Splitting the CC/4-year university difference on prereqs: good idea?

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So after lurking on this forum for a while (and learning a lot in the process), I feel like it's time to put my specific question out to the SDN nontrad community.

I graduated from Yale four years ago with a completely non-scientific degree (Ethics, Politics, and Economics). Since then, I've worked a number of jobs, mostly in policy and journalism. I've been living in the DC area for the past two years. Last year, I took general chemistry at Northern Virginia Community College, trying to get a sense for what it would be like to take the med school prerequisite classes. I loved the class -- the professor was better than many I had as an undergrad -- and got an A.

I am now looking into the possibility of finishing my prereqs over the summer and fall terms. I was thinking about taking the first semesters of organic chemistry and physics as summer classes at NVCC, where they would be cheaper and mesh better with my work schedule. But I was thinking that in order to avoid the stigma of taking all my prereqs at a CC, I would take the second semesters of phyics and orgo this fall through the University of Maryland's "Science in the Evening" postbac premed program, which only operates during the school year but offers reduced tuition rates for selected premed classes.

Does this sounds like a reasonable strategy? For what it's worth, my undergraduate GPA was good (3.81) and I have done very well on standardized tests in the past, making me cautiously optimistic about doing well on the MCAT.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Does this sounds like a reasonable strategy? For what it's worth, my undergraduate GPA was good (3.81) and I have done very well on standardized tests in the past, making me cautiously optimistic about doing well on the MCAT.

Yes, it is. If you perform well in those courses, following your plan, and validate the coursework with a strong MCAT performance, you will be golden.

 

[MermaidMD]

So after lurking on this forum for a while (and learning a lot in the process), I feel like it's time to put my specific question out to the SDN nontrad community.

I graduated from Yale four years ago with a completely non-scientific degree (Ethics, Politics, and Economics). Since then, I've worked a number of jobs, mostly in policy and journalism. I've been living in the DC area for the past two years. Last year, I took general chemistry at Northern Virginia Community College, trying to get a sense for what it would be like to take the med school prerequisite classes. I loved the class -- the professor was better than many I had as an undergrad -- and got an A.

I am now looking into the possibility of finishing my prereqs over the summer and fall terms. I was thinking about taking the first semesters of organic chemistry and physics as summer classes at NVCC, where they would be cheaper and mesh better with my work schedule. But I was thinking that in order to avoid the stigma of taking all my prereqs at a CC, I would take the second semesters of phyics and orgo this fall through the University of Maryland's "Science in the Evening" postbac premed program, which only operates during the school year but offers reduced tuition rates for selected premed classes.

Does this sounds like a reasonable strategy? For what it's worth, my undergraduate GPA was good (3.81) and I have done very well on standardized tests in the past, making me cautiously optimistic about doing well on the MCAT.

I actually did a similar thing with Gen Chem and Calculus at a CC, followed by Ochem, Bio and Biochem at a local state school and Physics at a private school summer intensive. No news on how it will be viewed as I won't apply until this June. 😀

However, one thing to check on that I know was an issue with a CC/State school combo for me was series classes. Our state school and community college didn't allow you to take one semester of chem, for instance at one institution and then the second semester at another. Because the start/end points of the content don't always match up, there was a rule that you had to "complete the series" at the institution where it was started. As a result there were actually several students in my second semester Gen Chem class who were already enrolled at the state school and taking other classes concurrently.

Just something to check out...

 

[TylerJ]

Only a few schools will not allow requirement courses from community colleges, and if you do well on the MCAT it doesn't really matter much. IF for whatever reason you take courses at a CC, then transfer and do poorly at the following 4-year school admissions may not like that.

To be frank, unless you want to attend one of the few schools who shun CCs it isn't a stigma unless you transfer and do poorly. If you attend a good CC that farms out science and engineering majors to 4-year schools with success, then there shouldn't be a huge difference in difficulty between the two schools.

Some people take ALL their courses at a CC and still get into medical school; I imagine more weight is placed on their MCAT score, but if you know your subjects, you know your subjects regardless of where you learn the material.

 

[EdLongshanks]

To be frank, unless you want to attend one of the few schools who shun CCs it isn't a stigma unless you transfer and do poorly. If you attend a good CC that farms out science and engineering majors to 4-year schools with success, then there shouldn't be a huge difference in difficulty between the two schools.

False, very false. Some schools totally disallow CC pre-reqs, others simply disapprove. None (or very, very few) make no difference at all.

I took all but one of my pre-reqs at a community college, and yes, I got into medical school, but it was a challenge - even at one of my state schools.

Please don't give anyone the false impression that CC courses make no difference at all. Yes they are a possibility, no they are not advised.

 

[elisa86]

So after lurking on this forum for a while (and learning a lot in the process), I feel like it's time to put my specific question out to the SDN nontrad community.

I graduated from Yale four years ago with a completely non-scientific degree (Ethics, Politics, and Economics). Since then, I've worked a number of jobs, mostly in policy and journalism. I've been living in the DC area for the past two years. Last year, I took general chemistry at Northern Virginia Community College, trying to get a sense for what it would be like to take the med school prerequisite classes. I loved the class -- the professor was better than many I had as an undergrad -- and got an A.

I am now looking into the possibility of finishing my prereqs over the summer and fall terms. I was thinking about taking the first semesters of organic chemistry and physics as summer classes at NVCC, where they would be cheaper and mesh better with my work schedule. But I was thinking that in order to avoid the stigma of taking all my prereqs at a CC, I would take the second semesters of phyics and orgo this fall through the University of Maryland's "Science in the Evening" postbac premed program, which only operates during the school year but offers reduced tuition rates for selected premed classes.

Does this sounds like a reasonable strategy? For what it's worth, my undergraduate GPA was good (3.81) and I have done very well on standardized tests in the past, making me cautiously optimistic about doing well on the MCAT.

I've been reading these forums on and off since I went back to do my post-bacc in 2007. Now that I am preparing for Step I am back. I wanted to reply to your post OP because I was in a very similar situation 4 years ago when I started my post-bacc and ended up doing just what you are describing: splitting the prereqs between CC and State U, because of money and scheduling.

I believe this worked out really well for me. I ended up getting into 5 schools although I did not apply until late September, had a below average GPA (disclaimer: my undergrad was engineering at a top school) and an only somewhat above average MCAT. Not once did any of the schools I interviewed at mention the fact that I took over half of my prereqs at a CC. I think as long as you make sure to take (and get A's in) some of the upper level classes (like ochem II, biochem, and some bio) at the State U you will be fine, unless you are set on matriculating at one of the 2 or so schools that refuse CC prereqs all together. Good luck.

 

[TylerJ]

False, very false. Some schools totally disallow CC pre-reqs, others simply disapprove. None (or very, very few) make no difference at all.

I took all but one of my pre-reqs at a community college, and yes, I got into medical school, but it was a challenge - even at one of my state schools.

Please don't give anyone the false impression that CC courses make no difference at all. Yes they are a possibility, no they are not advised.

Please read my post in it's entirety, don't pick and choose topics to highlight.

I stated that some medical schools do not accept cc courses.

You may have to explain to an admin board, why you took courses at a CC instead of a 4-year, and have a good excuse as to why you did; but, to give CCs such a tainted image is false.

Do well on your MCATs and you will probably remedy much of the disbelief that you went to a CC for the alleged ease.

It isn't false information, particularly since I've asked this question during Q and A sessions with admins overseeing the admissions process at prospective schools.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Please read my post in it's entirety, don't pick and choose topics to highlight.

I stated that some medical schools do not accept cc courses.

You may have to explain to an admin board, why you took courses at a CC instead of a 4-year, and have a good excuse as to why you did; but, to give CCs such a tainted image is false.

Do well on your MCATs and you will probably remedy much of the disbelief that you went to a CC for the alleged ease.

It isn't false information, particularly since I've asked this question during Q and A sessions with admins overseeing the admissions process at prospective schools.

Tyler, you are an pre-applicant. I have been to interviews and got busted for the CC classes. I'm not speaking from a quick answer in a public meeting but from experience. You do not know enough to tell other pre-meds that there it makes "no difference" at all but a few schools whether a class is from CC or not.

If you think that making a high MCAT score (I made a 33) or getting A's in 4-year university senior level courses (I made all A's in genetics, cell bio, evolution, zoology...) make up for it, you are wrong. These facts ameliorate but do not entirely remove the stigma of CC pre-reqs.

I listened to other inexperienced pre-meds who gave your advice a couple of years ago and I was sorry for it.

The advice of experienced people in this forum - gained from many experiences from many applicants over a long time - is that CC pre-req classes are acceptable but are best avoided if possible. Sometimes it is not possible (it wasn't possible for me) but that doesn't make them just as good as a class from a 4 year university.

 

[TylerJ]

Don't pull this juvenile segregation crap in an attempt to justify your opinion, I've done a lot research concerning taking courses at CCs before I did. Also, just because I am a "pre-applicant" doesn't invalidate my points.

Different people have a wide variety of experiences with admin boards when taking requirements at a CC, not ALL experiences are like yours. You as an individual had difficulty in applying to whatever schools you applied to, does not mean that every school will bust everyone's balls over attending a CC. How many schools did you apply to? 3-4?

I know for a FACT, that one of the CCs here is highly regarded and there are many transfers to the 4-school often for science/engineering majors and those that went on to medical school at the same state school were not lambasted during the interview, it was never even brought up, about taking requirement courses at the CC. Or, is it not a fact because I am a "pre-applicant".

You're taking your singular experience of being criticized for attending a CC and applying to to every circumstance without taking into consideration the multiplicity of variables that exist between every school...

It's a forum, people share their experiences so that the OP can form an overall opinion. You had difficulty, another poster did not, friends of mine did not and I can safely speculate that I will not. The admins who oversee the application process said their primary concerns were MCAT and GPA, or maybe the admins were lying, I bet that's it.... because I am a "pre-applicant" they must be trying to trick me!

 

[EdLongshanks]

Don't pull this juvenile segregation crap in an attempt to justify your opinion, I've done a lot research concerning taking courses at CCs before I did. Also, just because I am a "pre-applicant" doesn't invalidate my points.

Different people have a wide variety of experiences with admin boards when taking requirements at a CC, not ALL experiences are like yours. You as an individual had difficulty in applying to whatever schools you applied to, does not mean that every school will bust everyone's balls over attending a CC. How many schools did you apply to? 3-4?

I know for a FACT, that one of the CCs here is highly regarded and there are many transfers to the 4-school often for science/engineering majors and those that went on to medical school at the same state school were not lambasted during the interview, it was never even brought up, about taking requirement courses at the CC. Or, is it not a fact because I am a "pre-applicant".

You're taking your singular experience of being criticized for attending a CC and applying to to every circumstance without taking into consideration the multiplicity of variables that exist between every school...

It's a forum, people share their experiences so that the OP can form an overall opinion. You had difficulty, another poster did not, friends of mine did not and I can safely speculate that I will not. The admins who oversee the application process said their primary concerns were MCAT and GPA, or maybe the admins were lying, I bet that's it.... because I am a "pre-applicant" they must be trying to trick me!

"In the same state". Tyler, when you apply, you will, probably, apply to many schools, many of them out of state. Those schools are going to rate your GPA differently depending on where you went to school. You will also discover that you will be interviewing with people from Ivy League schools - even at your state school. When they compare your GPA to a GPA from someone from Duke and Rice, I can tell you with great assurance that the GPA's are not looked at the same. When you interview, you will feel better if you know that every one of your A's equals theirs. That will not be true if you took Organic Chemistry at a CC. Your arrogance about your 3.9 engineering degree from your local state school is going to look pretty weak compared to a neuro-biology major from Hopkins. It will look even weaker when many of your courses are from Podunk Community College.

Your great confidence in your scholastic ability is familiar to those of us who were once in your place. When you go to interviews and realize that your competition is no longer the typical CC crowd, your confidence is going to take a few blows. Mine certainly did.

BTW, I did a lot of research about CC's also. I personally spoke to the admissions director of Yale about my local community college (which he was familiar with). I had similar confidence that I was alright. I said, in this forum, exactly the things you said (although I don't think I told off accepted students as if they didn't know anything). You are in for a surprise.

 

[TylerJ]

Here's the kicker Ed, when I maintain my GPA at a 4-year school, it won't matter, because my GPA will still be high AND from a 4-year school. University of Maryland is a top engineering school, even better than JHU and Duke... AND Rice... for engineering. You should brush up on school rankings if you're saying that UMD is worse than those schools with respect to that field. People from around the world go to UMD for engineering, it is extremely rigorous. Why bother going to a private school, when I can get a better education for less money?

Implying that I am not accounting for competition, really? I'm applying for medical school Ed, I expect tough competition. I thrive from competition Ed, that is why I make every attempt to fortify my application while I work around current barriers in my life, HENCE why I went to a CC.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Here's the kicker Ed, when I maintain my GPA at a 4-year school, it won't matter, because my GPA will still be high AND from a 4-year school. University of Maryland is a top engineering school, even better than JHU and Duke... AND Rice... for engineering. You should brush up on school rankings if you're saying that UMD is worse than those schools with respect to that field. People from around the world go to UMD for engineering, it is extremely rigorous. Why bother going to a private school, when I can get a better education for less money?

Implying that I am not accounting for competition, really? I'm applying for medical school Ed, I expect tough competition. I thrive from competition Ed, that is why I make every attempt to fortify my application while I work around current barriers in my life, HENCE why I went to a CC.

By all means, display that attitude during your interviews.

 

[TylerJ]

Yes, I will approach my interview the same as I approach someone on an internet forum. Sound advice. 👍

 

[EdLongshanks]

Yes, I will approach my interview the same as I approach someone on an internet forum. Sound advice. 👍

Oh, I'm quite confident that the jerkishness will carry through.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Deep breaths for everyone.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

suggestion, it seems the CC thing is a often asked and somewhat controversial topic. maybe it can be added to the FAQ with something like "there is a non-definitive answer to this and it depends on your school. while some believe it does not matter, others believe it will hurt you subjectively, especially in regards to the interview, etc" ?

 

[elisa86]

Deep breaths for everyone.

Yes.

From talking to adcoms I think where you go to school does matter somewhat in the admissions cycle. How much and what kind of school depends on the particular med school. For example, in Cali where I go to school candidates are usually viewed more favorably if they go to a CC and transfer to a UC than if they did all four years and all prereqs at a CSU. That is because many Cali CCs are viewed as having more rigorous curriculums than the CSUs. So it is not only whether you go to a CC or a 4 year school, you have to also take into account the reputation of that particular college, whether it is a CC or a University. The point being that we cannot make broad generalizations. Like CC is bad or good. It is really school and candidate dependent and often it matters very little.

 

[TylerJ]

Oh, I'm quite confident that the jerkishness will carry through.

False, I merely reciprocated your attitude.

 

[jd221b]

Quick question:

I'm taking classes in a postbacc program and have all of my prereqs done >8 years ago. The only thing I don't have is statistics, because it was not required back then. I can take it at the postbacc school (UTD) or for a 10th of the cost and better on my schedule at a respected CC. All of the classes in my post bacc will be senior level and A's (as well as high MCAT)will show most adcoms (yes I know not all) that I can still compete.

My question is, does it really matter where I take that statistics class since it is 1 class? I have two other CC courses that I took for fun, but everything else is from a respected 4 year.

The advisor at UTD said that OOS schools will not know this CC and therefore will look down on it. Is this true or is he just towing the party line?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Yes.

From talking to adcoms I think where you go to school does matter somewhat in the admissions cycle. How much and what kind of school depends on the particular med school. For example, in Cali where I go to school candidates are usually viewed more favorably if they go to a CC and transfer to a UC than if they did all four years and all prereqs at a CSU. That is because many Cali CCs are viewed as having more rigorous curriculums than the CSUs. So it is not only whether you go to a CC or a 4 year school, you have to also take into account the reputation of that particular college, whether it is a CC or a University. The point being that we cannot make broad generalizations. Like CC is bad or good. It is really school and candidate dependent and often it matters very little.

As someone who finished prereqs at a CSU, I glare at you

😉

 

[TylerJ]

suggestion, it seems the CC thing is a often asked and somewhat controversial topic. maybe it can be added to the FAQ with something like "there is a non-definitive answer to this and it depends on your school. while some believe it does not matter, others believe it will hurt you subjectively, especially in regards to the interview, etc" ?

I agree with this.

 

[elisa86]

As someone who finished prereqs at a CSU, I glare at you

😉

Ha. I finished mine at a CSU too (at least the half that were not at the CC).