Taking summer classes at a community college for "practice"

<p>My daughter will be taking Physics this fall and she's pretty nervous about it, as she struggled with it in high school. Her advisor suggested taking Physics this summer a community college - not for the credit, but just to prepare for the "real thing." However, someone else told her that doing this would ruin her chances for medical school, as med schools would see that she took it twice. Is that true? When she applies to med school, will she have to report having taken an online summer class at a community college? Has anyone else done this?</p>

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<p>Yes, she will need to report the online summer class. AMCAS rules specifically state that any and all college level coursework must be reported and a transcript must be sent for verification. This includes any dual enrollment classes taken during high school. Failure to report coursework will at best will result in a serious delay in the processing of her application while the matter is resolved, or at worst cause her application be considered fraudulent. A fraudulent application will permanently disbar the applicant from applying to medical school.</p>

<p>AMCAS uses a national student clearinghouse to see the names of all colleges where a student has taken coursework as part of the verification process.</p>

<p>Taking physics at the local CC to prepare her for retaking the class at her 4 year college won’t destroy her chances, but it may appear to be a red flag to admissions committees.</p>

<p>BTW, an audited class will also generate a transcript and must be reported on AMCAS.</p>

<p>If she feels she needs some additional preparation for physics next year, maybe working thru the textbook with a tutor this summer might be the answer.</p>

<p>Thank you so much, @WayOutWestMom! That’s great information to have. I’m surprised that her adviser advised her to do that. Sounds like self-studying is the better way to go. Really appreciate your answer!</p>

<p>Tell her to relax and enjoy her summer. She will act upon issue when she has it. Many more ahead, there is no point to worry ahead, worry about what you have today. </p>

<p>This will be the second time she has taken physics so it won’t be as difficult as the first time.
Also, now she knows she has an issue with this topic so she can get a tutor right away/go to office hours regularly/form a study group. She can get a book with practice problems.</p>

<p>Also, make sure to use prof’s office hours. Why not? paying for these hours is part of the tuition payment, might as well use it even just to make sure. My D. did, a lot, prof. knew her very well at the end of semeter, she got an A. She never had AP Physics and her HS teacher did not even go thru all material, only thru mechanics (he did the right thing, it is the hardest part)</p>