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For the the premed transfer student, it is perfectly acceptable to take your premed requirements at a community college if you plan to transfer to a 4 year institution and take upper division biology, chemistry, etc.  By taking advance courses as a junior and senior at a university level, you can demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are competent and a competitive applicant.  Red flags would be solid A's at a community college but not doing well in your upper division undergraduate courses or MCAT.  

However, don't take your premed courses at a community college if you are going to be enrolled full time at a 4-year university. Admissions committee members know which institution you took your premed course requirements.  Some committee members may frown upon you taking your difficult premed courses at a community college because of the perception that a community college course is easier than one that is taught at a University. 

For post-baccalaureate premed applicants who did not have a science major as an undergraduate, then taking the premed requirements at a community college is acceptable.  However, the vast majority of the post-baccalaureate applicants that I review take their premed courses at a university extension program or a state school.  For example, California post-baccalaureate take their required courses at a University of California extension or Californiat State University campus and not at a California community college.

The ethical question is an all too familiar question that you should expect to answer during your interviews.  These are very important questions that provide insight into your judgement.  What kind of questions could you expect in this category?

  • "Tell me an ehtical dilemma you experienced? What did you do?"
  • "Was there a time when your ethics was challenged?"
  • "If you found a colleague doing something unethical (i.e. stealing medicine, not following protocols, etc.), how would you proceed?"
  • "Describe a time you had to compromise your loyalty."
  • "What would you do if your attending told you do something that was unethical?"

These questions have to be thought out beforehand. I can't provide you an answer to them.  Just be prepared for these questions, because they are bound to pop up!

highlighter

I was told by an interviewer during my residency interview that it was OK to highlight points in your CV.  Be proactive in sharing your accomplishments and achievements during your interview.  Interviewers may not have reviewed your resume or application before meeting with you.

If the interviewer did read your application, they can step in and tell you "I've read your application. Please tell me more about yourself."  In this case, bring up something else of interest not in your application such as your hobbies and other interests. 

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