Sitting in on college class

[Tara Bell]

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I've heard that you are allowed to sit in on any college class being held at a public school, even if you're not a paying student. Does anyone know if this is true? I was thinking about sitting in on an organic chemistry class in an attempt to review for MCAT-- has anyone done something like this?

 

[chrisoc13]

I am sure that at most large universities you could do it whether they allow it or not. My O chem class was like 200 students, nobody would have known if someone came and sat in.

In terms of reviewing for the MCAT- in my experience the classes taught at universities are far too broad in terms of material covered as compared to what is on the MCAT. For example the MCAT doesn't even test on alkenes or alkynes... that tells you how basic it is.

A better option is a test prep course. Far more expensive sure, but they know exactly what you need to know for the test so you don't learn extra unnecessary (for the MCAT) information.

Also the MCAT is either the most or second most important item on your application... you pay a fortune for the other important part (GPA), a bit of money for the MCAT is well worth the investment.

 

[IvyHopeful20]

Depends on the professor. At most large universities, no one would know and it wouldn't matter. 'Officially', you need permission from the instructor. But as I said, you have 200 people in class...no one knows/cares.

 

[luke587]

i dont know bc alot of the time for my chemistry course, I'm suppose to be in a 3:30-4:20 lecture but normally just go to the 1:30-2:20 lecture bc it fits my schedule better, same professor, same class, same notes, just different times and no one has ever noticed so even though your suppose to have permission i highly doubt a professor would recognize you its kind of hard with 250+ kids in a auditorium

 

[Mr Hippopotamus]

As people have said, given the average size of an o chem class, odds are nobody will notice one more. The problem might be the recitations (if you have them) where you break into smaller sessions with the TAs. Normally they're good for asking questions and extra help, so you'll just have to raise your hand in the lecture or ambush the prof after class. Make sure you understand WHY something is happening instead of memorizing reagents and reactants, because that's what the MCAT tests.

 

[orthomyxo]

I don't think that would fly if someone found out and saw that you weren't even enrolled at the school. Chances are nobody will even notice though.

 

[NickNaylor]

I doubt it would matter at all. As others have said, as long as it's a big class it probably wouldn't matter. Sitting in on a whole class doesn't seem like an efficient way to review, though.

 

[Dr Oops]

Dont waste your time get some good MCAT review books

 

[KnuxNole]

For all you know, the professor could be horrible and it could be a waste of an hour or so.