Multiple questions

[manraj76]

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Hi guys and gals thank you for reading my post in advance. I have followed this forum for about a week now trying to absorb information so that when I finally post my debut I won't look like a fool with my pants on the ground.

Currently I am a highschool senior, I am graduating in 2 weeks , and I am going to go to a Community College in California. I know that it is not recommended that I take my prereq at the CC so I am majoring in Economics, my second passion, so that I can take science courses that are not part of the prereqs, aka Geology. I am taking some "reccomended" classes at the CC but I do not know if that is looked down upon. So other then taking prereqs at the community college do medical schools care about where you begin your college?

Because I am attending a CC and planning on going into Medical school I am planning on transfering into a four year university, in this case UCLA. UCLA accepts only a certain amount of credits from transfers who went to a CC. I am signed up to take 10 units during the summer and 27 during the fall which will put me at the limit. I am planning on taking some language classes during the spring. These classes that I am taking will not give me credits at UCLA; so I was wondering if I still have to tell the Medical Schools about these courses?

Because I am graduating from CC in a year I am one year ahead of the four year plan. This means that if I apply at the end of my junior year then I would only have completed two years of school. Because it is really hard to complete all of the prereqs for med school in a year I would not have finished all of the requisites for medical school by the end of my junior year. Is it mandatory that I finish my reqs before I apply to medical school or is it highly recommended that I do?

Once again thank you for reading my post.

 

[lorenzomicron]

So, what you're saying is that you will finish cc in 1 yr, then UCLA in 2 yrs? are you sure you have enough time to take all the prereqs, finish ur major, and have a decent life? don't rush college. only happens once.

<So other then taking prereqs at the community college do medical schools care about where you begin your college?>
not really, but it is important that you do well in the university so that they know you can handle work there.

<These classes that I am taking will not give me credits at UCLA; so I was wondering if I still have to tell the Medical Schools about these courses?>
yes, if those classes are granted college credit by the CC, then you must report them to medical schools, as they require to see all transcripts from all colleges attended.

<Is it mandatory that I finish my reqs before I apply to medical school or is it highly recommended that I do?>
It's not mandatory, but it will be difficult not to, esp if you haven't gotten the chance to take organic chemistry.
your best bet, if you want to graduate in 3 yrs total, may be to take at least general chemistry and at least the first semester of bio in your first year at cc. in this case, you will be able to take organic chemistry, physics, and another bio in your first year of university.

 

[manraj76]

So, what you're saying is that you will finish cc in 1 yr, then UCLA in 2 yrs? are you sure you have enough time to take all the prereqs, finish ur major, and have a decent life? don't rush college. only happens once.

<So other then taking prereqs at the community college do medical schools care about where you begin your college?>
not really, but it is important that you do well in the university so that they know you can handle work there.

<These classes that I am taking will not give me credits at UCLA; so I was wondering if I still have to tell the Medical Schools about these courses?>
yes, if those classes are granted college credit by the CC, then you must report them to medical schools, as they require to see all transcripts from all colleges attended.

<Is it mandatory that I finish my reqs before I apply to medical school or is it highly recommended that I do?>
It's not mandatory, but it will be difficult not to, esp if you haven't gotten the chance to take organic chemistry.
your best bet, if you want to graduate in 3 yrs total, may be to take at least general chemistry and at least the first semester of bio in your first year at cc. in this case, you will be able to take organic chemistry, physics, and another bio in your first year of university.

Well I can take summer courses and that will help me complete the reqs for medical school in two years. But it is just highly "recommended" to complete the reqs before you apply to medical school.

 

[lorenzomicron]

Well, it's not just recommended for subjects like chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology, because these things are tested on the MCAT, which must be completed before applying to med school. without taking these courses in college, it will be very difficult to score a good number on the MCAT, which tests the concepts learned in these classes at a very deep level.

in some ways, recommended means not able to apply successfully without.

other classes like biochem, an/phy, psych,etc can be taken after

 

[manraj76]

Hmm, ok I understand. I didn't really look at the MCAT yet because I am still in highschool. But I will get on it as soon as I graduate. Does anyone have any suggestions on what would be a good book to start learning the material, specifically the verbal section?

 

[lorenzomicron]

Well, it wouldn't really make sense to study for it now. You need to take classes at the college level first to learn the material. Just try to take Orgo, Gen Chem, Bio, and Phys. before applying to medical school/taking the MCAT

 

[LizzyM]

I'm not familiar with your college but where I went to school, full time was between 12 and 17 credits with most students taking 15-16 credits per semester. (120 was required for gradution so 15 x 8 would have a student out in 4 years).

So, hearing that you plan to take 27 credits is a single semester raises a red flag. Your top priority must be to learn the material and get good grades (aim for nothing less than a 3.6 gpa... the higher the better). Next, you need to be getting some experience out side of the classroom whether it is employment, volunteer service or something elsel. At some point you should have face to face experience with patients and you should get some exposure to physicians at work (shadowing or other experience).

I have never seen an applicant who finished college in 3 yrs who was as strong as the average 4 year student. When you take into consideration that fewer than half of all med school applicants get into medical school, you will realize that being an "average" applicant is not good enough.