Prerequisites

[Bob Debilder]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I started out as a BS Biological Sciences student at a UC, long story short didn't do well and will graduate soon in a totally unrelated major.

There are several prerequisite courses that I either never took, or took and did very poorly in. So how do I go about fulfilling the prerequisites now?

A lot of people mention postbacc but are there any postbacc's here in CA for people like me who are missing a large amount of the coursework and that aren't dedicated to people from "disadvantaged" backgrounds (which I don't remotely qualify as).

Or do I go to a college and sort of take these courses "a la carte," and if that is what I have to do, what exactly is the procedure for that? Is it pretty much like applying to college the first time around?

 

[GreenDuck12]

Look up colleges/universities in your area for night classes/continuing ed classes/post bac classes. Post bac only means after you have earned a degree. You can take classes at most universities. CA has a ton of colleges that have night classes or extension schools.

 

[holdthemayo]

There's no need to shell out money for a structured post bac unless you think you would benefit from the structure.

It's much cheaper and perfectly acceptable to take classes "a la carte" at a local college/university or extension program. You may benefit from enrolling in a degree seeking program for the sake of registering for classes. Some universities allow degree seeking students to register for courses before non-degree seeking students which should help ensure that you stay on schedule. There is no need to actually complete the second degree if you just need to pick up your prerequisites.

For the procedure at schools near you, just explore the website or call/email the admissions department.

 

[Seattle Mariners Fan]

I think a piecemeal postbac "feels" worse than somebody who came out of a structured program.

Most of the UC's aren't friendly towards career changers needing to take this or that course. UCBX has a great reputation though.

Consensus advice is: any 4 year, importance of institutional prestige is diminutive

 

[Bob Debilder]

I think a piecemeal postbac "feels" worse than somebody who came out of a structured program.

Most of the UC's aren't friendly towards career changers needing to take this or that course. UCBX has a great reputation though.

Consensus advice is: any 4 year, importance of institutional prestige is diminutive

The UC's aren't friendly to letting you enroll and pick & choose classes? Where would I be able to take course in CA then? There are no other colleges like UC's here, from UC's you either go to the CSU's or you would have to go private...

 

[GreenDuck12]

I'm not totally sure what Miami-Postbac is getting at but my guess is that at UC schools enrolling as a post-bac student can be a challenge. However, if you do a quick search you can find its extension schools, which for your purposes, is the same thing.

The UC's aren't friendly to letting you enroll and pick & choose classes? Where would I be able to take course in CA then? There are no other colleges like UC's here, from UC's you either go to the CSU's or you would have to go private...

 

[etp123]

I'm a CA resident. You absolutely CAN take classes a la carte for UCLA, UCB, and I think also UCI and UCSD. Check on their sites but I know UCB and UCLA definitely. You just sign-up through their extension programs and then go to the classes with a form, get the prof to sign off on it, and voila. UCLA extension and UCB extension also have their own undergrad level classes tthey offer that give you the same credits and fill the same requirements, but they're not part of the main campus. So you've got two options there: take a class on the main campus by registering as a non-degree seeking student through UC extension, or take the classes that the UC extension offers. For UCLA extension this is nice because they have evening and weekend classes that suit a full time working individual's schedule.

UC Berkeley does have a formal postbac program, whether or not it's structured though is something I'm not sure of. UCLA's extension pre-med certificate is completely unstructured and sort of a "take what you need" type.

 

[velua]

The reason it's tough at the UCs is because the classes are so crowded. To signup in a non-degree capacity, you have to go through the extension school. This means getting a professor's signature and having the department sign off on it possibly. The problem is they typically won't sign it until a week or two into the quarter once it's clear all the degree students have a spot. This is OK if you happen to live in LA/SD/etc., but if you need to move to a school's location, you won't be able to guarantee a spot in advance. I don't know how the CSUs work, but I doubt it's that big a deal if you're just taking basic science classes (from the point of view of prestige). In fact, I'd recommend avoiding Cal and UCLA for these classes. Those schools are incredibly cutthroat.

I don't recommend faking being a 2nd Bachelor's student just to drop out once you get the classes you need. This could burn some bridges or put a black mark on your record. Some of the UCs don't allow 2nd Bachelor's students anyway.

 

[velua]

Summer is a different story. You can sign up for summer session in advance at the UCs. I don't even think they check pre-reqs. So you could get in a couple classes this summer and see where to go from there.

 

[velua]

Btw, UC extension/summer school has pretty cheap tuition. They don't classify by in-state or out-of-state. Something like $1400 for a 4-credit class I think. A bit more at Berkeley because they're on a semester system.

 

[Ad2b]

I don't recommend faking being a 2nd Bachelor's student just to drop out once you get the classes you need. This could burn some bridges or put a black mark on your record.

Uh. Um. What? No. That's so not true. I was admitted for 2nd bachelor's degree simply so I could get health insurance. That's it. I got admitted simply so I could get healthcare. The other pieces were just whipped cream on top of my hot fudge sundae called "premed" ... and all the professors who signed off on my application (to my alma mater) knew upfront what I was doing.

No one cares in some/most places. IF you're willing to pay, they are willing to take it, provide you an education and a grade.

 

[velua]

I wasn't recommending the UCs for postbac. Was just giving some information on how the process works there.

"Dropping out" of college doesn't look good on your record. If you want to do that, fine, but I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Ad2b]

"Dropping out" of college doesn't look good on your record.

Uh. Wrong. Stopping a 2nd bachelor's degree doesn't show up as drop out of college on the transcript. As someone already has a Bachelor's degree, it just shows that one stopped taking classes post-bacc.

Please stop giving bad advice.

 

[velua]

Some schools do make a distinction (on your transcripts) between degree-seeking and non-degree status.

 

[Seattle Mariners Fan]

What in the hell kind of nerd is going to look at somebody and go "oh my gosh they applied for a 2nd bachelor's to get preferential access to courses, ergo they are unworthy"

 

[Bob Debilder]

First of all I just want to thank you all for providing me with so much information and for all your replies. Now just to clarify, in my position; where leaving the state and paying the exorbitant prices of a private school aren't really an option, what is the best path to knock out these pre reqs?

A lot of the feedback seems to lean towards picking and choosing classes as an enrolled student who isn't working towards a Bachelors. But then a lot of comments make it seem as if trying to do that at a UC is difficult or plain impossible.

Another thing I want to address is those people saying that institution/prestige doesn't matter. Is it not preferable that I complete the pre reqs at a UC, wouldn't doing them at a CSU limit me?

 

[velua]

I would look at the UCs nearby and see what they're offering in the summer. Maybe you could squeeze in 2 classes. You can register in advance (probably can register now) as opposed to the Extension process in the fall/winter/spring. Then figure out what to do in the fall.

Prestige may matter, it's hard to say. But I guarantee you an A at Davis is better than a C+ at Berkeley.

 

[etp123]

Just weigh whichever option will be cheaper/work better for you. If you have an intense courseload of retakes to do, then perhaps enrolling at a school as a degree seeking student would be cheaper/better for the preferential access. If it's less than a year's worth of retakes, then maybe pick and choose enrolling through extension/etc would be cheaper.

It would be better to retake the same classes at the same UC you graduated from since you can directly compare the change, but if you have to do it at a CSU that's fine. In a similar vein to the above, an A+ at CSU is better than C+ at UC. Kids who do well at CSU still get into med school, don't they? It'd be insane if adcoms discredited students' grades just because they didn't all go to a more "prestigious" institution.

 

[A People Person Doctor]

OP, what part of California are you in?

 

[Bob Debilder]

OP, what part of California are you in?

Sorry for the late reply, I'm towards the Southern end of the Central Valley.

 

[Bob Debilder]

Just weigh whichever option will be cheaper/work better for you. If you have an intense courseload of retakes to do, then perhaps enrolling at a school as a degree seeking student would be cheaper/better for the preferential access. If it's less than a year's worth of retakes, then maybe pick and choose enrolling through extension/etc would be cheaper.

It would be better to retake the same classes at the same UC you graduated from since you can directly compare the change, but if you have to do it at a CSU that's fine. In a similar vein to the above, an A+ at CSU is better than C+ at UC. Kids who do well at CSU still get into med school, don't they? It'd be insane if adcoms discredited students' grades just because they didn't all go to a more "prestigious" institution.

I do have an intense courseload, so then do I apply and enroll as if I was seeking a second degree? And do UC's actually allow that, because some here were saying that they aren't very big on second bachelors students.

 

[etp123]

No, UCs do not allow second bachelor's, generally speaking. Some UCs do accept a few for certain majors, though none of them are bio/pre-med type majors so that just seems to be a very difficult route. You could try to get admitted for a 2nd bachelors in some other major and then take the pre-med classes, though. Not too sure how well that works out but it's an option. You wouldn't have preferential access before the major-specific kids in that case either, but you would have access before extension/a-la-carte kids. See here for more info: http://admission.universityofcalifo...ansfer/helping-students/second-baccalaureate/

I don't know about getting a 2nd bachelor's at a CSU but maybe that's another option too.

 

[Dullhead]

I don't know about getting a 2nd bachelor's at a CSU but maybe that's another option too.

http://www.csumentor.edu/planning/transfer/second_bachelors.asp

Due to campus enrollment management policy, most campuses or programs do not accept applications for admission as second bachelor's candidates.

A second undergrad degree at CA public institutions is generally a very difficult proposition. The best way to access courses seems to be via UC Extensions.

 

[etp123]

Just did a little bit of googling, seems like USC and Loyola Marymount offer 2nd bachelors too. Look into private universities near you or areas you're willing to go, OP

 

[Bob Debilder]

Just did a little bit of googling, seems like USC and Loyola Marymount offer 2nd bachelors too. Look into private universities near you or areas you're willing to go, OP

Thanks for that etp 123, but privates like USC and LM would probably be too expensive for me. I will likely have to go through a public like a UC. My two main issues at this point are: the exact process for enrolling in classes at a UC (if it works like general admission), and whether I will actually be able to "get" classes when I go back to school (due to registration competitiveness, esp. in courses like Chem).

 

[A People Person Doctor]

Thanks for that etp 123, but privates like USC and LM would probably be too expensive for me. I will likely have to go through a public like a UC. My two main issues at this point are: the exact process for enrolling in classes at a UC (if it works like general admission), and whether I will actually be able to "get" classes when I go back to school (due to registration competitiveness, esp. in courses like Chem).

I'm currently doing a DIY post-bac at an extension program. I am only in my first semester but so far, my experience has been positive. Also, the classes do not necessarily get "filled". I believe one of the advisors said the class size is not limited but based on whatever the amount of students that enroll. Only downside, dependent on what classes you need, you may have to hop around.

 

[Bob Debilder]

I'm currently doing a DIY post-bac at UC Berkeley Extension's program. I am only in my first semester but so far, my experience has been positive. Also, UC Berkeley Extension classes do not necessarily get "filled". I believe one of the advisors said the class size is not limited but based on whatever the amount of students that enroll. Only downside, dependent on what classes you need, you may have to hop between Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco.

Wow that sounds fantastic (minus the hopping around part). Two questions if you don't mind. What is the process for enrolling/taking classes through such a program (for example, do I have to apply like I did during undergrad and do they only take students in fall)? And second, do the other UC's do a similar extension thing where you can pick and choose the necessary pre requisites and knock em out in about 2 years?

 

[A People Person Doctor]

Wow that sounds fantastic (minus the hopping around part). Two questions if you don't mind. What is the process for enrolling/taking classes through such a program (for example, do I have to apply like I did during undergrad and do they only take students in fall)? And second, do the other UC's do a similar extension thing where you can pick and choose the necessary pre requisites and knock em out in about 2 years?

You can enroll in classes at any semester taking the courses you need. I am not in the official program but you can apply for entrance if you feel you could benefit from the additional advisor counseling, etc. Check out your state schools too...

 

[DrMikeP]

Uh. Um. What? No. That's so not true. I was admitted for 2nd bachelor's degree simply so I could get health insurance. That's it. I got admitted simply so I could get healthcare. The other pieces were just whipped cream on top of my hot fudge sundae called "premed" ... and all the professors who signed off on my application (to my alma mater) knew upfront what I was doing.

No one cares in some/most places. IF you're willing to pay, they are willing to take it, provide you an education and a grade.

Same here. An advisor actually recommended I enroll as a second bachelors seeker so I could get easier registration and the university only allowed 2 terms as a non-degree seeking student. No med school cared.