Nontraditional EC's as Computer Science Major, Upward Trend Question

[AnxietyMaster]

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Hello all,

New account and first time poster - long time lurker. I haven't found any specific thread that settles some of my questions.

I'm a CS major rising senior, and I am grateful for having maintained a 4.0 in all my computer science classes so far. As for science classes and pre-reqs, my story is kinda different.

I started taking chemistry and biology pre-reqs at a respectable community college during high school (dual enrollment), as I knew that taking all pre-reqs with a CS major would be challenging to complete within 4 years. Thus I transferred chem 1 and 2, bio 1 and 2, and orgo I (and some english and calc courses). I got A's in all my community college courses. My first question is: Would the relatively large amounts of prereqs taking at community college level have an effect, or would admissions understand my situation and major choice?

Secondly, in terms of EC's I've mainly had summer (and winter) internships at software engineering firms, where I built my skills in programming, developing computer vision software, etc and worked on real projects for clients. My internship hours would amount to perhaps 1000 hours or more. In terms of life sciences I'm working on shadowing some physicians I got to know in a hospital nearby, and have done some clinical volunteering in the past. How do admissions view these internships? Are we expected to do bio or chem research with a professor in a lab, or would my experience count towards EC's?

Lastly, I wanted to bring up science GPA. After starting at my university, I got A's in my year of physics and its lab, during freshman year, a B in Genetics sophomore year, and now B's in Cell Bio and Orgo II junior year (I did really well in Cell and even its final but blew one exam). My cumulative GPA gradually dropped to a 3.9, so not bad, but my science GPA dropped to a 3.85. I know a 3.85 is good on paper, but how would admissions view this drop, especially since I got A's in all my community college pre-reqs? I definitely will try to get a 4.0 semester GPA for the Fall. Will a 4.0 in my CS major help at all?

Finally I haven't taken the MCAT yet (will go gap year route) but am studying for it.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Would the relatively large amounts of prereqs taking at community college level have an effect, or would admissions understand my situation and major choice?

They may frown upon taking most of them at community college. You can try a post-bacc at a lower-ranked school. That's what I did. The pre-reqs that I took at Loyola University Chicago were much easier than if I took them at Northwestern University (where I did undergrad) or even their school of continuing studies.

How do admissions view these internships? Are we expected to do bio or chem research with a professor in a lab, or would my experience count towards EC's?

These internships would probably be viewed as employment. You don't necessarily have to do research, and I'm sure ADCOMs can understand if it's difficult getting any done when you're doing a post-bacc or going the non-traditional route. You need to get volunteering under your belt. Do clinical volunteering, you'll kill multiple birds with one stone. You'll get clinical experience and volunteerism. Boom. Done. Forget entry-level clinical jobs.

how would admissions view this drop, especially since I got A's in all my community college pre-reqs?

Those grades are good. I wouldn't call that a drop, nor would I worry about it.

Finally I haven't taken the MCAT yet (will go gap year route) but am studying for it.

Yes. This is your priority now!

 

[DokterMom]

Reading between the lines, it sounds to me like you love computer science and... uh, kinda want to be a doctor, maybe? Like you're squeezing all of that boring-but-necessary pre-med bullshyt into the margins so you can succeed at your CS classes.

If this rings uncomfortably true to you, then step back and reassess your life plan. There are tons of fascinating and lucrative opportunities in tech that won't require you to jump through the decade-long medical school and residency hoops.

 

[AnxietyMaster]

Thanks for the input Planes2Doc, I read some of your guide and you seem well informed. Will consider post bac route. In terms of MD schools, do you think state schools will be more lenient towards some community college credits?

DokterMom, thanks for bringing that up. Yes, I love computer science and specifically programming, and I find that it is more of a natural talent for me (not to be pompous). Combining that with the strong CS job market I realized that I'd do well in the major and it is a good backup for me in case I don't continue to medicine.

I always wanted to become a physician, so med school is what I'm shooting for. Of course as you mentioned the tech industry is great and pays well, but the lifestyle that many developers live is not the one I wish for (lots of stress in fortune 500 companies, job security tends to go away after hitting your mid 50's as they seek younger sharper programmers, cant always choose the technologies and projects you want to work on etc.)

Edit: Forgot to mention that I hope to use my CS skills in medicine at some point. I'm getting into contact with a robotic surgery specialist currently, and what he does seems awesome to me. So I am hopeful that my undergrad degree doesn't just go to waste.

 

[DokterMom]

Thanks for the input Planes2Doc, I read some of your guide and you seem well informed. Will consider post bac route. In terms of MD schools, do you think state schools will be more lenient towards some community college credits?

DokterMom, thanks for bringing that up. Yes, I love computer science and specifically programming, and I find that it is more of a natural talent for me (not to be pompous). Combining that with the strong CS job market I realized that I'd do well in the major and it is a good backup for me in case I don't continue to medicine.

I always wanted to become a physician, so med school is what I'm shooting for. Of course as you mentioned the tech industry is great and pays well, but the lifestyle that many developers live is not the one I wish for (lots of stress in fortune 500 companies, job security tends to go away after hitting your mid 50's as they seek younger sharper programmers, cant always choose the technologies and projects you want to work on etc.)

Edit: Forgot to mention that I hope to use my CS skills in medicine at some point. I'm getting into contact with a robotic surgery specialist currently, and what he does seems awesome to me. So I am hopeful that my undergrad degree doesn't just go to waste.

I totally get the "computers are easy for me" thing, which actually does make it a good major. If you can tie the two fields together in both your words and deeds, then your path makes sense. I'd definitely focus on doing that since someone reading your application may have the same initial reaction as I did -- that's it's computers first.