Minimum grade for prereqs

[Pons Asinorum]

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You mean a bullet away...

Absolutely not my friend. Please don't kid around about self-harm. It's taken seriously. I referred to the self-induced stress that this seems to be causing you. Make some phone calls. The worst case scenario, that you seem to be quite worried about, is COMPLETELY surmountable. Keep the chin up.

 

[PD187540]

Absolutely not my friend. Please don't kid around about self-harm. It's taken seriously. I referred to the self-induced stress that this seems to be causing you. Make some phone calls. The worst case scenario, that you seem to be quite worried about, is COMPLETELY surmountable. Keep the chin up.

I know it's surmountable, but time is of the essence here. I'm not taking extra chemistry courses AGAIN, end of story. I'm currently unemployed, and I have $30,000 in student loans that I have to "start" paying back in November (although I could possibly get them deferred with an unemployment deferment).

I may just have to go the Master's route into a Pathology Assistant program because of this. At least that will enable me to get a professional license to practice as a P.A. I couldn't get licensed off my bachelor's degree in the field alone, and that subsequently disqualified me from many jobs. The good news for the master's degree is that my background is obviously excellent for that, and I took the GRE in 2006. It's 2011, so therefore, the scores are valid for 5 years. This is why I need an answer now so that I can apply by this Fall to keep my score valid.

Still, not going to medical school because they won't accept my chemistry courses wouldn't be my fault. Sometimes, the universe deals you certain cards that just don't go your way and prevent you from going towards your full potential. Sad, but true, so you have to take what you're given and deal with it.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I know it's surmountable, but time is of the essence here. I'm not taking extra chemistry courses AGAIN, end of story. I'm currently unemployed, and I have $30,000 in student loans that I have to "start" paying back in November (although I could possibly get them deferred with an unemployment deferment).

I may just have to go the Master's route into a Pathology Assistant program because of this. At least that will enable me to get a professional license to practice as a P.A. I couldn't get licensed off my bachelor's degree in the field alone, and that subsequently disqualified me from many jobs. The good news for the master's degree is that my background is obviously excellent for that, and I took the GRE in 2006. It's 2011, so therefore, the scores are valid for 5 years. This is why I need an answer now so that I can apply by this Fall to keep my score valid.

Still, not going to medical school because they won't accept my chemistry courses wouldn't be my fault. Sometimes, the universe deals you certain cards that just don't go your way and prevent you from going towards your full potential. Sad, but true, so you have to take what you're given and deal with it.

Like I said, call some programs you are interested in and explain your situation and see what they say. They might surprise me and say you are good to go. If you need help trying to pick programs that would be a good match for you, try posting in What Are My Chances. Best of luck.

 

[PD187540]

Like I said, call some programs you are interested in and explain your situation and see what they say. They might surprise me and say you are good to go. If you need help trying to pick programs that would be a good match for you, try posting in What Are My Chances. Best of luck.

Thank you, Pons!

 

[PD187540]

OK, well I got some sort of preliminary answer to my question from two medical schools. Both responded similarly: I have to check with my college's pre-medical advisory committee to find out if my courses are acceptable.

So even though I explicitly told them that I took a 3-course sequence, and they responded with the 2 courses of orgo and gen chem each, they didn't say that my courses were invalid! They also said something about filling out a "course schedule" when I apply. I bet that the advisory committee will direct me as to what courses to put down in order to fulfill that requirement.

All is not lost! And this just may actually be a unique exception! So yes, I thank you guys for your input, but in the end, you're all students right now, not admissions committee members, so out of respect, I need to hear it from the horse's mouth.

 

[PD187540]

UPDATE:

My three chemistry courses qualify, but I have to take Organic II. Not a big deal....I technically covered that material in my 3-course sequence AND the community college is using the same textbook I used in my undergrad days! So that means less note-taking work 🙂

Speaking of community colleges, is it true that some medical schools don't accept CC courses as pre-requisites? I spoke to one medical school about this, and they said that they "prefer" that the courses are taken at a 4-year university. If I take them at a CC, I have to provide a letter stating why I took them there. What kind of BS is that?

At my local community college, all courses are transferable to 4-year institutions, and I'm finding them to be at the same level as courses taught in 4-year colleges. Plus, who would want to pay $1100 per credit when you can pay $160 a credit and get the same style of education???

In either case, regardless of what individual medical schools say or not, the courses I take at my CC must count...no exceptions.

 

[slatermd]

Speaking of community colleges, is it true that some medical schools don't accept CC courses as pre-requisites? I spoke to one medical school about this, and they said that they "prefer" that the courses are taken at a 4-year university. If I take them at a CC, I have to provide a letter stating why I took them there. What kind of BS is that?

This is pretty standard, PD. Most med schools prefer to see credits from a 4-year university, but many will take community college credits. As I mentioned in my first post, they'll scrutinize the grades a little more. One admissions rep flatly stated that they do not treat C's from community colleges the same way that they treat C's from a 4-year institution. If they ask "why a CC," cost IS a valid explanation. They understand that.

 

[PD187540]

This is pretty standard, PD. Most med schools prefer to see credits from a 4-year university, but many will take community college credits. As I mentioned in my first post, they'll scrutinize the grades a little more. One admissions rep flatly stated that they do not treat C's from community colleges the same way that they treat C's from a 4-year institution. If they ask "why a CC," cost IS a valid explanation. They understand that.

I agree, especially in this type of economy. New York is going through a budget crisis in education as it is.

Here's another question: how do you think medical schools evaluate summer courses? Those are usually much more intense and condensed in a shorter amount of time. Take Orgo II during the summer, for example: a C during summer session should be looked on in a more positive light than a C received during a normal semester, no? And I think an A in Orgo II during summer would be like genius capacity lol.

 

[slatermd]

I've never heard of summer classes being evaluated differently, but to be honest this is the first time I've heard this particular question.