Taking non-prerequisite classes at CC - yay or nay?

[curiouschemist]

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I've been out of school for four years now, working full time, and I'd like to take a class or two at my local community college (can't afford to take them at a regular four year college/university). I'd be interested in microbiology, immunology, and maybe one more class. There are a few reasons I'm interested in doing this: 1) I actually enjoy learning and miss taking classes, 2) Having been out of school for a while, part of me is scared I forgot how to be a student! It would be nice to get re-acclimated to the classroom setting before being thrown into medical school (if I am fortunate enough to get accepted whenever I finally apply!), and 3) If for some reason I don't end up ever applying to medical school, the knowledge from these courses is still very useful for my full time job and would help in my current career.

My question is: Is taking classes post-graduation that aren't part of the prerequisites for medical school (I have all those completed already) looked at either favorably or unfavorably? Or is there complete indifference? I gather it depends how well I were to perform in these classes, but for the sake of this scenario, let's be hopeful and assume I were to get As. Is it good to show success in more recent coursework post-grad? By the time I apply, I will have been out of school for probably 5-7 years. Any feedback would be greatly appreciate! Thank you!

 

[Faha]

It makes no difference whether the courses are at a community college or 4 year college for DO schools and the majority of MD schools.

 

[curiouschemist]

It makes no difference whether the courses are at a community college or 4 year college for DO schools and the majority of MD schools.

Thank you! Good to know!

 

[famguy225]

I've been out of school for four years now, working full time, and I'd like to take a class or two at my local community college (can't afford to take them at a regular four year college/university). I'd be interested in microbiology, immunology, and maybe one more class. There are a few reasons I'm interested in doing this: 1) I actually enjoy learning and miss taking classes, 2) Having been out of school for a while, part of me is scared I forgot how to be a student! It would be nice to get re-acclimated to the classroom setting before being thrown into medical school (if I am fortunate enough to get accepted whenever I finally apply!), and 3) If for some reason I don't end up ever applying to medical school, the knowledge from these courses is still very useful for my full time job and would help in my current career.

My question is: Is taking classes post-graduation that aren't part of the prerequisites for medical school (I have all those completed already) looked at either favorably or unfavorably? Or is there complete indifference? I gather it depends how well I were to perform in these classes, but for the sake of this scenario, let's be hopeful and assume I were to get As. Is it good to show success in more recent coursework post-grad? By the time I apply, I will have been out of school for probably 5-7 years. Any feedback would be greatly appreciate! Thank you!

Yes, if you take and do well in these upper division bio classes that will add to your application, especially if your performance in some of the pre reqs wasn't great. You're showing admissions committees that you now know how to handle this type of coursework.

The above poster is correct, doesn't matter if you take them at a CC or 4 year school.

Good luck!