Hi there!
I'm a premed (biochemistry major) at Pace - NYC campus, so maybe I can help answer a few of your questions.
I'd say the science department at Pace provides a very solid education and is definitely up and coming. I'm actually working on my second bachelor's degree (my first bachelor's degree is from a national Top 20 university), and the rigor I've encountered at Pace (science department) is comparable to what I've experienced at a top tier university. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to you, not the school. If you're willing to stay focused, work very hard, and stay committed to getting A's consistently, then you'll be successful no matter which school you go to. Try to get as much as you can out of your classes, be proactive, and go the extra mile. It won't be easy, but it will pay off. Medical school admissions committees like to see this type of dedication and endurance - it usually speaks more to them then the school letterhead on your transcript.
That said, I do have a word of caution: The above advice applies to 4-year colleges. Try to avoid going to a community college or at least don't take your premed (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics) courses there. If you do take premed courses at a community college in order to boost your confidence and get your groove back, that's quite alright! But if that's the case, you might want to repeat that coursework at a 4-year college to show you can handle the rigor on a senior (4-year) college level. I'm not saying that junior (2-year) college courses are watered down, they are just frowned upon by medical school admissions committees who see them as easier compared to their senior college counterpart. I hope that doesn't sound harsh, it's just a reality - medical schools usually require at least that your premed classes (bio, chem, orgo, and physics) come from a 4-year school. You say you need to go back home temporarily and save some money, which is totally understandable! Do you have a 4-year state college near you that could offer you in-state tuition plus financial aid? If so, this might be a very affordable, alternative solution to community college.
Now, back to Pace: I can't speak to the PLV campus (having never been there), but if you're interested in the biology department at Pace - NYC campus, I'd suggest you talk to them directly before you make any decisions. They can give you some honest feedback and definitely some sound advice about turning premed as well as what it takes to be a competitive. I will PM you the names of some biology/ chemistry professors whom you can go to for some "guidance counseling" (I don't want to broadcast names on a public forum). These professors have instructed and mentored many Pace premed students in the past who have gone on to medical school after graduation. It couldn't hurt to email them to ask if you could stop by and ask a few questions in person. For biology, I'm assuming they'll suggest you take intro classes (e.g. Bio 101) to get your feet wet and see if you like it. Bio 101 is considered a difficult, weed-out course for bio major hopefuls at Pace, so you'll either fall in love with the subject, or you won't. It will also give you a sense if you're cut out for science classes (again, some Pace students find Bio 101 a bit more rigorous than what they're used to from other classes).
The other advice that I have is to get medical experience. Get medical experience. Get medical experience! Did I say that enough times? In my opinion, you absolutely cannot make an informed decision about a career path without getting bona fide working experience in what is waiting for you on the other side of your education. This will make things much clearer for you. I worked in a hospital emergency department for a year and had a short opportunity observership in an operating room. These were eye-opening, fantastic experiences for me and made me fall in love with medicine. This is what prompted me to change my career and return to school for premed coursework… which is how I wound up at Pace in the first place. I know it sounds cliche, but these experiences really do instill me with purpose and drive me forward to succeed at school. Now I will do whatever it takes to be successful. So, my final advice: see if you can find clinical exposure opportunities when you return home - it doesn't have to be in a hospital... you could shadow a doctor or volunteer in a clinic - anything. Try it out! 🙂
Good luck!! 👍
