Online prerequisites

[yodalehehu]

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Non-traditional student in my final push to complete my final degree requirements (including prereqs). I grew up and live in an area with no 4-year university close by to take these final requirements. I have a stable, full-time job so moving from the area is something I want to avoid as much as possible for the time being. As a result, I have been considering enrolling in online courses such as Doane University or UNE to complete some of my science prerequisites (lectures only).

Have read that many of the med schools that don't accept online courses are often the competitive, top-tier med schools. I have no personal interest in applying to these top tier med schools.

Given these circumstances, where would I stand after taking said online courses? What has been everyone's experience in applying with online prerequisites in general? Should they be avoided at all costs even if not planning on applying to top-tiers? Will they be generally accepted at lower tier and/or DO med schools?

 

[jamaica jan sun princess]

My state school doesn't accept online credits and it's not what is considered by most SDN users to be a top-tier school.

4 year university > community college > online

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Non-traditional student in my final push to complete my final degree requirements (including prereqs). I grew up and live in an area with no 4-year university close by to take these final requirements. I have a stable, full-time job so moving from the area is something I want to avoid as much as possible for the time being. As a result, I have been considering enrolling in online courses such as Doane University or UNE to complete some of my science prerequisites (lectures only).

Have read that many of the med schools that don't accept online courses are often the competitive, top-tier med schools. I have no personal interest in applying to these top tier med schools.

Given these circumstances, where would I stand after taking said online courses? What has been everyone's experience in applying with online prerequisites in general? Should they be avoided at all costs even if not planning on applying to top-tiers? Will they be generally accepted at lower tier and/or DO med schools?

Purchase a subscription to the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database to see which schools accept online prerequisites and which don't. I wouldn't say that online courses are "generally" accepted at any tier - some schools might OK with them, depending on the circumstances, but many others are not. I just randomly spot checked three "low-tier"/unranked schools: two do not accept any online credits, one allows them on a "case-by-case" basis. I don't think it's really tier dependent.

The bottom line is that you're going to put yourself at a real disadvantage if you have lots of online prerequisites. I get that sometimes applicants' hands are tied due to geography, family, finances, military service, etc., so if you absolutely must do online coursework, you should at least check the MSAR to know which medical schools to target and which to avoid going forward.

 

[yodalehehu]

I concur strongly here

With the competitive nature of medical school admissions (with applicants on averaging applying to 15 school, 60% do not get any acceptance and 20% get a single acceptance), students must be able to apply to the broadest array programs. Since the majority will not accept online prereqs and certainly online courses will make you less competitve, I would advise against any applicant taking the strategy as the OP has suggested

Wasn't aware that a majority will not accept online prereqs. Will be getting the MSAR to check and contact prospective schools.

 

[chemphysicsinstructor]

Non-traditional student in my final push to complete my final degree requirements (including prereqs). I grew up and live in an area with no 4-year university close by to take these final requirements. I have a stable, full-time job so moving from the area is something I want to avoid as much as possible for the time being. As a result, I have been considering enrolling in online courses such as Doane University or UNE to complete some of my science prerequisites (lectures only).

Have read that many of the med schools that don't accept online courses are often the competitive, top-tier med schools. I have no personal interest in applying to these top tier med schools.

Given these circumstances, where would I stand after taking said online courses? What has been everyone's experience in applying with online prerequisites in general? Should they be avoided at all costs even if not planning on applying to top-tiers? Will they be generally accepted at lower tier and/or DO med schools?

I teach at a rural community college and I am very aware of the fact that the nearest 4 year school is 2 hours away (about 100 miles) and that is when there is not inclement weather. My opinion is that the prejudice against online courses is beginning to disappear due to logistic considerations as well Department of Education regulations. The online courses do provide a good opportunity to review/preview the course material and that aspect of preparation should not be forgotten about. There are alternatives to UNE and Doane and I have mentioned those in other posts and some have substantially lower costs. In my opinion, for a nontraditional student, there are other factors to consider for admission as opposed to just how the course content was delivered.