I was wondering how big a disadvantage it is in taking pre-med requisite courses at a community college? I graduated with a BS in Compter Science and work full time for a software company. I began taking medical school pre-requisites at a community college while working full time. Will medical schools look down on these credits?
I am fully aware that my whole situation will be taken into account: I do work full time, I do volunteer in an emergency room (and have been on and off since high school), both while taking 2 pre-req night courses a semester, and I do know I need to be explicit and sincere in my reason for switching career paths as well. Oh..and the damned MCAT.
So I'm just trying to position myself in the best way possible. I don't plan to matriculate at a school as a pre-med, I just want to take the pre-reqs. Any advice on if I really have to lay down the cash just to take some bio and chem courses at a 'reuputable' school?
2006-12-20 07:51:35 · 4 answers · asked by AlexM138 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Actually, it is NOT a disadvantage to do your pre-med pre-reqs at community college. It is a strategy I *always* endorse, and it's a well-known tactic among most pre-med advisors. Maybe you might be less favored by Harvard or Hopkins, by and large it doesn't make a difference. Besides, you're a non-trad applicant with an interesting story (yes, studying CS and having an epiphany that leads you to medicine is "interesting" -- just remember that for your personal statement).
Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT need to take upper-division biology or chemistry coursework to qualify for medical school. Sure, many schools strongly suggest you take stats, psych, biochem and physiology, they are NOT required. And don't bother with an additional degree (especially in"pre-med"). Your plan already sounds just fine.
2006-12-20 10:48:41 · answer #1 · answered by Gumdrop Girl 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm assuming you have a non-science bac. degree, correct? All schools at minimum require this as far as I know, unless you are in one of the accelerated 6-year combined programs. So assuming you've got a bac. degree with good grades, say north of 3.5, you might not be too hurt by this assuming you have good extras, do very well in cc, and do very well on the MCAT. Then again, everything varies from school to school, so why not call up the admissions office at a few schools you're interested in and ask them directly?
2016-05-23 01:35:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may run into problems with intro courses from a community college because they only offer an Associate's degree, I know most med schools expect you to have some 300-400 level bio/anatomy courses, some expect higher level chem or physics as well...you should really check with the specific schools you want to apply to...good luck!
2006-12-20 08:34:24 · answer #3 · answered by chris 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why don't you call some admissions directors at a few med schools and ask? That's what they are there for.
2006-12-20 07:54:27 · answer #4 · answered by kramerdnewf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋