NParker

Sorry I didnt get back sooner but I wanted to wait until I had everything resolved. First of all, let me say thanks again for replying to my posts. I dont have any other peer support so it really helps. I tend to stress myself being a returning *cough-old-cough* student and for the first time feeling the need/pressure to do well. looming over me is that if I slip up, it is another YEAR to try again, not including the program. I will be collecting Social Security by then... Enough of that and on with the story... Contrary to my general way of handling things, I did research all the profs even before I went on here and then double noted the suggestions made by FutureNOVARN and everyone else. My plan was to take Micro w Dr.V summer and then A&P Fall/Spring, I wasnt sure NAS or BIO but from teacher selection leaning NAS. What FUBARED my plan was having to add Chem and go with BIO, not NAS and in a specific order. I hadnt looked at Chem and while some of the recommended NAS teachers also do BIO,none this summer. So I had to scramble to get things together. I did in fact login right after Midnight to get class but it was moving kinda slow and I was really nervous about getting a problem teacher so I put it off. When I had decieded what to do, I tried and I couldnt because there was a computer block for a pre-req !! I had never had an issue before just signing up pre-reqs be damned but that was pre-computer. I had the class at another school so I just needed to bring in the transcript, get it waived and sign up. I tried to look up the prof on RMP but it was down and somehow I skipped a lookup before..Could the Gods have cursed me more ??? Went in before class,got it waived,signed up for Chem... Get on RMP and he is loved by all,they all rave...So by chance it seems I got the IO guy I wanted and a good chem.. We will see how it goes !!!

If you post in the Region-Virginia forum lots of folks can give you the info, cant swear for um but prob the same

I tagged this on the end of an old post but thought it might be better to start a thread. I am finishing up my Bio 150 and am doing well, I have an A so far (fingers crossed). Next step is Bio 141-142 and Chem 101 or 121 (pre-req) for Microbiology. The first thing is that these are 6 week classes and I am already apprehensive about that as they are tough courses even for a regular semester time frame. Any experience or thoughts are welcome. Since I will be going into an accerlated BSN I will have to be able to handle similar situtations then but I would like to make it into the program first I am going over the different shedules, there are alot of varibles to consider,here are a couple: How doable are the 6 week classes ? If I do 2 6s over summer and normal in Fall,which class should that be? How wise is it to double up,full semester,142 and Chem ? Any instructor thumbs up or down for any of these ? PM is fine but I cant reply yet.. Any thoughts of which class if needed is best to take with a prof with less than stellar comments ? Clear test etc expectations are paramount for me. An "inside source" says ******** ***** is getting good feedback,not on rate my professor,anybody take him ? There is another solid option 141 but it is 8-12,not my highest functioning timeframe..Hate to gamble tho. If I get a chance I will see if I can list names. Many of them are TBA,so who knows who you get...If you have taken a flyer,tell your story good or bad. I was debating taking Bio or Nas series but my desicion might have been made for me as I was told VCU isnt going to be taking NAS anymore. I have yet to verify this. Now that my eyes are uncrossed I had best get back to vectoring my matrices for the best shedule....

The Medical campus is nice and is "new" being built only a couple years ago. You might want to bear in mind that for at least a year you will be out-of-state for tuition maybe until you finish. Entrance is competitive with preference for in state students. I just read a post about jobs in the area, upshot is you can prob get work but maybe not in your field of interest.

It is an imperfect system I know, I am in a class with like 50% dropped and I dont understand why because its not that hard and with a couple caveats the instructor is okay. I myself look for instructors who hit both ends, raves or pans, try to get the former and avoid the latter. With the ones that have good and bad, I try to see if there is a common complaint and if it is something that is a bugaboo for me. For instance my current teacher isnt bad but one thing that is a problem for me is her study guides are a mess. I really dont care as much about depth maybe it is arrogance but if I have a clear picture of what to learn I can learn it. I am also a "returning student" so my outlook as I noted above is going to be far removed from someone just a couple years removed from high school. I have also gotten some great opinions from here.

Thanks for all the replies..great info ! First time here in a bit as I have been very busy. My 150 class is going well, an A so far. I actually went and spoke with Dr.V about Micro as I was planning on taking her for summer. Well turns out I need some chem so it isnt happening this summer,probably going to be pushed back to next Spring. She was very nice and gave me alot of good information, I can see why everyone likes her so much. She suggested I take Bio 141-142 and Micro to best cover my bases. I havent checked this yet but she said she thought VCU had sent her an email saying they werent taking 161-162. So now I have to figure when to take it...Any take it the 6 week half summer session ? I am a bit scurred :) I am trying to juggle the classes plus get a decent teacher. One of the teachers for anatomy is McDonald K Horne, Dr V. said she had gotten positive feedback, I havent seen any reviews online...the other teacher Wolfe pretty much what I want but the class is 8-12 and I am so NOT a morning person. If you dont want to post,you can PM or mail, but I cant PM unitl I have more posts.. Thanks

Wish I could ! It will be Spring of 2010 (or maybe 2100) before I can apply..and I am applying to several programs,which all have different prereq. PS-Thanks for the PM from the other thread..I cant reply via PM until I have 15 posts

Thanks for all the replies. I am afraid I didn't phrase this correctly, when I mentioned looking up teachers online, I meant on ratemyprofessor. No way this ol' boy would try to do this online ! Any NOVA teachers you liked let me know, here PM whatever. I suspect I know who the 205 teacher mentioned is, if I can I am going to try to get her for that and 161. My current plan is NAS 150 now,then Micro summer,161 Fall and 162 Spring, God willing and the creek dont rise... I have a BA, I plan on appyling to Mason,VCU and NOVA. Mason and NOVA take 161-162 w/no micro, VCU wants Micro with any A&P. So I am trying to cover my bases each school has diffrent pre-reqs and thats not even mentioning the non-science ones. Oh well better safe than sorry

Hi, I am getting ready to start my pre req classes at NOVA and am trying to figure out which class to take. NOVA has BIO 141-142,NAS 161-162 and BIO 231-232(?). The last one is the hardest,I am not taking that. George Mason will take just 161-162 and wave Micro or Micro and 141-142. VCU will take either but I will need Micro either way. So if anyone out there knows difference/diffuculty, please let me know. I am guessing one covers Micro to some extent and one not. I am planning on Micro in summer and others Fall so maybe 161-162 wont be much harder. I have found some teachers that are supposed to be good (and some bad!) online. If you know of anyone to/take avoid me know. Any info about either/other programs welcome.