Taking classes at CC????

[Kimaris]

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I'm just going to be honest and up front about this. My dad's work hours were almost cut by a 3rd this year. So in order to not be such a financial burden I opted to go to CC this year. I was wondering if it would be okay if I took some preq. while I'm here since I pretty much won't have to worry about anything Job wise. I planned on taking bio, chem, stat, and calc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Generic Student]

I'm just going to be honest and up front about this. My dad's work hours were almost cut by a 3rd this year. So in order to not be such a financial burden I opted to go to CC this year. I was wondering if it would be okay if I took some preq. while I'm here since I pretty much won't have to worry about anything Job wise. I planned on taking bio, chem, stat, and calc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Most schools want you to take your pre-reqs at a 4 year institution. Some require it. I recommend the safe route and not take science classes at CC.

I know you're concerned about your parent's paying for school but why not take out loans? If you really want to go to medical school, the money spending starts early. 😀 Apply for financial aid. Get all the free stuff you can and THEN go after loans.

 

[Kimaris]

I essentially have maxed out Stafford loans for my college this year (I'm a rising sophomore if that matters) and a few grants sprinkled in. And I don't have the credit for a private loan.

 

[Generic Student]

I essentially have maxed out Stafford loans for my college this year (I'm a rising sophomore if that matters) and a few grants sprinkled in. And I don't have the credit for a private loan.

I realize the finances will be difficult but you could go on a deferred payment plan and get a job. It will look good to an admissions committee that you make excellent grades and are responsible with a job.

Look at some of the requirements and email some medical schools about their policies on CC credits. You'll see that if medical school is what you want, you'll need to avoid the CC and take the hard road.

 

[radi0headfan]

after i graduated, i took a&p 1/2 and ochem 1/2 at comm. college (it saved me $$ and i took it fast-track in order to finish up classes before starting a full-time job)...i then did chem lab, biochem, and genetics at my 4 yr....all other things equal b/w two applicants, the applicant that took all their classes at a 4 yr would probably be more competitive than the one that didn't....however, i applied pretty widely and got a good # of interviews.. so if you're trying to save $, you'd probably be fine taking CC classes as long as your MCAT/GPA are competitive

 

[adeline]

Go for it and **** the h8ers.

As has been rehashed many times over, most schools are not gonna care and those that do, if Mommy didn't donate a wing or you didn't cure cancer, it's game over anyway. IIRC there was one or two that had a semi-updated FAQ with "eh" on CCs. The rest? Whatever. Just get it done, we don't care, as long as it is a real accredited school.

 

[adeline]

That said, are you sure you want to take those 4 courses? Why not 3 sci/math and 1/2 electives?

Are you LOA from VCU? VA resident?

 

[Generic Student]

To be safe, ask around (the schools) yourself. I've been around enough to know what I'm talking about. Trust that.

 

[TehDoc]

Learn to search.

 

[Kimaris]

That said, are you sure you want to take those 4 courses? Why not 3 sci/math and 1/2 electives?

Are you LOA from VCU? VA resident?

Yea I left vcu. I think I'd have to take those courses now if I don't change my major to bio. I'm kind of liking business right now and it would be hard to fit all of them in my schedule without taking classes during the summer. Also I had planned on taking English 200 and another humanities class anyway.

 

[adeline]

if you're on an official LOA, and there's no way to stay at VCU, then they can probably work out something to accept those CC credits without loss.

 

[PhillyBoyInTN]

Most schools want you to take your pre-reqs at a 4 year institution. Some require it. I recommend the safe route and not take science classes at CC.

Most of my pre-reqs will be done at CC. What I did was call all of the schools that I intend on applying to and asked them their take on the situation. I've not had one school say they would effect me negatively, of course I'm not applying to any top 10's either.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Email some admissions at med schools and listen to their opinions.

 

[Caesar]

Email some admissions at med schools and listen to their opinions.

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2009/04/community-college-and-professional-school-admissions/

Check out this article we did on the subject in April.

For the record I went to a CC for a couple semesters. I have asked adcoms about it. If you have a good reason, then you have a good reason. If you go to a university and excel in upper levels then it won't stand out.

 

[PhillyBoyInTN]

If you go to a university and excel in upper levels then it won't stand out.

Wouldn't a high MCAT score also stand out, even if you did take your pre-reqs at a CC?

 

[planktonelement]

Do what you have to do. I took some science classes at a CC for a dual-enrollment program (Gen. Chem. and Bio) since my high school sucked and did really well. I'm at a top 25 uni. right now and have maintained my performance from the CC and I honestly don't think it'll hurt me that much in med school apps. But here are a few things to keep in mind:

-If you have a choice between a few CCs, find out which one is more transfer oriented, as opposed to vocational/technical oriented, and go to that one. The instruction will be a lot more legit and you'll have an easier time transferring those credits.
-Take upper level classes in same department as the pre-reqs you took at the CC to show med schools that you're fully capable of handling the material.

 

[Kimaris]

There is only one CC where I'm from. I'm just going to take my business classes here and wait till next year to start on my preq. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Caesar]

Wouldn't a high MCAT score also stand out, even if you did take your pre-reqs at a CC?

yes. It could.

 

[casillas]

Most schools want you to take your pre-reqs at a 4 year institution. Some require it. I recommend the safe route and not take science classes at CC.

I know you're concerned about your parent's paying for school but why not take out loans? If you really want to go to medical school, the money spending starts early. 😀 Apply for financial aid. Get all the free stuff you can and THEN go after loans.

I think there is a huge misconception that medical schools do not want CC classes. So long as you are not running away from classes at a 4 year (which you aren't) i see nothing wrong with taking even science pre reqs at a CC. This is assuming you are a biology major and will end up taking upper division science classes when you transfer. and you rock the MCAT.