Question about pre-requisite courses for Texas medical schools

[DaisyC]

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[DokterMom]

My sense is that most schools generally view CC classes the same way A&M does, in that they prefer 4-year school courses but will accept pre-reqs from a CC.

So what does this mean in a practical sense? Probably that it won't hurt to take a few classes -- maybe your first semester or year at a CC, but that you should probably switch to a 4-year after that to prove that you're academically competitive in an upper level sciences curriculum at that level. That approach makes sense financially and is easy to explain as a 'test the waters without disrupting your life entirely' approach, which is a reasonable and prudent decision. But staying at a CC for ALL your pre-reqs can look like you 'played it safe' and lacked confidence in your abilities.

As to the rest of your plan -- it looks good. I'd suggest moving your MCAT test date forward a bit to March/April if you can so you'll have your scores in hand before you apply. You can do some 'lightweight' MCAT studying well in advance to familiarize yourself with the material and format so you'll be able to hit the ground running.

 

[DaisyC]

My sense is that most schools generally view CC classes the same way A&M does, in that they prefer 4-year school courses but will accept pre-reqs from a CC.

So what does this mean in a practical sense? Probably that it won't hurt to take a few classes -- maybe your first semester or year at a CC, but that you should probably switch to a 4-year after that to prove that you're academically competitive in an upper level sciences curriculum at that level. That approach makes sense financially and is easy to explain as a 'test the waters without disrupting your life entirely' approach, which is a reasonable and prudent decision. But staying at a CC for ALL your pre-reqs can look like you 'played it safe' and lacked confidence in your abilities.

As to the rest of your plan -- it looks good. I'd suggest moving your MCAT test date forward a bit to March/April if you can so you'll have your scores in hand before you apply. You can do some 'lightweight' MCAT studying well in advance to familiarize yourself with the material and format so you'll be able to hit the ground running.

Thank you, @DokterMom !

Here is some info from a few of the schools themselves as well as the MSAR. Additionally there is an interesting article by AAMC on CC that includes Texas. With the way Texas legislature keeps a very tight control the public higher education system, I wouldnt be surprised if there is a formal policy or "recommended guideline" that says the public medical schools must accept CC.. BTW, TMDSAS, the only state system for medical admissions appears to follows the Texas government institutions mandate that they must be ready for succession at any given moment. Truly it is the Lone Star State

Texas A&M Health Science Center
How Do I Apply?
Policy on AP Credits, Credits by Exam, and Dual Credit
We generally prefer that applicants take the prerequisite courses at 4-year accredited colleges and universities rather than utilize advanced placement credits, credits by exam, dual-credit, pass/fail course work or community college courses. We do not dismiss these credits; and, if they have been taken, we will accept them toward meeting the prerequisites. In fact, if an applicant has placed out of a required level course, we will also accept another course in that discipline at the same or higher level. Again, our preference is that applicants take graded courses at 4-year institutions, particularly the prerequisites in the biological sciences and the chemistry series.


MSAR
Baylor (yes)
McGovern (yes)
Texas A&M (Some)
Paul L. Foster (yes)
Texas Tech (yes)
UT San Antonio (yes)
UT Galveston (yes)
UT Rio Grande (no info)
UT SouthWestern (yes)
UT Austin/Dell (no info)

AAMCNews

Thank you for your response. I have emailed all of the admissions offices in Texas with a similar question to my original question in this thread about CC vs University in Texas as a non-science degree holder and nontraditional applicant. Though they didn't quite directly answer my questions, UTSW and Dell have responded so far. For anyone else curious about this question in the future, here are their responses:

Dell:

First, thank you for your interest in Dell Medical School! As to your questions about University vs CC, what matters is that you have successfully complete the courses, wherever you take them, prior to matriculation. If you have look at information about Dell Medical School you know we value your academic success, but we emphasis more your fit with the values, goals and mission of Dell Medical School. Please look through the Applicants Guide to Admissions and Prospective Students guide, links below, to get a better feel for the kind of student we are looking to admit.
https://utexas.app.box.com/v/guide-to-admissions-2015
Prospective Students | Dell Medical School

UTSW:

By taking courses at a community college compared to a 4 year university, will not hinder your chances of being accepted into UT Southwestern. UT Southwestern’ s preference to the undergrad prerequisite courses is at a University because of the rigor of the undergraduate curriculum but several community colleges can also have a very rigorous curriculum. There is NOT a requirement for where you take your pre-requisites, as long as if the school offering the course isregionally accredited, the credit would be considered.
There isn’t one particular major that is recommended. UT Southwestern accepts students that major in a variety of disciplines. Typically, around 70% of students that are accepted into the medical school are science majors. The other 30% major in a variety of non-science fields (psychology, business, English, music, etc.). Please visit our website athttp://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medical-school/admissions/our-students.htmland click on the medical school link. The “Our Students” page lists the college majors from the past year’s entering class.
Again, there are no set majors for students to get into medical school but highly desirable in science or health career majors (nursing, pharmacy, allied health sciences, etc.) and the completion of their required undergraduate coursework at a regionally accredited US or Canadian college or university.
You may read the way UT Southwestern admissions process evaluates by visitinghttp://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medical-school/admissions/apply/process/index.html. Thank you for your interest in UT Southwestern for your medical education. If you have any other questions in regards to the medical school, please do not hesitate to ask.

I will update this thread with more of their responses as they arrive.

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[MilaKunisDoe]

This is off topic, but there will be a total of 12 medical schools in Texas by next year. It's good to be a Texas resident 🙂

 

[DaisyC]

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[DokterMom]

What I said above is really all I've got to say on the subject -- Admittedly, I tend to be a bit of an intellectual elitist, so bear that in mind when weighting my comments.

If I were interviewing you and saw that you attended 3-4 different schools for your science classes, I would certainly ask why and expect you to have a good answer. If your answer was that you needed the classes to be offered on certain nights to fit your full-time work schedule, that would be fine with me. If your answer was just "most convenient times" or something similarly vague, I'd have doubts. If I were reviewing your application to decide whether or not to extend an interview invitation, I'd wonder, but not be able to ask.

What would look "best" would be U of H after a strong start at one CC.