VERY confused about HUNTER

[jeantm]

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I was planning on attending Columbia this fall, but was denied private loans (not long enough established credit) which leaves me in a disaster since columbia also didn't process my fafsa for the fall thus I can't take the classes I am registered for.


As an alternative I would like to go to a CUNY school in the spring (can't start this fall since classes start tomorrow, I only have a few thousand dollars (as in 3) + since I just signed a 1 year lease I have rent now due.......ahhhh)

Well, my question is why is everyone talking about HUNTER(around 70 and park ave), but not CITY COllEGE (up on 138th street). I intially also applied to CUNY and was accepted for the fall. I am deferred to the spring but I applied to CIty college by following the aamc website to CIty COllege (Dr. Goode) is the director...........i can't find anything about the hunter program anywhere and was confused as to why HUnter is more common than CIty COllege.............................PPPPPPPPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAASEEEEEEEEE
share any info you may have to offer about these two programs since i relocated to do all of this and on my own I am in quite a bind

THanks soooooooooooooooo much for any info

 

[jaob2003]

Hey!

So sorry to hear about you not doing the Columbia postbacc! 🙁 No advice from me about other schools, but maybe about the private loan thing...I also got denied for the Access group one because i didn't have 3 lines of credit open for 3 years. Ugh. But i ended up getting a loan (well, process of) through Citibank, which has both the option for the regular private ed. loan, and if you don't meet their qualifications (which are less nasty than Access) you can get the loan with a cosigner (where, say, your parents would sign that if you defaulted they'd take over, but it's not a loan in their name). So in case you haven't checked out Citibank, that might be an option to look into down the road wherever you're going. 🙂 (They're at www.studentloan.com.)

Oh, and Columbia's financial planning office does suck...I applied for my loan and got the credit approval in JULY and they STILL haven't sent back the loan approval form (even though they told me on 4 different days inthe last 2 weeks that they were "definitely doing it today"....gah)...and term bill was due today and there's a nasty late fee (but they've at least admitted it's their fault and are waving it, but UGH)...

 

[Paws]

I went to City College to meet with Dr Goode, who was nice enough; then I met the woman who is really in charge of the nitty gritty. She was nice to me until I casually mentioned my age (thirties) and she suddenly got very rude to me and basically threw me out of her office. "Too old," was essentially what she was told told me.

😱

Columbia told me the same thing: you are TOO OLD to get into any medical school.

I don't take no for an answer especially when people are full of #$%^.

I went to Hunter where the Pre med guy said: "among our applicants, those who actually finish the program and do well, will most likely get into medical school - and age was not a factor really."

Friends, let me just tell you that a couple of years later I am now in my first week orientation. 😀 MSI baby!!

Hunter totally rocks for a long list of reasons, but for me they were completely awesome and everyone believed in me. I got great support and the professors were tremendous. PM me if you have questions - but I owe everything to Hunter. 👍

 

[DoogieHowser]

Hello,

I just wanted to know what the requirements are for Hunter? Also, is it really difficult to get into...????

Thanks

 

[juniper456]

to get into the postbacc program at hunter all you have to do is prove you graduated from college (transcripts or a photocopy of your diploma will do). it's true-- those who finish the program and do well will have a competitive shot at getting into the med school of their choice. however, you have to deal with a TON of administrative hassles-- registration is hell. the bursar is hell. getting into chem lab is hell hell hell. but if you're determined, you can usually get everything worked out.

👍

 

[Bunsen Honeydew]

Hi, Sorry about your situation. I did all my post-bac classes (50+ credits) at Hunter, and overall have been very pleased. You should call the pre-professional office and get in to see the pre-med advisor, Dr. Krukrofsky. He'll answer your questions and should help get you started.

You should know that as of this semester the post-bac students have been having some trouble with registration in that we used to be placed at the top of the list in terms of reg. day and time, and I've heard that this has changed. Definitely ask about that.

Good luck!!

 

[jeantm]

hi, about citibank I tried but haven't had even one credit card open for long enough. About a co-signed the financial planning guy knew I would have no chance at a cosigner since my single mother passed away a few years ago so I have been legally independent since high school (no other family etc)

I will go try to talk to the guy at HUnter...does anyone know if it would be possible to take all of chem over the summer (there or at city) or take 1st semester chem in the spring then second semester in the summer......

ugh so frustrated.....any info would be great

I've already emailed the advisor at hunter and am waiting on a reply

BTW COlumbia is horrible I still haven't even gotten a reply from the financial people

 

[juniper456]

don't wait for an email reply from the hunter people. it's always better to go there in person and make some noise. . .

 

[Lindyhopper]

I suspect that the real reason Hunter is more poplular than CCNY is the same reason an apartment at 69th and Lex would rent for a lot more than one at 138 st.
I truly do not mean any disrespect to the residents of Harlem or any other neighborhood.

 

[jeantm]

if it is really location that makes it more appealing than I should be at city college since my apartment is on the west side and getting to city college would be easier than hunter.....i can't believe i relocated to NYC to do a post bac after believing I would get loans to cover living expenses and am now completely trapped and have no clue about the CUNY schools (also out of state tuition).....any other info would be great ...i've done searches but still am worried if i went to city college would i get into med school ever ( wish these schools would be more upfront about how many applied how many accepted etc.)

 

[jules0328]

if it is really location that makes it more appealing than I should be at city college since my apartment is on the west side and getting to city college would be easier than hunter.....i can't believe i relocated to NYC to do a post bac after believing I would get loans to cover living expenses and am now completely trapped and have no clue about the CUNY schools (also out of state tuition).....any other info would be great ...i've done searches but still am worried if i went to city college would i get into med school ever ( wish these schools would be more upfront about how many applied how many accepted etc.)

Hi Jean,

WOW, tough break! But, dont worry your situation will be worked out, somehow. Humm, so Citibank couldnt help you, that sounds strange, what about Sallie Mae? They too, have good student rates. Now, remember depending on what type of student they put you in as at whatever post bacc program you will be attending, will determine your financial aggregate. In other words, if you are an undergrad, you will get less $ then a graduate student.

As far as CITY COLLEGE, Hunter is a very reputable school, especially when it comes to sciences. So, I wouldnt worry so much about med schools looking down on it. True, it's not Columbia, and unfortunately, in our society, a name sells. But, nevertheless, Hunter is still great. Just read through some of the threads on the forum.

I am really sorry you are having so much difficult to financial aid and getting money. Did you apply for FAFSA???? Or were you denied that as well? I am trying to think of other ways for you to do this. They cannot reject you from getting an education, that is what I dont understand. I am having similar problems and hate financial aid officers, FAFSA people, and anyone in their offices.

Hang in there. I am sure there is a way! Go to the financial aid office, and have a chat with an actual officer, not an associate, they cannot even read the screens correctly.

Also, do you have any other degrees, such as an MA? FAFSA will look down on this, in a way and will combine your BA and MA aggregate amounts and lower your maximum assistance. And tell you that you have no money left. Be persistent, and proactive and you will get through. Wishing you all the best. Good Luck!

 

[Lindyhopper]

CCNY is well reputed. I have no first hand knowledge but everything I have HEARD is good.

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

I would go with Hunter if you are able to make the commute. seems to have a better rep for premed/prehealth. some threads here about the great professors as well.

And I suggest that you do everything in person as was already suggested. Try to go in the later part of the week when there are less classes.

 

[smithville]

I went to City College to meet with Dr Goode, who was nice enough; then I met the woman who is really in charge of the nitty gritty. She was nice to me until I casually mentioned my age (thirties) and she suddenly got very rude to me and basically threw me out of her office. "Too old," was essentially what she was told told me.

😱

Columbia told me the same thing: you are TOO OLD to get into any medical school.

I don't take no for an answer especially when people are full of #$%^.

I went to Hunter where the Pre med guy said: "among our applicants, those who actually finish the program and do well, will most likely get into medical school - and age was not a factor really."

Friends, let me just tell you that a couple of years later I am now in my first week orientation. 😀 MSI baby!!

Hunter totally rocks for a long list of reasons, but for me they were completely awesome and everyone believed in me. I got great support and the professors were tremendous. PM me if you have questions - but I owe everything to Hunter. 👍

congrats on getting into medical school - that is fantastic!! a few questions...how old were you when you applied, where are you now, and are you male or female? i too am in my 30's and am at hunter. i went into it expecting to hate it (since i thought it would be 'inferior' to other schools), but against my will i am really enjoying many things about it - dr. alaie's bio class not least among them!

 

[sama094]

I knew a women, also in her late twenties maybe even early thirties, who went to city college to do her post-bac work. She said it was a lot of work, but she did well. She was subsequently waitlisted at Columbia, probably the toughest school she applied to, and is currently a student at Pitt, which is nothing to complain about as it's ranked as a top 15 medical school. So, I would have to say that city college worked out well for her. She also said that she really enjoyed her classmates at city college. Apparently they were a very diverse group of people and it made the experience very enjoyable. So yeah, she also said she was concerned about going to a less reputable school to do her coursework, but in the end, it didn't seem to matter.