State vs. Private CC vs 4 year

I’m kind of curious about some of the requirements for application. I keep seeing posts here that refer to prereqs at a CC vs prereqs at a 4-yr college.


I’ve been “advised” to do an associates degree in Chem, which includes Gen Chem I and II and Organic I at a CC then transfer to the 4yr and complete upper level chem courses to round out the bachelors in Chemistry.


The 4yr that I’m looking at right now is a private school and they accept all of the credits of the CC where I’m currently attending.


If I transfer my credits from 2 yr CC to 4 yr in order to finish out my bachelors, does the “stigma” of CC credits still apply as far as med school application comittee’s are concerned?


Also, has anyone noticed a marked difference between State schools vs. Private schools in regards to the application process?


Finally. I keep hearing the MCAT referred to as the “Great Equalizer”. If I rock the MCAT exam is it going to matter that I took Gen Chem and Org before I transferred to a 4-yr?

Also…to tag another line on this…


My med school target (UIC) says on their Admissions FAQ…


Q: Can I fulfill the pre-requisite courses at a community or junior college?


A: Yes, pre-requisite coursework may be fulfilled at a two year institution, which includes a community or junior college.


But just because it can…does that mean that it should…


And is a state med school like UIC going to accept a CC in the same state more readily?


So basically it comes out like this:


I take Gen Chem I and II and first year Organic at a CC then transfer those credits to 4 yr…


At the 4 yr I have to take:


Analytical Chem (4 hrs)


Organic II (5 hrs)


Biochem I (4 hrs)


Biochem II (3 hrs)


Physical Chem (3 hrs)


Is the fact that I took Gen Chem I and II and Org I at a CC really going to hurt me with all those higher lvl classes at a 4 yr?


It’s a lot more cost effective to take these classes at the CC, but I’m afraid I’m avoiding hoops that I need to jump through.