some help (from CA residents) needed please

[aspiring20]

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I just finished undergrad, but i still need to take physics 2 for my pre-req and probably a few other random science courses to boost my science GPA.

the plan until now is to enroll in the "open university programs" offered at the Cal states. Basically, these programs allow anyone to take courses at the universities without being enrolled as a degree-seeking undergrad. However, it is hard to find classes i need because if they are full, course professors can't take open university students like myself.

i am wondering if other people have been/are in a similar situation. I don't want to take classes at community colleges (for obvious reasons), and I don't want to take them at UCs either - for cost reasons mostly. Do i have any other options? Or do I have to just bite the bullet and either go CC or UC? So far, it seems difficult to enroll in a Cal State course. Thanks

 

[angemon89]

I'm just curious, did your degree not require to take physics 2? Are all of your other pre-reqs done? Why didn't you just take it at your university if you knew you were going to apply to medical school?

 

[aspiring20]

I'm just curious, did your degree not require to take physics 2? Are all of your other pre-reqs done? Why didn't you just take it at your university if you knew you were going to apply to medical school?

i wasn't a science major and all my other pre-reqs are done except physics 2.

 

[ragnarokx]

The budget situation doesn't look like it will be getting better anytime soon. Classes in Cal State schools will probably be hard to enroll in for the foreseeable future.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

 

[angemon89]

I would just take it at community college. Either way, I think it kinda looks like you were trying to avoid it at your undergrad institution because you knew you were applying to medical school.

 

[FattySlug]

Take it at a CC. The "obvious reasons" are the wrong.

 

[aspiring20]

Take it at a CC. The "obvious reasons" are the wrong.

i've heard from many on here (and my own premed advisers back at the alma matter) that many medical schools shun CC courses, especially when my sicence GPA isn't particular strong to begin with.

 

[angemon89]

That usually only applies if you're taking CC classes WHILE still enrolled at your undergraduate institution. It makes it look like you're trying to take the easy way out.

Since you already left, you really don't have many options. One CC class isn't going to kill your application. If questioned, you can just say that you took it at CC because you were all done with your major and needed to graduate, but didn't have enough time to take physics 2 at your university.

 

[aspiring20]

That usually only applies if you're taking CC classes WHILE still enrolled at your undergraduate institution. It makes it look like you're trying to take the easy way out.

Since you already left, you really don't have many options. One CC class isn't going to kill your application. If questioned, you can just say that you took it at CC because you were all done with your major and needed to graduate, but didn't have enough time to take physics 2 at your university.

gotcha...but would it be easier to enroll for a class at a CC than at a Cal State? It certainly is cheaper in a CC, but if california's budget issues are severe, i would imagine that CCs are more screwed that Cal States.

 

[angemon89]

All I can say it try hitting up every CC and CSU within a 30 mile radius, and good luck.

When I took physics 2 at CC, there were like 70 students trying to get into a 24 person class 🙁 (not exaggerating).

 

[aspiring20]

All I can say it try hitting up every CC and CSU within a 30 mile radius, and good luck.

When I took physics 2 at CC, there were like 70 students trying to get into a 24 person class 🙁 (not exaggerating).

wow...that's definitely not what i was expecting. i have friends who are in similar positions as i am, but they arent having any problems taking courses at their state universities...

 

[lobo.solo]

wow...that's definitely not what i was expecting. i have friends who are in similar positions as i am, but they arent having any problems taking courses at their state universities...

It depends where you are in California. For physics 1 at my school there were like >50 students trying to add the class. It's horrible. In this case is better to take the classes somewhere than to not take it at all. Cali med schools are well aware of the budgets cuts though.

 

[aspiring20]

It depends where you are in California. For physics 1 at my school there were like >50 students trying to add the class. It's horrible. In this case is better to take the classes somewhere than to not take it at all. Cali med schools are well aware of the budgets cuts though.

how are things looking in the san diego region?

 

[lobo.solo]

how are things looking in the san diego region?

I don't know, sorry.

 

[aspiring20]

I don't know, sorry.

np

this really is going to put a dent in my plans, which are to take multiple upper-level science courses at a cal state and doing well/raise my science gpa. i really dont want/need to enroll in a formal record enhancer. i am sure postbacc's wont take me considering i completed all but one pre-req course.

 

[TheShaker]

I go to a CSU and open university students have the lowest priority in registration. Our physics classes fill up like, super damn fast though. I think CC is the better choice.

 

[aspiring20]

I go to a CSU and open university students have the lowest priority in registration. Our physics classes fill up like, super damn fast though. I think CC is the better choice.

i see

i was checking classes at the UCs, and they are (surprisingly) not that much more expensive than cal states. one unity costs around $40 more. this is for extension classes though

 

[threnodyk]

It might be worth checking out UC Extensions as well as CSUs. And I know the the University of Redlands (small liberal arts school and NOT a for-profit scam despite their ****ty billboards) has extension stuff too.

Also, emailing profs of full classes, or even better--emailing profs prior to registration for classes you think will be full--can actually work quite well. (They can usually bump specific people into the class)

Finally, as angemon said, adcoms are often far more lenient about CC credits than their stated policies suggest. And i think for lower div physics, youve a very good chance that schools wont care. You just need to ask.

 

[Morsetlis]

I don't have anything to say about costs, but UC Physics classes were hard for me. Got A's, but had to cram my head full of **** that I forgot now (Electromagnetism equations, especially).

 

[ScholarStud]

Where do you live? Enrolling in a Cal State through Open University is a breeze, my man. I have no idea where you heard otherwise.

 

[littledinosaur]

Where do you live? Enrolling in a Cal State through Open University is a breeze, my man. I have no idea where you heard otherwise.

Are there any specific schools that you are referring to? I live in southern CA and am in a similar situation as the OP. I took the calculus-based physics series at my undergrad and the first class of the 3 didn't have a lab associated, only the 2nd and 3rd did, so now I'm a little short of the physics lab requirement. Are there schools where you can take just the lab without lecture or am I going to have to take the full class again? I guess it would be good review since physics is my worst subject...

 

[angldrps]

bump

 

[ScholarStud]

Are there any specific schools that you are referring to? I live in southern CA and am in a similar situation as the OP. I took the calculus-based physics series at my undergrad and the first class of the 3 didn't have a lab associated, only the 2nd and 3rd did, so now I'm a little short of the physics lab requirement. Are there schools where you can take just the lab without lecture or am I going to have to take the full class again? I guess it would be good review since physics is my worst subject...

Check out Cal State Long beach or Cal State Fullerton. It will be worth the drive if you really have no other option.

 

[Ashley1989]

If it really comes down to it and you are desperate to get this one class done you can also look into private universities. I know of a few that also have the open university classes which are fairly easy to get into if you're willing to shell out the money.

 

[littledinosaur]

Check out Cal State Long beach or Cal State Fullerton. It will be worth the drive if you really have no other option.

Okay thanks, I'll look into it closer to next semester since the fall semester has already started. Would it be much better to take it at a cal state or private institution rather than a CC? Should CC be my last resort (even though it would be better financially) since a lot of schools look down on taking the prerequisites outside of an actual university?

 

[ScholarStud]

Yes CC is always a last resort, if at all, for a prereq.

 

[kdavidlee25]

Where do you live? Enrolling in a Cal State through Open University is a breeze, my man. I have no idea where you heard otherwise.

im looking to do an open university biochem class at CSUN in the spring. do i just show up on the first day and pay tuition at the office, or would i have to register beforehand? any advice is appreciated.