Pre-Reqs at easier schools (?)

[doc99]

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Hi, I am currently going to UCLA, as a non science major. I want to take my science optometry pre-reqs at a CSU (i.e. CSU Long beach, fresno, bakersfield, etc). school (because it's much easier) to keep my GPA high. Do optometry schools look down on this/what do they think about taking upperdivision pre-reqs at a different/easier school? Thank you.

 

[mshea413]

Some schools might. I don't know much about CSU and how they are ranked as a school, but I know some people try and take some classes (like organic chem) at community colleges. I would think that schools would look down on this. I have even heard of medical schools not liking if a student takes one of their "hard classes" over the summer because some people think that these classes are easier (even if they are taught by the same professor). It may also be a good idea to take some of your science classes at your school to see if you can handle them to give yourself more of an idea of what optometry school will be like.

 

[Chrispyswt]

I think that all admissions committees would ask you why you decided to take your pre reqs at a different university. If your only answer was "it was easier" it would refect badly on you and your competitiveness with other applicants. Plus you are doing a real disservice to yourself and any patient you see in the future. No one wants to be seen by a mediocre dr.

 

[sammyboy]

No one wants to be seen by a mediocre dr.

Good point.

 

[OD4eyes]

I think that all admissions committees would ask you why you decided to take your pre reqs at a different university. If your only answer was "it was easier" it would refect badly on you and your competitiveness with other applicants. Plus you are doing a real disservice to yourself and any patient you see in the future. No one wants to be seen by a mediocre dr.

Good points! However, I have to mention that their is nothing wrong in taking a course at an CUNY or community college... as along as you contact the school and ask if they will accept it. Biology is Biology. How much different can it be in another school? Also, I have worked in optometric office for over 2 years, patients NEVER ask what type of college courses did the doctor take ??? and where??? They never even ask what optometry school he attended. Patients will generally ask what type of doctor is he? Point being do the most you can with your education. Do your research on the course and make some calls and ask questions. PS mediocre doctors come from any source...
If you need a reason on why you took this course elsewhere...$$$$$$$$$$ is the best and reseasonable answer, especially in this economy. Good Luck!!!

 

[Chrispyswt]

"Good points! However, I have to mention that their is nothing wrong in taking a course at an CUNY or community college... as along as you contact the school and ask if they will accept it. Biology is Biology. How much different can it be in another school? Also, I have worked in optometric office for over 2 years, patients NEVER ask what type of college courses did the doctor take ??? and where??? They never even ask what optometry school he attended. Patients will generally ask what type of doctor is he? Point being do the most you can with your education. Do your research on the course and make some calls and ask questions. PS mediocre doctors come from any source...
If you need a reason on why you took this course elsewhere...$$$$$$$$$$ is the best and reseasonable answer, especially in this economy. Good Luck!!!"

Your whole point is ridiculous the origional post was never about the type of education you recieve at a community college cause he obviously wants to do it cause its easy and not about the money. I've also worked in the field for two years but your point about no one asks what type of courses the doctor took is dumb. What sort of response is that? Also if getting into professional school was easy then why dont many more students go that route and become doctors. Why cause its not easy and you have to work hard to become successful. I dont wanna offend you, i just feel strongly about working hard to better yourself and not take the easy way out

 

[Chrispyswt]

Good points! However, I have to mention that their is nothing wrong in taking a course at an CUNY or community college... as along as you contact the school and ask if they will accept it. Biology is Biology. How much different can it be in another school? Also, I have worked in optometric office for over 2 years, patients NEVER ask what type of college courses did the doctor take ??? and where??? They never even ask what optometry school he attended. Patients will generally ask what type of doctor is he? Point being do the most you can with your education. Do your research on the course and make some calls and ask questions. PS mediocre doctors come from any source...
If you need a reason on why you took this course elsewhere...$$$$$$$$$$ is the best and reseasonable answer, especially in this economy. Good Luck!!!

Your whole point is ridiculous the origional post was never about the type of education you recieve at a community college cause he obviously wants to do it cause its easy and not about the money. I've also worked in the field for two years but your point about no one asks what type of courses the doctor took is dumb. What sort of response is that? Also if getting into professional school was easy then why dont many more students go that route and become doctors. Why cause its not easy and you have to work hard to become successful. I dont wanna offend you, i just feel strongly about working hard to better yourself and not take the easy way out

 

[OD4eyes]

Your whole point is ridiculous the origional post was never about the type of education you recieve at a community college cause he obviously wants to do it cause its easy and not about the money. I've also worked in the field for two years but your point about no one asks what type of courses the doctor took is dumb. What sort of response is that? Also if getting into professional school was easy then why dont many more students go that route and become doctors. Why cause its not easy and you have to work hard to become successful. I dont wanna offend you, i just feel strongly about working hard to better yourself and not take the easy way out

Who is to say that he won't have to work his butt off in CSU??? He will still have to work hard regardless of where he goes. CSU is less expensive. I know a few that are in SUNY they took 1or 2 community college course(s) and it did not hurt their chances in getting.

 

[Chrispyswt]

I think you have seriously missed the point. There is a big difference in taking all your science pre reqs at a community college than taking a couple to save some money. I've already graduated with a bio undergrad degree but I had to take one course to fulfill all the pre-reqs to apply and I took it at a community college to SAVE MONEY. I have also been accepted to a few programs. Point being I have no clue about CSU but the origional post stated that he wants to do it cause its EASY.

 

[mshea413]

I think you have seriously missed the point. There is a big difference in taking all your science pre reqs at a community college than taking a couple to save some money. I've already graduated with a bio undergrad degree but I had to take one course to fulfill all the pre-reqs to apply and I took it at a community college to SAVE MONEY. I have also been accepted to a few programs. Point being I have no clue about CSU but the origional post stated that he wants to do it cause its EASY.

I think that thats okay, but the original topic of the thread was asking if it was looked down upon to take difficult classes at an institution where getting a good grade might be easier. I think that this is not a good idea, but just taking one or maybe two classes because you have already graduated and want to save money would be okay (you might want to try and explain this in the interview if you get a chance).

 

[doc99]

No one wants to be seen by a mediocre dr.

I'm really curious, how does taking some pre req courses at a California State University school, vs. UCLA make someone a "mediocre dr." You learn your optometry skills at *optometry school*.

So, then do you think that community college students who transfer to a 4-yr university and then continue on to medical/optometry school, etc. are "mediocre" doctors?

 

[CaliOD25]

I'm really curious, how does taking some pre req courses at a California State University school, vs. UCLA make someone a "mediocre dr." You learn your optometry skills at *optometry school*.

So, then do you think that community college students who transfer to a 4-yr university and then continue on to medical/optometry school, etc. are "mediocre" doctors?

I believe the 'mediocre' part that the poster is referring to is the desire to search for the easy route. I think this is really what is troubling most of us about your original post, not that the specific place you intend to take these courses.

Don't go for 'easy courses.' Takes the classes that will be rewarding and will give you a good foundation of knowledge.

The easy answers are rarely the best ones. Good luck.

 

[Chrispyswt]

Hi, I am currently going to UCLA, as a non science major. I want to take my science optometry pre-reqs at a CSU (i.e. CSU Long beach, fresno, bakersfield, etc). school (because it's much easier) to keep my GPA high. Do optometry schools look down on this/what do they think about taking upperdivision pre-reqs at a different/easier school? Thank you.

Wow first you say that you wanna do your pre-req work at an "easier" school and now your saying why does that make you a mediocre Dr. You already know the answer to that question. You only wanna do the courses at an "easier" school cause you dont think you'll be able to maintain a high GPA at UCLA. You just undercut your whole argument in your next reply. If you strive to just be mediocre then you will only be mediocre. If you want to become a doctor you should put in the time to be the best doctor to your patients. You say you learn optometry in optometry school but you build your foundation in your undergraduate work.

And thank you CaliOD25 for not taking anything I had to say out of context to bring some sort of weak argument

 

[blysssful]

Good points! However, I have to mention that their is nothing wrong in taking a course at an CUNY or community college... as along as you contact the school and ask if they will accept it. Biology is Biology. How much different can it be in another school? Also, I have worked in optometric office for over 2 years, patients NEVER ask what type of college courses did the doctor take ??? and where??? They never even ask what optometry school he attended. Patients will generally ask what type of doctor is he? Point being do the most you can with your education. Do your research on the course and make some calls and ask questions. PS mediocre doctors come from any source...
If you need a reason on why you took this course elsewhere...$$$$$$$$$$ is the best and reseasonable answer, especially in this economy. Good Luck!!!

The type of school you take your prereqs at makes a huge difference when/if you actually make it into school. The level of education at different schools makes a huge difference in how well you learn the information.

The questions the patients ask (or don't ask) about your education is completely irrelevant. Your education will be evident by your competence as a doctor.

 

[sneezy43]

Hi all,

Just to clear up some of this confusion, some schools DO take where you took the courses into consideration when going through your application file. For example, if a person has a 3.5 GPA from a highly competitive school, it carries more weight than a person that has a 3.5 GPA from a competitive school.

Most optometry schools try to discourage students from taking courses (especially prerequisite courses) from community colleges and the like.

I hope that helps!