Thoughts appreciated :)

[Jackielyn]

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Hello, I'm new here and I had a quick question. Has anyone obtained a bachelor's degree online and done their med school post-bacc prereqs at an actual campus and been able to get into med school? I realize there are volunteering/shadowing/research/MCAT score that also play into med school admission.

My main question is if I obtained my bachelors online, would it look bad? I'm looking at the sociology degree from Arizona State University.

Thank you!

 

[wholeheartedly]

Hello, I'm new here and I had a quick question. Has anyone obtained a bachelor's degree online and done their med school post-bacc prereqs at an actual campus and been able to get into med school? I realize there are volunteering/shadowing/research/MCAT score that also play into med school admission.

My main question is if I obtained my bachelors online, would it look bad? I'm looking at the sociology degree from Arizona State University.

Thank you!

This is the actual respected state university? Will your transcript show that it was online? Any reason you'd go that route instead of attending in person?

 

[Jackielyn]

My reason for choosing this route is because I am a military wife and we are currently stationed on Okinawa. My thought process was that it might look better to have a little continuity in my degree plan then to piece meal a bunch of classes from different universities from different education centers on base. We have one year left here and we don't know where we will be going next.

Yes, it's the actual respected state university and I am unsure whether my transcripts would say online or not...good question.

 

[wholeheartedly]

My online classes from my state u. don't show up any differently than my in person classes. Now it will probably be apparent that you didn't take them in person if you were living in another country at the time. But since it's a respected school, I'm not sure how big a deal that will be, especially if you plan to take your pre reqs in person and had a pretty compelling reason for going this route.

I'd wait for others to weigh in too.

 

[hawkbit]

Just do your best to keep your GPA as close to 4.0 as possible, especially through the pre-reqs. Having a great GPA will go a long way towards a smoother application! Any chance you would be able to do the prereqs at the same school later (in person) or will you be doing those wherever you end up? I would focus on putting together a good application all around, don't rush the classes, and make sure you have quality volunteering/shadowing/research/MCAT score, then you shouldn't have any problems (at least for a broad application, if you are looking at only a few select schools, well that's a crapshoot regardless of where you did your bachelors).

It will be a long process so be sure to enjoy it! Good luck!

 

[Rocketdog]

I can help you: I'm a current Sun Devil (ASU) student attending downtown Phoenix Campus for Medical Studies which is ASU's brand new Pre-Med undergraduate degree for people who plan on going to medical school after graduation.

I don't think your UG Sociology degree done online from ASU is any different than if you had gone in person, but, just to be extra safe I'd call the advising dept. We have a medical school pre med advising dept here at the College of Health Solutions at ASU. They should be able to help you devise a course of action.

If you do plan on coming to ASU (either online or in person) welcome! As you know ASU is a HUGE research institution. You'll be glad you came here.

 

[Jackielyn]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses! It definitely gives me something to think about and discuss with my family. I'd really just love to knock this out the most efficient and productive way possible...I'm sure that's everyone's mentality coming into it! Life does tend to throw curve balls every once in a while. I'm anxious to see if anyone else has something else to contribute.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Hello, I'm new here and I had a quick question. Has anyone obtained a bachelor's degree online and done their med school post-bacc prereqs at an actual campus and been able to get into med school? I realize there are volunteering/shadowing/research/MCAT score that also play into med school admission.

My main question is if I obtained my bachelors online, would it look bad? I'm looking at the sociology degree from Arizona State University.

Thank you!

Also make sure that you can explain exactly why you chose this route. You have a good reason. Make sure you bring this up in your personal statement and try to craft it to how it gave you the advantages (able to pursue a degree despite being overseas, etc.)

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

If your degree is from a reputable school and you do all your prerequisites in the US, I think there will be schools receptive toward your application. You should definitely avoid the DeVry type of schools. If you're interested in Osteopathic Medicine, you might even be able to get away with doing your coursework through University of New England online, but the best thing you could do for yourself is call schools you're interested in and explaining your situation. See what they say.

 

[Mississippi Grind]

I'm in a similar situation, I'm on active duty and because I attended some college while stationed in AZ, I ended getting hooked up with ASU. I am almost done with my BA, and have talked to pre med advising a couple times - they swear that Completing a bachelors through their online program will not be an issue whatsoever (although I'm inclined to believe some schools will have a problem with this)because the syllabus and curriculum are identical. They have been pretty clear that all pre reqs should be taken in person, at a 4yr university. I am planning on separating in 18 months and doing a home cooked post bac.

Good luck!