Quarter Unit Conversion Frustration

[coffee]

Did anyone else graduate from a quarter based system and find themselves not meeting the requirements for many programs because units for some prerequisite courses don't add up?

 

I took Intro to Anatomy w/ lab (5 quarter units) and Intro to Physiology w/ lab (5 quarter units).  These only convert to 3.335 semester units each, while most  programs require 4 semester units for these prereqs. I emailed them asking if they  would accept my courses, and was told I needed an additional anatomy and physiology course.  Same with statistics - I took it for 4 quarter units = 2.66 semester units, but most programs will only accept 3 semester units.

 

This is just frustrating because I'm so close to being qualified to apply to these programs, as I meet all other requirements. But because of this, I have to cut about 7 programs out of my target list. Gah.

 

/rant

[cordelia*8]

I would guess that if you're just barely meeting the minimum requirements you're not ready to apply.  I attended schools with quarter systems and have gone above and beyond the academic requirements for almost every school I'm considering, but even with really good grades, 2000 hours HCE, 200 hours volunteering, and @50 hours shadowing, I'm nervous about my odds of getting into my preferred programs.  It's competitive, if you're not ready save yourself the effort, money, and stress--apply later after you've improved your stats.

[rev ronin]

Yes, it's not entirely fair how quarter systems convert to semester.  I did A&P I and II as 5-quarter courses, and none of the 5 schools to which I applied had any problem with it--although this was 6 cycles ago.  I wonder if things have really gotten more strict, or if the automated system is just kicking things out and there is simply no interest in un-eliminating some candidates, since every school has so many of them now.

[Limey27]

I get where you are coming from coffee, having gone through that same frustration this cycle.  One of my pals applying this cycle called/emailed all of the schools she was planning on applying to and all but one (UNE I believe) said they would accept a 2 quarter A&P class worth 10 quarter credits since that is the norm for quarter based schools. I know this is only one example, but don't give up hope! A little detective work may be needed on your part so don't count out all of those programs yet.

[lanime]

I encountered a similar situation... While all of my credits for my degree are semester based, I have an additional post bacc course that is from a quarter system (talk about confusing). Anyway, it does not meet the credit requirements for one of the programs I am applying to (but meets the course requirements), so I contacted the admissions director regarding this and she informed me that they don't necessarily look at the credit amount in these situations. Instead, they just want to see that all the required courses have been taken.

 

 

So... It may be worth looking into a little further, as they can't really list all possible combinations of credits on the website. Good luck and I hope it works out for you!