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© Alex Shteynshlyuger 1999-2000
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Hi,
I'm currently beginning my science requirements for admission to medical school. I already have 2 BS degrees and work as an Occupational Therapist, so my clinical skills aspect will definately look good on my application. So, basically all I need are my basic sciences and MCAT.
I am attempting to get all of the science courses taken at a 4 year university, but due to work, can only take evening courses. I have reviewed the class schedules and find that at the three local universities, Organic Chemistry is not offered in the evenings. Do you think that taking this course at the junior college level will hurt me? Any feedback appreciated.
Sandy
Reply
Hi Sandy,
As you're probably aware, junior colleges have a reputation for having lower standards. I do not want to go into whether this reputation is fair or not and I do not think it really matters. What matters is that you get to go to medical school.
Personally, I would recommend that you do not take orgo or any other premed classes at a community college. I think admissions committees would to be somewhat skeptical of your reasons for taking a class, especially as hard as organic chemistry, at a junior college. It is sad that you're caught in a situation where you have few other options but I think putting yourself in a situation where you will have to explain why you took organic chemistry at a community college is the very last thing you want to do.
Let me give you a "glimpse" into my own life as a premed. My high-school had a "college" program where you can take "college" classes while in high school and earn "free" college credits. Guess what--I took two classes through this program which was administered through a local junior college. One was an introduction to science another some "liberal arts" class. I listed these two classes on my AMCAS application, as one is required to do. I did not claim any of them as satisfying any of the requirements. Yet, at one of the interviews I was asked why I took these classes at a school other than my undergraduate college. What this says is that at least some admissions people look at your transcript and ask questions. I should note that of all the interviews I had no one else inquiring anything about this.
So in a nutshell my view is that you will be better off not taking orgo at a community college even if you have to go an extra mile to take the class at a four year college. Also it might be preferable if you took all "premed" classes at one school. On the other hand, if taking this class at a 4-year school does create too much trouble then you might want to accept the likely repercussions and just take the class at a junior college. My guess is that if you're a strong candidate you will not be prevented from going to medical school just because you took orgo at a junior college. On the other hand if you're somewhere in the middle competing with everyone else, it may affect your chances.
Best of Luck,
-Alex
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