Online Prerequisites for MD Applicants?

[DoctorAnomaly]

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I’m seeking advice as a nontraditional pre-med who didn’t take any of the traditional science prereqs in undergrad. My GPA (a bit above 3.6) is probably the weakest part of my resume, but I believe my other aspects should be solid with multiple posters and a couple publications + clinical experience at multiple AMC hospitals as a clinical psychology doctoral student. I haven’t taken the MCAT since I plan on doing my prereqs first.

How are these online science courses viewed? Will doing an online post bacc program through UNE or DIY through UCSD extension significantly hurt my chances to all levels of MDs? Would I have to do in person to be competitive for mid-high tier MDs?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

I would need a better idea of your transcript and what courses are included in your 3.6+ GPA if you have taken no science courses or prerequisites. At some point you must check with schools you want to attend about in-person labs. You should ask schools now before you spend money going forward.

 

[DoctorAnomaly]

Welcome to the forums.

I would need a better idea of your transcript and what courses are included in your 3.6+ GPA if you have taken no science courses or prerequisites. At some point you must check with schools you want to attend about in-person labs. You should ask schools now before you spend money going forward.

Thank you for the welcome!

I received my BA in Psychology with a 3.62 cGPA. My first two years were a bit shaky as I didn’t have any grad school aspirations, but after my second year I decided I’d pursue a career in healthcare and go to grad school. I earned a 3.92 gpa in my last 58 units.

The “BCPM” gpa I’ve calculated is 3.68 which includes some traditionally accepted and some fridge science courses (that I’ve seen other SDN and reddit users claim AMCAS accepted as BCPM). My science coursework includes biopsychology; biological anthropology; sex, evolution, and human nature; astronomy and lab; algebra; statistics; research methods; and intermediate research methods.

I have checked MSAR to see where the schools I hope to attend stand on online courses and most accept them. However I understand being allowed to apply to program vs being competitive are two different things. My biggest question is whether or not my chances would be significantly reduced with online prereqs. Is it typically seen as a red flag? Like you said though, I do plan on reaching out to the programs to double check their stance on online coursework.

 

[sardinetoast]

I’m seeking advice as a nontraditional pre-med who didn’t take any of the traditional science prereqs in undergrad. My GPA (a bit above 3.6) is probably the weakest part of my resume, but I believe my other aspects should be solid with multiple posters and a couple publications + clinical experience at multiple AMC hospitals as a clinical psychology doctoral student. I haven’t taken the MCAT since I plan on doing my prereqs first.

How are these online science courses viewed? Will doing an online post bacc program through UNE or DIY through UCSD extension significantly hurt my chances to all levels of MDs? Would I have to do in person to be competitive for mid-high tier MDs?

I'm a non-trad who took 90% of my post-bacc courses online. So far it's been fine, I have two IIs, and it's pretty early in the cycle. I don't recommend doing an online post-bacc, like through an online-only university. I recommend doing a DIY post-bacc and taking your classes at a 4 year university or community college in your area. Most of these schools have online course options, and in my case they did not even show up as "online" on my transcript. Obviously, in person is best, but if you are trying to maintain a full-time income while completing your post-bacc, online is pretty much the only feasible option without a large availability of evening classes. I applied to 40 schools, 2 of which asked about online coursework in their secondary app. All of them showed on MSAR as "accepts online coursework" or "case by case."

The most important thing you can do while completing your post-bacc is to get a 4.0. Showing proficiency in these courses as a career changer is super important, as well as doing really well on the MCAT.

 

[DoctorAnomaly]

I'm a non-trad who took 90% of my post-bacc courses online. So far it's been fine, I have two IIs, and it's pretty early in the cycle. I don't recommend doing an online post-bacc, like through an online-only university. I recommend doing a DIY post-bacc and taking your classes at a 4 year university or community college in your area. Most of these schools have online course options, and in my case they did not even show up as "online" on my transcript. Obviously, in person is best, but if you are trying to maintain a full-time income while completing your post-bacc, online is pretty much the only feasible option without a large availability of evening classes. I applied to 40 schools, 2 of which asked about online coursework in their secondary app. All of them showed on MSAR as "accepts online coursework" or "case by case."

The most important thing you can do while completing your post-bacc is to get a 4.0. Showing proficiency in these courses as a career changer is super important, as well as doing really well on the MCAT.

Thank you for this, and congrats on the IIs!! So it seems that with the proper resume, online courses aren’t much of a red flag then?

I plan on doing my courses through a proper 4-year or CC, not an online-only university. Both UNE and UCSD are known universities with their own medical schools. The biggest difference between the online courses is UNE would be a formal post-bacc and offers a committee letter if certain requirements are met while UCSD would just be DIY.

On that note, how important is a committee letter and would enrolling in UNE’s program be better since they offer it?

 

[sardinetoast]

Thank you for this, and congrats on the IIs!! So it seems that with the proper resume, online courses aren’t much of a red flag then?

I plan on doing my courses through a proper 4-year or CC, not an online-only university. Both UNE and UCSD are known universities with their own medical schools. The biggest difference between the online courses is UNE would be a formal post-bacc and offers a committee letter if certain requirements are met while UCSD would just be DIY.

On that note, how important is a committee letter and would enrolling in UNE’s program be better since they offer it?

I know that medical schools prefer a committee letter. For me it would come down to cost. If it's significantly more expensive to do the formal post-bac, I'm not sure it would be worth it just for the committee letter, so that would come down to a personal decision. If the formal post-bac will include the pre-requisites for medical school and prepare you for the MCAT as well, it might be worth it. I know some post-bac programs are more focused on upper level classes, so I guess it depends on the program

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for this, and congrats on the IIs!! So it seems that with the proper resume, online courses aren’t much of a red flag then?

I plan on doing my courses through a proper 4-year or CC, not an online-only university. Both UNE and UCSD are known universities with their own medical schools. The biggest difference between the online courses is UNE would be a formal post-bacc and offers a committee letter if certain requirements are met while UCSD would just be DIY.

On that note, how important is a committee letter and would enrolling in UNE’s program be better since they offer it?

Sure, medical schools prefer committee letters for convenience. Rather than wait for multiple letters to arrive, an institutional packet is meant to cover for them, so the wait time is less. That's a positive for applicants and for the committees. However, the vast majority of applicants apply without one.

Whether you need a committee letter should be framed in that context. Is it worth the money to pay someone at UNE to collect and distribute this packet for your application? View all the "higher costs" as payment for the additional advising and administration for your application.

 

[DoctorAnomaly]

Sure, medical schools prefer committee letters for convenience. Rather than wait for multiple letters to arrive, an institutional packet is meant to cover for them, so the wait time is less. That's a positive for applicants and for the committees. However, the vast majority of applicants apply without one.

Whether you need a committee letter should be framed in that context. Is it worth the money to pay someone at UNE to collect and distribute this packet for your application? View all the "higher costs" as payment for the additional advising and administration for your application.

That makes more sense, I was under the impression they wanted these pre-health letters as a better source of information!

With the additional transcript information I provided, would you also say online courses should generally be fine if I apply broadly, similar to Sardinetoast? I’m located in socal, so I’m sure the MDs here would be especially difficult, but I’m fine with ending up virtually anywhere to pursue my MD education. (If anything, I plan on mixing in some in-person course sequences with the online courses if time permits.)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

That makes more sense, I was under the impression they wanted these pre-health letters as a better source of information!

With the additional transcript information I provided, would you also say online courses should generally be fine if I apply broadly, similar to Sardinetoast? I’m located in socal, so I’m sure the MDs here would be especially difficult, but I’m fine with ending up virtually anywhere to pursue my MD education. (If anything, I plan on mixing in some in-person course sequences with the online courses if time permits.)

Eight Questions About the Pre-Health “Committee Letter” | SDN Review

For over 40 years, medical and dental school applicants have been asked to provide an institutional “committee letter” packet of recommendations if their

www.studentdoctor.net

I would presume it's fine, but check with schools that you are interested in. While applying broadly is a good strategy, it's better if you know why you included a school on your list. Shotgun approaches are not advised here.

 

[DoctorAnomaly]

Eight Questions About the Pre-Health “Committee Letter” | SDN Review

For over 40 years, medical and dental school applicants have been asked to provide an institutional “committee letter” packet of recommendations if their

www.studentdoctor.net

I would presume it's fine, but check with schools that you are interested in. While applying broadly is a good strategy, it's better if you know why you included a school on your list. Shotgun approaches are not advised here.

Thank you, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when applying.

 

[moltmannfanboi]

Sure, medical schools prefer committee letters for convenience. Rather than wait for multiple letters to arrive, an institutional packet is meant to cover for them, so the wait time is less. That's a positive for applicants and for the committees. However, the vast majority of applicants apply without one.

Whether you need a committee letter should be framed in that context. Is it worth the money to pay someone at UNE to collect and distribute this packet for your application? View all the "higher costs" as payment for the additional advising and administration for your application.

OP should also check in with their original undergrad institution to see if they can still participate in the comittee process there. I did that 10 years out of my undergrad. There are some benefits:

1. My comittee is well respected by our state schools, so a good rec from them helps.
2. Free mock interview
3. My advisor gave me a sense of where he thought I stood seeing my entire app and letters.

The one downside is that I had to wait until mid july for my letter and so my complete date was pushed out. I doubt that will make a difference in the long run.

 

[moltmannfanboi]

I'm a non-trad who took 90% of my post-bacc courses online. So far it's been fine, I have two IIs, and it's pretty early in the cycle. I don't recommend doing an online post-bacc, like through an online-only university. I recommend doing a DIY post-bacc and taking your classes at a 4 year university or community college in your area. Most of these schools have online course options, and in my case they did not even show up as "online" on my transcript. Obviously, in person is best, but if you are trying to maintain a full-time income while completing your post-bacc, online is pretty much the only feasible option without a large availability of evening classes. I applied to 40 schools, 2 of which asked about online coursework in their secondary app. All of them showed on MSAR as "accepts online coursework" or "case by case."

The most important thing you can do while completing your post-bacc is to get a 4.0. Showing proficiency in these courses as a career changer is super important, as well as doing really well on the MCAT.

@DoctorAnomaly, my experience was similar to this, with the caveat that the bulk of my not-in-person coursework was during COVID. However, WA schools closed longer than some med schools give as a "grace period," so it cut a few schools off my list. I was still able to apply broadly.

If you take coursework online, I would suggest taking at least a couple of challenging courses in-person (I did Biochem I/II). For one, it will give you confidence that your performance is independent of medium. It will also make it easier for that prof to write you a LOR.

Then crush the MCAT and shoot your shot. Don't forget to help underserved populations along the way, as many people forget that requirement.

 

[DoctorAnomaly]

OP should also check in with their original undergrad institution to see if they can still participate in the comittee process there. I did that 10 years out of my undergrad. There are some benefits:

1. My comittee is well respected by our state schools, so a good rec from them helps.
2. Free mock interview
3. My advisor gave me a sense of where he thought I stood seeing my entire app and letters.

The one downside is that I had to wait until mid july for my letter and so my complete date was pushed out. I doubt that will make a difference in the long run.

Thank you for this! I actually was considering doing the in-person post-bacc at my previous undergrad institution to work with the committee, which I believe is well regarded, if the consensus was in-person courses were highly favored by mid-high tier MDs. Since it doesn’t seem like it is and with my other responsibilities, it seemed less feasible. I had no idea that I may be able to still work with the committee despite not being enrolled as a student. I will look into it!

@DoctorAnomaly, my experience was similar to this, with the caveat that the bulk of my not-in-person coursework was during COVID. However, WA schools closed longer than some med schools give as a "grace period," so it cut a few schools off my list. I was still able to apply broadly.

If you take coursework online, I would suggest taking at least a couple of challenging courses in-person (I did Biochem I/II). For one, it will give you confidence that your performance is independent of medium. It will also make it easier for that prof to write you a LOR.

Then crush the MCAT and shoot your shot. Don't forget to help underserved populations along the way, as many people forget that requirement.

Thats exactly what I was planning to do! I plan to mix in a few in-person courses on the tougher subjects like the ochem sequence and/or biochem, and possibly physics because UCSDs online physics doesn’t offer a lab portion.