Transferring Schools, ADCOMs & pre-reqs question

[RPSPS]

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Hi...I did a search and I couldn't find anything related to my specific question. Correct me if I missed something 🙂

Background: My freshman year of college I went to a 4-year state school. It was pretty average as far as state schools go, but I was coming from another state so my stats had to be a bit higher (not sure if this matters). I got A's in my intro bio course & English comp, a C+ in math, and A's in a few boring social science classes. By the end of the year, I was feeling burned out and very confused. So I took 3 years off school to work in different places around the country. I started school again last year, and I'm more motivated than I've ever been in my life. I truly enjoy the pre-med process now, instead of looking at it as merely something I have to get through in order to become a doctor 🙂

My question: I am currently attending a well-known community college that is a feeder school to a respected university here. I have a transfer agreement, I am making A's, and I am confident that I can continue this trend when I transfer.

The consensus seems to be that taking most pre-req courses at a community college doesn't necessarily hurt, as long as: you make A's for the rest of undergrad, you aren't aiming for a top-tier medical school, and you didn't just take a course like o-chem at a CC while you were at a 4-year (because you thought it would be easier).

I am currently attending school on scholarship funding, because I also work full-time and it seemed more practical to save money that way. What I am worrying about is, will ADCOMs look at my transcript and assume I attended CC as an easy way out, since I already had a year of undergrad under my belt? Should I address this in my personal statement, emphasizing how my experiences during the break from school reinforced my commitment to medicine? I know each ADCOM is slightly different, but I would really appreciate some feedback on this. Thank you!!

 

[wizenedone]

Get a very competitive MCAT score (usually 32+) and you will be fine. MCAT is the great 'equalizer'. Just be prepared to answer some questions that might come up during interviews.

 

[njbmd]

Hi...I did a search and I couldn't find anything related to my specific question. Correct me if I missed something 🙂

Background: My freshman year of college I went to a 4-year state school. It was pretty average as far as state schools go, but I was coming from another state so my stats had to be a bit higher (not sure if this matters). I got A's in my intro bio course & English comp, a C+ in math, and A's in a few boring social science classes. By the end of the year, I was feeling burned out and very confused. So I took 3 years off school to work in different places around the country. I started school again last year, and I'm more motivated than I've ever been in my life. I truly enjoy the pre-med process now, instead of looking at it as merely something I have to get through in order to become a doctor 🙂

My question: I am currently attending a well-known community college that is a feeder school to a respected university here. I have a transfer agreement, I am making A's, and I am confident that I can continue this trend when I transfer.

The consensus seems to be that taking most pre-req courses at a community college doesn't necessarily hurt, as long as: you make A's for the rest of undergrad, you aren't aiming for a top-tier medical school, and you didn't just take a course like o-chem at a CC while you were at a 4-year (because you thought it would be easier).

I am currently attending school on scholarship funding, because I also work full-time and it seemed more practical to save money that way. What I am worrying about is, will ADCOMs look at my transcript and assume I attended CC as an easy way out, since I already had a year of undergrad under my belt? Should I address this in my personal statement, emphasizing how my experiences during the break from school reinforced my commitment to medicine? I know each ADCOM is slightly different, but I would really appreciate some feedback on this. Thank you!!

What I would look at in your case would be your performance after you have transferred. You were doing less than average work in your previous attempt at university work. You dropped out and gained some maturity (and now, you are doing well in community college). Once you transfer, that new attitude and maturity level has to translate into excellent work. It's not about what you are confident that you can do, it's about what you are able to do.

Since all community colleges are not alike, whether or not you continue your trend of excellent course performance remains to be seen. I would strongly caution you about taking all prereqs at a community college if you know that you are going to transfer. You might take one prereq such as General Chemistry and take other coursework such as math/english but save the majority of your premed courses for university.

The end result of your performance and the overall strength of your application to medical school will be the determining factor in your success at gaining admission. If you have truly mastered solid study skills, they will work for you at university. I would certainly leave organic chemistry for the university and not take this important course at a community college. If you do well in organic chemistry at university, then you leave no doubt as to what you have been able to overcome.

Also be aware that you probably will not be able to work full time and attend university full time. If you find that you need to work full-time, drop back to part time status in your coursework. With students who work full-time and attempt to attend class full-time, the burnout rate is high. It won't be your work that suffers if you burn out, it will be your academics. Since you get one shot to do well with your undergraduate preparation for medical school, make sure you give yourself plenty of time for your academics.