What prerequisites to take at State College ?

[d0hv]

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Hi everyone ! This is my first post on sdn. I first visited this site my freshman year of high school because I was interested in becoming a Physician someday. The reason I wanted to be one was because of my medical condition, and that influenced me into wanting to treat people with similar issues, as I feel I would be able to relate to them. Making me a great Doctor. I've also been around doctors my whole life, they're people I look up to, I want to be one.

So I've since graduated high school, last year. I haven't started college yet, because of some setbacks with my condition. I will be starting State College this fall, and then transferring to University in 2 years. Hopefully University Of Florida. What medical school prerequisites to take at my State College ? Are State College prerequisites seen in the same negative light as Community College ? I can't afford to go to University right now and my medical condition won't allow me to move from home just yet.

Also if I'm transferring to University in two years, when do I take the MCAT ? As it's common to take it junior year, but I'll already be a junior when I transfer. Also when should I start shadowing. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but this is just exciting stuff for me.

Thank you if ya'll can help me.

-So should I just do all my General courses at State College, and save my science courses for University ?

 

[DrFizition]

1. State college and university are seen as the same. I honestly don't know what the difference is. I don't think it matters where you take your science classes. Just be really careful that your credits transfer over from one school to the next. Otherwise, if you took your lower level bio/chem/phys classes at school A, and school B doesn't accept those credits, then you'll end up taking all those again in school B before hitting Physiology or biochem.
2. Community college classes aren't seen as a "negative" by a medical school committee. Yes, if it is obvious in your transcript that you took specific classes at a community college because of an "easy A," then adcom will look into this and may even ask about it during interviews. I don't think this is your case, as you are transferring from one school to another. Also, again, your in state school, which is basically a university.
3. Take the MCAT when you have completed your prerequisites for the test, are adequately prepared, and have time to study. Figure out when you'll have your bachelor degree completed. If you want to do medical school right from there, then take it your "junior" year as you said.
4. Shadow during weekends, summers, winters.

Everyone b****es about premed being "so difficult," and a huge "time commitment," but it is honestly very flexible. You'll have time to figure out your own schedule of volunteering, studying, shadowing, etc.

 

[DrFizition]

Just to add further to my # 2 above, I'm quoting Goro here from another thread.

• Some med schools accept CC credits, some don't. There's no rhyme nor reason to it. Again, MSAR is useful in telling you who does, and who doesn't take the coursework. Here's a rule of thumb.
  
  -If you go to a CC and then to a UG school, that's fine.
  -If you go to a CC as a non-trad to get the pre-reqs, for for grade repair as a DIY post-bac, that's also fine.
  -If it appears that you're avoiding your UG school's rigorous weeding courses by taking them at CCs, then that's going to raise some eyebrows.

 

[throk]

Hi everyone ! This is my first post on sdn. I first visited this site my freshman year of high school because I was interested in becoming a Physician someday. The reason I wanted to be one was because of my medical condition, and that influenced me into wanting to treat people with similar issues, as I feel I would be able to relate to them. Making me a great Doctor. I've also been around doctors my whole life, they're people I look up to, I want to be one.

So I've since graduated high school, last year. I haven't started college yet, because of some setbacks with my condition. I will be starting State College this fall, and then transferring to University in 2 years. Hopefully University Of Florida. What medical school prerequisites to take at my State College ? Are State College prerequisites seen in the same negative light as Community College ? I can't afford to go to University right now and my medical condition won't allow me to move from home just yet.

Also if I'm transferring to University in two years, when do I take the MCAT ? As it's common to take it junior year, but I'll already be a junior when I transfer. Also when should I start shadowing. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but this is just exciting stuff for me.

Thank you if ya'll can help me.

-So should I just do all my General courses at State College, and save my science courses for University ?

Most people planning to be traditional applicants (enter med school immediately after college) take the MCAT at the end of their Junior year, in spring, and then apply that summer. It is now very common however to take one or more gap years, which allows you to take the MCAT as a Senior or even post-grad.

It is very common for people to complete prereqs at a community/junior/state college and then transfer to university; this won't be held against you! You can take a few upper level science classes once at uni, and do well, to show you are plenty capable of handling university level work.

 

[d0hv]

1. State college and university are seen as the same. I honestly don't know what the difference is. I don't think it matters where you take your science classes. Just be really careful that your credits transfer over from one school to the next. Otherwise, if you took your lower level bio/chem/phys classes at school A, and school B doesn't accept those credits, then you'll end up taking all those again in school B before hitting Physiology or biochem.
2. Community college classes aren't seen as a "negative" by a medical school committee. Yes, if it is obvious in your transcript that you took specific classes at a community college because of an "easy A," then adcom will look into this and may even ask about it during interviews. I don't think this is your case, as you are transferring from one school to another. Also, again, your in state school, which is basically a university.
3. Take the MCAT when you have completed your prerequisites for the test, are adequately prepared, and have time to study. Figure out when you'll have your bachelor degree completed. If you want to do medical school right from there, then take it your "junior" year as you said.
4. Shadow during weekends, summers, winters.

Everyone b****es about premed being "so difficult," and a huge "time commitment," but it is honestly very flexible. You'll have time to figure out your own schedule of volunteering, studying, shadowing, etc.

Thank you. Another question I have is this. How would med school feel about me taking classes like writing online ? Or do they only care about my sciences/maths ? I heard they don't like online credits.

 

[Turkishking]

I started off at a state college, successfully transferred to a university. Do well where ever you go. That's all that matters. State college or university doesn't matter.