You are right, and a person can take classes for credit without applying for Med School or a specific degree. Many times it is best way, in case you end up wanting to go elsewhere. Those grades are still transferrable.
In fact, most classes are just now registering for the fall through late August. It would be premature to think he was lying at this point, maybe it wasn't going to be done the normal route.
It does sound like a stretch of an excuse however. Let's ask an expert. Devil what do you think?