Should I take this summer class at UCLA Extension

[funkymunky]

Hi everyone, first time poster with a specific question: should I take this class at UCLA Extension this summer?

Ok, now the necessary info.

I am looking to apply to med school in June of next year.

I graduated from Northwestern University in June 2014 with a BA in Economics, having also completed all my premed coursework (1 year bio, 2 years chem, 1 year physics, 1 year math, plenty of English classes, no other science).

My overall GPA was 3.458, my BCPM GPA was 3.322.

After graduating I worked at a tech startup for a year, then as a design associate at an architecture firm for the last two years.

I have not done any research or volunteering, nor do I have any real clinical experience. I also didn't really form any relationships with any of my science professors, and so likely cannot get reference letters from any of them; I may be able to get a great reference from a Comp Lit professor and/or an English professor. I have not yet taken the MCAT.

I would like to try to get into UCLA Med school. I'm aware this is a huge stretch, and will obviously be applying to lower ranked schools as well, including DO schools (if necessary). If I crush the MCAT though, which I should be capable of, UCLA may at least be possible.

The Point

I know that I need to get clinical experience, do volunteering etc, and I'll be taking more high level science classes throughout the year starting in fall. My question right now is whether I should enroll in this particular class this summer (Physiological Science XL 13 - Intro to Human Anatomy). I never took any Physiology classes in college (or any science classes beyond the basic premed coursework), and I think the subject matter and lab work of this class would be very interesting and useful. I also think I can ace the class (to bring up my GPA), and can hopefully befriend the professor and maybe get some guidance/research opportunities/a reference.

However my premed advisor mentioned that taking lower level coursework in the post bac setting doesn't look great to med schools, and this is a lower level class - although it's at least not a basic Bio class. Also, I've already missed the first week of class, but I'm sure I can make up for it by showing up and working hard. It is pretty expensive and time consuming, so if there's really not a good reason to take it, I shouldn't.

Also this question is pretty time sensitive, as I need to enroll and attend class by 6:30pm on Monday to get in.

tl;dr
Should I enroll in this Intro to Human Anatomy class at UCLA this summer, given that I completed all my premed coursework in college and have a ~3.3 science GPA. Applying to med school next year.

Thanks so much in advance for your help, and apologies if I missed anything!!

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[GreenDuck12]

I think the answer to that entirely depends on what you would like to get out of the course. If you are interested in the subject matter, have the time/inclination to put in the work, and would like to try to develop a relationship with your prof for research/recommendation letter then go for it.

I don't think taking the course is going to have a significant impact on your application. Anatomy and physiology are required courses in medical school. Personally, I wouldn't count of the course being an easy A as A&P classes have a reputation for chewing up and spitting out premeds. That being said, if you take it and earn A, it could raise your sGPA by a small amount.

Best of luck to you.

 

[funkymunky]

I think the answer to that entirely depends on what you would like to get out of the course. If you are interested in the subject matter, have the time/inclination to put in the work, and would like to try to develop a relationship with your prof for research/recommendation letter then go for it.

I don't think taking the course is going to have a significant impact on your application. Anatomy and physiology are required courses in medical school. Personally, I wouldn't count of the course being an easy A as A&P classes have a reputation for chewing up and spitting out premeds. That being said, if you take it and earn A, it could raise your sGPA by a small amount.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for replying GreenDuck! That's definitely exactly how I'm thinking about it - plus jumping right into some relevant coursework and doing well should help kind of catapult my headspace back into academics and the premed track. I don't think it'll be an easy A, but I've usually been pretty able to ace science classes if I put in the work.

I actually just learned that there's a higher level biochem class I can take, and with a currently researching UCLA professor - so I'm definitely leaning strongly towards that now!

 

[GreenDuck12]

If I were in your shoes I would take the biochemistry class instead. Best of luck to you!

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Not to pull the wind out of your sails, but I have to doubt your ability to "crush the MCAT" and "ace the class" given your prior grades. Extension courses are no joke so you really need to be ready to put in the effort. I took all three Biochem sections there and didn't ace all of them. Also, UCLA Extension, like UCLA is on the quarter system so even if you took both classes, that's still only equivalent to like 1.5 semester classes. I'm not sure that would bring up your grade significantly enough to justify the money you would put in.