To go to or not to go to

[MoThuggy]

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hey guys
jus wanted to know how much does it hurt your app if you go to a CC for two years and then transfer out to a good university and end up performing well at the university? the only reason i am asking is because i have heard mixed replies to this question. so i would like to know what you all think about this question. thanks for your input.

 

[jj786]

As long as you demonstrate that you can handle a solid load at the university and get good grades you should be fine. I've known quite a few people who chose to go to junior/community college for financial (or other) reasons and then transferred to a university. One of my friends in fact who went to a jc and then transferred, is in his last year at a dental school and is then going to specialize at harvard. So I definitely wouldn't look down on jc's; just be sure not to let your grades slip at the university. Good luck to you.

 

[busdriver]

i know a guy that graduated from cal state la and got into ucla's dental school. he didn't even transfer to another university so it goes to show that it's definitely possible even if you dont transfer and as long as you work hard and do extra stuff. (disclaimer: cal state la isn't necessarily a cc, but i think it's pretty darn close). honestly though, i think it would look better if you transferred to a better university...but hey...you never know...

 

[Aaronpsr]

Hey,

I am a perfect example of startilng at the lowest of low and gaining admission to dental school. In 1996, I actually dropped out of high school (my senior year). I was an aspiring musician and my band was doing very well...and I had been missing a lot of school as a result. I worked for awhile in retail and started my family.

Long story short....I got my GED, started at a community college as a science major, transferred to a good university after two years (as a molecular and cellular bio major), and have been accepted to UPitt SDM.

Although I don't think my education was any less at the Community College, I think in order to make admissions committees happy you should try to keep your GPA as high as you can.

 

[mikhiel]

I started out doing two years at a community college (situation was a little different, they were my junior and senior years of high school... a program in WA called Running Start) and transferred a full 90-credits to a university. I think it's actually a good idea, especially if you end up at a large university. I got things like Gen. Chem, Bio, and Calculus all done, and in all those classes, I had tiny class sizes and got to know my instructors. It was also a good chance for me to get my English done (HS requirement anyway) and take some random other classes like foreign language and history. You can get a lot done at a community college if you plan well.

 

[init4damoney]

I'm finishing my last semester at a CC and haven't felt disadvantaged compared to other predents. I'm transferring to Cal State San Bernardino in fall. Everyone I talk to who has transferred from my CC has said that the university has been easier than the CC. Here's my philosophy (at least with my CC). You'll find teachers who only have master degrees. But the majority have PhD's and just couldn't or didn't want a job at a university. I think they feel like they have something to prove because they have a PhD and are only at a CC. They tend to make things a little harder, adding extra work, or even grading more strictly. The few teachers I've had who are adjunct and mainly teach at universities have been my easier teachers. So to say that you are at a disadvantage because you attended a CC is not correct.

 

[MoThuggy]

ok thanks for all the reply guys, but to further ask my question...i am also going to a CC as of now, but i dont find it that easy to keep a 4.0 GPA. i think my GPA from the CC is in the 3.3 range and thats including 17 -19 credit hours per semester and taking my pre reqs along with some general ed classes for my bachelor's degree. so pretty what i am trying to ask is that is it okay if you have a 3.3 GPA from a CC cuz i dont know if am the only one, but even after hard work i find it hard to pull in a GPA above 3.3 every semester.

 

[ecdoesit]

If your aim is 3.3 no matter where you are, then I suggest you go to a 4 yr institution. Depends on how competitive is it to transfer. 3.3 in my state might not get you into a state university.

 

[natush]

I went to CC for two years and transfered to university too.
I did not have any problems. As long as your GPA is high, you'll be O'K.
The advisor told me that they usually want you to take no more then 1yr. at CC, but I've got accepted with no problems.
Good luck.

 

[RaiderNation]

As I'm reading these posts I am laughing and feeling disgusted simultaneously. You DO NOT have to have a 4.0 at a CC to get into dental school. I experienced the same thing as init4damoney. I went to a CC and the instructors alot of times want to prove to you, by being an a**, that they are just as qualified as the university professors. Not all of them are like this, but there are many. Alot of CC professors will grade harder to "prove a point". Personally, I think CC professors suck, unless they teach at a university as well. You know, not one dentist I have talked to has told me that I shouldn't have gone to a CC for 2 years. The only geniuses that have made this asinine comment are the pre-dents who don't know jack squat.

 

[Aaronpsr]

All,

I edited my last post so it would be closer to how I meant it....

Based on my experience of applying and interviewing, I would have to say that this whole subject about Community Colleges is a little shaky...

For example, I was accepted to UPitt, but in the Official ADEA guide to Dental Schools it says, and I quote:
"The committee (Upitt) does not consider highly those applicants who have been enrolled for more than one-half of their coursework, or most required courses, in community colleges".

I had done nearly all of my required courses at a CC (gen chem, O.chem, Zoology and English). However, I applied anyway because I really wanted to go there, and I ultimately got accepted on Dec. 1. Granted, I had lots of other positives on my application that probably factored into the decision.

On the other hand, out of the 7 schools I applied to, UPitt was the only school that accepted me (3.9 GPA, straight 18's DAT, shadowing, research ect..), and I can't help but to think that my time at a CC gave other applicants with equal (or less) stats an advantage over me. (I may be wrong though)

My advice to the original poster is to just do your best, wherever you receive your eduaction.

 

[Bullfan16]

I can agree with those that say it "looks better" to an adcom to go to a 4 year instituion, however, in the end, its really what the individual puts into their work that really matters. If you work hard, you will do well at any level. A CC is a college, people say it may be easier to perform well there, but I think thats a lot of crap. If you dont take it seriously, you wont do well, and thats the same as at a 4 year University. I went to Indiana and graduated with a Finance degree, went to CC for the prereqs (Orgo I/II at Loyola University over this last summer) and am doing extracurricular work (ie microbio, A/P I/II, Biochem...although not extracurricular at some schools). Point is, I have found the CC as a much better learning tool. In the end, its how much effort you are willing to put in to earn the grade. Dental schools like to see that you went to a 4-year university for aesthetic reasons...it clearly sounds better to say you are a Bio major from ACME University.

 

[Aaronpsr]

Amen* BullFan.

*the context of the above word is not associated with any church or religious organization and therefore does not suggest the user has any direct affiliation and/or connection with an organized faith.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by Aaronpsr
Amen* BullFan.

*the context of the above word is not associated with any church or religious organization and therefore does not suggest the user has any direct affiliation and/or connection with an organized faith.

Sure, sure, but for all that you can't change a word's origin. 😉

 

[Aaronpsr]

All in good fun my friend 🙂