Assuming the choice is between in person at a CC and online at UNE, then the choice is clear. Do them in person at the CC. Lots of schools accept online pre-reqs, but the fewer the better. As you progress with the pre-reqs, it will become harder to find in person offerings at night or on weekends. So take in person courses whenever you have the option to do so.
If the choice is online at the CC vs online at UNE, I would still pick the CC in your case assuming your are in state. DCCC is a third of the price and TX medical schools don't hate on TX CCs, so you'll get nothing extra by paying for UNE.
Now you mention adding a year to your timeline. That makes things harder. Is your app otherwise excellent and do you have good reason to believe you can do well on the MCAT? If so, maybe go with more online pre-reqs. On the other hand, if you think your app is going to be somewhat average, then you need as many strengths and as few weaknesses as possible. So in that case, consider in person even if it adds a year.
It is so much easier to take the online courses, given my work schedule but I do believe I can make in class work as long as my boss will let me switch my schedule every 3 months or so. In my industry (sales), the idea that you have one foot in and one foot out is frowned upon so I have been leaning towards online courses to ensure no one finds out what I am up to. On the other hand, my new GM is amazing and I think he would allow me to switch my schedule without having to explain why I am doing so. Really, I'm torn.
My state's online CC courses are nonexistent. I would be taking them at DCCC if not UNE. I have in fact drawn up maybe 6 different schedules that either get me done with prerequisites in 2 years or 3 years. None of them have local classes in the mix at this point, simply because it is easier to finish more quickly online and also, I will have to attend different local schools for different prerequisites based on professor ratings, availability and so forth. The entire situation is just difficult, but I am not especially cursed or anything, haha! This is what non-trads go through, if they're serious.
My app is otherwise not excellent. Thank you for bringing that up, as the more info one has the more they can help. I had a VERY rough start to college life back in the day (well over 10 years ago), but finished strong. I've got a 3.82 GPA over my last 72.5 semester hours, which is the strongest part of my app. cGPA is 2.8. sGPA is 2.9 for Allopathic schools and 3.2 for Osteopathic schools. If grade replacement were still in effect, cGPA would be 3.1 and sGPA would be 3.7. This is without having actually tried for grade replacement....just retaking courses back in the day just because.
I have not taken the MCAT, but know I will do well, as there is no alternative. Studying for that exam will be my freaking job when the time comes, though I know preparation begins with these prerequisites. I have to take all prerequisite sciences courses except for Chem I. I have a lot of room for sGPA improvement, but not a lot for cGPA, whatsoever. Upward trend, a solid MCAT score, and adcoms giving me the chance to speak with the in interview format are my friends.
I live in Washington state and am still keeping hope alive for a UW acceptance since they love upward trends and are perfectly fine with online courses and CC courses (spoke to someone in admissions personally to confirm, confirmed via MSAR and also confirmed on their website). PNWU would also have to be in the running since they are very regionally biased and do not auto-screen for any specific GPA and every app is looked at fully. PNWU actually
seems to be one of the easiest DO schools for me to get into, based on
LizzyM data, admissions criteria, regional bias and being DO. I could be dead wrong, though.
Other than my state school and DO school, I'd likely apply broadly at other DO schools, as most MDs would not like my GPA. URM might help a bit, but I refuse to depend on that factor. In summary, doing my courses online won't affect me much in terms of the schools I am going for being okay with them. In fact, Howard and a few other HBCUs are probably the main reason one might suggest I consider taking courses in person, as most HBCUs don't accept online courses and may be an easier shot at getting into med school with a sub-par GPA and URM status. I'm just not sure that choosing to take courses in person should be chosen based upon the admission standards of maybe two schools that are URM and OOS friendly.
All in all...I'm not sure how to approach this, my friend. Any advice based on the information shared would be considered and appreciated. It's a lot to try and figure out, but once I decide on a course of action, I am the type who is nonstop with it. This is why I have to take care in devising a schedule, but it's also time to figure it out and get started as soon as possible. I'm definitely not getting any younger, haha!
Thanks for giving a crap. It means a lot.