Prereq question

[gratitude2012]

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Hello SDNers!

First of all, i want to share that I am so thankful for this site! so thank you Lee! (?)
Lots of inspirations, lots of useful info, and lots of supports (esp from the nontrad just like myself!

My background: 32 years old, mother of 1 kid under 1, Economics undergrad degree from a U.C in cali in 2003. GPA: 3.0 ( no excuse really, it was just me, being imature)
I also took some general requirements to full fill my undegrad major at a local community college while I was in H.S, and summers of college year. My GPA at community college is 3.66

Now, I need to start from ground 0 to get all the prereq classes done. If you were me, would you take class at: (considering money is not a biggest concern, since I will take out loans and start from fresh, time is contraint since I am working full time, and need to take care of my 5 months old daughter too)

1. Local community college
2. UCLA extension
3. Open university at Cal State colleges

I do realize there are similare threads regarding postbac programs, etc..but I just want to introduce myself to this wonderful community , and see what would you do if you were me.
🙂

Thank you!

 

[Deekle]

Depends on where you want to go. If you are planning on staying in-state MD or going DO, the CC may not be a terrible choice. I'm 31 with 2 kids, had a 3.6cgpa between my 2 years CC and 2 years at University. I got interviewed and put on one of my state schools acceptable candidates list. (SIU does admissions a bit differently; I'll probably have to wait unril the end of this month or around the multiple acceptance deadline for an actual acceptance letter)

That said, I had lots of upper level chem/biochem/bio classes at university.

I had always heard that adcoms look down on CC's. It wasn't my experience, but there may have been mitigating factors in my case.

If it were me and I could afford the financial side of things, I'd do the prereqs at a state school and take a couple of upper lvl biochem classes while I was at it for my best chance.

 

[Elewynne]

Welcome!

You'll find the general consensus here will be to take any and all prerequisite classes at a University rather than a community college if it's possible for you. I'm not sure if the location being an extension matters or not. Since you say money is not a concern, your best best to minimize any possible stigma (real or imagined) with your future application is to take them at a University.

That being said, some folks going the U route have issues getting into classes as a post-bacc. If you're not a degree-seeking student often universities put you at the end of the registration list and you may have difficulty getting into the classes you need. I'll let others with more experience in this matter speak to it.

Personally, I'm 31, married no kids, working, and doing an informal post-bacc which will likely be 100% CC-based. I work full time at a fairly standard office job so that's a big constraint on my time. My local university simply doesn't offer the classes I need at the times I can take them, and hence I really have no reasonable choice given my situation other than going to CC (or quitting my job, which is not a financial option in our situation right now). I'm fine with my choice and did it fully aware that someone, somewhere may hold it against me during the application process. But on the other hand, folks like Slev here have had resounding success doing an entirely CC postbacc.

There are tons of posts atomizing this University/CC horse to death and beyond, feel free to search them out to get everyone's opinion. 🙂

 

[herbiederbie]

Welcome! I am also a mom of a young child (19 mos.) and a non-trad age 34. You will find a ton of helpful info here on SDN. From what I've read, community colleges are viewed more favorably in California, so it sounds like you've got a few really nice options. It seems the consensus here (which I've found from reading a number of threads) is to take pre-reqs at a university or 4-year if at all possible. If finances and scheduling aren't an issue, I would go with the university credits.

 

[gratitude2012]

Thank u all for your replies; and congrats on your accomplishments thus far!
Money is not a constraint for me since I will be taking out more loans, n what anothet 10k
+debt on top on my gigantic mortgage of a house already under water n undergrad debt anywayse? 😳.
But i do have to keep my full time job to feed myself n my baby, n pay bills 🙂.
State universities rarely offer night classes that fit my schedule but community colleges do.
Ucla science certificate program: offer some night classes but the prob is we have to finish all the requirements within 2 years, n i cant do that with a full time job. Oyyyy.