Texas specific: Prerequisites at Community College

[sousop]

I have researched SDN and r/premed on Reddit, and overwhelmingly, prerequisites at a CC are just fine. However, the pre-health advisor at my alma mater is actively discouraging it, causing me to still hesitate (it seems pre-med or pre-health advisors are often questionable, from what I've gathered), and would appreciate this community's direct input.

I graduated with a Psychology BA in 2023 and am beginning prerequisites this year. I plan to complete all upper-division classes at the university level (my alma mater) but am curious which classes would be permissible, if any, at a community college. I am asking regarding those with experience applying to or matriculating into Texas schools specifically.

I have looked into this MSAR pdf as well, which states most (except for Baylor and UH, the latter without data, being brand new) will accept students using community college credits. I am just curious if anyone has real-life experience with a similar situation with success. I've also emailed each school and await responses.

QUESTIONS

1. Would prerequisites completed at an accredited CC be accepted, or would they place me at a disadvantage regarding competitiveness, compared to the same application (GPA and MCAT) with all university-level prerequisites?
   1. If yes, it would only be acceptable (or possible) for lower-division courses, correct?
      1. Which of those exact classes would be acceptable (General Chemistry I, General Biology I, or General Physics I, etc.), and which would not be?
   2. Would any type of accelerated course (ex. 8-week course from March to May, or even a 4-week course, which I assume isn't recommended quality-wise) for these courses be acceptable?
   3. I assume that in-person only is a requirement (per my pre-health advisor, correct me if this is wrong). Would hybrid or online be permissible under any circumstance?

Also, I cross-posted on WAMC and nontraditional students, if there is a better category to post under, let me know.

*If it's helpful, Texas schools include the following: TCU, Baylor, McGovern, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UT Tyler, UTSA Long, UH, Dell, UTMB, UTRGV, and UT Southwestern.

Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

The best people to ask are the admissions professionals themselves how they evaluate community college credit. The second would be students at the schools on your list.

In general, most schools acknowledge that for educational access and equity, community college coursework helps those from socioeconomically disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds. One can take CC courses without an adverse impact on the application.

However, if you are already an undergrad, taking CC coursework may set you back when progressing in your degree. You must check your academic deans for policies about taking CC courses while enrolled at your school and what permissions must be obtained for your credits to benefit you in your degree.

If you are in Texas, ask the TMDSAS team during their office hours. I'm sure they have already answered this question from their position. TMDSAS annually meets with prehealth advisors in Texas about what makes an applicant competitive, so I hope your advisor attends them regularly.

 

[wysdoc]

Welcome, @sousop

Once the new application year starts, follow the "Official TMDSAS Questions" thread here on SDN, I keep it updated.

Using the MSAR to see the prerequisite rules and limits for each Texas school is sufficient, and going so far as to email each individual school to ask them about whether they take community college credits won't get you a better answer.
The MSAR updates every year in April so any changes will be seen then.

For the 2024-2025 application cycle, these were the specific exceptions for CC/AP courses:
Texas A&M did not accept Community College courses (or AP credits) for the prereqs of Biochemistry, Math/Stats, or Organic Chemistry.

Baylor did not accept AP credits for any of its hard math/science prereqs.

Texas Tech Lubbock did not accept AP credits for Biology or Organic Chem prereqs

UTRGV was unusual in not accepting Online courses for any prereqs, unless you asked them to waive that & you had just a couple online.

All the TMDSAS schools require you to take your prereqs for a grade, and get a C or better (not Pass/Fail) and to do your labs in person (not online).

Since the only school to rule out CC courses for 3 major prereqs is Texas A&M, you could just not apply to them but apply to the other TMDSAS schools.

 

[sousop]

Welcome to the forums.

The best people to ask are the admissions professionals themselves how they evaluate community college credit. The second would be students at the schools on your list.

In general, most schools acknowledge that for educational access and equity, community college coursework helps those from socioeconomically disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds. One can take CC courses without an adverse impact on the application.

However, if you are already an undergrad, taking CC coursework may set you back when progressing in your degree. You must check your academic deans for policies about taking CC courses while enrolled at your school and what permissions must be obtained for your credits to benefit you in your degree.

If you are in Texas, ask the TMDSAS team during their office hours. I'm sure they have already answered this question from their position. TMDSAS annually meets with prehealth advisors in Texas about what makes an applicant competitive, so I hope your advisor attends them regularly.

I will plan to reach out to current students and look into TMDSAS office hours as well. Thank you!

 

[sousop]

Welcome, @sousop

Once the new application year starts, follow the "Official TMDSAS Questions" thread here on SDN, I keep it updated.

Using the MSAR to see the prerequisite rules and limits for each Texas school is sufficient, and going so far as to email each individual school to ask them about whether they take community college credits won't get you a better answer.
The MSAR updates every year in April so any changes will be seen then.

For the 2024-2025 application cycle, these were the specific exceptions for CC/AP courses:
Texas A&M did not accept Community College courses (or AP credits) for the prereqs of Biochemistry, Math/Stats, or Organic Chemistry.

Baylor did not accept AP credits for any of its hard math/science prereqs.

Texas Tech Lubbock did not accept AP credits for Biology or Organic Chem prereqs

UTRGV was unusual in not accepting Online courses for any prereqs, unless you asked them to waive that & you had just a couple online.

All the TMDSAS schools require you to take your prereqs for a grade, and get a C or better (not Pass/Fail) and to do your labs in person (not online).

Since the only school to rule out CC courses for 3 major prereqs is Texas A&M, you could just not apply to them but apply to the other TMDSAS schools.

Thank you so much for this! I'll look out for the new MSAR this month. Per your and @Mr.Smile12's answers, coupled with emailing the schools myself (had to), I began online Anatomy & Physiology I this semester. I just realized you wrote labs must be in person though...