Prereq Advice SoCal

[anagegs]

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I've been a full time Pilates Instructor for the last three years in NYC and I'm also a part time PT Aide. I am finally making the leap to going back to school for my DPT. I received my undergrad in 2000 and I took Intro to Statistics in 2002 for a degree I was considering a while back. I need to complete my science pre-reqs and we're moving to Southern California in the Spring - Santa Monica area.

Any advice on where I can take my prereqs in Southern Cali? I'm learning that the Community College classes are extremely hard to get into. Are there postbacc programs anyone can recommend? I'd ultimately like to apply to USC, Mount St. Mary's, CSULB. I'm so familiar with the NYC school system and now I'm trying to do all my research on CA before I move, so I can enroll asap. Thanks!!!

 

[pubicsymphysis]

I've been a full time Pilates Instructor for the last three years in NYC and I'm also a part time PT Aide. I am finally making the leap to going back to school for my DPT. I received my undergrad in 2000 and I took Intro to Statistics in 2002 for a degree I was considering a while back. I need to complete my science pre-reqs and we're moving to Southern California in the Spring - Santa Monica area.

Any advice on where I can take my prereqs in Southern Cali? I'm learning that the Community College classes are extremely hard to get into. Are there postbacc programs anyone can recommend? I'd ultimately like to apply to USC, Mount St. Mary's, CSULB. I'm so familiar with the NYC school system and now I'm trying to do all my research on CA before I move, so I can enroll asap. Thanks!!!

You can check out LASC http://www.lasc.edu. The reason I went here is cause class are easier to get into, you don't need an intro class to register for general, and they take a lot of people off the wait list. The good thing about registering with this school is that you can also register to 8 other different colleges. They are all under one district. You can check Santa Monica College but it is so impacted there that it would be hard to get into those science courses you need. Also check out UCLA extension, its pricey but they offer class at nights (if you work). LMK if you want anymore info. I been to almost every socal community colleges. Best of LUCK.

 

[Co Luu]

Hi anagegs,

I want to point out that your "Intro. to Statistics" class is already expired (pass the 5-6 year limit), this means you will need to re-take the class. Since you are going to be near Santa Monica, I would definitely recommend checking public universities such as CSU-Northridge or community colleges such as Moorpark, Santa Monica College, or College of the Canyons. Community colleges are extremely impacted and it will be very tough to get classes (does not mean it is impossible), you just got to be patient.
Now, I am not sure if you want to transition to PT school a.s.a.p, but if you are talk to the Admission and Records department at CSU-Northridge. You will have a better chance of getting the classes that you need!

Hope this helps!

 

[okramango]

Some programs will take older prereqs, so check with the programs you're applying to before retaking stats. I had a few prereqs that were 10+ years old, and all the programs I applied to accepted them.

 

[anagegs]

Thanks all! This is great and really helpful. I did look at the UCLA extension program, but it's really expensive and I don't think it's necessary to spend that kind of money for the prereqs. I will check out all the schools listed above and I think once I move to CA, I will need to be diligent calling the Admissions offices and going in to the community colleges to speak to people and do what needs to be done. I also may take some core sciences at a State school like CSULB or Northridge. Have you all had any experience with PT schools accepting online courses for Stats or Psych?

And yes, I want to complete my prereqs in two years - enroll into PT school while I'm finishing the prereqs - so I don't want to waste much time. I may have to be flexible in the beginning as I start, but going back to school at 35 and knowing this is ABSOLUTELY what I want to do - I'm ready to rock and roll! 🙂

 

[megi1212]

I am not sure about your science classes. But if you do have to take them, check into Southern California University of Health Science and their Integrated Science program. They offer one class per month, Sat-Sun only. It is a little expensive. So, you might wanna look into that as well. 🙂

 

[Co Luu]

I am not 100% sure, but I know that PT schools hate online classes. My advisor always advised me to stay away from online classes, especially when it comes to pre-requisite classes. I would not take them if I were you and just take them all in person.
Do not take my word for it and do the research on your own. Talk to the academic coordinator for that PT school you want to apply to and ask whether online classes are acceptable.

 

[SailorsGal]

Oh, I am living this topic right now and it is something I could go on and on about! I am finishing up my prereqs in San Diego this semester and came here after completing one semester in Texas. It is really different in SoCal and it's good you know that already! I did not, and the implications of the impacted system were a huge shock to me. I have managed to finish all my prereqs in 1.5 years (including Summer), mostly at a community college. I have also taken three courses through San Diego State's extension program. It's a lot more expensive ($250 per unit, approx.) but I had to do it to finish by December and the cost is offset by the ridiculously cheap tuition at the community college. Plus, many schools seem to prefer University-level prereqs (don't know why - my CC courses were harder and more thorough, in general).

My biggest issue out here has been that I took most of the prereqs during my undergrad years ago, and because the schools are so impacted, they won't let you retake any courses you passed with a C or higher unless you apply for a waiver. Be sure to look into that if you are trying to register for classes early. I had never heard of this. My science classes were over 15 years old, but still they wouldn't let me register without a waiver, and even then I was last on the list, meaning I had to crash all the courses I wanted to get into. If you haven't heard of this before (I hadn't!) it means you show up for the first day of class and hope some registered people don't show up. If they're not there the first day they are out and a crasher or someone on the waitlist gets the spot. Different schools do it differently, but at my CC registered students had better show up every day on time for the first couple of weeks or their spots are liable to get taken. Somehow, I have made it through three semesters successfully crashing every course I have needed. This crashing system is also in effect at the University extension programs, and as an extension student you will be bottom of the barrel. If you're persistent, though, you'll get through. Especially if you can take evening classes. They are much easier to get into, but I can't do them because I have a family.

I just wanted to let you know that it is possible to do community colleges! LA might be worse than here, but I doubt it. However, if you have the money to go private it will save you a lot of headache.