UCLA extension- extension classes in general

[phobie]

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hey guys, i was wondering if anyone knew anything about extension courses and how the med school admission committees view them. i've heard that getting straight A's at a community college is obviously viewed differently than getting straight A's at say, ucla (not extension.) so, do you think that they also view ucla extension courses as sub-par?

i know that there are concurrent enrollment classes (where you take the actual undergrad classes with ucla students) and the extension courses (taught usually by non-ucla profs). do any of you guys know if taking either is better or worse? or if there's even a distinction at all on the extension transcript?

i can't afford to go somewhere like usc post-bacc or scripps, so ucla extension seems to be the best option for me, esp since i live two miles from there. anyways, any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[relentless11]

hey guys, i was wondering if anyone knew anything about extension courses and how the med school admission committees view them. i've heard that getting straight A's at a community college is obviously viewed differently than getting straight A's at say, ucla (not extension.) so, do you think that they also view ucla extension courses as sub-par?

i know that there are concurrent enrollment classes (where you take the actual undergrad classes with ucla students) and the extension courses (taught usually by non-ucla profs). do any of you guys know if taking either is better or worse? or if there's even a distinction at all on the extension transcript?

i can't afford to go somewhere like usc post-bacc or scripps, so ucla extension seems to be the best option for me, esp since i live two miles from there. anyways, any input would be greatly appreciated!

Well for one community college classes are not upper division, so if you are doing this as a post-bacc, then that doesn't work anyway.

Anyway, in regards to UC Extension, Extension is usually considered a seperate entity from its respective school..like a seperate college. Therefore grades are processed there, and are printed out on UC Extension transcripts paper. There are two types of UC Extension classes, which you have already stated.

1) Extension: which are taken at the Extension itself, and usually taught by Extension faculty. (however I have seen 1 Extension faculty teach in a UC Davis class)

2) Open Campus: this is processed by Extension, but you take classes at the respective UC. In the case of UCLA, you would go to the UCLA campus, take a form in and have the professor sign it off. You turn it into the Extension office where they register you for the class. You are also last priority to register, so a freshman who started in the fall will get the class before you. Lastly, it sometimes takes longer to register for a class, and thus your online capabilities may be hindered (e.g.: delayed access to online course resources, and email lists).

Both methods result in grades through UC Extension, not at the UC campus. In my opinion, UC Extension classes are probably not considered sub-par, however the variety of classes may prevent you from taking enough classes. Only the Open Campus program can provide you with numerous courses to take since they are the same classes offered to UCLA undergrads. However this is very expensive. When I last did open campus, I was paying around $400-500 per 3 unit class. When I went to full-time (12 units), I was paying around $2000 per quarter which is a lot more than any undergrad. You may also have a unit limit. I believe we had an 8 unit registration limit, which needs to be petitioned each quarter.

So in summary, yes there is differentiation between UC Extension vs. normal UC classes. I don't think UC Extension classes are sub-par, but I have never taken them. Speaking to our director of admission at UCD, he saw NO problem with taking UCD classes through the open campus program since they were the same classes. He did not address Extension classes. The cost of the open campus was very high and in my opinion, the hassle was not worth it (signing up for classes). However I did manage to fund 1.5 years worth of open campus. Regardless, I ultimately went off to grad school at UCD since its free, and I can take undergrad classes once I'm done with my core requirements.

 

[rowdybow]

I went to UCLA. Be aware that to take a regular UCLA class (ie one the undergrads take) through extension is going to be challenging. Its a crowded school. A lot of those lab and science classes are full and waitlisted with enrolled students who have a higher priority than you.

But do not despair. The more difficult classes often have people drop out, fast, usually after a few tests or quizzes. All the waitlist people I knew who stuck around made it in. So consider yourself warned and advised to stick around the classes you want; dont give up when its "full!" (I don't know about chem labs thought....).

It will also be easier to take and get into classes during the summer. I highly advise it. BioChem (Chem 153A) is reputedly much easier during the summer. good luck!

 

[relentless11]

It will also be easier to take and get into classes during the summer. I highly advise it. BioChem (Chem 153A) is reputedly much easier during the summer. good luck!

I think its also relatively cheaper too. Summer sessions goes through a seperate component of the school, and is open to all students (non-UC and the like).

 

[phobie]

Well for one community college classes are not upper division, so if you are doing this as a post-bacc, then that doesn't work anyway.

Anyway, in regards to UC Extension, Extension is usually considered a seperate entity from its respective school..like a seperate college. Therefore grades are processed there, and are printed out on UC Extension transcripts paper. There are two types of UC Extension classes, which you have already stated.

1) Extension: which are taken at the Extension itself, and usually taught by Extension faculty. (however I have seen 1 Extension faculty teach in a UC Davis class)

2) Open Campus: this is processed by Extension, but you take classes at the respective UC. In the case of UCLA, you would go to the UCLA campus, take a form in and have the professor sign it off. You turn it into the Extension office where they register you for the class. You are also last priority to register, so a freshman who started in the fall will get the class before you. Lastly, it sometimes takes longer to register for a class, and thus your online capabilities may be hindered (e.g.: delayed access to online course resources, and email lists).

Both methods result in grades through UC Extension, not at the UC campus. In my opinion, UC Extension classes are probably not considered sub-par, however the variety of classes may prevent you from taking enough classes. Only the Open Campus program can provide you with numerous courses to take since they are the same classes offered to UCLA undergrads. However this is very expensive. When I last did open campus, I was paying around $400-500 per 3 unit class. When I went to full-time (12 units), I was paying around $2000 per quarter which is a lot more than any undergrad. You may also have a unit limit. I believe we had an 8 unit registration limit, which needs to be petitioned each quarter.

So in summary, yes there is differentiation between UC Extension vs. normal UC classes. I don't think UC Extension classes are sub-par, but I have never taken them. Speaking to our director of admission at UCD, he saw NO problem with taking UCD classes through the open campus program since they were the same classes. He did not address Extension classes. The cost of the open campus was very high and in my opinion, the hassle was not worth it (signing up for classes). However I did manage to fund 1.5 years worth of open campus. Regardless, I ultimately went off to grad school at UCD since its free, and I can take undergrad classes once I'm done with my core requirements.

wow, thanks so much for that thorough response. i think it's so amazing that all these people put in so much time and genuine effort in giving strangers advice. good stuff, good stuff.

as of right now, i think i'm just going to try and take all the classes that i can through the open campus/concurrent enrollment. i'd prefer to take morning classes and since it's an actual ucla class, it just might seem more legitimate to adcoms when it comes time to apply. i'm taking summer classes this coming june, and it's actually costing me more than extension classes would be during the year, i think. i'm not sure how much classes are through extension during the year, but right now i'm paying 192 bucks per unit- and most of my classes are five units! YIKES.. so my bill for this quarter is almost three grand. very sad, but what am i to do. beats going to usc!

so, what grad program did you end up going to?

thanks again!

 

[phobie]

I went to UCLA. Be aware that to take a regular UCLA class (ie one the undergrads take) through extension is going to be challenging. Its a crowded school. A lot of those lab and science classes are full and waitlisted with enrolled students who have a higher priority than you.

But do not despair. The more difficult classes often have people drop out, fast, usually after a few tests or quizzes. All the waitlist people I knew who stuck around made it in. So consider yourself warned and advised to stick around the classes you want; dont give up when its "full!" (I don't know about chem labs thought....).

It will also be easier to take and get into classes during the summer. I highly advise it. BioChem (Chem 153A) is reputedly much easier during the summer. good luck!

ahhhhh, i'm really glad you told me about how waiting around pays off! i'll be sure to do that when i'm waitlisted, which i'm sure will be very often! i'm not applying to med school until summer of 2008, so thankfully i have a lot of time to get my classes finished. hopefully, i wont be too stressed on time. i'll also be sure to take chem 153a during the summer!

you were a regular ucla undergrad right? have you graduated already?

thanks for the reply, i really appppppreciate it!

 

[aimsz88]

wow, thanks so much for that thorough response. i think it's so amazing that all these people put in so much time and genuine effort in giving strangers advice. good stuff, good stuff.

as of right now, i think i'm just going to try and take all the classes that i can through the open campus/concurrent enrollment. i'd prefer to take morning classes and since it's an actual ucla class, it just might seem more legitimate to adcoms when it comes time to apply. i'm taking summer classes this coming june, and it's actually costing me more than extension classes would be during the year, i think. i'm not sure how much classes are through extension during the year, but right now i'm paying 192 bucks per unit- and most of my classes are five units! YIKES.. so my bill for this quarter is almost three grand. very sad, but what am i to do. beats going to usc!

so, what grad program did you end up going to?

thanks again!

hi,

i take full time units at night with ucla extension, mostly because i am poor. i work full time at ucla during the day to pay the bills and because i am a full time employee at ucla, they take 25% off my tuition.

ucla extension is not considered sub-par, in my opinion. the classes are taught by the same teachers sometimes, the tests are mostly the same, but the size of your class is generally smaller. the weeder bio classes in my opinion are even harder because the pre-meds taking ucla extension at night don't fool around. some of my class averages were higher.

not to say it isn't doable. if you truly can't afford daytime classes, just consider taking the night classes. also, i guarantee you're going to have a hell of a time trying to do concurrent enrollment. maybe you can swing one or two classes this way, but not a full load. you'll find a lot of post-baccs taking this route and doing great.
Pm me if you want more info.

 

[OlyUCLA]

wow, thanks so much for that thorough response. i think it's so amazing that all these people put in so much time and genuine effort in giving strangers advice. good stuff, good stuff.

as of right now, i think i'm just going to try and take all the classes that i can through the open campus/concurrent enrollment. i'd prefer to take morning classes and since it's an actual ucla class, it just might seem more legitimate to adcoms when it comes time to apply. i'm taking summer classes this coming june, and it's actually costing me more than extension classes would be during the year, i think. i'm not sure how much classes are through extension during the year, but right now i'm paying 192 bucks per unit- and most of my classes are five units! YIKES.. so my bill for this quarter is almost three grand. very sad, but what am i to do. beats going to usc!

so, what grad program did you end up going to?

thanks again!

Hi There,

I'm looking to start my pre-req classes this summer at UCLA too. I am registering for chem for this summer, and then plan to finish in the next year by going full time with bio, orgo, and physics ... ugh. Have you started the process with open enrollment? How's it going so far?

Also, I'm trying to look into paying for the open-campus enrollment. Are you taking out loans to finance your education and living expenses, and if so, how have you gone about it?

I'd really appreciate any advice, since you might have gotten a head start on the UCLA stuff.

Thx!

 

[hopeful40]

For those of you taking concurrent enrollement through UCLA Extension, be aware that those classes will go on your Extension transcript-not one from UCLA undergrad.
Extension can be frustrating at times-this is coming from someone who did their post-bac entirely at UCLA/UCLA Extension. The chem labs have a history of being very difficult to get in, but it can be done if you just keep showing up! Also, enroll as soon as registration begins! The classes can fill up fast and there is only 1 section for each class offered each quarter. If you are already in the courses then you have the opportunity to enroll a little early. Waiting too long means you will be waitlisted and can throw off your schedule by almost a full year! I worked full-time during the day and took courses at night and on Sat. (the chem series has/had a Sat. lecture). Enrolling in the Intro. to Science Certificate program is one way to get some financial aid, and helped greatly with paying the high course fees. Hope this may have helped someone!

 

[DrBorisCA]

Hey guys-

Just to give you a little perspective, I was in the UCLA RAP Program of 2004. In our academic portion we took a full load of upper div science classes. I took roughly 40% Extension and 60% concurrent and got straight A's. Since then, I have been told that all classes are considered pretty much equals, whether Extension or not. And since, I have also gotten to UCLA Med. So I would say that although pretty expensive per class, with concurrent enrollment being more expensive than regular Extension, it would have been much cheaper than any full time private institution. I agree with the lack of wide selection in Extension but you are able to trade that off with the concurrent enrollment. As relentless and hopeful said, if you do go the Extension route, do be careful of separate transcripts and remember to send both Extension and regular undergrad when you are applying. Hope this helps!

 

[hopeful40]

Hey guys-

Just to give you a little perspective, I was in the UCLA RAP Program of 2004. In our academic portion we took a full load of upper div science classes. I took roughly 40% Extension and 60% concurrent and got straight A's. Since then, I have been told that all classes are considered pretty much equals, whether Extension or not. And since, I have also gotten to UCLA Med. So I would say that although pretty expensive per class, with concurrent enrollment being more expensive than regular Extension, it would have been much chaper than any full time private institution. I agree with the lack of wide selection in Extension but you are able to trade that off with the concurrent enrollment. As relentless and hopeful said, if you do go the Extension route, do be careful of separate transcripts and remember to send both Extension and regular undergrad when you are applying. Hope this helps!

To add something to this...I believe that it is actually printed in the Extension catalogue that courses with "XL" (I think it is the XL categorization) are considered UCLA equivalents.

 

[BrokenGlass]

To add something to this...I believe that it is actually printed in the Extension catalogue that courses with "XL" (I think it is the XL categorization) are considered UCLA equivalents.

XL courses are not ucla equivalent. Only XLC courese are, where C stands for concurrent, i.e. daytime courses. I took 8 daytime courses through UCLA extension (actually 3 of them were through summer school).

IMO extension courses could be worse than daytime courses because you can have teachers who don't know what they are taking about, etc. I took an evening course and switched into a daytime course after the 1st lecture because the insturctor was really really really bad.

 

[Sillygirl]

I just graduated from UCLA undergrad and I made friends with many extension students while taking upper divs. (they seem to work harder hehe) But this is what they would do every quarter. They would run around to like 6 or 7 classes (way more then what they were expecting to take during the quarter) that they wanted for the first two weeks (as in attend them regularly take notes and talk to the professors after class). They would just keep bugging the professors to let them in and they usually ended up with the same classes that i was taking as a regular undergrad student. With the extension program it is a little annoying to get what you want but possible

 

[gorey1]

I just finished a year starting with summer sessions and continuing with full-time concurrent enrollment at UCLA. I took upper div science courses and while it was expensive, I certainly think it was "worth it". I really enjoyed the classes I took and am very impressed with UCLA as a university. Many professors were leaders or up-and-coming in their fields, and they have been supportive of my plans (eg, managed to get a few letters.) UCLA really focuses on research and in most classes we learned how to dissect journal articles and (theoretically) set up experiments. A lot of tests aren't just regurgitation but actual problem-solving is involved. Some material that was discussed was based on relatively recent findings. I was also impressed by the relatively cooperative nature of other science students; there might be a few bad apples/super gunners but most students were pretty nice and helpful. Finally, my biggest piece of advice would be to be persistant. You may have a lot of people say "No" to you about various things, but if you keep it in stride and try again gracefully and tactfully, things may work out. Good luck!

 

[OlyUCLA]

Hey There,

This fall I'm taking Chem XL 14A with Chellappah Chanmugathas, PhD and XL 1 Life Science with Nancy Richardson, PhD. Has anybody taken extension courses with these professors? Any advice or pointers you can give me? Also I'm trying to brush up on chemistry and bought a barron's book that appears to be quite comprehensive. Are there certain sections I should spend careful time reviewing before the classes start?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thx!

 

[aimsz88]

dr. chan isn't the best, but you'll get through the material you need. in my opinion, ochem at ucla extension overall isn't the greatest, but whatever. it's enough to take the mcat and it worked for me. study hard, be prepared for questions all over the board from dr. chan.

dr. richardson is definitely more fair from how she preps the tests from the lectures. it's not just about doing well on the tests, though. if you want to do well in her class, you have to show up too. be involved in discussions and show enthusiasm, ask questions.