Taking prereqs at CC?

[Defplucky]

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I know this has been discussed before in the MD section but im wondering if the prereqs im taking at my CC( bio 1 and 2, gen chem 1 and 2, freshman comp 1 and 2) are going to have a large effect on my chances at an MD/PHD program.

Also my CC is turning into a state college so im not sure if Fresh comp 2, bio 1 and 2, and chem 2 are going to count as CC prereqs.

 

[ablavar]

I don't imagine MD/PhD would care anymore than MD would as far as coursework goes. Research is what sets you apart from the MD and MD/PhD pools.

 

[Neuronix]

It is up to the individual med schools as to whether they'll be accepted. This is no different for MD/PhD.

However, the general advice applies: don't take med school pre-req courses at community college. Get to a 4 year university ASAP.

 

[Defplucky]

Thanks for the responses. I have to take some prerqs though in order to transfer to a 4 year college for my major, so it looks like ima bit boned there.

 

[Neuronix]

Thanks for the responses. I have to take some prerqs though in order to transfer to a 4 year college for my major, so it looks like ima bit boned there.

My recommendation in this case would be to either transfer into the college undeclared, dual major, or pick another major. Look into taking med school pre-reqs as night courses at the 4 year program or look into another university that will be easier to transfer into.

 

[Defplucky]

I have already taken bio 1 and chem 1, as well as both fresh comp and calc, should i hold off the and take the rest at a university than? Or retake everything? Taking bio, chem and comp all over again would be a stinker.

 

[Neuronix]

Comp sci is not a med school pre-requisite for most medical schools. This should not be an issue. Since you have already taken bio 1 and chem 1 I wouldn't necessarily recommend repeating them, but taking bio 2 and chem 2 at university would be potentially beneficial for MD and MD/PhD applications. It is not of crucial importance, but may help.

If you are taking calc 2 at University, taking calc 1 at CC shouldn't be an issue. It's probably not worth retaking calc 1 if that's the CC course you took and you are not planning on taking calc 2.

 

[Defplucky]

I ment freshman comp 1 and 2 not computer science sorry about that, but yeah I think I will just change my major.

 

[Neuronix]

Note that this is tricky for MD/PhD advising. It's generally advisable, though not required, to do a bioligically related science or engineering major for MD/PhD programs. This is particularly true if you plan on doing a biological science related PhD (estimated >90% of students). You have a lot of options, and there's no clear right answer.

Options include:
1. Major in something else with minor in biology/chemistry/etc and take plenty of upper level biology/chemistry courses.
2. Dual major.
3. Gain admission and switch majors.
4. Apply MD only, where major doesn't matter.

 

[Defplucky]

Im currently a chemistry major and to transfer to my local university they would like you to take bio 1 and 2, chem 1 and 2, and physics 1 and 2, there not that picky however for bio majors but they still prefer chem 2 and bio 2, I m gonna think it over as to what my best options are and talk to a counselor for more info and to see what else I can do.

 

[Neuronix]

Just make sure the counselor you speak to has a long established history of advising pre-medical students and a good reputation among senior students. Very few undergraduate advisors are experienced in advising MD/PhD applicants.

 

[K31]

It's not impossible, especially if you are a science major with a lot of courses beyond the basic prereqs (which is basically required for MD/PhD). I took basic bio and chem at a CC, but was a bio major and had a lot of upper-level bio and chem classes at a four-year school.