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Taking Online classes

Started by LaughingGas
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LaughingGas

LaughingGas

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10+ Year Member
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Hello SDN,
I am asking this question on behalf of my wife. Is it a bad idea to take online classes (upper level bio classes) to improve GPA, while she waits to transfer?
Would it be a complete waste of time and money to take online classes in the meantime? or Should she wait to take courses until she transfers?

Thank you.
 
Generally, most will say that online classes are not looked at favorably. However, if you can find out how they will be reported on your transcript, there may not be any way that anyone will ever know whether or not they were online.

Best idea would be to find out how they come up on your transcript. If it explicitly says "online bio...etc." I would probably stay away from it, otherwise if nothing explicitly says "online" I don't see where there's a problem...unless, of course, it's through U of Phoenix or the like.
 
what about labs? can't do those online. best to take science coursework in person. save the online stuff for the easy history course or two.
 
I can see schools accepting online lecture based courses. I've never heard of legitimate online labs. Can you provide this long list?
 
I asked one of the schools I am considering applying to about an online lab due to me having other courses going on at the same time and was told that they do not recommend them but there is no rule against them. Also, I agree with the precious poster in that there is a big possibility there is no way of knowing due to what it says on the transcript. I know I have taken online classes before and they look no different on my transcript.
 
LongTimeLurk said:
I can see schools accepting online lecture based courses. I've never heard of legitimate online labs. Can you provide this long list?
Click to expand...

University of New England is but one school that offers online labs. You receive a lab kit and perform the lab just as you would in a classroom laboratory.

It'd be easier to give you a list of schools that don't take online pre-reqs...

off the top of my head..

Western doesn't take the online lab
NYIT doesn't take lab or lecture done online
William Carey doesn't take lab or lecture done online

Pretty much every other DO school I have called and spoken has said they would accept it if it were from a regionally accredited school.
 
Do they send you vent hoods for organic chem labs?

You did not mention my school on list and it does not take online labs. Hope it works out for you, again I've never heard of it.
 
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LongTimeLurk said:
Do they send you vent hoods for organic chem labs?

You did not mention my school on list and it does not take online labs. Hope it works out for you, again I've never heard of it.
Click to expand...


I have no idea, I took organic in person.

I only listed schools I have personally spoken to. I must not have spoken to your school. Why don't you fill us in on what school you go to...seems like it would be useful knowledge for people applying.
 
Perhaps @Goro can provide some of his excellent insight. Prereqs online (especially labs) are not a good idea. If you hear something different then more power to you.
 
LongTimeLurk said:
Perhaps @Goro can provide some of his excellent insight. Prereqs online (especially labs) are not a good idea. If you hear something different then more power to you.
Click to expand...

I actually asked him this question the other day. He seemed to indicate it wasn't an issue...but he can speak for himself.

Can you fill everyone in on the school you go to that wasn't mentioned previously, that also doesn't accept online pre-reqs?
 
yanks26dmb said:
I actually asked him this question the other day. He seemed to indicate it wasn't an issue...but he can speak for himself.

Can you fill everyone in on the school you go to that wasn't mentioned previously, that also doesn't accept online pre-reqs?
Click to expand...

No, that's more personal than I am willing to get on here.

I would go w/ Goro's advice--he has far more knowledge about this, I am a rookie with my school's ADCOM. Having said that, you are limiting your options by doing prereqs online. You can cross the schools listed above off before you ever apply (on top of several more).
 
I don't know why you guys are focusing on prereqs, my original question is about whether online upper div bio courses that are not prereqs to help boost GPA while waiting to transfer is good idea or not.
 
LaughingGas said:
I don't know why you guys are focusing on prereqs, my original question is about whether online upper div bio courses that are not prereqs to help boost GPA while waiting to transfer is good idea or not.
Click to expand...

Sorry bout the derailment.

I would wait until transfer (my school would not consider online upper division bio coursework).
 
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LongTimeLurk said:
Perhaps @Goro can provide some of his excellent insight. Prereqs online (especially labs) are not a good idea. If you hear something different then more power to you.
Click to expand...
I have been told by some they won't accept lab I agree about calling the school
 
Nowhere on either of my transcripts (community college and state university) does it show which classes were taken online. I would have her check with the school to see how they report online classes.
 
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