Do community college classes look bad?

Hi,

I took anatomy, pathophysiology, general chemistry and biorganic chemistry at a community college to catch up so I could apply for nursing school after I missed a semester. My GPA in these classes is a 4.0, but I was wondering if taking these classes at a community college rather than through my BSN program will look bad on my application to anesthetist school. What do you guys think?

Thanks for your help,

Elyse

It could depend. Normally it is not a problem, but since you have so many science courses from a cc, it might. For example, I took Organic Chem and Biochem as upper level classes. I couldn't transfer them from a CC. Your best resource would be an admission board member. If it were basics like English, History, Govt, etc. it would be no problem.

Since you got a 4.0 GPA, you should be fine ...

I got my associates degree, and took all my chemistry classes from a community college and had no problem being accepted what so ever. Even with a C in anatomy (I was playing a little too hard at the time)!

Having a good gpa at a CC is critical....good job. Here's the catch: If it comes down between you and another solid candidate who has a 4.0 GPA from a reputable BSN program, you may find your odds lowered. I graduatad from a BSN program and got in first try. All my buddies who applied to CRNA schools got in some program this year (they all had solid grades). I was told from the admissions folks that they do look at what school you attended. I know this because at my program, there were quite a few '4.0' students who did not get in, and graduated from CC. I'm not dissing your school at all. You made a 4.0...excellent. Just apply to the schools of your choice and go for it!

Instead of worrying about your background, just think positive; make them think that they need you. Best of luck!

I know several people who did their lower division at a CC and upper division at a Univ. They got into Med school with no problem.

There are so many variables that are looked at when getting into a program, the last thing I would worry about is where I took my lower division courses. Concentrate on what you're doing now and in the future.

Hope this helps.

Donn C.

I think this exact situation is why the GRE also comes into play. The GRE is supposed to be a more objective measure of what you learned while you were in school. So my understanding is that they will first look at your grades, and they will then look at your GRE to determine whether your grades have been artificially inflated or not. There are a lot of different reasons people take courses through CCs--cost, convenience, etc. As long as you have solid GRE scores you should be fine.

thanks for the op cooper. i am doing this as well, more for economic reasons..LOL. also i enjoy the small size of the classes. my plan is to tx to a UT when i get all the non-essentials out of the way and do my bsn there. it's good to hear that gpa and gre play a larger role. disspells some of my worries :)