Took a lot of course in Community College

[Neguya]

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Hi guys, to make a long story short, I took **A LOT** of courses in my Community College (91 units)
On top of that, I did poorly in those 91 Units especially with the BCPM. However I did finish community with a 3.0 cgpa and ever since then, I transferred to a 4 year uni. I've gotten all A ever since. I took my last science classes in my 4 year uni with upper division engineering courses not available in CC.

To clarify, I took so many courses in CC because it's required to transfer to a University. By the time I transferred, I nearly finished all of my science courses except for like 4 with 60+ units of upper division. But at least I have a strong upward trend, how will admission view of this?

Classes I've taken in CC are: Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus I II III, Linear Algebra/Differential Equation, Gen Chem A and B, Ochem A and B, Physics A and B (calc base)

Classes I've taken in Uni are: BioChemistry, Basic Biology, Biology Human physiology, Molecular Biology, a bunch of Upper division engineering.

 

[Neguya]

@gonnif Oh Alright, but what about the other medical school that aren't listed? Logically speaking, they'd feel the same way as most of these school I'm assuming.

I also notice the only upper science complementary course I've taken in community is Organic Chemistry which I did well in. Does calculus base physics count as a upper science complementary class? I took that in community too. The only other upper science I haven't took in community is BioChemistry, Molecular Biology and physiological biology. I suppose that evens out.
Based on that, my chances aren't totally ruin I think : \

 

[Mr Max]

I have a Two and a half years of CC course work on my transcripts spanning many years. I have had one II and no rejections thus far. LizzyM >75

 

[CloverBale]

Johns Hopkins Medical School
Prerequisites and Requirements| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine M.D. Admissions
The School of Medicine accepts prerequisites completed at the community college level. In order to be competitive in the selection process, we encourage prospective applicants with community college prerequisites to supplement these courses by taking advanced courses in related subjects at their four year institution.

I met with the dean of John Hopkins a few years back and he told me they didn't accept any BCPM pre-reqs. Glad to see they changed their ways, I argued with him about it for a while lol. I didn't bother applying.

 

[CloverBale]

So generally, CCs are looked at as less rigorous.
Ok, rant over. We now return you to your previous scheduled SDN thread already in progress

Not sure if I agree with this. I went to CCs in California, and all of my professors had phDs and even taught at the four year universities. Used the same material and same textbooks too. My anatomy professor was an MD in fact.

 

[Isoval]

as I have said many, many times before, and as the quotes from the schools linked above, and as I said in my previous post in this thread, they are looked at as less rigorious. whether or not that is accurate across CCs, it is mostly irrelevant to the general perception by adcoms. If you want to argue to the reality, go ahead but it will have little to do with impact on your admissions chances

Regarding the first quote of your previous post, I did not realize some schools viewed summer classes in the same light as community college classes or credit-by-exam. Is this a common theme?

 

[21Rush12]

(Trigger warning: anecdote, not statistical data)

Firstly all of what Gonnif said is true, especially the fact that it is not something you can change now. There is some bias and there is no way to know exactly how it factors into a decision. With more people going to community college for cost reasons, it is a lot harder to hold the background against otherwise well-qualified applicants. However, concerns about rigor and preparation for medical school curriculum are legitimate as well.

Personally I did a lot of credits at CC, did horribly in many of them, and was very lucky to climb out of the hole and break 3.0 (barely) to transfer out of there. I took gen bio, gen chem, and later went back for physics over the summer, and I had some Fs and a lot of Ws.

I got interviewed at one of the schools Gonnif listed, and I am now in my second year of medical school at another school. He is correct, these are trends and generalities. But how you handle yourself in light of your not-stellar record is what will get you into medical school.

Focus on the things you can change: crush the MCAT (if you haven't already), apply to places that your numbers are compatible with (build a smart school list), and own your shortcomings. You proved you could kick ass at a hard upper-level science program, and you grew academically and personally since your bad grades. This is a common story and not a death sentence.

 

[XWing5000]

Spoke with admissions at an open panal for UCLA and UC Riverside about taking pre reqs at community college. Both schools were very accepting of it and didn't have anything negative to say. They also said community college transfers are becoming more and more common.

 

[Geo16]

Spoke with admissions at an open panal for UCLA and UC Riverside about taking pre reqs at community college. Both schools were very accepting of it and didn't have anything negative to say. They also said community college transfers are becoming more and more common.

It might help that they are from UC. One of the biggest nom-nomers of community college students. I'm one of them 🙂

 

[XWing5000]

It might help that they are from UC. One of the biggest nom-nomers of community college students. I'm one of them 🙂

You give me hope!