Online pre-reqs

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

DMC1796

Full Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2024
Messages
11
Reaction score
6
Currently taking chem1/physics 1 at my local CC in person, and will take chem2/physics 2 next semester in person as well. But I am unable to find an organic chemistry class in person that will allow me to continue working full time. I have reached out to the schools on my list and looked on their websites, they pretty much all allow online pre-reqs, but most of them recommend in person if possible. With that being said, I cant find a way to take it in person while working full time. Are there any online universities that are recommended to take organic chem1, 2, and biochem? Specifically 8wk classes?
Thanks in advance.
 
DO schools don't care. Take them at UNE, they have their own DO school and if you do all those and one elective upper level you could get their "postbacc certificate" with some coaching and advising assistance.
 
Currently taking chem1/physics 1 at my local CC in person, and will take chem2/physics 2 next semester in person as well. But I am unable to find an organic chemistry class in person that will allow me to continue working full time. I have reached out to the schools on my list and looked on their websites, they pretty much all allow online pre-reqs, but most of them recommend in person if possible. With that being said, I cant find a way to take it in person while working full time. Are there any online universities that are recommended to take organic chem1, 2, and biochem? Specifically 8wk classes?
Thanks in advance.
You have to decide how important this is to you. I had to quit working in order to go back to school full-time. It ended up working out. Do some thinking and make a pros/cons list. Good luck to you. 🙂
 
Currently taking chem1/physics 1 at my local CC in person, and will take chem2/physics 2 next semester in person as well. But I am unable to find an organic chemistry class in person that will allow me to continue working full time. I have reached out to the schools on my list and looked on their websites, they pretty much all allow online pre-reqs, but most of them recommend in person if possible. With that being said, I cant find a way to take it in person while working full time. Are there any online universities that are recommended to take organic chem1, 2, and biochem? Specifically 8wk classes?
Thanks in advance.
If you have to take 1 course online due to working and other circumstances, as long as you explain it I can’t see how they will hold that against you. They don’t expect you to drop everything… especially if you’re working full time imo
 
Currently taking chem1/physics 1 at my local CC in person, and will take chem2/physics 2 next semester in person as well. But I am unable to find an organic chemistry class in person that will allow me to continue working full time. I have reached out to the schools on my list and looked on their websites, they pretty much all allow online pre-reqs, but most of them recommend in person if possible. With that being said, I cant find a way to take it in person while working full time. Are there any online universities that are recommended to take organic chem1, 2, and biochem? Specifically 8wk classes?
Thanks in advance.
I took pre-reqs online at both UNE and Northwestern Health Sciences University (Bloomington, MN). I strongly preferred the latter and finished all my classes there. They only have accelerated OChem where I took both semesters from January-April, and the instructor was extremely responsive and organized. Many of the students were in-person or watching lectures live, so I benefited from them asking questions. With UNE, I felt like I was completely self-learning from reading the textbook.
 
Currently taking chem1/physics 1 at my local CC in person, and will take chem2/physics 2 next semester in person as well. But I am unable to find an organic chemistry class in person that will allow me to continue working full time. I have reached out to the schools on my list and looked on their websites, they pretty much all allow online pre-reqs, but most of them recommend in person if possible. With that being said, I cant find a way to take it in person while working full time. Are there any online universities that are recommended to take organic chem1, 2, and biochem? Specifically 8wk classes?
Thanks in advance.
You should consider exploring online platforms like Straightline Course or Study.com and WGU as they offer a variety of classes. However, make sure to check with your school to confirm that they will accept the courses once completed. Generally, schools do accept them as long as the courses meet the same requirements ,guidelines and are accredited. And these platforms are accreditation to College University.
 
You should consider exploring online platforms like Straightline Course or Study.com and WGU as they offer a variety of classes. However, make sure to check with your school to confirm that they will accept the courses once completed. Generally, schools do accept them as long as the courses meet the same requirements ,guidelines and are accredited. And these platforms are accreditation to College University.
This is horrible advice. Don’t do this. Take your classes at an accredited university with robust courses. Platforms like Straightline are alternative credit companies and they are essentially the equivalent of taking AP exams or ACE exams for credit. Don’t do it if you’re a nontrad premed. You need to prove you can do coursework.
 
This is horrible advice. Don’t do this. Take your classes at an accredited university with robust courses. Platforms like Straightline are alternative credit companies and they are essentially the equivalent of taking AP exams or ACE exams for credit. Don’t do it if you’re a nontrad premed. You need to prove you can do coursework.
Thanks for confirming what I was thinking. It seems like UNE has a good reputation here, so it will be my choice unless a school near me opens up an orgo chem 1 class that doesnt meet 3-4 days per week. Current plan is to only take orgo chem 1/2 online UNE. Then do orgo chem lab and biochem in person at my local university. Any other advice certainly appreciated.
 
I would also look at the Harvard Extension School, which has an online section of the Orgo course. I can personally attest that the professor is fantastic. The online section is livestreamed from the in-person lecture, the only difference is the exams are online.
 
Seconding Harvard Extension, which is where I took my orgo courses. They are tough, don’t get me wrong, but the instruction of those courses are SO GOOD. They give you everything you need to succeed, great notes, very fair tests and problem sets, and really teach the “why” of organic chemistry. I was in UNE’s course for a week before I dropped and took Harvard Extension’s and I do not regret it in the least.
 
Try looking into LSU - Alexandria. They have online premed courses.
 
I would also look at the Harvard Extension School, which has an online section of the Orgo course. I can personally attest that the professor is fantastic. The online section is livestreamed from the in-person lecture, the only difference is the exams are online.
What did you like about? Would you say it was easy to learn, meaning sufficient explanation and materials were provided?
 
What did you like about? Would you say it was easy to learn, meaning sufficient explanation and materials were provided?
Yes, it was fantastic. The class is laid out in a very logical manner, and the materials provided are excellent. The only thing to be aware of is that the course only has 3hrs of lecture per week, but the "section" (recitation) is not really optional if you are aiming for an A just due to the amount of content. Although there is a relatively small amount of time in lecture per week, expect to be doing a LOT of studying and practice problems outside of lecture.

That being said, the practice problems and past exams provided are FANTASTIC resources, and if you do them all you can expect to do well in the course. Very fair grading etc, content on the exams matched the sample exams very closely. Orgo is obviously not an "easy to learn" subject, but I felt that the professor made it as easy as it could be to understand.
 
Just wanted to throw this out here in case there are others in the same situation. I signed a contract for an extra bonus, which is why I can't drop down from full time to part time in order to take orgo chem in person. HOWEVER, I realized I have banked enough PTO to take a day off every week for almost 6 months. With that being said, that is now my plan so I can take my classes in person at my local 4 year university. Many thanks to everyones' valuable input!
 
Those with experience with Harvard extension, do you think a Post-bac could be created on my own to help with boosting a GPA for dental school admission?
 
Those with experience with Harvard extension, do you think a Post-bac could be created on my own to help with boosting a GPA for dental school admission?
Absolutely. There are several people I know who are doing DIY through Harvard Extension. The only reason I applied for the formal postbacc is that there is a discount on courses ($500/credit), and a committee letter. I would say ~40% of the in-person student body, and the majority of the online students are DIY.
 
Anyone have experience with UCSD Extension vs Harvard Extension or UNE? I've taken biochem and orgo through UCSD ext and loved them, wondering how the ladders stack up
 
Absolutely. There are several people I know who are doing DIY through Harvard Extension. The only reason I applied for the formal postbacc is that there is a discount on courses ($500/credit), and a committee letter. I would say ~40% of the in-person student body, and the majority of the online students are DIY.
Took a look at Harvard ext after seeing your post. I dug through classes a bit, did not seem to see many online pre-med relevant classes..? Am I missing something, or were you perhaps saying that you know people doing in person DIY Harvard ext. post-bacc?

Anyone have experience with UCSD Extension vs Harvard Extension or UNE? I've taken biochem and orgo through UCSD ext and loved them, wondering how the ladders stack up

I am taking organic chem 1 at UNE now. I definitely am learning it, but for me it is amounting to self-taught. Obviously following the course content, but lots of videos, lots of googling. I am biased but would prefer synchronous lecture for sure.

Can you elaborate on how orgo is for you at UCSD? I may take orgo 2 at UCSD.
I'm an ICU nurse going slightly mad trying to figure out the best way to take pre-reqs. Very strongly considering UC extension for most classes. A bit hesitant though bc often UCx don't offer labs. Get the sense you have to fish around to find the best classes - some seem to suck, some seem to be great.
 
Last edited:
Took a look at Harvard ext after seeing your post. I dug through classes a bit, did not seem to see many online pre-med relevant classes..? Am I missing something, or were you perhaps saying that you know people doing in person DIY Harvard ext. post-bacc?



I am taking organic chem 1 at UNE now. I definitely am learning it, but for me it is amounting to self-taught. Obviously following the course content, but lots of videos, lots of googling. I am biased but would prefer synchronous lecture for sure.

Can you elaborate on how orgo is for you at UCSD? I may take orgo 2 at UCSD.
I'm an ICU nurse going slightly mad trying to figure out the best way to take pre-reqs. Very strongly considering UC extension for most classes. A bit hesitant though bc often UCx don't offer labs. Get the sense you have to fish around to find the best classes - some seem to suck, some seem to be great.
It's a bit confusing the way its laid out, but the courses have an online "section". So you select e-27 for example, and there is an in-person and an online section available. That said, most of the premed classes have a lab associated, so obviously not possible to do online. I think biochem and or go 2 are the main ones, but if you do take them or bio without the lab, you would have to take that lab elsewhere. I did this with Bio 1, where I took the lecture online during Covid through the MGH IHP, and then later took only the lab through Harvard extension. Obviously better to do it all in one go, though.

As you said, most of the DIY folks I know are doing it in-person. I think DIY online only works if you have almost all of your prereqs done already and are just scraping together the last few credits.
 
It's a bit confusing the way its laid out, but the courses have an online "section". So you select e-27 for example, and there is an in-person and an online section available. That said, most of the premed classes have a lab associated, so obviously not possible to do online. I think biochem and or go 2 are the main ones, but if you do take them or bio without the lab, you would have to take that lab elsewhere. I did this with Bio 1, where I took the lecture online during Covid through the MGH IHP, and then later took only the lab through Harvard extension. Obviously better to do it all in one go, though.

As you said, most of the DIY folks I know are doing it in-person. I think DIY online only works if you have almost all of your prereqs done already and are just scraping together the last few credits.
Ahh gotcha.. thanks for the reply. Has your experience with the courses there been good generally, or hit and miss? I'm going to be taking some online classes one way or another. If these are high quality would def take a few of these classes -- I definitely prefer rigor over ease.
 
Ahh gotcha.. thanks for the reply. Has your experience with the courses there been good generally, or hit and miss? I'm going to be taking some online classes one way or another. If these are high quality would def take a few of these classes -- I definitely prefer rigor over ease.
Very rigorous, and my experience has been exceptional. I did not take any physics, so can't speak to those, but the Gen Chem professor is probably the best prof I've ever had, orgo prof is amazing. Some people hated the bio profs (the grading is very harsh), but I actually loved the Bio 2 prof, and learned a ton. You just have to be careful and meticulous in your answers to avoid "gotcha" questions. Biochem was good, but mostly self-study as it was only a 2hr onine lecture/wk. I took biostats which was tons of fun. I've heard very good things about clinical A&P, though I haven't taken it. The prof for Orgo is exceptional, and the assitant instructor (Brandon) is amazing for weekly reviews. I felt VERY prepared for the MCAT based on my coursework, and feel that my score is largely thanks to that excellent content base.

There are no resume-padding "easy-A" classes, and people who aren't fully committed tend to do poorly and leave the program. This is NOT a good way to boost your gpa to be honest. The classes are definitely hard, but it's certainly possible to do well with effort.
 
Thanks for confirming what I was thinking. It seems like UNE has a good reputation here, so it will be my choice unless a school near me opens up an orgo chem 1 class that doesnt meet 3-4 days per week. Current plan is to only take orgo chem 1/2 online UNE. Then do orgo chem lab and biochem in person at my local university. Any other advice certainly appreciated.

This is horrible advice. Don’t do this. Take your classes at an accredited university with robust courses. Platforms like Straightline are alternative credit companies and they are essentially the equivalent of taking AP exams or ACE exams for credit. Don’t do it if you’re a nontrad premed. You need to prove you can do coursework.
I want to apologize to nontrad premed student. I thought I had got Clarification on it myself and done extensive research because I'm heading in the same direction. I totally agree about you have to prove yourself coming from a non-traditional background. Thank you
 
Take a look at portage learning that is run through Geneva College in PA. It has a fantastic program that Duke Nursing recommends to its nursing students matriculating into their ABSN program that need to satisfy any prerequisites prior to matriculation.
 
Top