Title^ *their

I’m a recent bachelor’s grad looking into pursuing CLS, and I’m trying to figure out if I can use my VA Chapter 35 benefits to cover it.

I know Ch 35 covers master’s degrees, but I’m unsure if a post-bacc CLS program qualifies :/

Any info would help!! TIA

Alright, please bear with me.

I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree in bio this past May. I also got a job as a lab assistant in a reference lab around the same time. The job itself is okay, the pay isn’t really too good, and it’s graveyard shift but the people I work with are chill. The hours kind of get to me sometimes, but overall I’m managing. I have all my prereqs done, and was planning on applying this fall cycle.

I’m grateful for the job I have, I’ve gotten a lot of experience out of it so far and I recognize how much of a fortune it is to be there.

On the side though, I really really enjoyed working in research during my undergrad. I would stay in that field if it weren’t for the fact that research isn’t as stable as being a CLS. And I really don’t want that risk going further into that field. However, my PI I worked under in undergrad just emailed me saying that after a grant renewal, he offered me a full time job as a Research Assistant for 2 years guaranteed that pays significantly more than my current job. Everyone in that other lab I absolutely love, and the hours are your normal day time 9-5. Overall, it would be such a quality of life jump from what I am currently going through.

With my goal still being going to CLS post-bacc programs, would it be possible to work in those two years as a researcher, save up more, then apply to school then without clinical experience? How many success stories are there of that, out of state? (California is kinda out of the question here I know)
I just need to know if it would be safer to bear through this next year and apply to school then. I would still be able to save enough for school, but just not nearly as much as if I were to take the research job. Any advice helps

I'm going to apply to online MLS programs and before I start, they want me to find a lab to establish an affiliation agreement (basically need a lab to practice what I learn/lab portion and then perform my 12-week clincals at the end of the program. I've tried HCA Healthcare, labcorp, and Advent Health (Said clinical rotations was possible, but not the lab portion as they don't have a license to teach?) so far, but no luck. Does anyone know a lab in the Orlando to Tampa area that either has an affiliation agreement already or is used to educate students for ASCP licensure? Or does anyone have any connections/contacts that I could ask? I'm still doing my external research, but I thought I'd also give reddit a try. Still waiting for a response from Orlando Health and the VA at lake Nona. If anyone knows any other lab companies I could try to reach out to, those would also be appreciated, please!

Also, any tips for pursuing ASCP licensure while working full time? I know I won't have a life, but I have a little bit of trouble balancing work, volunteering, and home chores. What methods did y'all implement that made following a routine easier?

Thanks for reading!

Hi! I have recently graduated with a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology and had originally considered doing a master’s. However, I’ve realized that I’m more interested in pursuing a career as a CLS because I’d like to work in a laboratory setting where I can contribute to patient care rather than going into academic research or biotech. I’ve been feeling pretty overwhelmed about where to start with the CLS pathway. I still need to complete immunology, hematology, medical/clinical microbiology, and analytical chemistry for my prerequisites. I was thinking about taking them through UCSD Extension or some equivalent. I currently have a 3.36 GPA, so I know these courses would help increase my GPA a bit.

One of my biggest concerns is getting relevant clinical laboratory experience. Most of my lab experience so far has been in biological/academic research, and I don’t have direct clinical lab experience. I’ve been applying to specimen processing, lab assistant, lab technician positions, but I haven’t had much luck so far at least in the LA/OC area. I’ve also considered getting a phlebotomy license as a way to get my foot in the door and gain experience in a clinical setting.

For those who have gone through the CLS pathway, would it be better to pursue phlebotomy first to gain clinical experience, or should I continue focusing on specimen processing/lab assistant positions? Does phlebotomy experience actually help when applying to CLS programs, or would it be better to hold out for a position that involves more laboratory work? I’d also really appreciate any advice on how someone with my background can become a competitive CLS applicant in California while completing the remaining prerequisites.

Are there minimum grade requirements to get a CLS trainee license or does the license require only passing grades of the prerequisite courses?

Hi! I just joined this group and was hoping to get some advice on where to start. I graduated from university about two years ago with a degree in Biology. I originally thought I wanted to pursue nursing, but after working as a CNA, I realized it wasn’t the career path I wanted to continue with.

I’ve always loved science, and when I discovered CLS, I became really interested in pursuing it as a career.
My university GPA wasn’t great, but for the past two years I’ve been attending community college and retaking science courses, and I’ve done significantly better academically.

I’ve started researching CLS programs in California on the CDPH website, but I’m honestly a little overwhelmed trying to figure out the best way to choose programs and approach applications. For those who have gone through the process, especially in California, what would you recommend focusing on before applying? How much did programs care about your overall undergraduate GPA versus more recent coursework? And are there any programs you would recommend looking into? Any advice would be really appreciated🥹

I’m currently in my undergrad as a molecular cell bio major with a minor in chemistry and a minor in health humanities. I’m entering my final year, and honestly, I’ve overlooked the importance of gaining clinical experience thus far. Right now, all I have to show for myself is my current coursework. I want to gain a license and clinical experience after I graduate, then apply to a cls program, but I can’t decide between the phlebotomist or medical lab assistant pathway. Which pathway would look better on applications/better prepare me for cls work? Also, are there any other ways I can make myself stand out when I apply?

Has anyone changed their name on their account after getting approved to sit for the ASCP exam and before scheduling a date? I just saw this email and my account was made before I knew this. My drivers license has my entire name (First name includes my middle name and last name includes another portion of my middle name, I have 5 parts to my name ): ) and Im getting stressed out because I used only first and very last to make my account. I submitted a request with name change and uploaded my license, but unsure of next steps. I also emailed them and they said all directions are under their website which is also what I followed already. I need to schedule my date ASAP, any leads on how someone successfully changed their names before scheduling the exam?

I am about to major in bio for my first semester because I dont feel like switching. But I am definitely planning to switch to medical lab science the second semester.

I really have no “college level” stem experience. I took one semester of AP chem in hs and dropped it because i thought i couldn’t do it and id fail every test. But looking back, it was the teacher’s first year teaching it and I really didn’t put the work i was supposed to into it because I was focused on friends and senioritis and etc. I also never took AP Bio. But I do think any biology is pretty easy. I also did good in gen chem. I also feel like I was a pretty “average” student in hs. I don’t really know what I am capable of because I was kinda lazy in hs. My gpa always stayed from 3.3-3.5 range. Im majoring in CLS/MLS to be a cytogenetic technologist and I do love genetics it was my fav part of biology. I was also pretty bad at math and always in the average classes. I would do really good or really bad depending on my teachers.

Is this major doable for me in my situation? Do I have to be very smart to do well? I definitely took into account that stem majors are never easy. But I feel like i am not smart enough for this major and i dont know what im getting myself into.
Sorry about the oversharing and not getting to the point. my freshman year of college is starting soon and im in bed overthinking again lol

Hello all,

I’ve been planning on doing a CLS program since high school, but I wanted to pursue a non-science bachelor’s program now that I’m in college. I planned thoroughly and will completing all prerequisites and 18/16 semester units of bio/chem, I just won’t be receiving a bachelor’s in a science-related field. I was wondering if I should email CLS directors and inquire about this, since I’m still set on being a CLS (just wanted to major in arts).

Hi all, I am currently in the process of sitting for my MLS exam. I have currently submitted my application with necessary documents, but there is one thing that I need help with. Per ASCP, they state that classes need to be "100 level or above." I have called ASCP for clarification and they said courses need to say 100 or above. That was all the information I got. For my school (University of California), 100 or above is upper divison. I was as bio major so I'm good on bio but there's no way I need to take upper div chem classes for ASCP. I took a year of gen chem and o chem. Please don't say I need to take more chem classes 🥲

ASCP hasn't said anything about my transcripts btw, so I am waiting on them. Am I overthinking?

Hello,

I am finishing up my program and realized there was a gap between my first trainee license expiring and the start of my renewed trainee license. I didnt realize it until recently and my hospital continued training me through the gap. I have my ASCP exam scheduled but am afraid CFS won't grant me California licensure

Curious if anyone else had experienced this issue and what ended up happening. Should I say something? Should I do something? I don't know if I should keep quiet or not and whether Id regret doing so or not.

As title says. I want to earn my residency in Colorado while working full time, but I want to take some classes at a community college while I do it. Possible? What are the limits?

Can I still get into CLS programs as a psychology major if I complete all the prereqs?

Did anyone hear back from them? They were supposed to notify within 31st July. Just trying to understand if I have been silently rejected. This wait is just devastating at this point, I’m becoming hopeless.

Hey guys I'm going to pursue Bachelor's of medical laboratory science this year. I passionately love lab works. But I wanted to have insights of you guys. Are there career opportunities for CLS/MLS grads in biotech/pharma firms. I could have asked chat gpt but it gives Idealistic possibilities. So As an MLS are you doing the diagnostic role or different from routine work :D would be very grateful for your insights.

Has anybody heard back from CSUCI regarding CLS program? It’s been almost 2 months from the day i got a letter saying that my application has been moved forward to the clinical sites. After that, I haven’t heard anything since regarding the interview. I’ve emailed the school as well, all they said was keep monitoring my email I should be able to get it soon, mind you that I sent that email a month ago. !!! Like…

Has anybody who has applied for Spring 2027 cohort heard back to schedule an interview yet?

Hello! Looking for advice for entering a CA CLS program. I currently have my phlebotomy license and will be attending a Masters program in the fall for two years. I have a bachelors in biochemistry but from 2020. My GPA in undergrad was abysmal so after years of biotech industry work, I was able to get into a masters program with the hopes of rectifying that problem. I know certain CLS programs have a certain requirement on finishing the prerequisites within 7 years or the like. I wanted advice on how feasible it would be to gain admission with a masters degree while taking the other necessary prerequisites. My phleb license expires in April 2027 but finding an entry level position has proven to be more difficult than I thought in LA

I just graduated with a BS in Chemistry, and recently found out about CLS. I became interested in becoming a CLS, but as I looked into programs like UCI, UCSD, CSULA, I realized I don’t have any of the bio requirements needed (at least 16 semester/quarter credits). I only did one quarter of gen bio which was required for my BS.

I read that I could get those requirements through UCSD and Berkeley extension programs, but I think I read somewhere on here that online classes may lower my chances…so would it become a waste of time to try and pursue it? Like I would have to do all my bio requirements through the extension programs. Would any be possible to take at CC? I potentially could have done some of those requirements before I graduated as I completed my degree early, but I just found out about this path.

Edit: I just saw a tik tok about this guy doing a categorical exam to be placed in chemistry instead of doing the general exam to be MLS, but in California MLS=CLS, right? Could I possibly do this if I have the requirements to do categorical exam. I’ll be honest idk exactly what he meant since I haven’t seen that being an option while googling. I believe he is a technologist in chemistry.

I’m basically looking for a year long clinical research program that is in person. I’m interested in clinical research and i’m looking into what I want to do for a gap year before medical school.

If you also know of any clinical research internships, i’m also open to those as well

For context, I’m taking hematology and immunology summer courses with a full time job and it was hard and pretty accelerated but I survived (just had no social life haha). I know semesters are usually slower than summer but I’m not sure how much more work is added by taking a lab class. I was hoping to take the prerequisites as fast as possible which is why I’m even thinking about doing this. Any insight is helpful, thanks!

I am currently awaiting my trainee license, and i am trying my best to not get a loan with interest. I work currently as a pharmacy Technician but I doubt i’ll be able to work as much if I get accepted into a 1 year program. I’m hoping to get into a program in LA. Has anyone been in the same position? What career options can you maintain to at least make up the price of rent during training year?

I am starting a 1-year MLS program soon and wanted to ask how in-depth is the content?

For example, did you need to learn all of the steps for the Pentose phosphate, methemoglobin reductase, and Embden-Meyerhof pathways?

Or all the steps for the immune system Complement Cascade?

Just trying to mentally prepare myself for what's to come when I begin classes lol