Maricopa Community College Questions..

hello.

1. it takes about 2 years roughly depending on how many courses you take at a time, and if you work through the summer too! it took me two years and all my friends two years as well. you have to remember alot of the classes are pre-reqs for either other classes or the nursing program.

2.i applied oct 23rd of 2006 and got placed in october 2007 for a jan 2008 start.

remember it depends on how many choices you have done on your appliciation-i had five, but other people cannot be as flexible.

good luck!

You can knock out the pre-reqs fairly quick, but it depends where you can start. At least two semesters to do the pre-reqs. The wait for nursing school is at least another two or three semesters.

I am taking my pre-requisites at Rio Salado and I started last year in May. I will be done in May 2008. Here's how I did it:

Summer I: BIO156 + Hcc145AA

Summer II: MAT142

Fall 07: ENG101, BIO201, CHM130+LL

Spring 08: BIO205, BIO202

Hehe, it has been very busy, but somehow I've managed to continue working (at least part-time), I still have somewhat of a social life, and I've gotten an A in every class so far.

Well you have to send in about half your assignments by regular USPS mail. That's the only way you can write certain formulas and the only way for your instructor to decently correct them. You also have to perform all your weekly lab activities as home, by yourself. If you want to there are a couple of hybrid chemistry labs throughout the Valley, usually at local high schools, where you can perform part of your lab, however you will still have to do some assignments at home. For most classes, except English as far as I know, you have to go in for your midterm and final. Rio Salado has about 10 testing centers all over the Valley for that.

My experience with Rio has been amazing. I really enjoy studying on my own and not having to drive to class. I also don't get bothered by noisy students and I can do everything at my own pace. However, these online classes require more effort than regular classes. One of my co-workers is taking BIO201 in person at a local CC, she has to go to class three days every week, but she only has to take 4 tests and turn in about 5 lab assignments. At Rio I have to write an essay (usually about 3-4 pages long in my case) every other week, do at least 1 or 2 labs every week, and take a quiz every week that I don't have to turn in an essay. I also have to go to a testing center to take a midterm and a final. I do feel like I learn a LOT more from the online classes, than I would learn in a classroom. The only thing that would make the online classes better, would be information on how the rest of the class is doing, so I could compare my results to those of others.

Anyway, I really hope Rio works out for you. If it does, it is so handy to be able to take classes constantly and not waste time during regular school breaks, etc. Good luck!!

It took me a good two years (including summer and winter breaks) to get all my pre-req's done. Mind you, I had more pre-req's than that are required now. The sciences are the hardest to get finished. Math, english, psych and humanities you can pair with anything. However, I would caution against pairing too much with the sciences (BIO 201, 202, 205 and CHM 130). These are the classes that you actually have to REMEMBER the content because you will (believe it or not...) use the material.

It took one semester to get in to NS. I put down 5 choices and got my 4th. That probably helped. However, as I mentioned before, the requirements have changed and the waiting list is much longer now.

I am taking my pre-requisites at Rio Salado and I started last year in May. I will be done in May 2008. Here's how I did it:

Summer I: BIO156 + Hcc145AA

Summer II: MAT142

Fall 07: ENG101, BIO201, CHM130+LL

Spring 08: BIO205, BIO202

Hehe, it has been very busy, but somehow I've managed to continue working (at least part-time), I still have somewhat of a social life, and I've gotten an A in every class so far.

Hi! Knorremeisje

I was wondering how stressful was it taking Bio 201 and Chm 130 at the same time? I am taking Bio 201 Spring 08 and hopefully Bio 202 over the summer but I have been considering doubling up for Fall 08 and taking Bio 205 and Chm 130.....this way I can complete my pre-req's a semester early. Science is really stressful for me but I am hoping since they are the only two classes I would be taking then I should be alright. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

Honestly, I'm doing fine right now. I'm taking my BIO201 midterm next week and I'm currently at a low A. I spend about two days every week on my anatomy. I'm in my fourth week of CHM130 with lab and have high A's in both the lecture and the lab portion. It's really not all that hard, I spend an average 8 hours reading and studying the material and then another 3 hours on the lab, that totals to one day. Then I'm almost done with ENG101 (English is my third language) and I have another high A in this class. I spend about 4 hours every week on my English assignments as well.

When you add this all together, this is my week.

Monday: Work 12h shift.

Tuesday: Study for BIO201.

Wednesday: Study and do lab for BIO201.

Thursday: Study/Lab for CHM130.

Friday: Work 12h shift.

Saturday: Turn in BIO201 assignemnts and do online quizzes. I usually take the rest of the day off. :)

Sunday: Spend the morning on ENG101. Take the rest of the day off again.

It's actually not as crazy as you would think. I do expect to spend some more time on the CHM130 in the future classes, I anticipate it will get harder. So I can put those extra hours in on Sunday. Besides work, I only have a husband and no children. This helps as well. :) I really think it's possible to combine two science classes, especially if you can work part-time and are able to spend time on your classes. Remember Rio Salado does advise to spend about 16hrs/week for 4 credit hour classes and 12hrs/week for 3 credit classes.

Good luck! I hope everything will work out!! Also, keep an eye on the MCC NS newsletter. It comes out on Jan. 1, 2008. They might turn some pre-req's into co-req's then, which could shorten your pre-req schedule!

Hi! Knorremeisje

I was wondering how stressful was it taking Bio 201 and Chm 130 at the same time? I am taking Bio 201 Spring 08 and hopefully Bio 202 over the summer but I have been considering doubling up for Fall 08 and taking Bio 205 and Chm 130.....this way I can complete my pre-req's a semester early. Science is really stressful for me but I am hoping since they are the only two classes I would be taking then I should be alright. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

I think this depends on a few factors. How good of a student are you? If you learn well and do not normally need to spend many hours outside the class to do well in the class you will probably be ok. Where you take them and who your instructors are. What else is going on in your life. How much exposure you have had to those subjects in the past. Etc, etc. Really only you can answer those questions, but it sounds like by the time you get there you will know a little more about yourself.

I am taking A&P I , Micro, Developmental psyc, pre-cal, and principles of sound reasoning in the spring. This will be an easier semester for me then fall of '07 where I took 22 credits. I will also have less going on in my life, I do however have three children I care for when not in class. I take some of the classes online as well. I have had lot's of help from my mom watching the kids. Some weekends I go to her house (in Tucson, I live in Phx) and she plays with the kids while I study. So taking heavy loads can be done. I excel in the classroom. I find school something I enjoy and can do very well in.

Take your spring classes, see how you do, then decide. One more thing to consider, we should know soon if A&P II is being made into a co-req. If that happens that will change your strategy!!!

Kevin in Phx

I think this depends on a few factors. How good of a student are you? If you learn well and do not normally need to spend many hours outside the class to do well in the class you will probably be ok. Where you take them and who your instructors are. What else is going on in your life. How much exposure you have had to those subjects in the past. Etc, etc. Really only you can answer those questions, but it sounds like by the time you get there you will know a little more about yourself.

I am taking A&P I , Micro, Developmental psyc, pre-cal, and principles of sound reasoning in the spring. This will be an easier semester for me then fall of '07 where I took 22 credits. I will also have less going on in my life, I do however have three children I care for when not in class. I take some of the classes online as well. I have had lot's of help from my mom watching the kids. Some weekends I go to her house (in Tucson, I live in Phx) and she plays with the kids while I study. So taking heavy loads can be done. I excel in the classroom. I find school something I enjoy and can do very well in.

Take your spring classes, see how you do, then decide. One more thing to consider, we should know soon if A&P II is being made into a co-req. If that happens that will change your strategy!!!

Kevin in Phx

Wow Kevin that's a large load, makes my one or two classes look very small :). But I commend you on your commitment. It gives me a great deal of motivation. Thanks