep a very high GPA at the community college, then I would take that route instead of going to FSU. I assume you would mainly want to get into medical school in CA - the CA med school adcoms will know that prereqs at a JC aren't going to hold you back, and will respect a degree from UCD more than one from FSU. They are familar enough with the schools to really know. Besides, when you graduate from UCD, your diploma doesn't say anything about going to a JC first in fine print. ;-)

 

[notdeadyet]

1. You'll might get letters of rec from JC professors anyway for your transfer ( I did. Also, your first two years at a CSU, lots of your intro classes you'll be taking for the sciences (Bio 001, Chem 001, etc.) are going to be large lecture hall classes where the prof won't know you anyway. Two years at a UC is enough time to get to know your professors. Some get LOR from profs they've known all four years, but it's not all that common.

2. Don't know how much research comes out of Fresno State, but I don't know how much. Probably next to zero out of a JC, but if it's there, I'm sure it's yours for the taking.

 

[dcolon_et06]

I can assure you that I plan on doing nothing other than getting a 4.0 at FCC if I decide to attend. Am I expected to apply only during the end of my junior year or is there any way I can postpone my application to the end of my senior year? I figure an extra year at davis would be nice for those LORs and possible research options. Why would this be bad(I know this is bad some how 😛). Thanks

 

[chandelantern]

I can assure you that I plan on doing nothing other than getting a 4.0 at FCC if I decide to attend. Am I expected to apply only during the end of my junior year or is there any way I can postpone my application to the end of my senior year? I figure an extra year at davis would be nice for those LORs and possible research options. Why would this be bad(I know this is bad some how 😛). Thanks

this is not bad at all - like I said above, it's actually really common. I know med school admin often say they value maturity and life experiences...so taking an extra year (or more) is not frowned upon. The only downfall is that if you do graduate in 4 years (as opposed to 5), you have to find something to do for your "year off" (there are tons of options: research, working, mission trips, volunteering, travel, etc) and what you do in that year off will be important (med schools don't want to see you sitting at home watching TV for weeks on end.) sometimes figuring out what you want to do in your year off is stressful, but all of my friends that took time off were happy that they did. If you ask me, the benefits of having that extra time as a transfer student far exceed any potential cons.

 

[notdeadyet]

this is not bad at all - like I said above, it's actually really common.

I agree with chandelantern. And if you look at stats between folks who apply a year or two on the younger side and folks that apply a year or two on the older side, the folks on the older side always win out.

The only advantage of applying as a junior is that you'll get to med school that much quicker. That's it. Applying as a senior offers you several pretty important advantages:

1. You'll have that much more science coursework under your belt as you take the MCAT.
2. You'll have another year's worth of grades for admissions folks to look at
3. You'll have some fulltime work and/or volunteering experience.

The last is understressed. There's only so much experience you can pack in to being a full time student. You'll find the really interesting talking points will come from doing interesting work or volunteering later.

And lastly (probably most important): taking a year off between senior year and medical school is probably a healthy thing. You have the rest of your life to be a doctor. Take one year to not be. I challenge anyone to find a practicing physician who says "boy, I sure wished I went straight on through to get my MD". A year's break will be enjoyed.

 

[dcolon_et06]

Ok so now thats settled.. when would be more appropriate to take the MCAT... august or spring of senior year? Thanks.

P.S. On a side question, what would be a better major to consider. I love both Chemistry and Biology (Aced all my Honors Science classes in highschool 🙂 ) so im deciding on either BioChem/Molec or MCB. Since I cant decide on either one, which would you think would benefit me more on the MCAT? Thanks again for everyones help.

 

[dcolon_et06]

Afternoon Bump. See My last post ^ 🙂. Im pretty sure those are the last questions I need answering before I'm completely satisfied with my options to weigh. Thanks.

 

[oxeye]

Ok so now thats settled.. when would be more appropriate to take the MCAT... august or spring of senior year? Thanks.

P.S. On a side question, what would be a better major to consider. I love both Chemistry and Biology (Aced all my Honors Science classes in highschool 🙂 ) so im deciding on either BioChem/Molec or MCB. Since I cant decide on either one, which would you think would benefit me more on the MCAT? Thanks again for everyones help.

Spring of senior year. Then you can apply with your MCAT score already in hand that summer - definitely puts you at an advantage.

And for the record - I graduated in 2002 from undergrad. I absolutely do not think this will hold me back, but I guess I'll find out this year. ;-)

 

[notdeadyet]

Ok so now thats settled.. when would be more appropriate to take the MCAT... august or spring of senior year? Thanks.

All things being equal, take in in April if at all possible. You'll be able to apply early and this will help immensely.

As for majors, do NOT choose a major based on what you think a med school will like or what will help you out on the MCAT. Choose one you'll enjoy and do well in. Med Schools really have little preference in what you major in. I've spoken to several liberal arts majors on the interview trails and never once did they have to justify not going the Bio or Chem route.

Best of luck...

 

[dcolon_et06]

Haha sorry if I didnt make myself clear. I PERSONALLY want to go into either Biochem/Molec or MCB. Chemistry and Biology are something that I loved learning about in school (not to mention acing both classes without sweat because of the hypnotic interest 😛)and is NOT something I'm doing for med school. Im just asking for suggestions as to which of the two majors will best benefit me on the MCAT since I really cant think of any deciding factors other than that (both interest me equally after having revied the course outline of the two).

 

[dcolon_et06]

anybody 😀? ------^

 

[chandelantern]

Haha sorry if I didnt make myself clear. I PERSONALLY want to go into either Biochem/Molec or MCB. Chemistry and Biology are something that I loved learning about in school (not to mention acing both classes without sweat because of the hypnotic interest 😛)and is NOT something I'm doing for med school. Im just asking for suggestions as to which of the two majors will best benefit me on the MCAT since I really cant think of any deciding factors other than that (both interest me equally after having revied the course outline of the two).

OP - to your question before about when to take the MCAT...it will be offered 22x a year beginning in 2007, so don't worry about it. Take it before you apply so you know your scores.

For the question about your major...either will prepare you equally for the MCAT. There's nothing that advanced on the MCAT that you wouldn't get out of taking these upper div classes: BIS 101, 102, 103 and NPB 101. The biochem major doesn't require you to take NPB 101, where it does count towards an MCB or bio major. Also, biochem requires you take P-chem...which is a dreaded year for many (I don't know, never taken it.)

After taking some classes at a JC, look up the UCD catalog online and look at all the bio majors offered (if that's still what you are interested in.) There's lots - and you'll have a better idea what you like most about bio/chem and therefore what you might want to major in. Don't worry too much about it now.

 

[dcolon_et06]

Woah 22 times? Haha thats good considering I'll be taking it in 09 🙂. Chandelantern your the best 😀 😀 . Thanks for everyone who has posted and left their feedback. I greatly value it all and it will help me towards making my decision. I declare this thread a success and closed 🙂.

 

[beatla19]

OP- I got into UCDavis a few years back, but decided on a CSU instead. I didn't really feel like the large lecture halls and higher tuition was worth it. If it had been UCBerkeley, I probably would have gone, but it's wasn't. I've gotten to know a lot of professors here and had a really cool senior project. I'd recommend you go to fresno state, although admittedly I don't know too much about it. You can always transfer somewhere else if you don't like it.