Taking recommended courses online

[DocGodfather]

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Hey guys. Just about finished with all the prereqs for med school, and also managed to take biochem, microbio, and A&P. I still need to take statistics immunology and genetics to strengthen my recommended courses. I was wondering if it would be ok to take either of these courses through UC Berkeley/Harvard Extension online? Ideally, it would be nice to get one or two classes over with now before I take the MCAT. Any advice?

 

[DocGodfather]

I'm also considering taking stats at a CC, but that would take four months, and would ahve to go to school twice a week while prepping for the MCAT.

 

[occams_razor]

I'm considering taking the online Biochem course from UC Berkley Extension - has anyone taken this recently? it seems legit for an online course (you take the final exam in person at an authorized proctor center)

 

[ErrantWhatever]

Hey guys. Just about finished with all the prereqs for med school, and also managed to take biochem, microbio, and A&P. I still need to take statistics immunology and genetics to strengthen my recommended courses. I was wondering if it would be ok to take either of these courses through UC Berkeley/Harvard Extension online? Ideally, it would be nice to get one or two classes over with now before I take the MCAT. Any advice?

Unfortunately I can't speak directly to your specific courses, but since you started this thread I really want to recommend the online Biochem course offered by Colorado State U. I was suddenly in a tough spot going into this summer, and the prof, Dr. Aaron Sholders, let me into the course after the registration period had ended (btw, I had no connection to CSU and actually was in Kansas City). It was a great class with regular quizzes and tests (whole grade not left to just one or two tests), and Dr. Sholders used fantastic graphics and technology to help visualize molecules. He was also incredibly available for questions via email. If you have concerns about how an online recommended course looks, all I can say is my veteran advisor said there should be no problem, and I received an acceptance in Oct.

Good luck!

 

[Mi Chiamo Tiff]

You guys aren't worried about online courses not being accepted by the medical schools? I'm running into many of my top choices requiring a tradition in-class setting.

 

[Geebeejay]

Ya, I would be very hesitant to take any online course that you could instead take, in person, at your school.

 

[occams_razor]

You guys aren't worried about online courses not being accepted by the medical schools? I'm running into many of my top choices requiring a tradition in-class setting.

yeah for pre-reqs you should never take them online but in this case it's additional upper level coursework that is not required coursework.

Based on what I've heard most medical schools seem to accept UC Berk extension online coursework

 

[occams_razor]

Ya, I would be very hesitant to take any online course that you could instead take, in person, at your school.

if you're in undergrad yeah it doesn't make much sense but for someone who already graduated and completed all pre-reqs and just wants to take a post bacc class it can be more convenient than trying to enroll as a non matriculating student, or if you're working its easier to be able to take the class whenever works for your schedule. I would imagine it looks better to take an online course from a reputable school like Harvard extension or Berkeley extension or another good 4 year school than a community college

 

[Mi Chiamo Tiff]

ah ok, gotcha. Yes that makes sense. I didn't understand that the prereqs had already been completed. I misread it. I thought that the statistics and genetics courses were prereqs and the OP was asking if it'd be alright to do those online. I'm in Japan right now, with no American colleges that offer the prereqs so I'm just sitting around for 3 years until I'm able to do them at a university in the states, in a classroom.

 

[occams_razor]

ah ok, gotcha. Yes that makes sense. I didn't understand that the prereqs had already been completed. I misread it. I thought that the statistics and genetics courses were prereqs and the OP was asking if it'd be alright to do those online. I'm in Japan right now, with no American colleges that offer the prereqs so I'm just sitting around for 3 years until I'm able to do them at a university in the states, in a classroom.

ah well spending time in Japan will give you some great experiences to write about when you apply. also a good number of people take a few years off to work or do research after college before applying to med school so in the grand scheme of things 3 years isn't too long. best of luck

 

[Frazier]

From what I've seen, the trend is that courses that have a lab component must be taken in classrooms, while courses that are simply lecture-based can be taken online.

Both types should be taken for a traditional letter grade.

 

[Mi Chiamo Tiff]

I'm sure I can search the site for this answer, but what are the best type of volunteer activities to be involved in? I have a bit of opportunities here, through the military, but I might need to involve myself in something with the Japanese community as well.