I find it funny that they are looking into making Freeman actually apply towards college credit, but the UCLA itself will not offer it. It will be through the Westwood college (which has just been sued for offering junk degrees).
Also, the program itself is not even on the UCLA campus, it is in the ghetto in Inglewood. The hospital it used to be affiliated with is now shut down.
I love when people spout off to me that Daniel Freeman is the best paramedic school. Actually, my school required anatomy and physiology before entering, and the big bad UCLA Daniel Freeman does not. My school offers college credit and can apply towards an Associates degree in Paramedic Studies. Daniel Freeman does not. My school is also much cheaper.
Daniel Freeman has a strong reputation and lengthier application than most schools I've heard of in Southern California for private students. While A&P is not required, it makes you a stronger applicant. There is also a personal statement. EMT entrance exam. Basic HOBBET exam. Panel interview. And required references from employers, coworkers, and academic instructors. Their packet seems similar to my college application packet.
While I can't say whether that makes it better or worse than other schools, it is impressive that they make their applicants work for their spot. I have coworkers who have changed their mind on applying when they realized the application process. If anything, I think that weeds out for motivation, which isn't everything, but does make a difference when academics or field internship gets tough (people have different strengths & weaknesses).
For reference, I recently checked and they do offer college credit through the local community college. They are a part of UCLA, but not to subject all the same rules, regulations, and not integrated with the regular campus, so can't get UCLA credit.
It is in Inglewood, so they could be right next to their affiliated hospital, but that shut down 2-3 years ago. They have kept the building. Most people know it's not in Westwood, though. Bringing this up as a negative makes me feel like you're reaching to find negatives. I'm all for criticisms of different programs, but again sounds like reaching, especially when you compare your school right after.
I do know they have some big names in EMS as their instructors. This doesn't make them good educators by itself, but there must be something drawing them to that school (and it's not the money). They have worked in different systems are familiar with newest trends in EMS and in education. I know they have regular meetings on educational techniques. While located in Los Angeles, they teach a more national scope, as students are allowed to practice wider scope by their medical director while in hospital clinicals, including RSI. I'm sure this is what most schools do, but making the point that it's not just LA County training.
Also, from speaking to several people who have attended more than one paramedic school before (for various reasons), they have all been impressed with the time commitment the full-time instructors put into the students. I've been told many schools offer to go the extra mile for students, but comparatively they go above and beyond. I put a lot of value in the words of people who been to more than one medic school. While they might have not finished for various reasons (disease, being hired onto a FD during school, failed internship), their comments about the school's support, teaching style, and intelligence is still valid.
Actually, as has been said, a general chem and bio class will do exactly squat for someone in the paramedic class; having taken both I'm speaking from experience and that of my classmates and many others.
I acknowledge that you said it was in your experience. To offer a different view, in my experience it helped tremendously to immediately grasp many of the biological concepts and instead spend my type studying some of the harder concepts. Chemistry came in handy during pharmacology and toxicology when discussing equilibrium shifts and following the chemical reactions on the board. In fact, I'd say it was invaluable.