Stuck with direction of DIY Postbacc

[AllJ0kesMDO]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone,

I am a nontraditional post bacc student who has been (re)taking classes for what seems like forever. I graduated in 2011 with completed the full year sequence of Gen Chem, Physics and Bio.

I currently live in Boston and I am employed fulltime but currently out of work due to an incident. I've been looking at various institutions in the Boston area where I could finish up these classes however there haven't been many options. I don't believe HES would be the best obtain as I am looking to maintain my performance thus far. Although, I am interested in taking an Endocrinology course there this Fall. Umass Boston is about 5 minutes away from me but they do not allow non-degree seeking students to register for classes until 5 days before the semester starts.

I am originally from R.I and the University of Rhode Island are offeringBiochem and Physics II this Fall. The commute would be about 1.5 hours each way from Boston to RI about three times a week. So I am really open to feedback as to if this (the commute) is a reasonable option. Also, would I struggle if I took Physics II before Physics I since it's been years since I've touched anything physics? URI doesn't require Physics I as a prereq. Are there any other institutions in or around the Boston area that people would suggest?

When should I plan to take the MCAT. I wanted to apply next cycle but I don't know if that will be realistic as I haven't started studying for the MCAT.

Thanks in advance

 

[theITcrowd]

What time are the URI courses during the day? 1.5 hours is a lot especially if the classes are in the afternoon or evening. Seems like it would cut into study time too much.

 

[Forever Geebs]

I certainly wouldn't take physics 2 before physics 1, since the second half of the course builds on the material covered in the first half.

 

[DocJanItor]

Yeah, I'm not sure this is the best option to help you succeed in the long run. While I don't recall Physics 1 being strictly necessary for Physics 2 (they tend to cover a broad range of basic physics topics), I'm not sure how true that will be for these specific courses. Since you've already had physics, it might work out ok if you're just refreshing on the subject to get better grades.

The big gap I see is that you don't mention Organic Chemistry. This is a sticking point for many students and requires a lot of time for lecture, lab, and studying. However, even if you could take OChem 1 and 2 this year, I still don't think that would give you enough time to study for the MCAT, take it, and apply early enough in next year's cycle. Realistically, you should be looking at the 2020 application cycle for matriculation in 2021.

 

[AllJ0kesMDO]

What time are the URI courses during the day? 1.5 hours is a lot especially if the classes are in the afternoon or evening. Seems like it would cut into study time too much.

Biochem is MWF from 8am-8:50pm and Physics is from 12-12:50pm on the same days.

 

[AllJ0kesMDO]

Yeah, I'm not sure this is the best option to help you succeed in the long run. While I don't recall Physics 1 being strictly necessary for Physics 2 (they tend to cover a broad range of basic physics topics), I'm not sure how true that will be for these specific courses. Since you've already had physics, it might work out ok if you're just refreshing on the subject to get better grades.

The big gap I see is that you don't mention Organic Chemistry. This is a sticking point for many students and requires a lot of time for lecture, lab, and studying. However, even if you could take OChem 1 and 2 this year, I still don't think that would give you enough time to study for the MCAT, take it, and apply early enough in next year's cycle. Realistically, you should be looking at the 2020 application cycle for matriculation in 2021.

Thank you so much for your reply. I actually just took Orgo 1 during the first summer session. I really don't remember much from Physics 1 so it would probably be best for me to take it this Fall. I can't seem to find any course available from the local schools in Boston/RI. Would community college be an option or should I delay it for another semester?

 

[DocJanItor]

I think a few CC courses here and there won't hurt you as long as you're performing as well in the non-CC courses. You don't want to get B's from the 4 year school and A's from the CC; it will look like you're seeking out easier courses/teachers in order to get better grades. If you're just using the CC to fill in the gaps and stay on schedule, I think you'll be fine.

 

[AllJ0kesMDO]

I think a few CC courses here and there won't hurt you as long as you're performing as well in the non-CC courses. You don't want to get B's from the 4 year school and A's from the CC; it will look like you're seeking out easier courses/teachers in order to get better grades. If you're just using the CC to fill in the gaps and stay on schedule, I think you'll be fine.

Thank you so much! I’m nervous that the CC classes will disqualify my application from some schools.

Option A:
Take Biochem and Physics 1 at a local two year college. While taking another upper division class at Harvard Extension to show that I’m not taking the “easy” way out?

Option B:
Take Physics at a state school in RI (40 minute drive), Biochem at CC and upper division science at Harvard Extension.

What would be the best plan of action?

 

[DocJanItor]

Thank you so much! I’m nervous that the CC classes will disqualify my application from some schools.

Option A:
Take Biochem and Physics 1 at a local two year college. While taking another upper division class at Harvard Extension to show that I’m not taking the “easy” way out?

Option B:
Take Physics at a state school in RI (40 minute drive), Biochem at CC and upper division science at Harvard Extension.

What would be the best plan of action?

I think take both at the CC. There's no reason to put forth the extra effort for one class as long as you're doing well in the Harvard extension courses.

 

[daw05]

Thank you so much! I’m nervous that the CC classes will disqualify my application from some schools.

Option A:
Take Biochem and Physics 1 at a local two year college. While taking another upper division class at Harvard Extension to show that I’m not taking the “easy” way out?

Option B:
Take Physics at a state school in RI (40 minute drive), Biochem at CC and upper division science at Harvard Extension.

What would be the best plan of action?

I haven't seen many schools that disqualify for CC, only online courses. The only one I can think of is Case, which said it will consider CC on a case-by-case basis. Maybe they just wanted to use the pun.