Taking pre reqs at a community college?

[mustgoquickly]

Hello everyone,

A bit about me, I am currently 20 years old (turning 21 in a few months) and am a sophomore at a community college with 44 credits. My GPA is currently a 3.36 with an upward trend (I slacked off my first year in college and didn't know what I wanted to do, got a 2.7 gpa first semester)

I am getting my AA next semester but the only pre reqs I've done were Bio 1 and 2. I always figured that medical schools will frown upon taking all of the pre reqs at a community college so I held off taking them and instead focused on math and humanities. This was reinforced when I talked to an advisor.

When visiting a different advisor today, I was told that if I had not completed the rest of the pre reqs (chem 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, and orgo 1 and 2) then I would not be accepted into the biology program at my local 4 year university. I can still take them at a 4 year university but she recommended I take them at the community college as it will be easier and cheaper.

She also told me that I will not be able to take upper level biology classes until I finish all of the pre reqs. So it is looking like I'll have to put off being a doctor for another year and a half!

I understand it varies by medical school, but if you were me, would you get your AA and then take the rest of the pre reqs at the 4 year university? Or take them at the community college? And is there anything I can do to speed up finishing all the pre reqs?

Thank you!

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[TheBiologist]

your 4 year makes you take all those just to be admitted?

what if you applied for chemistry or even psychology instead - you could still take the rest of your pre-med classes at your 4 year as a chem or psych major. and medical schools like behavioral science majors

 

[mustgoquickly]

your 4 year makes you take all those just to be admitted?

what if you applied for chemistry or even psychology instead - you could still take the rest of your pre-med classes at your 4 year as a chem or psych major. and medical schools like behavioral science majors

No they do not make me take all those to transfer. But I will not be admitted as a biology major until I do. But I'm glad you mentioned those other majors! I will try and see if I can go into those.

I choose biology as my major because I was told it is competetive and will help my chances of getting accepted.

 

[mustgoquickly]

Show your advisor this list


Is "Introductory Organic Chemistry" alright?

There are some medical schools that directly speak to this idea of community college courses. This may give a little better insight in how the underlying “culture” or “attitude” of admission committee members, whether a formal policy or not, may perceive applicants who choose summer or community college coursework. While this list is not exhaustive, it is representative enough to help advise students who are considering such a step.

SUNY Upstate College of Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions | College of Medicine | SUNY Upstate Medical University
“Applicants should avoid taking more than one or two prerequisite science courses during the summer and avoid taking them at community colleges.”

Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Medical Program Admissions Requirements | Icahn School of Medicine
Q: Can I take my courses at a community college, or must I take them at a four-year college or university?
A: We have no requirement about where you take courses, though the Committee on Admissions does take that into consideration in evaluating your application.

Johns Hopkins Medical School
Prerequisites and Requirements| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine M.D. Admissions
The School of Medicine accepts prerequisites completed at the community college level. In order to be competitive in the selection process, we encourage prospective applicants with community college prerequisites to supplement these courses by taking advanced courses in related subjects at their four year institution.

University of Florida College of Medicine
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions » Medical Admissions » College of Medicine » University of Florida
Q: Can I take the prerequisite courses at my local community/junior college?
A: In order to create the most academically competitive application you should take all prerequisite courses at the most competitive bachelor’s degree granting institution where you can gain entrance. You should try to complete your pre-requisite courses at a four-year institution

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
https://www.einstein.yu.edu/educati...pplication-procedure/course-requirements.aspx
Whereas course work at a four-year college or university is our benchmark, if a student chooses to meet a competency component via an alternate route such as through laboratory experience, through an advanced placement course, a course taken at a community college, a course taken abroad (during a semester abroad for which the undergraduate U.S. degree-granting institution gives credit, or for which AMCAS will verify and report the grade), or an online course, he or she should seek guidance from his or her advisor to ensure that the option meets the above guidelines as well as the rigorous academic standard required by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.


George Washington University
M.D. Program Frequently Asked Questions | The School of Medicine & Health Sciences | The George Washington University
Do you accept community college credits?
Yes. The Committee on Admissions does accept coursework taken at a community college; however, it is preferable to have the pre-medical coursework taken at a four-year college or university.

Florida State University College of Medicine
http://med.fsu.edu/?page=mdAdmissions.admissionRequirement
Listed below is the pre-requisite coursework required for all matriculates to the FSU COM. Advanced Placement, CLEP, and dual enrollment credits fulfill the course requirements. However, courses taken in a traditional classroom at a four-year institution are considered to be more academically competitive.

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Requirements | Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Two pre-requisite science courses can be fulfilled with AP credits, community college courses or through a study abroad program.

Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College of Medicine
How Do I Apply?
Policy on AP Credits, Credits by Exam, and Dual Credit
We generally prefer that applicants take the prerequisite courses at 4-year accredited colleges and universities rather than utilize advanced placement credits, credits by exam, dual-credit, pass/fail course work or community college courses. We do not dismiss these credits; and, if they have been taken, we will accept them toward meeting the prerequisites. In fact, if an applicant has placed out of a required level course, we will also accept another course in that discipline at the same or higher level. Again, our preference is that applicants take graded courses at 4-year institutions, particularly the prerequisites in the biological sciences and the chemistry series.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/admissions/md/faq/#q43
Are community college classes accepted as prerequisite course credit?
They may be, but the Admissions Committee generally expects students to complete all prerequisite courses at a four-year undergraduate institution.

Yale
https://medicine.yale.edu/education/admissions/apply/premed.aspx
Pre-medical courses must be completed in a U.S., U.K., or Canadian college or university. U.S. Community College courses are acceptable, provided that the courses include laboratory work and are comparable in content to courses at four-year colleges, universities, or institutes of technology.

Weill Cornell
Medical Education at Weill Medical College of Cornell University | About Us
Can I take my prerequisite courses at a Community College?
It is not recommended.

Wow thanks a lot for posting this! I will definitely go back tomorrow and try to speak to a different advisor and if they reiterate what the previous advisor said then I will show them this.