Post bacc at CC. Money is concern. How do I show my hard work?

[Curiouspremed]

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Hey guys,

So this is my first post on the forum. I have been lurking here for almost 18 months now and after reading all the issues/concerns/high achievement I am becoming a fellow neurotic SDN member!

Here is my situation. I am a California resident. I graduated SDSU with a 3.2 GPA in business marketing with a steep climb in GPA my last year. 3.3, 3.6, 3.7. During that time I was working 20-30 hours a week and really busting my butt to graduate with my business major.

I have almost no sciences. But my last semester at San Diego I took physics and got an A in both lab and lecture.

I know its looked down to take the rest of my classes at a CC, but with the economy the way it is I have zero options. I moved to orange country to take classes at saddleback. This CC is notorius for being "difficult" and has IGETC accreditation with all the UCs (all sciences xfer point for point no question). http://www.universityofcalifornia.e...m/transfer/tr_info_ccc/tr_planning_IGETC.html

Here is my current schedule:

22 Units including gen chem, anatomy, calc 1, spanish 1 (heard speaking another language really helps at applications).

I am also shadowing a doctor as well as observing surgery 2x a week (I want to be a surgeon I think so getting as much xp as I can).

My question is this: Outside of going to UCI right now (which one semester is what I pay in a year) what else can I do to show Im serious about medicine and a hard worker?

I might be able to take Ochem or a later science at UCI but its really tough right now and I don't exactly want to keep waiting.

Please don't troll. I really could use everyone's help 🙂.

 

[eldoctor]

Saddleback is a very good CC, probably in the top for transfers in California. That said, I just can't imagine that many medschools would accept ALL your pre-reqs at Saddleback. Is there any chance you can take out loans and go to UCI? That would make a huge difference. Otherwise, if you really don't have other options, then take a few classes at SC and then transfer. Have you considered other state schools like CalFul and Long beach?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

This CC is notorius for being "difficult" and has IGETC accreditation with all the UCs (all sciences xfer point for point no question). http://www.universityofcalifornia.e...m/transfer/tr_info_ccc/tr_planning_IGETC.html

I feel your pain, and the in-state UC's might know the reputation of Saddleback. But in regards to IGETC, every public CC in California does IGETC credit for UC/CSU transfer. You're dependent on adcoms knowing that Saddleback is more rigorous than other CC's (which is debatable.) If it's all you can do, it's all you can do. Show you're serious with your EC's. All of which is subordinate to your overall sGPA/MCAT numbers. The CC/4-year debate is going on in numerous threads both here and in non-trad. Bottom line is do whatever you can to meet the prerequisites, but verify that the schools that you're targeting will accept them. Some do, some don't. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

 

[Curiouspremed]

I see. I currently have some decent ECs. I hope my surgery and OR time will give me a "step above" the competition as I don't see many applicants with that. I am also trying to get a license for "something" so I have some paid clinical experience.

I hope that my work experience outside of medicine will be a big boost. (I worked full time for a year 60 hours a week as a product marketing manager leading 6 independent designers to create projects for clients.)

Are there any current lists of schools preferences for community college? I read the other thread, but I am not sure specifically which ones accept cc credits, and even which MD schools I should apply too. I am a year away from my MCAT, but I really want to make sure I am doing this right.

I feel so far behind a lot of the students here and really want to shine when my time comes.

 

[sonia1177]

You excel in your classes and keep up with EC's and stay sane.

Hey guys,

So this is my first post on the forum. I have been lurking here for almost 18 months now and after reading all the issues/concerns/high achievement I am becoming a fellow neurotic SDN member!

Here is my situation. I am a California resident. I graduated SDSU with a 3.2 GPA in business marketing with a steep climb in GPA my last year. 3.3, 3.6, 3.7. During that time I was working 20-30 hours a week and really busting my butt to graduate with my business major.

I have almost no sciences. But my last semester at San Diego I took physics and got an A in both lab and lecture.

I know its looked down to take the rest of my classes at a CC, but with the economy the way it is I have zero options. I moved to orange country to take classes at saddleback. This CC is notorius for being "difficult" and has IGETC accreditation with all the UCs (all sciences xfer point for point no question). http://www.universityofcalifornia.e...m/transfer/tr_info_ccc/tr_planning_IGETC.html

Here is my current schedule:

22 Units including gen chem, anatomy, calc 1, spanish 1 (heard speaking another language really helps at applications).

I am also shadowing a doctor as well as observing surgery 2x a week (I want to be a surgeon I think so getting as much xp as I can).

My question is this: Outside of going to UCI right now (which one semester is what I pay in a year) what else can I do to show Im serious about medicine and a hard worker?

I might be able to take Ochem or a later science at UCI but its really tough right now and I don't exactly want to keep waiting.

Please don't troll. I really could use everyone's help 🙂.