I will be a college freshman this year and plan on going to community college for two years to save money, but I don't know if I would be taking a huge risk with take some of the medical prerequisties there. I plan on getting a major in biochemistry once I transfer to a four-year university,and all of the other students Iin the junior class will have already taken the standard year of general chemistry, biology, and calculus, as is required to move on to to the upper-level courses. I don't want to risk my getting into medical schools because I had to take certain prerequisites at community college, so I wouldn't fall behind in my major. So, do you think my chances will be significantly hurt if I have to satisfy all 3 of the prerequisite requirements at community college? Also, are all prerequisites looked at equally? Do med schools care more about how well you did in biology and organic chemistry, than in your english and calculus courses ( or something similar)?
Prerequisites and community college
- Thread starter 17a7x
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Who cares? Look at it like this; If you don't take those required pre-requisites, then you will not be transferring to a 4-year university, period. Unless you change your major, you have no choice.
The only problem you'd have to worry about is making sure the quality of the classes you're attending in CC are up to the level of knowledge you'll need at the 4-year (and if they have guaranteed credit transfer programs in place, that's almost certainly taken care of). Adcoms aren't likely to much care, especially with a degree like biochem at the 4-year, which will more than prove your ability to handle upper level science courses.
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My only suggestion is that If your future biochem program requires pchem, you may benefit from taking the calc-based version of physics at the CC. That would also ensure more rigorous coverage of the subject too.
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If you MUST attend a 2 year school than I suggest you do the following:
1). Complete all of your prerequisites there while working toward an Associate degree in science. The reason for this is that most 4 year universities would like to see transfer students to have completed at least 60 credits and coming with an Associate degree will make the transfer process much easier. If you avoid taking any prerequisites at CC, you will just waste time and money.
2). Most medical schools DO accept prerequisites taken at CC BUT it would be wise for you to continue taking upper level science classes at the university.
I started at CC and did all of my prerequisites and received an Associate degree in chemistry with a 4.0. I just finished my 1st semester at a 4 year university this spring and took 2 upper level science courses(biochem and cell bio&neuro sci) and still maintained my GPA. The university also counted ALL of my prerequisites toward a bachelor's degree in biology and gave me a scholarship that covers roughly 2/3 of tuition for the next two years.
good luck!
