UC Berkeley Extension Intro Bio online. Thoughts?

[DoctorDrewOutsidetheLines]

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I'm an ethical vegetarian and the online virtual wet lab appeals to me.

I'm lucky enough to live in a state where I can refuse dissection on moral grounds and I've already talked to my postbaccalaureate program about my concerns but I just want to knock out Bio 1 and Bio 2 ASAP.

I'll come back to this thread and post the link.

If it matters, I'm a nontraditional student...and I will be taking most of my pre reqs and higher level science courses at a 4 year.

 

[ZedsDed]

I have heard AdCom members question the rigor of extension schools. Then again, Berkeley.

 

[mehc012]

I haven't had anyone question my UCBX courses...but I also didn't take any online ones, which
a) Generally seem to be of poorer quality than in-person ones at UCBX
b) Are more often disliked by adcoms than in person ones.

Frankly, I don't see "virtual wet lab" to be a strong enough selling point to take an online class if you could take the real one. The difference in perception of real vs online courses is just too great (even those from the same institution) for it to be worthwhile for those reasons.

 

[C02232934]

I haven't had anyone question my UCBX courses...but I also didn't take any online ones, which
a) Generally seem to be of poorer quality than in-person ones at UCBX
b) Are more often disliked by adcoms than in person ones.

Frankly, I don't see "virtual wet lab" to be a strong enough selling point to take an online class if you could take the real one. The difference in perception of real vs online courses is just too great (even those from the same institution) for it to be worthwhile for those reasons.

@gyngyn specifically said something about extension courses "being viewed with caution until they can prove to be of comparable rigor to university classes." I have to say, that makes me very hesitant to takes extension courses.

 

[ZedsDed]

@gyngyn specifically said something about extension courses "being viewed with caution until they can prove to be of comparable rigor to university classes." I have to say, that makes me very hesitant to takes extension courses.

I recall him saying something like that. Maybe he can clarify.

 

[gyngyn]

Extension courses are a last resort. They are understandable (for required courses) for those in the military and even then, not for labs.

 

[ZedsDed]

Extension courses are a last resort. They are understandable (for required courses) for those in the military and even then, not for labs.

Many extension schools advertise them as a tool for academic redemption, or even (in aggregate) as an informal postbacc for nontrads. Are you saying their utility doesn't lie in those areas?

 

[gyngyn]

Many extension schools advertise them as a tool for academic redemption, or even as an informal postbacc for nontrads. Are you saying their utility lies elsewhere?

Right now, they are not seen as comparable. Maybe they will be, eventually. I doubt that "online dry labs" will be comparable anytime soon.

 

[C02232934]

Right now, they are not seen as comparable. Maybe they will be, eventually. I doubt that "online dry labs" will be comparable anytime soon.

Really? Even for "prestigious" programs like Harvard Extension? They certainly have a higher opinion of themselves than you do...

 

[gyngyn]

Really? Even for "prestigious" programs like Harvard Extension? They certainly have a higher opinion of themselves than you do...

Is that surprising?!

 

[ZedsDed]

It's kind of obscene when you think about it. These schools charge kids loads of money and promise the sky.

 

[C02232934]

Is that surprising?!

I guess not haha. They are very confident that their name will carry students far.

 

[ZedsDed]

I guess not haha. They are very confident that their name will carry students far.

Yeah. Funny thing is I personally know a kid that chose UCLA extension over a formal postbacc at CSUN for the "prestige."

 

[mehc012]

The admissions officers I have spoken with in person have had no issue with Extension courses, as long as they're not online. The UC adcom I spoke with said that the UC Extensions were treated similarly to UC grades (which admittedly seemed like overkill to me and is surely not universal). I will say that a large portion of my classmates at UCBX have been Berkeley and Stanford students trying to take additional courses, whether in summers or after graduation or what have you. Having gone to a top 10 myself...yeah, they are somewhat different, but the professors are generally knowledgeable and the courses are well structured and cover the material decently. I think most of the differences I saw between the two came down to the fact that I went to a liberal arts college and these were more similar to typical college courses

Not saying there aren't those who share @gyngyn 's view, simply that his perspective is not universal.

At the end of the day, if you're working 2 jobs and you need to take upper levels, Extension courses are generally what's available. Can't do much about that, so I see little sense in worrying about it, personally.

 

[ZedsDed]

@mimelim Can I ask what you think about extension courses? I just would like to get multiple ADCOM perspectives.

 

[mimelim]

@mimelim Can I ask what you think about extension courses? I just would like to get multiple ADCOM perspectives.

Its pretty simple really. Extension schools are pay for credit/degree. Harvard even says it in those terms on their website: https://www.extension.harvard.edu/tuition-enrollment

That doesn't make it any less viable by itself, but it is a true negative against it. I consider it no different than community college credits, online classes, withdraws etc. Life gets in the way of things and sometimes one or more of those things is helpful or necessary to get requirements taken care of. A few here or there, no big deal, could not care less. Someone that has multiple of those things all over the place, cause for concern. Online + Extension school is kind of a combination of sorts and I'd say it is a step down, especially for something like a lab course that really benefits from physically being there. By the same token, do you NEED to know intro bio lab to be a good physician? No. Is it good to have at a reputable place so we know what you've seen and done? Yes.

I think that if this was the only issue with someone's academics, nobody would really notice or care. But, when combined with other 'shortcuts', things tend to snowball, if that makes sense...

 

[DoctorDrewOutsidetheLines]

All good points. I have a tendency to overload myself, so in addition to not wanting to dissect innocent animals, I wanted to take a full load of classes (Extension and CC) and then take higher level science courses in the post bacc I deferred while working full-time.

I work overnight shifts and I'm still at the top of my full-time accelerated EMT class (in addition to personal responsibilities) but I know I have a tendency to burn out - at some point in the distant future - whenever I take on too much.

So maybe it's better to take on too much over an extended period of time...in brick and mortar schools. ;-)

Thanks for the sound advice.

 

[p0gono]

The admissions officers I have spoken with in person have had no issue with Extension courses, as long as they're not online. The UC adcom I spoke with said that the UC Extensions were treated similarly to UC grades (which admittedly seemed like overkill to me and is surely not universal). I will say that a large portion of my classmates at UCBX have been Berkeley and Stanford students trying to take additional courses, whether in summers or after graduation or what have you. Having gone to a top 10 myself...yeah, they are somewhat different, but the professors are generally knowledgeable and the courses are well structured and cover the material decently. I think most of the differences I saw between the two came down to the fact that I went to a liberal arts college and these were more similar to typical college courses

Not saying there aren't those who share @gyngyn 's view, simply that his perspective is not universal.

At the end of the day, if you're working 2 jobs and you need to take upper levels, Extension courses are generally what's available. Can't do much about that, so I see little sense in worrying about it, personally.

I second this and have heard similarly positive feedback about UCBX from admissions folks in person. It likely differs by institution and reviewer, but if you are a non-trad with a full-time job it's really the only option given class time flexibility. Hopefully some other Adcoms would understand that too, with a similarly high sGPA from undergrad and a strong MCAT assuaging any fears.

With that said, I would stay away from online. Especially labs. I've seen too much hate on the msar to go that road.

Edit: I'll add that most if not all UCBX instructors cross-teach courses at San Francisco State (etc) and some have intimated that the academic rigor expectations are higher at UCBX. Comparing syllabi side-by-side makes this pretty clear for the cases that I have checked. Adcoms probably aren't aware of this, but something to consider.