Pre-Recs via Distance Learning

[Olddodger]

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Hi all,

Has anyone tried to accomplish their pre-requisites via a distance learning program? I see quite a few state university systems have them in place for at least the initial coursework, and I was wondering if anyone has tried this route....

Best,
Oldie

 

[Darla3]

I took an animal nutrition feeds/feeding course through distance learning from Oklahoma State University. It simply was not offered at my university. I don't think Vet school admissions looked at it any differently than my other coursework.


Darla

 

[Olddodger]

Hi Darla,

Thanks a bunch. I have work right now (got to save $$$ for school, you know!) that has a completly unpredictable schedule from month to month, making regular classwork out of the question for the moment.

OTOH, I don't want to just stare at the four walls with the time I have to spare, so I thought this might be an opportunity.

I contacted one University that had the coursework I needed, but they gave me the caveot that they cannot guarantee that, while the courses have identical content as the on-campus courses, they will be accepted for "core" classwork. I don't know if "core" = "pre-reqs".

I fired off a email to the same University's vet school asking the same question,and I am awaiting their reply. I'll use their response as a litmus for others.

If the answer is no, then I am torpedoed for at least a few years....

Thanks!
Oldie

 

[natelam]

Although you may be able to complete some prereqs (core bio, chem, physics cannot at most vet schools) via the internet, you must take into account that schools will look at this unfavorably, especially if the courses are competed through an unknown institution.

 

[Olddodger]

Hi Natelam,

Thanks for the heads up. I found most of the classes I needed were available through the University of Minnesota (hardly an unknown institution), one of the few schools I've found that had physical and biological sciences available in this way.

However, you are probably right...I sent an email off to the U of M Vet school, and I am waiting to hear back from them. The U of M CCE (continuing education) got right back to me and went out of their way to be helpful, which was pretty refreshing since I found that most schools take their time in getting back to you via email, if ever.

It would be a drag if the answer is no. Not only would it put a serious crimp in my plans (in the short term), and would represent a lot of wasted time that could be put to better use.

I did my MS partially through distance learning, and found it to be really pretty effective. The content was the same, and I put more effort into it because instead of sitting in class (which is on THEIR schedule) half asleep because of life, I was able perform at %100 because I was able put in the effort when I was at MY best.

In light of this, I'm not really sure what the diff is, especially with the 101 type classes, which are usually a paragon of rote practice/memorization anyway. On tests/exams (which are usually proctored by the school) you either know it or you don't, no matter what absorption process you used. You would think they would give bonus points for being a motivated, self-starter while working full time.

But, it's their call. I use the short term to study for the GRE instead if that's the case.

Best,
Oldie

 

[natelam]

Oldie, I believe that schools would like to see some core work in the classroom, because this is how you will be instructed during vet school, working alongside other students with classes/labs 8-5 each day (surrounded by 4 walls). I will definately agree they will like that your motivation to work and go to school simultaneously. Core classes on the semester system will take you about 2 years to complete, (gen chem 1/2, organic chem 1/2, physics 1/2, bio 1/2/3), and hopefully you can take the upper divs, extras like biochem/microbio online?

The problem I think you'll run into is that many of the vet schools require core classes that include laboratory, which can't be done over the internet.

Might you consider taking night classes, or working a night shift? I completed my bachelors/post-bac work at UCLA while running a photography business to pay for it and will be headed to Michigan State this fall for vet school. While I'm only 22 and have only myself to take care of, I still had to pay for tuition and costs of living and running a business. I must admit it was incredibly difficult to do both, but it has paid off, and it certainly can be done.

Good luck!

 

[Olddodger]

Hi Nate,

Nah, night school doesn't work. I work a schedule that changes from month to month...days, nights, weekends, and time out of town. I don't have enough control over it to make any kind of regular class schedule work.

Thing of it is, is that I have more than enough free time, like 15 days off a month...it just comes in fits and spurts. Plus I have a lot of "idle time" when I'm on the road. It drives me nuts to think that I currently waste all that time.

Acutally, the U of M classes include the lab portion. They send you a "kit", for what it's worth. I'm almost intrigued enough by that to try it out, credit or no.

But failing that option (besides, I haven't found anywhere that has Chemistry online), I might have to go to my local college (Nova SE U) and see if I can't work out some other kind of option, mano a mano, with one of the profs. Maybe go to class when I can, hit the books on my own and do the labs on my time off. If I put the time in, do the labs, and pass the tests, what possible difference can it make as opposed to sitting in a lecture hall MWF for an hour a shot?

I can do the work...I just need to find somewhere that is flexible enough...

Best,
Oldie

 

[bern]

It might be to your advantage to attend a large university, where there will be many sections of the same class each semester. That way, you might be able to work something out where you can attend a different section's lab when you can't make your section's time.

Also, you might want to pick a place that doesn't have a strict attendance policy - again, a bigger university might be to your advantage. If your lecture has 300 students, it's likely they aren't going to be taking attendance. If you have plenty of time and motivation, you can probably learn from the book what you miss in lecture and still do well.

I think it would be much better to try to do it that way - I don't think it would be possible to get the proper lab experience through distance learning and a lab kit. No lab kit could possibly contain the expensive equipment and hazardous chemicals that are generally used in your core classes, and even if they did it's not like you could install a hood in your kitchen for your chem lab.

 

[medtechv79]

OldDodger-What type of work do u do? Is there anyway to change your schedule to fit into your class needs? Maybe you could mention to your boss that you're interested in taking some classes and want a more regimented schedule instead of a flexible one. Its worth a try. If not....yeah talk to some of the colleges/universities. I'm sure if you don't go to class all the time but as long as your signed up and do well on the tests that still counts even though you might have to go to the lab all the time. I'd talk it over with the university?

 

[Olddodger]

Hiya MedTech,

I'm in the airline industry. No chance of changing the way the scheduling works. It is what it is. Lots of time off, but lots of time on the road, also.

That industry is rapidly going into the sinkhole, and in a few years, it's not going to be worth it to be involved. In the meantime, I am milking it for all it's worth, saving $$$ and planning my next step.

Part of my plan was to have my pre-recs done while I stash the money. I simply can't afford to do quit now and do it full time.

In any event, I haven't heard back from the U of M, so I can only assume the answer is no with regards to the distance learning anyway. I MIGHT take one of the IDL classes anyway, just to see if I have any mental faculty left from being in the real world for so long 😀 ...

Time for plan "B"....

BTW, thanks to everyone for the advice....I really appriciate the different options. I'm going to make it work, it's just going to be more complicated than I originally thought, and it's going to require some legwork and willing profs...

Oldie