Taking repeat classes at CC

[Deleted member 237747]

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[FrkyBgStok]

i was specifically told by my dream school to not do this method as it may portray that you can handle the CC rigor, but not the university rigor, thus not the med school rigor. some schools may not care, and you may be OK as you were a bio major (i am not).

 

[Neurocentric]

Are you doing all of your pre-medical courses over? Or just the ones you failed/did bad in?

Nevertheless, it sounds like you'd be doing this post-bacc, and it's probably best you do that at a four-year university. I know the money issue is something weighing on your mind, but I would think it's the same reasoning why they don't accept students who received a degree simply at a community college.

I'm hoping someone with more knowledge can answer your question, but I would suggest taking the classes at a four year university.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

Yes, I am looking at redoing all prereq's. I have done higher level science courses they are not great either(B/C's) being a bio major. Money is a big factor being in debt already, I see this as a long process(2 years+).

 

[Neurocentric]

Yes, I am looking at redoing all prereq's. I have done higher level science courses they are not great either(B/C's) being a bio major. Money is a big factor being in debt already, I see this as a long process(2 years+).

Are you eligible for grants/loans?

The way I see it, you're going to be piling up the debt for many years before you can finally start to pay it off. While I don't think you should completely disregard your worries of it because of that, it is something you're going to get used to.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

I plan taking some loan. I see no reason for almost bumping up my loan at this time, if end results may be almost same either route - this is what I am seeking to find.

 

[riverjib]

While I disagree with the bias, it exists. I took more than half of my pre-reqs in my two years at a CC, and I was warned that some med schools would consider it less rigorous. I finished my pre-reqs and numerous upper-level science classes at a respected four-year state school with equal success, which "validates" my CC classes. Honestly, I found the CC classes harder by comparison only because my state school classes were curved, so an 85 was almost always an A. In my CC, under a 96 was an A-, and under a 90 was a B+ or lower, without exception.

Short answer? Unfair or not, it will probably look to many med schools like the CC was easier if you get significantly higher grades there after getting lower grades at your university. You'll need to do really well on the MCAT to help offset any doubt about your capability in med school.

 

[CookDeRosa]

I am already done with undergrad(Major -Bio). Unfortunately my GPA needs a big boost. If I repeat all my science classes at a community college where I got C or below to improve my GPA will that be considered as positive. I found I can save tons of monies doing this than going to a regular school to repeat. Any one gone this route successfully?

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From a completely mathematical standpoint, it's a waste of time. Since you are already >120 credits, you are going to move your GPA a micro point for every A (assumption that each attempt will yield an A). For instance, since I don't know your GPA, let's assume it is a 3.0

In order to move a 120 credit 3.0 to a 3.5, you need to earn an ADDITIONAL 120 credits scoring only perfect 4.0s Clearly, that's not possible or practical. As you earn more credits, your ability to change your GPA goes down. Only in the first 2 years can you pull up out of a funk by retaking a few courses.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

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[SabC]

Yes, I am looking at redoing all prereq's. I have done higher level science courses they are not great either(B/C's) being a bio major. Money is a big factor being in debt already, I see this as a long process(2 years+).

If you've consistently done poorly throughout undergrad, why do you think you'll do any better retaking all of the classes?

How are you going to explain your consistent low performance with no upward trend? This is a lot different than having a few poor grades within a period that could be explained by illness/family issues etc.

Have you identified the reasons for your poor performance and remedied them to the extent that it is even worth the time and expense to repeat? Are you confident that you will get an A in every single class you retake? Because there is absolutely no excuse for not earning an A on a retake.

 

[TriagePreMed]

If I performed poorly on those classes at a University, I would not re-take them at a community college. I would retake community college classes at either a community college or 4-year, or I would even take the classes for the first time at a 4 year university. That's about it.

If you've consistently done poorly throughout undergrad, why do you think you'll do any better retaking all of the classes?

How are you going to explain your consistent low performance with no upward trend? This is a lot different than having a few poor grades within a period that could be explained by illness/family issues etc.

Have you identified the reasons for your poor performance and remedied them to the extent that it is even worth the time and expense to repeat? Are you confident that you will get an A in every single class you retake? Because there is absolutely no excuse for not earning an A on a retake.

Why wouldn't you think so? I hate how this question of yours keeps getting asked. People mature out of situations or didn't give it what they could the first time around. To question "why do you think you can make it?" is really another way of saying "you're incapable of doing it. Why kid yourself?" Supporting individuals typically advice others or share experiences.

I remember my counselors in High School laughing at me and asking me that when I was going to take some classes at a community college but had a low (2.5 or so) GPA in High school, but I ended up with a B on 1 course and A's on the other 2. If I truly think back to all I've done, I would have done nothing if I had listened to all the people that told me I couldn't.

 

[SabC]

If I performed poorly on those classes at a University, I would not re-take them at a community college. I would retake community college classes at either a community college or 4-year, or I would even take the classes for the first time at a 4 year university. That's about it.

The OP has already graduated from a 4 year university.

Why wouldn't you think so? I hate how this question of yours keeps getting asked. People mature out of situations or didn't give it what they could the first time around. To question "why do you think you can make it?" is really another way of saying "you're incapable of doing it. Why kid yourself?" Supporting individuals typically advice others or share experiences.

I remember my counselors in High School laughing at me and asking me that when I was going to take some classes at a community college but had a low (2.5 or so) GPA in High school, but I ended up with a B on 1 course and A's on the other 2. If I truly think back to all I've done, I would have done nothing if I had listened to all the people that told me I couldn't.

I didn't provide an opinion as to what I think the OP should or should not do or can or cannot achieve. I asked specific questions based upon the information provided by the OP that I think would be very beneficial for him to answer for himself before he wastes a great deal of time and money on what will be a very minimal gpa boost (even if he does exceptionally well) and leave a big red flag on his apps.

Grats on your successful transition out of high school and sticking it to the haters.

Realistically, I don't think your high school experience and three cc classes are in any way applicable or comparable or relevant to the OP's situation. He has a degree, four years of consistently mediocre grades and a gpa he has to live with and repair. He will need to be able to explain all of this.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

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[MiniMoo]

I do no think I need to write in AMCS if the school was a CC or a 4 year school, when I take any class as part of DYI post bacc. The cost saving is almost 50% that is like 10K ...

Schools could very easily look up the name of the school to see if it's a community college or a 4-year university. Also, if you apply to in-state medical schools, it's very likely they would be quite familiar with all of the 4-year institutions in the area having received thousands upon thousands of applications every year.

 

[Neurocentric]

Schools could very easily look up the name of the school to see if it's a community college or a 4-year university. Also, if you apply to in-state medical schools, it's very likely they would be quite familiar with all of the 4-year institutions in the area having received thousands upon thousands of applications every year.

Exactly. And medical schools want their post baccs taking classes at a four year.. it's why pre-meds don't take their pre-reqs at a community college.. those core classes have to be taken at a uni.

 

[nevertool8]

sorry to bump an old post. but lets just assume that you do well on your retakes at cc and do well on your smp. would it still be significantly matter on overall application?

 

[nevertool8]

Short answer, yes, it would matter. Here's the long answer:

I personally know doctors that went from 4-year to community college and then were accepted at top schools including UCSF and Harvard.

1. If you can take classes at a 4 year university, take them at the 4 year.
2. Yes, there is bias against CC at some schools, even if it is wrong.
3. If you do take your classes at community college, you have to have a good reason. If you're applying as a disadvantaged student, it is better reason than "it is cheaper." If you are only able to take 1 or 2 night classes, again, this is a better reason than "it is cheaper."
4. If you graduated from a 4 year university with a low GPA in sciences, you are not doing much by going to a CC. At least a non-science major can get a high science GPA and there is no way to compare with how their science performance would have been at a 4-year.
5. If you get low or even average grades at the community college, kiss medical school goodbye. Average grades are more acceptable at a 4-year (3.3 to 3.6 overall post-baccalaureate GPA).
6. SMP is no guarantee at all and extremely expensive. If you are going to do one, do it at a MD or DO school that has linkage. Georgetown accepts many students (200+) and my understanding is that the top 1/4 makes it into medical school.

thanks for your advice. I understand the bias against retaking classes at cc as a science major. But from what I understand, even if i do well at 4 year university in postbac to raise GPA over 3.0, I will still have to do SMP to prove that I could do well in tough 'medical school like' environment. At the end, My numbers have to be 3.0 for schools to look consider my application, and spending 10gs extra seems futile.

I retook classes at CC as a science major because I could not find any classes at my undergrad after I graduated. They were giving seats to current undergraduates and things are worse with state budget cuts. Either way, SMP is a necessity whether I did my postbac at 4 year school or community college. And if SMP grades are good, schools should not have doubts about ability to handle tough course right?

 

[TriagePreMed]

thanks for your advice. I understand the bias against retaking classes at cc as a science major. But from what I understand, even if i do well at 4 year university in postbac to raise GPA over 3.0, I will still have to do SMP to prove that I could do well in tough 'medical school like' environment. At the end, My numbers have to be 3.0 for schools to look consider my application, and spending 10gs extra seems futile.

I retook classes at CC as a science major because I could not find any classes at my undergrad after I graduated. They were giving seats to current undergraduates and things are worse with state budget cuts. Either way, SMP is a necessity whether I did my postbac at 4 year school or community college. And if SMP grades are good, schools should not have doubts about ability to handle tough course right?

Depends how well you do. Top 5%? Sure, no doubts. In the top 25%? Alright. Lower than 25%? That's iffy and who knows.

Remember, you'll be spending about 60k for a shot at maybe making it along with other folks that know it's their last resort and will probably be willing to do anything to be in that top 25%.