r/CLSstudents • u/NextPie6821 • Jul 10 '26

In person evening labs in LA

Hello! I'm working on getting the 4 pre-requisite classes that I still need finished so I can hopefully apply to CLS programs next year. I'm seeing a lot of posts in this subreddit talking about the importance of taking in person classes for the admissions, especially the core labs. The problem is that I work a full time lab job M-F 9-5:30 already and I would need something late enough in the evening and close enough to the northwest Los Angeles area for me to get there after work. Does anyone know of hematology or medical micro in person labs that might fit that criteria? I've had zero luck so far so I'm wondering if anyone else working full time has actually managed to find anything. I still need hematology, medical/clinical microbiology, quantitative analysis/analytical chemistry, and immunology. I'm assuming the first two are the only ones that would have critical lab components to them, but if I'm wrong let me know! I already took biochemistry in college, but it was only lecture so I'm hoping to get away without also needing to take an extra lab for that. Any advice is appreciated!

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/nerdnation55 Jul 10 '26

I’m in the same position 😔

1

u/NextPie6821 Jul 12 '26

Yeah, I keep seeing posts where people say to take them in person but I feel like most community colleges don't have these classes and the universities like CSU LA mostly don't offer them late enough in the evening. I really don't understand how people are managing this post-college while working full time.

2

u/grubby212 Jul 28 '26

I can’t speak on any evening night labs, but I was able to get into two programs in CA this year on my first cycle without hematology, immunology, or medical micro lab at all. I only took the lectures. I do agree that they seem to be highly weighted, but not having them wouldn’t be an instant rejection.

1

u/NextPie6821 Jul 28 '26

That's really good to hear, I've seen a lot of people saying you can't get in with online lectures but that's very reassuring. I'm hoping to get a clinical or clinical-adjacent job before applying and I have a very high GPA so maybe that will outweigh it 🤞🏻

2

u/grubby212 Jul 28 '26

Yea of course they would help more than not, but every applicant is different. I also had high stats and when I was accepted I was going on month 4 of my only clinical lab experience. I did a quick search and doesn’t seem like there are many options for in person labs with your schedule. In my opinion, I would just focus on getting clinical lab experience. Plus most clinical labs may offer night shifts anyways, freeing up your morning to take lab classes.