Accelerated Courses in the SoCal Area

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Aug 27, 2014

I'd say the only way for it to be "accelerated" is to take the classes over the summer or during a shorter term. But if you've been out of school for awhile, I wouldn't. I know when I have to retake my sciences I'm gonna take them during the spring & fall semesters. Trying to jam all that in summer is too much. I took A&P II during the summer but I had an amazing prof. I would never do it again.

SoCalJulia · Aug 27, 2014

Thank you for your response!! :up: The problem with regular classes is that I can't quit my job since I have to take care of my fam & pay the bills so I can't take the regular fall spring semester courses. I can only do classes during nights and Saturdays and Sundays.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Aug 27, 2014

Well if you can find a class that fits your schedule. I know at a community college not far from me the science classes are hybrid, all you'd have to go in for are labs & testing. Psych maybe completely online, or you may just have to go in for testing. Just look online & see what they offer. You'd be surprised!

SoCalJulia · Aug 27, 2014

I went to tour a campus of a university that I want to get my BSN from and they said that they don't like there applicants to take online courses. I think its a lot easier for me at least to learn when there's an instructor helping me along the way!! I'm no good at learning on my own. I get confused real easy & need someone that I can ask right away for help!! :nailbiting:

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Aug 27, 2014

Oh. Well good luck!

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Aug 27, 2014

Hi Julia, I sent you a PM

SoniaReb · Aug 29, 2014

If you take your prerequisites from a local University (within commuting distance from where you live), there is no way that the BSN program can know you took the courses online. Community College (CC) is probably your best bet for a cost and convenience standpoint. Most CC are geared towards students that work full time and as some mentioned above, they offer hybrid classes, which results in a lower number of in class contact. You can probably take one or two classes per week that meet on Saturdays for say 3-hours each, once a week. There also offer classes during the week, that meet for 3-hours, one class per week. You could potentially knock out 3-4 class per term, depending on how much time you want to devote to this endeavor and what your work/family life can accommodate.

California happens to have one of the lowest tuition for public institutions, with their Commnity Colleges charging about $40-$45 per credit hour (probably the lowest Tuition Rate in the US!). There is no reason to do prerequisites at a private non-profit school, when the CC option is so inexpensive.

SoCalJulia · Aug 30, 2014

Tasha how do I read ur pm?? Sorry I'm new!! :wacky: Sonia I looked at the local CCs. Most of them don't do weekends and they all are waitlisted!! I can't even take 1 course their let alone 3 or 4! I've been outta school for so long that I'm scared of taking an extension course from UCLA where the instructors could be really tough and it's costly! Plus commuting all the way over their is a nightmare! Traffic on the 405!! :barf02: I'd rather have a refresher course first preferbly from an unaccredited school since it's way cheaper. I've heard that if they plan to become accredited they try really hard to be as good as possible and they usually have small classes so you can get a lot of instructor help!! I also heard that some of the accrediting agencies will let the courses count as accredited even if you took the classes before the school was. I might get lucky then!! :yes:

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Aug 30, 2014

Tasha how do I read ur pm?? Sorry I'm new!! Sonia I looked at the local CCs. Most of them don't do weekends and they all are waitlisted!! I can't even take 1 course their let alone 3 or 4! I've been outta school for so long that I'm scared of taking an extension course from UCLA where the instructors could be really tough and it's costly! Plus commuting all the way over their is a nightmare! Traffic on the 405!! I'd rather have a refresher course first preferbly from an unaccredited school since it's way cheaper. I've heard that if they plan to become accredited they try really hard to be as good as possible and they usually have small classes so you can get a lot of instructor help!! I also heard that some of the accrediting agencies will let the courses count as accredited even if you took the classes before the school was. I might get lucky then!!

SocalJulia-

Hi, I just wanted to let you know you can complete your science courses in a shorter time at East LA Community College. Each course is 5 weeks long. Their is a wait list because the course is popular. I signed up on the waitlist this May for the Fall semester. I'll know next week if I'm enrolled.

Also, if you're interested I am seeking a study buddy to prepare for the TEAs exams. Let me know. Thanks

babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM · Sep 6, 2014

I know she said she wants to work so the classes at East LA College may not be the best route. I took them a couple of years ago. Its great because you can get anatomy, physiology, and micro done in one semester when it usually takes up to three, but its intense and makes working difficult.

I worked night shift at a hospital because the classes where Mon-Thur from 7 - 12. But since I worked my grades suffered; I got B's in all three classes which made it harder to get into a good BSN program. Also, I didn't really like the environment, most of the students who got A's where cheating ( using cell phones to look up answers or leaving their books on their desk during tests and peeking inside). That was pretty discouraging.

But the decision is yours. The professors were great and really worked with you, so if you can handle it, that is definitely the fastest and cheapest way to get those three sciences done.

Also some CC offer classes like Chemistry during spring or fall but they only last half the semester. Just look through the course catalog. Good luck.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Sep 6, 2014

Thank you. Its SUPER INTENSE. I work once a week and learning how to adjust. We have quizzes daily and exams bi weekly. Our first exam is Tuesday on ch. 1-7.

What's the best study method that helped you? Also, are the exams based off lecture slides and lab?