Extension School (SDSU)

[Iain]

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I am looking into Post-Bacc Pograms here in Southern California, SDSU has an Open University (College of Extended Studies) which I am researching. I know Harvard's Extension School is very popular and well received by medical schools however what is the general overview on Extension Schools? Are they held in the same regards to Junior Colleges? Will this hinder my ability to get into medical school?

My academic record is quite strong - I got my Bsc (Hons) Business at age 19 in the UK, lived in Australia briefly where I worked as a consultant, and played polo with the Captain of England. I then moved back to California where I started my career in sales, and have had great success; received numerous awards and am the number 1 sales associate in my peer group.

I have decided that I am now ready to put my head down, and follow my ambitions. I really have to start building from the ground up - I am positioning myself to where I can attend school over the next 2 years, achieve great marks, sit the MCATs and volunteer at a local hospital. I just need to get going in the right direction!!

 

[junebuguf]

As long as its at the University Level (which, I presume, SDSU is) it should not be a problem. If you plan on staying in CA, you might want to email some director's of admission at CA schools and find out which post-bacc programs they recommend. I would look to Berkeley, UCLA or even UC Davis if they allow you in...never heard of SDSU...but then I'm not a CA resident.

Whereever you decide to attend, make sure its full-time. Half-time commitments only prolong the process.

If you already have good grades, look to linkage programs. I dont know if there are any in CA but there are several in the east. If you have really good grades, then completing the post-bacc program at Penn or Columbia may guarantee a conditional acceptance to med school, eliminating the glide year and saving you a ton of money during the app process, not to mention the agony.

 

[Iain]

Thank you for your advice. I will certainly email Medical Schools, and gain their input - I would definitely like to speak to them directly, and possibly take a tour, or attend a Q and A session.

Unfortunately I do not think I will qualify for linkage programs - having a foreign degree, and no volunteer or clinical experience makes me think the chances of me gaining a placement are small to none.

What is classed as full-time? My planned schedule is:

Year 1:
Biology
General Chemistry

Summer School:
Bio-Chemistry (1 Semester if able)
Calculus (1 year)

Year 2:
Physics
Organic Chemistry
Public Speaking

I cannot slim it down any further, I have to work full time, albeit it is my own company, which allows me an extremely flexible schedule, but I need the income. Most of my clients are local here in Southern California, so it would be best to stay around here. Are Junior or Community Colleges acceptable? I am sorry for the barrage of questions - studying abroad I never gained a full understanding of the US system. It seems Community Colleges are looked down on as providing an inferior education and students who lack real commitment.

 

[FirestarterSG]

Are Junior or Community Colleges acceptable?

No, you have to go to a US University (State, or Private) to complete your requirements. JC's / CC's are too low qualifications for med schools, like A-Levels are for graduate degrees. Besides med schools like to assess how good you do against everyone else. JC/CC's are very variable in their grades - Universities tend to follow a pattern med schools like (i.e. WORK for your degree 😉)