Pre Med Online/Excelsior College

[SupremeApe]

Hey guys. I'm new to SDN, and I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong area. I just wanted to get a little critisism about taking online courses. I'm currently enrolled in Excelsior's online program (Associate degree in Liberal Arts/Science) and I plan on taking pre-reqs online as well. Once I complete the program, I'm hoping to transfer to a University of some sort and also apply for the Flex Med program over at Icahn's School of Medicine. I know a lot of you are probably thinking I'm nuts for taking the online route (only for 2 yrs), but I contacted Mount Sinai's (Icahn) admission office and they told me they have no problem of accepting online credits.

You guys think my chances are good if I maintain a high Gpa?
Also is Intro to psychology a good course for pre med freshmans to take?

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[Snakes]

Hi, have you taken college courses already? Do you already have an undergrad degree? Do you mind if I ask how old you are? The FlexMed program is for undergraduates who I think haven't progressed beyond their second undergraduate year. It's a very small program at an extremely competitive medical school.

You need a very high SAT score minimum, and the program requirements are comprehensive. I'm not sure how you can do a lab requirement online either.

Program Requirements
Prior to January 15:

Applicants are required to complete two semesters of college biology, chemistry, or physics prior to January 15 of the academic year in which they apply.

• The two semester requirement can cover any discipline of biology, chemistry, or physics including biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, cell biology, physiology, microbiology, immunobiology, etc.
• AP or IB credit cannot substitute this requirement. If you have received college credit from AP or IB course work, higher level science courses must be taken to fulfill this requirement
• Course work must be completed by the January 15 application deadline.

Prior to Matriculation:

Prior to matriculation, students will be required to complete the following courses:

• Two semesters of biology (not AP or IB, but college coursework)
• Two semesters of chemistry (not AP or IB, but college coursework)
• Two semesters of English
• One semester of physics (or AP or IB Physics in high school with a score of 4 or higher)
• Two semesters of lab in any science
• One semester of health policy, public health, or global health
• One semester of ethics
• One semester of statistics
• A senior thesis or its equivalent in an area of academic concentration
• An in-depth experience in which the student gains exposure to human illness

Students are strongly encouraged to gain proficiency in either Spanish or Mandarin.

 

[SupremeApe]

Hi, have you taken college courses already? Do you already have an undergrad degree? Do you mind if I ask how old you are? The FlexMed program is for undergraduates who I think haven't progressed beyond their second undergraduate year. It's a very small program at an extremely competitive medical school.

You need a very high SAT score minimum, and the program requirements are comprehensive. I'm not sure how you can do a lab requirement online either.

Program Requirements
Prior to January 15:

Applicants are required to complete two semesters of college biology, chemistry, or physics prior to January 15 of the academic year in which they apply.

• The two semester requirement can cover any discipline of biology, chemistry, or physics including biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, cell biology, physiology, microbiology, immunobiology, etc.
• AP or IB credit cannot substitute this requirement. If you have received college credit from AP or IB course work, higher level science courses must be taken to fulfill this requirement
• Course work must be completed by the January 15 application deadline.

Prior to Matriculation:

Prior to matriculation, students will be required to complete the following courses:

• Two semesters of biology (not AP or IB, but college coursework)
• Two semesters of chemistry (not AP or IB, but college coursework)
• Two semesters of English
• One semester of physics (or AP or IB Physics in high school with a score of 4 or higher)
• Two semesters of lab in any science
• One semester of health policy, public health, or global health
• One semester of ethics
• One semester of statistics
• A senior thesis or its equivalent in an area of academic concentration
• An in-depth experience in which the student gains exposure to human illness

Students are strongly encouraged to gain proficiency in either Spanish or Mandarin.

I'm twenty years old and I just enrolled as a freshman. Excelsior has labs for almost all the pre reqs.

 

[DrMidlife]

pre-reqs online

Graveyard of champions.

Don't let one phone call to one school convince you your plan is solid. Be more worried whether your plan is solid.

 

[kraskadva]

I think you would get better advice on this over in Pre-Allo. More people there are familiar with the ins and outs of the program.
Most of us here are older and have already graduated from college, so FlexMed isn't typically an option that we can use, and so not something we know all the details for.
Between their website (as @Snakes mentioned above) and calling their admissions office (as you seem to have already done) I don't know what else we can tell you....

Besides that online courses are typically a bad idea. One or two (courses, not years) won't be a huge issue, but having all of your classes online makes you far less competitive for everything.
When you called MSSM did you ask "do you take online coursework?" or "If I take all my pre-reqs online, will I still be competitive?" because those are different questions and would probably net you different answers.

 

[SupremeApe]

I think you would get better advice on this over in Pre-Allo. More people there are familiar with the ins and outs of the program.
Most of us here are older and have already graduated from college, so FlexMed isn't typically an option that we can use, and so not something we know all the details for.
Between their website (as @Snakes mentioned above) and calling their admissions office (as you seem to have already done) I don't know what else we can tell you....

Besides that online courses are typically a bad idea. One or two (courses, not years) won't be a huge issue, but having all of your classes online makes you far less competitive for everything.
When you called MSSM did you ask "do you take online coursework?" or "If I take all my pre-reqs online, will I still be competitive?" because those are different questions and would probably net you different answers.

How is it a bad idea if they won't know if I took the course online? I heard online courses are a little more difficult because your teaching yourself every step of the way. Once I get this online degree, I'll be taking two more years of courses in a traditional setting.

 

[Kochanie]

How is it a bad idea if they won't know if I took the course online? I heard online courses are a little more difficult because your teaching yourself every step of the way. Once I get this online degree, I'll be taking two more years of courses in a traditional setting.

Nah, they tend to be easier from the classes I helped my friends which is why med schools might look down at them.

 

[kraskadva]

How is it a bad idea if they won't know if I took the course online? I heard online courses are a little more difficult because your teaching yourself every step of the way. Once I get this online degree, I'll be taking two more years of courses in a traditional setting.

What makes you think they won't know? You have to give them transcripts and the transcripts will most likely say that the courses are online (never mind the fact that they're being issued from a school that predominantly (only?) does online courses). Thinking they won't find out is like a toddler thinking they can hide the incriminating evidence from mom by putting it behind their back. Never works.

And no, online courses are typically easier. Also, teaching yourself doesn't always work because there's a lot of stuff that you don't know that you don't know.

You were mentioning taking the pre-reqs online. Which is a bad idea. Some humanities courses, English classes, etc. taken online would be less of an issue, but 2 years worth is still less competitive. Taking the science pre-reqs online though typically doesn't fly well unless you have a really solid reason that you can't physically put your tail in a lecture room seat (such as active military deployment).

 

[SupremeApe]

Excelsior has regular classes too, that can be taken in person. And most ppl on this forum say the transcripts don't reveal if a class was taken online.

But I will be honest that my reason of taking online classes isn't that solid, I'm currently in the process of escaping this rabbit hole of anxiety and depression, and going back to sitting in lectures will be a nightmare.

All I want to do is re gain my confidence while taking these online courses so when I return to the traditional setting, I won't panic and drop out.

 

[kraskadva]

Excelsior has regular classes too, that can be taken in person. And most ppl on this forum say the transcripts don't reveal if a class was taken online.

But I will be honest that my reason of taking online classes isn't that solid, I'm currently in the process of escaping this rabbit hole of anxiety and depression, and going back to sitting in lectures will be a nightmare.

All I want to do is re gain my confidence while taking these online courses so when I return to the traditional setting, I won't panic and drop out.

Ah, well then...
1) I hope you're seeing a professional to help you deal with your anxiety and depression. If you're not, I and everyone here would strongly recommend that you go find someone ASAP.
2) Starting online to help build your confidence is fine. A semester of online classes is manageable. Easing your way into the traditional lecture setting is reasonable. 2 years of online classes is just a lot though.
3) You will have to spend a lot of time sitting in lectures before you're done if you go down this route. You have to figure out how to handle it and then prove you can handle it by taking those lecture courses.

Why not do a gradual change? 1 semester online, 1 semester 50% online/ 50% in person, then move to all in person classes. And wait on the pre-reqs until you can take them in person.
Because if you're serious about FlexMed, you have to apply in your sophomore year. And if all you have to show them is online work, they likely won't take you as seriously as if you had some in person coursework to show.

 

[QofQuimica]

In that case, forget about taking any classes for now. Get your anxiety and depression under control first, *then* worry about going to college. Because med school is going to make UG seem like a cakewalk, and if you can't handle physically attending a college class, you aren't going to be able to handle going to medical school.

If you already have a therapist or psychiatrist, call them tomorrow to make an appointment. If you don't already have one, then call your insurance company to get a list of mental health providers in your area who take your insurance. If you don't have insurance, then you need to apply for some. You may be eligible to be on your parents' insurance, or you can contact your local Health Department to find out what you need to do to apply for Medicaid on your own. Finally, at any point if you are feeling suicidal, you need to go straight to your local ER and get help. Hope this helps, and best of luck to you.

 

[Zelda840]

Step one: You need to talk to a professional about the anxiety/depression.

As for the online classes, I would take one and then get an official transcript mailed to you to see if it shows up anywhere. Neither my CC or state uni transcripts make any mention of which classes were taken online. I did do all my science classes that had labs in the classroom, though. You simply won't have the materials you need to get a proper lab experience at home.

 

[deleted92121]

Took a few pre-reqs online. Doesn't show up on transcripts as online/distance. But schools can tell with me because I worked in PA and took the courses at schools in other states.

Numerous phone calls were made to a myriad of different programs. Some have no problem with them. Others don't like them.

My take on the matter is call schools that you are interested in and ask if they accept them. Online/distance learning has a negative connotation that is unwarranted in many cases. University of Phoenix? Probably not a good idea. University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine Post-Bacc program? Legit and harder than you'd think. I should know, I took my Organic Chem through them.

And finally, do well on the MCAT. For many programs it is a strong equalizer it appears.

 

[jl lin]

Took a few pre-reqs online. Doesn't show up on transcripts as online/distance. But schools can tell with me because I worked in PA and took the courses at schools in other states.

Numerous phone calls were made to a myriad of different programs. Some have no problem with them. Others don't like them.

My take on the matter is call schools that you are interested in and ask if they accept them. Online/distance learning has a negative connotation that is unwarranted in many cases. University of Phoenix? Probably not a good idea. University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine Post-Bacc program? Legit and harder than you'd think. I should know, I took my Organic Chem through them.

And finally, do well on the MCAT. For many programs it is a strong equalizer it appears.

I think there is some truth to this. When it comes to the pre-med science courses and other sciences courses that require labs, well, working in labs with other people can be a bit of test of prognostic indicators. Also, when you work in RL and space in a lab with someone (like a professor or TA) that can evaluate you, they are also a better source of LOR-writing, and this is something we have to keep in mind when working the med school app process.

Things other than grades are evaluated in the MS application process. Can they be arbitrary and subjective? Yes. Until educational processes and jobs strive to develop more objective systems of evaluation for say clinical or action-based/work-based behavior/actions, this is what we are stuck with.

For clinical situations--both, say in 3rd and 4th year MS as well as residencies and fellowships, yes. I know THIS CAN BE DONE. Are places willing to take on the research, continuous evaluation, costs, and work involved in employing more objective systems for behavioral and clinical and/or lab evaluations? They can; but they won't. Least not at this time. And that does EVERYONE a disservice--physicians, patients, hospitals, society at large.

 

[SupremeApe]

What is LOR-Writing?

 

[kraskadva]

What is LOR-Writing?

LOR= Letter of Recommendation.
You will need multiple LORs for your application, some of them must be written by professors, and you cannot get them through online courses since the professor doesn't actually know you.

 

[chartero]

I'm twenty years old and I just enrolled as a freshman. Excelsior has labs for almost all the pre reqs.

Be careful; this appears incorrect. Excelsior only offers one semester of general biology with lab (BIO-110 + BIO-111, 3+1 semester hours), not the two-semester sequence (full year; typically ~8 semester hours) Icahn FlexMed requires, and the other, main path to med school taken by almost everyone, also requires. Excelsior has at least one upper-level biology electives with a lab (BIO-300 Advanced Investigations in Biology, 3 sh). It is possible but to my understanding would be a stretch that 110 + 111 + 300 would meet the requirement.

Meanwhile, Excelsior has only one semester of general chemistry with lab, not the two-semester sequence Icahn FlexMed requires, and the other, main path to medical school taken by almost everyone also requires.

Excelsior has regular classes too, that can be taken in person.

No it doesn't. See Excelsior College's own federally-mandated reports on vaccination policy (Section 435-9 here) and on campus security: "Excelsior College is an online institution without a campus where students take courses;" "As a distance learning education service provider, Excelsior College has no residential facilities." I am almost certain that Excelsior College itself doesn't offer in-person instruction that is technically off-campus either.

 

[SupremeApe]

Be careful; this appears incorrect. Excelsior only offers one semester of general biology with lab (BIO-110 + BIO-111, 3+1 semester hours), not the two-semester sequence (full year; typically ~8 semester hours) Icahn FlexMed requires, and the other, main path to med school taken by almost everyone, also requires. Excelsior has at least one upper-level biology electives with a lab (BIO-300 Advanced Investigations in Biology, 3 sh). It is possible but to my understanding would be a stretch that 110 + 111 + 300 would meet the requirement.

Meanwhile, Excelsior has only one semester of general chemistry with lab, not the two-semester sequence Icahn FlexMed requires, and the other, main path to medical school taken by almost everyone also requires.



No it doesn't. See Excelsior College's own federally-mandated reports on vaccination policy (Section 435-9 here) and on campus security: "Excelsior College is an online institution without a campus where students take courses;" "As a distance learning education service provider, Excelsior College has no residential facilities." I am almost certain that Excelsior College itself doesn't offer in-person instruction that is technically off-campus either.

I'll just take a semester of bio in the spring and another during the summer. I don't even think flex med is asking for labs. ( still gonna do it though)

 

[SupremeApe]

LOR= Letter of Recommendation.
You will need multiple LORs for your application, some of them must be written by professors, and you cannot get them through online courses since the professor doesn't actually know you.

I'll just get to know the professor online. I alread got 1 lor from a hs teacher and another from my godfather who is a math professor.

 

[kraskadva]

I'll just get to know the professor online. I alread got 1 lor from a hs teacher and another from my godfather who is a math professor.

I really hope you're being sarcastic, because that statement is one of the most naive things I've heard on here.
Not a one of those LORs would be worth the paper they're written on and the one from your godfather would actually hurt you.

 

[SupremeApe]

Ok, but you really don't think a online prof wouldn't write me a lor if I did well and also participated in online tutoring? Btw, you have 666 messages 😵

 

[kraskadva]

Ok, but you really don't think a online prof wouldn't write me a lor if I did well and also participated in online tutoring? Btw, you have 666 messages 😵

Maybe they would. It wouldn't be worth **** though, since they've never met you in person.

And not anymore 😉

 

[SupremeApe]

Maybe they would. It wouldn't be worth **** though, since they've never met you in person.

And not anymore 😉

Lol. Would a Lor from a SMDEP program be better?

 

[kraskadva]

Lol. Would a Lor from a SMDEP program be better?

Much better.

Best though would be professors who you've established a relationship with (in person) over the course of a couple years.