Taking courses at CC after completing SMP?

[xxabi]

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Hi everyone,

I will (possibly) be a re-applicant come this June 2016. I graduated in 2014 with my B.S. Did my SMP which I completed in 2015 with a significantly better GPA. My SMP was in Pharmacology so the courses were very specific to Pharm, as such I would like to take a few additional upper level bio classes this upcoming summer/possibly year while applying to med schools again.

Unfortunately, finances are an issue, so my question is - is it okay to take upper level bio courses at a CC if I have completed all my prereqs (including Biochem/Genetics) at a 4-year institution?

I know many advise against CC courses for prereqs, but since I have completed my prereqs and an SMP at a 4-year, I'm in a slightly different situation and wanted advice. After looking at MSAR, quite a few schools that I'm interested in (i.e. CMS, Tulane, Drexel, GW, other "lower-tier" med schools) say they DO accept CC credits for biology courses. But I just wanted to get the advice of the all-knowing SDN community.

Thanks y'all!

EDIT: For reference, undergrad cGPA of 3.45, sGPA of 2.95. SMP GPA 3.7. First time applying this cycle (2015-2016). old MCAT 10/11/9 with plans to retake in May - already scoring 510 on practice tests, confident I will be able to surpass 30 this try.

 

[efle]

My SMP was in Pharmacology so the courses were very specific to Pharm, as such I would like to take a few additional upper level bio classes

I'm confused - are you planning to take additional upper level bio courses not because they are requirements you need to fill, but because you are trying to prepare for med school classes...?

 

[xxabi]

I'm confused - are you planning to take additional upper level bio courses not because they are requirements you need to fill, but because you are trying to prepare for med school classes...?

For a "traditional" applicant who does first 2 years at CC then followed by 2 years at a 4 year, the impact of CC is minor to none. For a nontraditional (and having gone to SMP you are a nontrad), the situation is different. Simply because a school accepts CC does not speak how you will be viewed with and how it may impact your competitiveness. In your situation, taking a few extra courses (not required prereqs) at a CC seems relatively innocuous. It will add some PB GPA and will show you are doing something while your applying. Do remember that an adcom wont see the motivation as to why your are a CC, which could raise a minor question, but I think not much of one

Thank you for both responding. I misspoke also, I just checked AMCAS and my sGPA is right at a 2.95 (I did receive secondaries from almost all of the schools I applied to this past year however, so I guess my sGPA did not get me screened out? I was hoping to take upper level bio classes at a CC to raise my sGPA slightly so that its over the 3.0 mark. Would this not be advisable then? Or would it be better for me to stretch finances to take a few courses at a 4 year institution? I will also be working likely almost FT not just solely planning to take courses.

Thank you for your input! Also edited my initial post with more information about my GPA and MCAT

 

[P0ke]

Get your sgpa above 3 and it will open many more doors.

 

[xxabi]

Get your sgpa above 3 and it will open many more doors.

I absolutely agree. Do you think it would be okay to take courses at a CC to bring up my sGPA to above 3.0 or does it need to be an a 4-year institution?

 

[P0ke]

I absolutely agree. Do you think it would be okay to take courses at a CC to bring up my sGPA to above 3.0 or does it need to be an a 4-year institution?

That's like 1 course, it really shouldn't matter where you take it.