Online Coursework: Am I Screwed?

[Paramagnetic]

Hey all.

Just started checking out some medical school's that I'm considering applying to. I checked out NYIT-COM's FAQ page ( http://www.nyit.edu/medicine/admissions/frequently_asked_questions/ ). Under, "do you accept online courses for the pre-requesite coursework?" it states that "No, all pre-requisite coursework must be completed at an accredited institution".

It looks straightforward, but I don't think it is. I'm taking a semester of gen physics online right now (the lab component is in person and the exams are taken in-class and are proctored). I take the same exams as the students who take the physics in-class.

What if the online classes are offered by my accredited institution? Their response to that FAQ makes no sense. Or, perhaps they literally mean 'at' the institution?

Also, my transcript doesen't state that I'm taking it online (only my section number, which would correlate to the online version of the course if they consulted my school). I'm worried now because I'm getting ready to register for next semesters classes and don't know whether or not I really have to take it in person (I learn better on my own anyway).

I'm not certain of what this means for me.

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[ForensicOdontology]

All of your courses are verified via AACOMAS, and at no point do they ask you to discriminate against yourself by asking you about the format of your courses. No institution will be able to see that your classes were taken online. There are also quite a few accredited online institutions out there, so theirs is a pretty naive statement. No to be a negative Nancy, but I don't know how I'd feel about attending a university that was so behind the times in its policies. There are many wonderful institutions who don't discriminate in such a way, and many examples of medical students (in this forum) who have been accepted with them.

 

[mathnerd88]

All of your courses are verified via AACOMAS, and at no point do they ask you to discriminate against yourself by asking you about the format of your courses. No institution will be able to see that your classes were taken online. There are also quite a few accredited online institutions out there, so theirs is a pretty naive statement. No to be a negative Nancy, but I don't know how I'd feel about attending a university that was so behind the times in its policies. There are many wonderful institutions who don't discriminate in such a way, and many examples of medical students (in this forum) who have been accepted with them.

Institutions will know if your courses were taken online, given that you have to submit transcripts once you are accepted to the medical school.

It depends if the OP's transcript will say online or not. The OP should call NYIT to verify.

 

[darkeon]

OP, your course seems to be considered a hybrid. Part-online, part-in class. As you noted, there isn't indication of it being online. It's a course that you sign up for from the same list of in-person class that you sign up for in person. I woulnd't fret much over it. The whole "online coursework policy" mainly gears towards those non brick and mortar schools or extension programs like Univ of Pheonix or UC Berek Extension, respectively.

99 percent you will not have a problem but as mathnerd says, it won't harm to call NYIT.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

Institutions will know if your courses were taken online, given that you have to submit transcripts once you are accepted to the medical school.

It depends if the OP's transcript will say online or not. The OP should call NYIT to verify.

So long as your transcripts do not differentiate between online and traditional courses with an obvious signifier, institutions will not be able to distinguish the difference -- most schools who offer online courses do not distinguish the difference blatantly, and DO schools do not go looking to verify each course based on it's course number. That would cost thousands of dollars per student, and take far more time than it's worth. I've verified this with several institutions that claim not to accept online courses. Maybe there is that one who calls the institutions of the students it accepts for interviews, but I highly doubt it.

 

[mathnerd88]

So long as your transcripts do not differentiate between online and traditional courses with an obvious signifier, institutions will not be able to distinguish the difference -- most schools who offer online courses do not distinguish the difference blatantly, and DO schools do not go looking to verify each course based on it's course number. That would cost thousands of dollars per student, and take far more time than it's worth. I've verified this with several institutions that claim not to accept online courses. Maybe there is that one who calls the institutions of the students it accepts for interviews, but I highly doubt it.

That's why it is imperative for the OP to contact NYIT admissions to make sure it is okay.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

That's why it is imperative for the OP to contact NYIT admissions to make sure it is okay.

Make sure what is ok?

 

[Paramagnetic]

I just finished reading over all of your responses.

Although I don't think it's going to pose a problem (because it does not explicitly state 'online' anywhere on my transcript), I'm going to confirm by speaking to my school's Pre-Health office and contact NYIT admissions to verify.

Thanks guys.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

You'll be fine if you submit an app to NYIT. That said, update us on what they say when you call. I've called them specifically myself, and the woman stated that they do not investigate course numbers to verify, and that verification is the point of the AACOMAS verification process. Let us know what you hear!

 

[randomguy123456]

Hey all.

Just started checking out some medical school's that I'm considering applying to. I checked out NYIT-COM's FAQ page ( http://www.nyit.edu/medicine/admissions/frequently_asked_questions/ ). Under, "do you accept online courses for the pre-requesite coursework?" it states that "No, all pre-requisite coursework must be completed at an accredited institution".

It looks straightforward, but I don't think it is. I'm taking a semester of gen physics online right now (the lab component is in person and the exams are taken in-class and are proctored). I take the same exams as the students who take the physics in-class.

What if the online classes are offered by my accredited institution? Their response to that FAQ makes no sense. Or, perhaps they literally mean 'at' the institution?

Also, my transcript doesen't state that I'm taking it online (only my section number, which would correlate to the online version of the course if they consulted my school). I'm worried now because I'm getting ready to register for next semesters classes and don't know whether or not I really have to take it in person (I learn better on my own anyway).

I'm not certain of what this means for me.

no

 

[mathnerd88]

Make sure what is ok?

You know the answer to that question. Why ask?

If NYIT tells the OP it counts, then it counts. If they say no, then the OP has to take it physically at an accredited school.

I know some MD schools which only allow courses taken at a 4 year accredited college, so they won't take CC credits which only offer 2 year associate degrees. On NYIT, it says online courses do not count, so the OP should call and verify. Regardless, the answer isn't completely clear.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

You know the answer to that question. Why ask?

Because I explained what their process is, and you implied that there is something left to ask. There are many threads on the topic. The question of "do schools investigate your courses" has been answered many times before. OP will not be asked to tell them if his classes were taken online, and they will not investigate. There is no question to ask. It's just the way the system works.

 

[mathnerd88]

Because I explained what their process is, and you implied that there is something left to ask. There are many threads on the topic. The question of "do schools investigate your courses" has been answered many times before. OP will not be asked to tell them if his classes were taken online, and they will not investigate. There is no question to ask. It's just the way the system works.

Are you part of their admissions committee? How do you know this? Everything written on here is speculation by applicants.

For example, AACOMAS said that grade replacements were allowed, but many applicants were not able to get their grades replaced just because the course numbers didn't match, or different institutions were used. Some applicants got their grade replaced, and some didn't, and caused a lot of stress for everyone. It ended up being that it really depended who you had who verified your coursework to verify grade replacements.

In the end, it is the adcoms that decide what the requirements are. If their rules are unclear, then you can call and ask to clarify. NYIT specifically says online courses are NOT accepted on its website.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

Are you part of their admissions committee? How do you know this? Everything written on here is speculation by applicants.

As I said above, there are many threads on the topic. As I also stated above, I have called said school myself and they've explained their process. There are many instances on SDN of individuals being accepted to universities who "do not accept online classes" despite having taken online classes. We had a two month discussion on this issue about a year ago. Hop into that search bar up there and give it a whirl. The topic has been beaten to death.

 

[mathnerd88]

As I said above, there are many threads on the topic. As I also stated above, I have called said school myself and they've explained their process. There are many instances on SDN of individuals being accepted to universities who "do not accept online classes" despite having taken online classes. We had a two month discussion on this issue about a year ago. Hop into that search bar up there and give it a whirl. The topic has been beaten to death.

Okay, so if the OP calls NYIT to clarify, then NYIT would fix their website to reflect that to avoid confusion for future applicants, then it should be better for everyone right? So there's NO harm in calling to ask.

There are also MANY instances where applicants got their grade replaced and others who didn't for AACOMAS.

 

[randomguy123456]

 

[mathnerd88]

Not really...@ForensicOdontology probably is right. However, it still doesn't hurt to call and ask, just in case.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

Okay, so if the OP calls NYIT, and NYIT fixes their website to reflect that, then it should be better for future applicants right? So there's NO harm in calling to ask.

Sure, I agree with you when you phrase it that way. I was just trying to look out for OPs best interest. The only possible harm will be to OP when he calls and they start to implement such investigations in a true effort to discriminate against online learning. Then OP is surely screwed.

 

[mathnerd88]

Sure, I agree with you when you phrase it that way. The only possible harm will be to OP when he calls and they start to implement such investigations in a true effort to discriminate against online learning. Then OP is surely screwed.

Well, I would believe that almost all DO schools do accept online courses. I'm just not sure about NYIT because of what they've written on their website. It is a little worrisome.

 

[ForensicOdontology]

Well, I would believe that almost all DO schools do accept online courses. I'm just not sure about NYIT because of what they've written on their website. It is a little worrisome.

I agree.