Post-bacc help! UCLA extension or CSULA?

[doitforkids]

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[Slack3r]

Might have better luck in the Post-bacc forum...

 

[JeetKuneDo]

CSULA would be best. UCLA ex is pretty difficult to get your desired courses. However, if you want to retake the pre reqs, you should do them at a cc. CSULA requires you to have a science degree, so I assume you can't take classes like intro Chem, intro bio or intro physics. You also need genetics and maybe cell bio done to apply to CSULA.

 

[bigyihoroi]

CSULA would be best. UCLA ex is pretty difficult to get your desired courses. However, if you want to retake the pre reqs, you should do them at a cc. CSULA requires you to have a science degree, so I assume you can't take classes like intro Chem, intro bio or intro physics. You also need genetics and maybe cell bio done to apply to CSULA.

👍 I retook my prereq classes at CSULB and CSUF. The point for you to go through this is to get A's to boost your GPA. Doing an extension at UCLA (which I believe LastPolarBear is right...that UCLA extension is gonna be difficult) and end up getting some B's will only hurt you and waste your time.

 

[doitforkids]

Thanks for the response!

I was looking at the CSULA post-bacc website and noticed there was a minimum 3.0 gpa in all biology, chem, physics, and math courses. Was there always a minimum gpa to apply before?

 

[bigyihoroi]

Thanks for the response!

I was looking at the CSULA post-bacc website and noticed there was a minimum 3.0 gpa in all biology, chem, physics, and math courses. Was there always a minimum gpa to apply before?

Here's the thing. You don't have to enrolled in their specific extension program. For me, CSUF has something of what they called OPEN UNIVERSITY (they have something similar at every CSU). It simply let anyone who graduated already to take any courses at their school. You simply find out the courses that you didn't do well at your school. Then find out the courses that are equivalent to those at CSULA and simply retake them. I only retook the ones that I got a B- or less. Hope this helps resolve your problem.

FYI -- the only bad thing about taking classes as a post-bac is that when you apply for these courses, you are ALWAYS at the end of the list. In other words, CSULA students get their priority for filling the classes first. That's one reason why my advisor told me to take them at CSULB because you are more likely to get a spot there. However, as you see, I managed to get into two physics classes at CSUF (even I was on the waitlist and have to go to class the first two days to see if anyone drops out).

BTW, as I stated earlier, the point of doing this is to reboost your GPA so you wanna make sure you get A's. "ratemyprofessors.com" really helped me to choose what courses to enroll in.

 

[DbDan]

I answered a PM from the OP but for the sake of everyone else's information in the future; the answer is a giant IT DEPENDS.

UCLA extension is going to be difficult. Getting classes is easy if you are prepared the day they open, I never had an issue getting any of my courses. Don't expect a curve and do expect the same material that comes in the equivalent course at UCLA. In the 5 or 6 courses I took there I ran into one single person who was not taking the courses for pre-med. That said, its nice because they are directly replacement for UCLA courses to the number and you will run into no problems here when replacing grades with AACOMAS. This option is ideal if you have a select number of courses you did very poorly in. If you were a B-/C+ student, and all you have are B-/C+ it will be a long road and the movement in your GPA won't be particularly fast.

If you were in fact a B-/C+ student, you would be better off in a formal program IMO. You will have a separate GPA, a certificate at the end and the programs are generally better recognized when it comes to medical school admissions. You will also have the benefit of counselors who will help you out along the way as these schools survive by being able to say that the people who have completed their program got into XYZ medical school.

The downside to the structured program is the cost, even with the "open campus" program I seem to remember looking at close to 1000 per course or more. UCLA extension is anywhere from 400 to 600 per course. Extension courses are also all in the evening/weekend so you could take up to ~3 courses per quarter (MW/TTh/S). You could potentially get a 9-5 in LA or even a part time job. Research at UCLA is a decent and, depending on your lab, flexible job that you could potentially work 40hrs/wk, take 3 classes per quarter and make some money while you are at it. If you are academically up for the challenge at least. I managed to take 2 per quarter, work 50 hours a week and commute up from Orange County and had a 4.0.

 

[beysam]

Dbdan congratualtion on your acceptance, I am fellow southern californian(OC to be specific). Taking some of the prereqs at UCLA ext hoping to write the dreaded MCAT next summer.

 

[ickool]

Here are some positives about the CSULA post-bacc program:
1) You get a $2,000 stipend (if you are Hispanic)
2) They have an "intensive" MCAT review session during the spring and summer (I've heard mixed reviews about this review)
3) There are a lot of research labs you can apply to (24 in chem and bio and around 5 in psych)
4) The HCAO used to boast that 78% of their post-baccs got accepted into allopathic schools (this was two years ago, the only statistic that I can find now is that 48% of all CSULA students who apply get accepted into allopathic schools)
5) CSULA has a linkage program with Western University (it is intended for undergrads, but post-baccs are also able to apply. This is the first year of the linkage program, so nobody really knows how selective the program is or if any post-baccs were selected.)
--Other thoughts:
1) Upper-division science courses are equally hard in both CSULA and UCLA, so you would have to put in a lot of effort to raise your gpa in either school.
2)If you have already applied to medical school and failed to get in anywhere, you should consider the UCLA RAP program. From what I've heard, mostly everyone who has gone through this program eventually gets into a medical school

 

[ayjaystudent]

I answered a PM from the OP but for the sake of everyone else's information in the future; the answer is a giant IT DEPENDS.

UCLA extension is going to be difficult. Getting classes is easy if you are prepared the day they open, I never had an issue getting any of my courses. Don't expect a curve and do expect the same material that comes in the equivalent course at UCLA. In the 5 or 6 courses I took there I ran into one single person who was not taking the courses for pre-med. That said, its nice because they are directly replacement for UCLA courses to the number and you will run into no problems here when replacing grades with AACOMAS. This option is ideal if you have a select number of courses you did very poorly in. If you were a B-/C+ student, and all you have are B-/C+ it will be a long road and the movement in your GPA won't be particularly fast.

If you were in fact a B-/C+ student, you would be better off in a formal program IMO. You will have a separate GPA, a certificate at the end and the programs are generally better recognized when it comes to medical school admissions. You will also have the benefit of counselors who will help you out along the way as these schools survive by being able to say that the people who have completed their program got into XYZ medical school.

The downside to the structured program is the cost, even with the "open campus" program I seem to remember looking at close to 1000 per course or more. UCLA extension is anywhere from 400 to 600 per course. Extension courses are also all in the evening/weekend so you could take up to ~3 courses per quarter (MW/TTh/S). You could potentially get a 9-5 in LA or even a part time job. Research at UCLA is a decent and, depending on your lab, flexible job that you could potentially work 40hrs/wk, take 3 classes per quarter and make some money while you are at it. If you are academically up for the challenge at least. I managed to take 2 per quarter, work 50 hours a week and commute up from Orange County and had a 4.0.

Hey DbDan,

Sorry to necro-bump this post. How difficult are UCLA Extension classes compared to regular UCLA classes? I'm planning to attend UCLA Extension this Winter Quarter, and am considering taking 2 - 3 classes each quarter while working.

 

[swollcat]

Tread softly. UCLA extension is a wonderful option ($500-700 flat rate for a 4 or 5 unit class) that will directly grade replace everything and anything out there, but the courses are just as hard as those that confer a degree. You don't want to end up with a bunch of B's that will only serve to drag down your GPA. I suggest going down the path of least resistance and taking courses at a CSU if you won't be able to 100% commit yourself to your studies.