Has anyone gotten an invite to interview with the SJSU CLS Committee? The email said that interviews would be the last couple weeks of August but I haven’t heard either way and I’m trying not to get too disappointed yet. I’m hoping it’s still too early, but need to figure out other options if I wasn’t selected.
I work in the clinical laboratory field and with CLS education, and I keep seeing how difficult it can be for California applicants to figure out what actually makes a strong application beyond simply meeting the minimum requirements.
There are so many questions:
• Is my GPA competitive enough?
• Does biotech or research experience count?
• Do I need hospital laboratory experience?
• Which California CLS programs should I apply to?
• What should I improve before my next application cycle?
• If I was rejected, what should I do differently next time?
I’m building educational resources specifically around the California CLS application process, and I’d love to hear directly from applicants.
What is the ONE question about your CLS application that you wish someone could answer for you?
I’ll try to answer as many as I can in the comments.
Im in so cal and want to study for CLS. The programs are really competitive here tho and ideally I don’t want to have to move out of state. Wondering if it would be worth it to get my associates in MLT first at saddleback or if I should just go straight for a bachelors in biology + CLS pre requisites. Would having experience as an MLT help me get into CLS programs after I have my bachelors? Also working as an MLT could give me an idea of what it’s like to be a CLS so I could have a better idea if CLS is something I want to pursue. Im also unsure how much getting my associates in MLT would prolong my education since a lot of the MLT classes are also CLS prerequisites like immunology, hematology, microbiology, biochemistry. What do you guys think?
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
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.
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🥹
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 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?