Undergrad Question

[MrFoot]

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Ive posted a couple of times before but i frequent the forum daily.I am a married Non-Traditional student that is in my first year of school.I have a 3.9 gpa at this time and am being placed into honors courses next semester.My goal is to become a podiatrist obviously 😛

Anyhow,I am attending Westchester Community College which is apart of the SUNY system (state university of new york).Ive done alot of research and it seems that doing any pre-reqs at a community college is a bad thing,but I am getting a free ride here and I work full time as well as take 15 credits so its the best option for me.

What im wondering is if i should transfer out for my sophmore year or if i should just stay here to finish my associates in liberal arts and sciences because of how cheap it is?

I need to decide soon because applications open up to other schools i want to attend on november 2nd

 

[215353]

Call the podiatry schools you are interested in applying to. Tell them your circumstances and see what they say. It seems like you are on the right track with your GPA!

It never hurts to call these schools and get real feedback rather then ask for it from secondary sources who don't know.

 

[allenmarchallo]

Ive posted a couple of times before but i frequent the forum daily.I am a married Non-Traditional student that is in my first year of school.I have a 3.9 gpa at this time and am being placed into honors courses next semester.My goal is to become a podiatrist obviously 😛

Anyhow,I am attending Westchester Community College which is apart of the SUNY system (state university of new york).Ive done alot of research and it seems that doing any pre-reqs at a community college is a bad thing,but I am getting a free ride here and I work full time as well as take 15 credits so its the best option for me.

What im wondering is if i should transfer out for my sophmore year or if i should just stay here to finish my associates in liberal arts and sciences because of how cheap it is?

I need to decide soon because applications open up to other schools i want to attend on november 2nd

Most people will say "avoid community colleges like the plague,"---but in actuality it really depends on:

A) How your GPA is in those classes......
B) If you plan on taking other upper level classes @ a 4-year university (to prove to ADCOM's u can "handle real" science classes).....
C) Performance on the MCAT (***most important, b/c if you do poorly it WILL hurt you***

So, ANY negative views on C.C background can be negated with a strong MCAT & performance in Bio300 & 400 level classes........Let's face it, college is only getting more expensive and EVERYONE knows it (including ADCOM's)...C.C provide a very important niche in our society, so take advantage of them....Just be willing to study hard and rock your MCAT so noone can doubt your ability to handle a science intensive graduate/professional school.

Just so you know----I was in your shoes....I took 86 credits from a C.C (all pre-req's except physics) before transferring to a 4 yr uni...I was a non-trad 6 yr. Navy veteran w/ a family when I took my 1st college course........I rocked my DAT & MCAT and had NO problems securing pod. interviews/acceptance last year....


Now-------Let's be real & look at the bias towards your situation....If all things similar..

A) guy w/ 24 MCAT.....3.4 GPA....B.S (Biology) from 4 yr....similar E.C, LOR, etc...
B) you w/ 24 MCAT.....3.5 GPA....A.A from C.C......similar E.C, LOR, etc...

Chances are ADCOM's are gonna go w/ Guy A).....That's why its important to take other upper level classes and do well on the MCAT so you can avoid the bias...



Oh, and this is only for pod. school admission, b/c things are a lot different when applying to traditional medical school or dental school due to their respective competitiveness 😉

 

[MrFoot]

A) guy w/ 24 MCAT.....3.4 GPA....B.S (Biology) from 4 yr....similar E.C, LOR, etc...
B) you w/ 24 MCAT.....3.5 GPA....A.A from C.C......similar E.C, LOR, etc...



Im going for a B.S. i dont think i made that clear. Also I dont intend on applying to med or dental school. I think im just going to stick with the cheaper option,i am a good student that will do well and i intend to take the upper level sciences if i can ... thank you both for your replies.

 

[air bud]

another thing to consider is the 90 credit stuff. why waste your fourth year taking upper level courses when you dont need to? it is pod school too. the applicant pool won't change enough in the next three years to be biased against CC. Do it, sounds like it is the most convenient for you.

 

[MrFoot]

another thing to consider is the 90 credit stuff. why waste your fourth year taking upper level courses when you dont need to? it is pod school too. the applicant pool won't change enough in the next three years to be biased against CC. Do it, sounds like it is the most convenient for you.

It really is,not only is all the tuition covered by grants (no loans thank god) but im also getting $2400.00 per semester for living expenses.I never understood the bias towards CC,I am studying and doing assignments every spare minutes I have just to try and stay ahead of the game.Ive given up online video games (my obsession for the last 12 years),I only have 1 day a week where i see my wife (she has aspirations for med school and i think she will make it because she is in her junior year and has maintained her 4.0 since 6th grade 😛 ) and ive stopped seeing my friends just to make sure i do well.
The fact that i work full time makes everything doubly hard,but that is going to change when i transfer to a 4 year institution.I just dont know why It has to make me the underdog,because in my humble opinion college is college..
I spoke to a pod in my area a month ago and he informed me that because im doing even one year in CC that I can kiss my chances of pod school good bye,but i could find a fullfilling career in being a dental assistant.

I had no choice but to go where i am because i am not a high school graduate,I recieved my GED early this year and its required to either take the SATs or have 1 year of community college course work.

oi im rambling but I dont want something as silly as going to a CC to ruin any chance I have of becomming a DPM.

 

[dyk343]

It really is,not only is all the tuition covered by grants (no loans thank god) but im also getting $2400.00 per semester for living expenses.I never understood the bias towards CC,I am studying and doing assignments every spare minutes I have just to try and stay ahead of the game.Ive given up online video games (my obsession for the last 12 years),I only have 1 day a week where i see my wife (she has aspirations for med school and i think she will make it because she is in her junior year and has maintained her 4.0 since 6th grade 😛 ) and ive stopped seeing my friends just to make sure i do well.
The fact that i work full time makes everything doubly hard,but that is going to change when i transfer to a 4 year institution.I just dont know why It has to make me the underdog,because in my humble opinion college is college..
I spoke to a pod in my area a month ago and he informed me that because im doing even one year in CC that I can kiss my chances of pod school good bye,but i could find a fullfilling career in being a dental assistant.

I had no choice but to go where i am because i am not a high school graduate,I recieved my GED early this year and its required to either take the SATs or have 1 year of community college course work.

oi im rambling but I dont want something as silly as going to a CC to ruin any chance I have of becomming a DPM.

This is false. I went to a community college for 1 year, and I took two foreign language classes at a community college during the summer of my junoir/senior and I have received interviews from almost all of the schools I applied to. The schools I havent received interviews from have not yet started mailing them. (They are not acceptances (yet) but I think if they interview you your chances of acceptance are very high.) You also currently hold a higher gpa than I... So I think you have a great shot if you keep it up.

 

[Busdriver321]

That's ridiculous. I did two years at my CC, got accepted to a great school with a scholarship. I definitely don't have a 4.0 and didn't do the greatest on the MCAT. Still got in to a great Pod school. That pod you quoted must not know how things currently work with Admissions because I know several people who did the same thing.

 

[MrFoot]

That's ridiculous. I did two years at my CC, got accepted to a great school with a scholarship. I definitely don't have a 4.0 and didn't do the greatest on the MCAT. Still got in to a great Pod school. That pod you quoted must not know how things currently work with Admissions because I know several people who did the same thing.

thats heartening,ive been nothing but worried for the last month or so..needless to say its been nothing but stress and trying to see if there was anything i could do.

The podiatrist in question (not sure if names are allowed but i will keep it anonymous anyhow) told me he isnt going to waste his time letting a community college student shadow him so i have to try and find another within the next year.

How did everyone else find a pod to shadow?

 

[dyk343]

thats heartening,ive been nothing but worried for the last month or so..needless to say its been nothing but stress and trying to see if there was anything i could do.

The podiatrist in question (not sure if names are allowed but i will keep it anonymous anyhow) told me he isnt going to waste his time letting a community college student shadow him so i have to try and find another within the next year.

How did everyone else find a pod to shadow?

What a jerk. Yes community colleges are easier than university level courses (at least my CC was), but if you plan on transferring in to a university everything will be fine. Just do well at the university!

To find pods to shadow you could try the AACPM website, they have a link somewhere to find pods that openly take on students to shadow in your area. Or you could type up a formal letter with your info/goals and say you want to shadow. Have it printed out on some nice resume paper at Kinkos and drop it off in a few offices. If you want an example I can email you my copy of what I did. Good luck.


P.S. always write up a thank you card and mail it to the POD after you shadow. Its just in good nature.

 

[MrFoot]

What a jerk. Yes community colleges are easier than university level courses (at least my CC was), but if you plan on transferring in to a university everything will be fine. Just do well at the university!

To find pods to shadow you could try the AACPM website, they have a link somewhere to find pods that openly take on students to shadow in your area. Or you could type up a formal letter with your info/goals and say you want to shadow. Have it printed out on some nice resume paper at Kinkos and drop it off in a few offices. If you want an example I can email you my copy of what I did. Good luck.


P.S. always write up a thank you card and mail it to the POD after you shadow. Its just in good nature.

i would like to see a copy of that,i checked the AACPM website and the only pod within 50 miles that is "available" to shadow has been retired for 4 years so thats a bust.

 

[dyk343]

I actually wrote this to try to find a job in an office. But it would give you ideas for writing a letter. I did recieve responses for this.

My name
My address

Dr's name
Dr's address

Date

Dear Dr. XXXX,
I write to you to inquire about possible employment in your office. I am a recent graduate from the University of XXX cDepartment of Microbiology, where I developed an interest in podiatric medicine. During my senior year I shadowed four podiatrists and had the opportunity to observe several reconstructive surgeries. Currently I am applying to Podiatric Medical Schools for the entering class of 2010.
I feel that any additional experience in podiatric medicine, whether it be working as a medical assistant, receptionist, filing medical records, or greeting patients, would be beneficial for my career choice. Knowing and experiencing the details often overlooked during a shadowing experience would give me a more comprehensive understanding of podiatric private practice and strengthen my confidence while interviewing and attending podiatry school.
My enclosed resume contains additional information about my work experience and skills. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your practice and possible employment opportunities. I can be reached by phone at (555) 555-5555 or by email at [email protected]
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
My Name

i would like to see a copy of that,i checked the AACPM website and the only pod within 50 miles that is "available" to shadow has been retired for 4 years so thats a bust.

 

[NormColeman4MN]

Pod schools don't care about classes at CC. If it's free, do it!