Texas nontraditional prereq options

[utexas4runner]

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[tellsarah]

Hello there! I am finishing up pre-reqs at cc in Texas. However, I have already taken many of these courses before but retaking for content review not for grade replacement. I don't know of anyone who was accepted to a Texas med school from a cc, but there are a few in my class that are hoping to. I know UT pharmacy does if that's any consolation.

 

[canjosh]

I replied to your similar question in the Houston thread, I just thought I'd add what I did find out from two of my 'top choices'. When I was contemplating where to take my prereqs, I emailed the admissions people at UTSW and at Baylor College of Medicine and asked if they were ok with people taking prereqs at cc.

UTSW said that they strongly advise people to take prereqs at a university. There didn't seem to be much wiggle room. In fact, on their secondary, you're asked where you took each prereq (even though it's already on the primary app).

Baylor said that they didn't really care...they use the MCAT to determine the quality of your science preparation.

One of my friends (who is an Emergency Medicine attending now) went to a Dallas County CC as a post-bac and ended up at UTMB. That would have been in the late 90s...but I know at least one person first hand who did what you're suggesting! You should consider emailing each UT school admissions office to get some advice...this time of year is pretty busy for them though!!

I'm with you on the UTD program...doesn't seem like anything advantageous.

 

[southerngrl]

I am curious to see if there are any other nontraditional students out there from Texas. I am contemplating taking most of my prereqs at Austin Community College for several reasons. One, most of these classes are 200+ people at UT Austin; ACC classes are 25-30 people. Seems hard to get to know your professor and learn a lot from a large lecture class. Two, the material covered at both places is the same, and in my experience (having gone to both UT and ACC), ACC is just as challenging as UT. Third, the price is significantly different between the two schools.

Has anyone had any success getting into a UT med school going the CC route? Any thoughts or advice on this?

Also, I am aware that UT Dallas has a new postbac program, but I am somewhat skeptical... you are in the same classes as the undergrads, and ...

Hi! From Texas here! I called UT Houston med school and was told they don't care where you do your preqs as long as you do well in them. I am currently taking one prereq at the local CC and the other at the City University here in Texas. Good luck to you!

 

[seelee]

I did not apply directly from a cc, but I transfered from one and I took most of my prereqs there. I am assuming that you already have a bachelors degree right?

The only issue with CC classes is the question of whether the classes were rigorous enough. If you graduated from a university, have a competitive GPA, got solid grades in the CC (mostly As), and rock the MCAT, you shouldn't have a problem.

If it is all the same you may want to re-consider the post bacc program. I know several people who got admitted in my class after doing one (none who went back and took classes at a CC). Yes you could take the same classes on your own, but if you are taking the same classes anyway, why not get some extra letters behind your name?

Good luck