Pre-med at UC Irvine?

[onikage]

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Hi all,

This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for the past 2 weeks or so researching as many of my questions as possible. I've been doing software development for the past 5 years, but have been mulling over a serious career change for the past year or so. Things have come into alignment recently and now seems to be a better time than ever to make my move.

The question I have right now is in regards to doing my pre-medical coursework at schools in Southern California. Has anyone done their coursework at UC Irvine? I currently live on campus while my wife pursues a graduate degree there and it would be pretty convenient for me to attend. However, looking at the UCI Extension Access program, I worry that I would not be able to get professors to sign off on me taking their potentially overpopulated science courses. This is just an assumption so I'm hoping to get some input from people that might have accomplished it or on alternative solutions. I also saw they had a Summer Session open to the public so I was thinking of trying that as well to get the ball rolling sooner than later.

What about trying to apply as a matriculated student for a "2nd bachelors?" (sounds lengthy and with the possibility of rejection doh!)

I also saw that USC, Scripps, and CSU Fullerton offer Post-Bacc programs for career switches, but the former two seem very expensive. I think USC estimated 55K for theirs but I didn't see Scripps fees unless their general admissions page is the same cost. As for CSU Fullerton, I'm just worried it would get the same stigma as taking my science pre-reqs at a community college. I know thats up for debate as I've seen many heated threads in the archives 🙂

Thanks!

Relevant stats
Degree: 2006 BA Computer Systems, minor info management from Cal State
GPA: 3.64
Personal: 27 (soon to be 28) hispanic male

 

[ceng2doc]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for the past 2 weeks or so researching as many of my questions as possible. I've been doing software development for the past 5 years, but have been mulling over a serious career change for the past year or so. Things have come into alignment recently and now seems to be a better time than ever to make my move.

The question I have right now is in regards to doing my pre-medical coursework at schools in Southern California. Has anyone done their coursework at UC Irvine? I currently live on campus while my wife pursues a graduate degree there and it would be pretty convenient for me to attend. However, looking at the UCI Extension Access program, I worry that I would not be able to get professors to sign off on me taking their potentially overpopulated science courses. This is just an assumption so I'm hoping to get some input from people that might have accomplished it or on alternative solutions. I also saw they had a Summer Session open to the public so I was thinking of trying that as well to get the ball rolling sooner than later.

What about trying to apply as a matriculated student for a "2nd bachelors?" (sounds lengthy and with the possibility of rejection doh!)

I also saw that USC, Scripps, and CSU Fullerton offer Post-Bacc programs for career switches, but the former two seem very expensive. I think USC estimated 55K for theirs but I didn't see Scripps fees unless their general admissions page is the same cost. As for CSU Fullerton, I'm just worried it would get the same stigma as taking my science pre-reqs at a community college. I know thats up for debate as I've seen many heated threads in the archives 🙂

Thanks!

Relevant stats
Degree: 2006 BA Computer Systems, minor info management from Cal State
GPA: 3.64
Personal: 27 (soon to be 28) hispanic male

I had visited UC Irvine last summer, and talked to the admissions personnel who told me that second-bachelors or post-bachelors at UC Irvine is near impossible nowadays due to state's budget cuts and parents' (tax payers') pressure on school administration to allow their first-bachelors degree seeking students more seats at all courses. They recommended to go through UC Irvine Extension, however its flow was that one had to wait for all other students got registered and the department head approves your seat "for each course" before the registration period ends. This seemed to me a lot of convoluted processes, and chances were that one would definitely miss at least some of the "popular" (they named it) courses such as ochem, biochem, etc. before finding a seat to register.

I'd choose a CSU, if I were you. Even that route has some problems in it, but hey California has been financially collapsing due the betrayal of the companies which offshored thousands of jobs to india and china, the high tax rates of Californian government, and the ridiculously high real estate prices which helped majorly in the foreclosure mayhem of blood-sucker financial institutions (you cannot buy the same sizes and luxury of a house for about $4-5 million in California, especially in southern California, whereas you can buy it for a $300K in Florida.)

Anyways, good luck with UC Irvine, and all the rest!

 

[random11]

I was in almost the same boat as you (except I had graduated from UCI several years earlier). I talked to a biological sciences counselor who said it may be possible to take on a second bachelor's degree in the department of social ecology (a less crowded department), and then sign up for bio, chem and physics classes. Even then it may be difficult to get into those classes, as there are just so many bio majors at that school.

I ended up taking all my premed classes at local community colleges, with the assumption that because those classes can be transferred to UC's, they may be considered rigorous enough. The plus side of that is that it was MUCH cheaper, I was able to continue working weekdays, and I got to know the professors (typically PhDs) well enough to get good LORs. The down side, of course, is the potential "stigma" of community college prereqs. I worked hard to get straight A's, did well on the MCAT, and thoroughly explained my situation in my personal statement and in interviews, and it worked out fine for me. But taking them at CSU may be a good option to circumvent that situation. Also, have you considered the post-bac program at UCI (if they still have it)? I believe it is/was geared towards disadvantaged students.

 

[dirtybutler]

I was in almost the same boat as you (except I had graduated from UCI several years earlier). I talked to a biological sciences counselor who said it may be possible to take on a second bachelor's degree in the department of social ecology (a less crowded department), and then sign up for bio, chem and physics classes. Even then it may be difficult to get into those classes, as there are just so many bio majors at that school.

I ended up taking all my premed classes at local community colleges, with the assumption that because those classes can be transferred to UC's, they may be considered rigorous enough. The plus side of that is that it was MUCH cheaper, I was able to continue working weekdays, and I got to know the professors (typically PhDs) well enough to get good LORs. The down side, of course, is the potential "stigma" of community college prereqs. I worked hard to get straight A's, did well on the MCAT, and thoroughly explained my situation in my personal statement and in interviews, and it worked out fine for me. But taking them at CSU may be a good option to circumvent that situation. Also, have you considered the post-bac program at UCI (if they still have it)? I believe it is/was geared towards disadvantaged students.

Which community college did you take your classes? I am in the OC area and am debating taking classes at a CC or shooting for a formal post bacc program.

Thanks

 

[dbizzy]

I'd choose a CSU, if I were you.

Concur.

First, check if UCI will even take second bachelors students for the upcoming quarters. If yes, great, if not, go to http://csumentor.com/ and see who is accepting second bachelor students. Funds are tight, but there is a chance one of them might take you.

Speaking from personal experience, a do-it-yourself post-bacc at CSU is the most efficient way to go. You may qualify for financial aid and, unlike extension, will receive priority enrollment. IMO extension programs are a massive waste of $$ if you're going to be taking that many courses (you might as well do an "official" post-bacc), and yes there is a decent chance you may not be able to add some classes. Keep in mind that at UCI (and many other universities), certain classes are only offered in select quarters so if you miss one in the series, dun dun dun.

BTW I have a friend who just finished the CSUF post-bacc program and is receiving interviews at numerous top-notch schools. My DIY post-bacc at a CSU has netted me a half dozen interviews and counting. I wouldn't worry too much if you have to "settle" for a tier-2 state school.

 

[socalkitty]

hi all. i am from college confidential.

anyways i am applying to UCI/UCSD/UCD (already accepted via TAG)/UCSC, but will be a poly sci major, my main focus is dental school, is it possible to take my pre-reqs while simultaneously take my major courses? so when i finish my two years at UC, i will be done with my pre-reqs?

 

[random11]

Which community college did you take your classes? I am in the OC area and am debating taking classes at a CC or shooting for a formal post bacc program.

Sorry, didn't see this question before! I took my classes at IVC and OCC. It's a gamble, but it did pay off for me.