Modesto Junior College — Attraction in Modesto

I started attending Modesto Junior College immediately after being honorably discharged from the military and had absolutely no difficulty getting into classes that I wanted or needed. I understand this is more difficult for non-veterans, but for me, it worked out perfectly. The veterans services office ran more efficiently than any others I've encountered at the multiple colleges and universities I've attended in the past.

There were plenty of class options that fit my schedule as I was both working full-time on a 12 hour night shift and going to school 1/2-3/4 time while also raising a family. I managed to get a degree and all of my prerequisites completed in time to apply for the Stanford School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) (also known as the Primary Care Associate Program) and was accepted. This program is highly selective, accepting only 50 of the sometimes thousands of applicants, and I was accepted the first time I applied. Once in the demanding two year PA program at one of the world's premiere medical schools, I realized how fortunate I was to have such gifted and dedicated profs and instructors for my science and math courses to help me prepare for the rigors of a challenging program.

Their dedication and passion enabled me to benefit all the more from the academic experience I would later encounter. The humanities courses left me well prepared for the intensive critical thinking that is expected of a student in graduate-level scientific studies as well. Professors consistently took my ambitions and academic goals very seriously, offering additional office hours to coincide with my hectic life schedule. One professor even allowed me to take a full two weeks off from class shortly before finals to travel to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010 to do some desperately needed humanitarian and medical aid work; Upon returning, he made time to meet me at a cafe for a whole weekend to help me get up to speed again so that I would not just pass the final, but do exceedingly well in a subject with which I had historically struggled.

Another MJC professor, after I had finished my educational goals at this institution and moved on, availed himself to help me write a superb cover letter for my application to Stanford. There are countless other examples of science instructors who were willing to lend their personal time and guide me to conquer personal and academic obstacles in some of the most demanding courses that MJC offers. Some notable examples are the Chemistry, Microbiology and the Anatomy program (which left me notably prepared for the rigors of a similar but very fast-paced anatomy program at Stanford University).

If I were to describe my experience in a single sentence at MJC it would be: "The faculty at this school invested in me and helped me build on my strengths to succeed in the career of my dreams." If you plan to pursue an education in health sciences, I highly recommend...

Let me say this, if you aren't willing to fill out alot of paperwork, find the student resources available to you, and aren't willing to adapt then you wont get far in college period. Before starting apply for financial aid ahead of time before your desired term (2months ahead). Make sure to apply for the BOG waiver, even if you wont qualify for financial aid, the BOG covers the class fee and you only need to pay for the student fee which is about $25 per term. Get familiar with the campus by exploring it on foot, there is maps online and available in the student services building or library. Go in to talk to a counselor to go over an educational plan so you know what classes you need to take for your degree or certificate. Go to the student store to buy the student catalog it has all the programs available with this credits and classes you need. Also it serves as a contract, meaning when you buy it and selected your desired degree or certificate then you wont need to take extra or new classes that they add to the next years catalog. This is only valid if you don't drop out for more than a year. When you start your first term I recommend College life skills 101. They will prepare you for your college experience and also have guest speakers from all mjc's departments. They will hand you resources and if you use them correctly you will go far. Tutoring will help with hard classes and its free (library). There are many classes with different teachers and students. Diversity is a huge thing here. Remember everyone is there for many reasons, but focus on what you want. No you will not get along with some students but in this world not everybody has to like you either. Group projects are hard if you get into a lazy group so pay attention to students who are there every day and who turn in every assignment. No matter what college you enter you will need to adapt to the classes and to the student population. There are teachers who care and those that don't, this isn't highschool it's college. Utilize the teachers office hours and talk to them about any concerns. Lastly parking isn't that bad if you know where to park. Arrive early, and don't park next to big trucks or vans , or also park in the back or on the sides. Make sure to close all windows, lock your car, and do not have any valuables in the open. If you have an older car or one that's used a lot for racing then you may be a target. So invest in some car protection,...

NO STARS! I attended MJC for 4 years. I went on and off for 2 years and started going full time in 2014. I WAS trying to get my AA in Business Admin. MJC stated, "It would take me 3 years to get my AA." Why? Because they didn't offer ANY in person class that applied to my degree only online. I received a scholarship through the Veteran's Center and the scholarship did not allow online classes.Did they help? NO! They are not Veteran or disable friendly. I am a depend of a Veteran my father fought for his country in the first Gulf War and as a thank you his daughter received a full ride to finish her education. The staff in the Veterans office at MJC did everything in their power NOT to help me. They would constantly forget to submit my classes for payment so I could attend these course. At the time, I was still in search of trying to figure out what I want to be MJC REFUSED to allow to do anything outside of what they considered degreed related. They claimed that it was the Veteran's main office designating these restrictions, not true. I called and spoke to directly to the Veteran's main office they stated, "We do not care as long you are hitting full time or three quarters time." "We do not look at the class or if it applies to your degree only that you are meeting your schools required unit levels for full time or three quarters time." When calling MJC and informing them of this, they refused to comply with Veteran's main office rules. They are also not disable friendly if you are taking a science or math course expect to receive a failing grade because as their professor that teaches Astronomy 160 stated, "It is not my job to help you." "It is your job to help me as the...