prereqs at CC question

[daddyo9]

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Question on taking prereqs at a community college. I have a BS in Chemistry (graduated Dec. 2000) and have recently decided to try applying for pharmacy school. I still need to take a few prereqs like Biology 2, microbio, microeconomics, and an anatomy class. Would there be any reason I shouldn't take these at a CC (if they're offered)? It would be cheaper and the class schedules are more flexible to meet my work schedule. Thanks for any input.

 

[Bill_252001]

there will be no problem in taking those courses at a CC. I took all my pre reqs at CC and have already been accepted. Its so funny that students have skepticism about taking courses at CC. I have been accepted to bunch of medical schools and Pharmacy schools and I have most of my pre reqs taken at a CC. Hope that helps. Good luck.

 

[SpirivaSunrise]

Question on taking prereqs at a community college. I have a BS in Chemistry (graduated Dec. 2000) and have recently decided to try applying for pharmacy school. I still need to take a few prereqs like Biology 2, microbio, microeconomics, and an anatomy class. Would there be any reason I shouldn't take these at a CC (if they're offered)? It would be cheaper and the class schedules are more flexible to meet my work schedule. Thanks for any input.

Totally agree with daddy09 Bill, plenty of people are admitted from CC's and do great. The fact that you have a BS will squash any of the doubts if there are any (which there shouldn't be) anyways. Good luck! 😉

 

[eddie269]

Since you already have a BS from a 4 yr, I wouldn't shy away from CC courses. Just make sure your GPA from your 4 yr is pretty good and get those extra-curric's and pharmacy experience hours up. (In other words, GET A's!!)

What CC kids don't tell you is they probably maintained a high GPA (3.7 and up), worked as a pharmacy technician for a year, has strong letter or rec's, have some e/c activities, and an outstanding pcat score (85 and above).

 

[Gizmo]

You can do it; I did it...good luck! 🙂

 

[cystapharm]

Several schools are telling me a different story. When I told them my GPA has been increasing, they said it's only in my favor if it's increasing after I transition into 4-year universities from a cc than vice versa. do they not know that cc courses are just as hard if not harder????? We have many talented PhD professors at a cc!

anyways its always good to hear a successful cc candidate.

 

[doublehh03]

there will be no problem in taking those courses at a CC. I took all my pre reqs at CC and have already been accepted. Its so funny that students have skepticism about taking courses at CC. I have been accepted to bunch of medical schools and Pharmacy schools and I have most of my pre reqs taken at a CC. Hope that helps. Good luck.

tell me what medical school u got accepted to and show me the transcript.

taking classes are CCs are fine and dandy but they won't help u if u don't prove u can do it at the university level. it's the truth.

UCSF and UCSD have straight up told ppl that they won't look too highly at an applicant if u took most of ur pre-reqs at a CC.

u can get into A SCHOOL, but prollie won't be highly regarded.

and tell me a med school that will take a guy who takes most of his pre-reqs at a CC.

 

[daddyo9]

Thanks for the feedback. All my previous classes were from my 4yr school so I don't have any experience with CC classes and wasn't sure how they might be recieved come application time.

Any ideas for extra-curriculars that give you the most bang for buck? I work in a chemical plant lab doing rotating (day/night) shift work so between trying to catch up on sleep and having to cover OT I might not be able to volunteer for a fixed schedule. I would need to find something thats willing to work with my flexible schedule. Though I'm hoping that I'll be able to do well enough on the PCAT that my e/c's won't have to hold so much weight.

 

[eddie269]

tell me what medical school u got accepted to and show me the transcript.

taking classes are CCs are fine and dandy but they won't help u if u don't prove u can do it at the university level. it's the truth.

UCSF and UCSD have straight up told ppl that they won't look too highly at an applicant if u took most of ur pre-reqs at a CC.

u can get into A SCHOOL, but prollie won't be highly regarded.

and tell me a med school that will take a guy who takes most of his pre-reqs at a CC.

I'm going to have to lean more towards doublehh03's side. Sure some CC's are just as hard as 4 yrs. But those are the exceptions, not the norm. And generally speaking, schools will look down on CC courses b/c they are GENERALLY easier than 4 yr's. Ask any admissions committee that.

I received a few C's in my chem and bio pre-req's but during my interview, the lady stated, "I know UC Davis is a top 50 school so I understand those C's probably don't show your capabilities like you said. I see in o-chem you got A's and B's at UCD also. That shows you improved and can handle UCD's science load, and can probably handle our curriculum here also."

I guarantee you if I received C's at UCD, then went to a CC instead and got A's and B's in o-chem, it wouldn't mean a thing to the adcom.

More and more applicants have a bachelors now, which implies they can handle the 4 yr's course-load. And guess what, majority of graduate programs are on the same level of difficulty as 4 yr's (at least the perception is).

With all that being said....if you take 2 full years of pre-req's at a CC and get straight A's (or close to it), score an 80 and above on the PCAT, have some pharmacy experience, and can interview decent...well, congratulations b/c you are almost guaranteed admissions to a good program of your choice.

 

[Bill_252001]

daddy, don't let doublehh discourage you. I repeat I took all my pre reqs for pharmacy at a city college and have been accepted in the first batch at Midwestern University. Besides doublehh i dn't need to prove anything to you or for that matter to anybody else. I know, I did it and that's what matters. Just so you know my stats GPA 3.9 and PCAT 93% with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

 

[doublehh03]

daddy, don't let doublehh discourage you. I repeat I took all my pre reqs for pharmacy at a city college and have been accepted in the first batch at Midwestern University. Besides doublehh i dn't need to prove anything to you or for that matter to anybody else. I know, I did it and that's what matters. Just so you know my stats GPA 3.9 and PCAT 93% with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

again, my point wasn't referred to u b/c it's obvious u can handle the load since u got a BS at a 4-yr university.

im referring to those who plan to take ALL their pre-reqs at a CC and then apply.

if u can get a BS in EE at a university, u don't have to prove anything to me. you've proven you're a capable student in a TOUGH major.

2 different things.

 

[TennisBoy78]

I agree. Don't worry about it. Save your money. You have nothing to prove because you have your degree.

Just make sure that a school is comfortable with you taking the remainder of your pre-reqs at a CC. Call the schools that you are interested in and ask them this question directly to save yourself the heartache. End of story.

 

[Julianne]

im referring to those who plan to take ALL their pre-reqs at a CC and then apply.

Hmmm... I don't have any experience with medical school, but I do know that there are respectable pharmacy schools out there that take folks with CC prereqs only and no prior degree. I am one such example, but I know that there are many others on this forum who are in the same position. I'm posting this for two reasons: To encourage those who are reluctant to apply if they only have CC credits under their belts -AND- to remind folks that oftentimes it's not just about the GPA (or the PCAT score or where the prereqs were completed, etc.). I believe that most schools take the whole picture into account when interviewing and offering positions.

FWIW - I applied to UGA, Mercer, PBA, and Samford last year (was accepted at Mercer and PBA; waitlisted at Samford; denied at UGA) and applied to/was accepted at Auburn this year.

 

[TennisBoy78]

My point simply is this: If in doubt, call the schools you are interested in. Otherwise, you will just be guessing. A lot of schools take CC-only students, but you don't know their stance until you call. In calling, don't phrase it like "Can I take classes at CC", but rather, "Are my chances just as good by taking CC credits compared to my chances if I took them at the University." Oh yeah, ask to speak to the Admissions Officer or Counselor rather than the secretary.

 

[Bill_252001]

I agree with Tennisboy. Best way is to ask the school directly. You can also find out on the school's website. Some schools have pre reqs section where they tell you if courses taken at CC will satisfy the requirements or not.

 

[pulsedriver]

I am in the same boat daddy09. I graduated from ucsd this last spring and I didn't have any idea I'd be trying for pharmacy school. I'm in a situation now where I need a few pre-req classes (psychology, microbio, anatomy, speaking) so I decided to go to the local community college to fulfill these. It's really nice because it is way cheaper than a university, and the classes are flexible to where you can hold a job at the same time. Good luck man.