It's near impossible to get into pre-reqs at CCs here in SoCal

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So I finally got into Chem ( which I'm currently taking) for the Summer session at Glendale Community College in Cali. Got in completely through luck after trying for 3 semesters.

I thought I was set since I had a decent priority registration date for Fall, but of course Micro and Anatomy are all filled up already and now I'm on the waiting list. The waiting list isn't too promising though and getting into classes at other schools seems just as hard.

Does anyone have any advice? Would it be better just to try online classes? I have the time and the money to take the courses.. it's just the getting in part that's the problem. Thanks!

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I would cheat the system, find friends that have last names that come first have them get into those classes then drop them early morning after registration was done.

We had a network of people from NCAA players who got first crack at classes, people with learning disabilities who went before the NCAA, and friends in the registers offices. Out in four!:D

you can take some on line too if your willing to fork out the funds, the only school currently that I know that has 100% online science classes is oregon state which are like 1k each. Some friends that went to PA school did their upper division biochem there.

Lastly you can register at more than one school. In my area there are two colleges, one university close by, and one seven hours away. No one says you have to stay at one school for all the classes :twocents:

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There are people in SoCal who take their science prerequisites online at UNE, University of New England - COM - Online Education - COM Online Education , however, the classes are expensive and tuition and fees are increasing on Aug. 15.

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Specializes in LDRP.

Check out this thread:

cant get into pre-reqs? - Nursing for Nurses

Same issue being discussed...

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thanks for the replies

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Specializes in LTC.

I feel your pain. :(

When classes fill up before you even get a chance to register, don't give up hope right away.

Option 1: Try to enroll after the fee payment deadline passes; anyone who has not paid will be dropped at that time. If you're not sure of the date, check with your school staff-- someone at the enrollment or counseling office should know. If you're enrolling online, it's even more helpful if you can find out when the system refreshes so you can pounce on the openings immediately.

Option 2: Show up early on the first day of class to be the first one on the waitlist, if the professor is willing to make one. Due to the enrollment crisis, classes can have anywhere from 10-50 people trying to "crash". Many professors will create a waitlist for students who want to fill the seats of students who (are) drop(ped). These waitlists are usually first come, first serve, but sometimes a random drawing is held. It's important to be early to increase your chances of getting in if the list is first come, first serve. Did I mention you should show up early? :lol2:

Option 3: If all else fails, consider taking classes that aren't prerequisites but may help you anyway, such as a foreign language, psychology, technology or science/medical class that's relevant to your goals/interests/specialization.

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Apply to LOTS of CC's so you have the option of taking the classes you need at any one of them. For example, I applied to the LACCD schools, Glendale, PCC, SMC and even Moorpark (my mom lives in TO). I just started taking prereq's this past Spring semester and have managed to get into the ones I've wanted just my maximizing the odds by being willing to go to ANY one of those schools. Also, I took Saturday classes. I know LA Southwest College has open Physio on a Saturday for Fall, ELAC has an open Micro class, etc. THAT is how I am making it happen :) Check out all the schools within a 20 mile or so radius and that's how you can have better chances too!

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can you take it at other cc and transfer to the school you want to apply the program at?

I did that when I was taking pre reqs and never had problems getting into the classes. =)

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s. I know LA Southwest College has open Physio on a Saturday for Fall.

I took a class there. Just be advised it is not in a safe area, if that is a concern.

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I took a class there. Just be advised it is not in a safe area, if that is a concern.

Was yours a day or night class, Someday? The class to which I refer is on a Saturday from 8am to 2:30pm so I can't imagine it would be too bad. Also, I teach near USC in "South LA" so I suppose my concept of "unsafe" may be a little different than some :)

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I struggled with the exact same issue! I suggest applying to multiple ccs (LA Trade Tech, LACC, PCC, Santa Monica College....)

I ended up taking Anatomy through UCLA extension. It's more expensive than going through a cc, but I was able to get in right away. As long as you call to register right when it opens, you should be fine. And, it ended up being a great class.

I've also had luck with Santa Monica College. It's pretty easy to make it into their classes, even off of a wait list--I was far down on the wait list and got into a Chem class after week one. Just keep on going to class, it's amazing how many students end up dropping out of their science classes.

Finally, if money is not an issue, you can head to Mount Saint Mary's (they have a campus near downtown). It's really expensive, but you'll never have a problem getting into a class.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

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Was yours a day or night class, Someday? The class to which I refer is on a Saturday from 8am to 2:30pm so I can't imagine it would be too bad. Also, I teach near USC in "South LA" so I suppose my concept of "unsafe" may be a little different than some :)

It was a night class. Also, I'm sure that it depends on if you're a guy or a girl. I'm a girl, and I was going there at night ... so ... :uhoh3:

ETA: That's the closet thing I could find to a smilie that looked nervous. lol

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