1- or 2-Year Post-Bacc?

[Rooni]

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I'm getting ready to apply to post-bacc programs for next fall, but I am a little unsure as to whether I should go for a 1- or 2-year program. I'm getting my undergraduate degree in music at an arts school, so I have taken zero college-level sciences (except for a semester of genetics a couple years ago). Also, since I only recently decided that I wanted to go into medicine, I don't have any research or clinical experience whatsoever.

My instinct is to go for a two-year post-bacc program to give myself time to get some research and clinical experience in along with a couple extra, not-strictly-required-but-highly-recommended classes, due to my utter lack of undergraduate science. At the same time, though, I would love to get to med school as quickly as possible, and of course there's the extra money to consider.

I don't have a lot of experience in this area to base my decisions on, so I thought I would see what the SDN folks thought. So. Should I go for the two-year program, or is that second year just unnecessary? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[NewmansOwn]

I'm getting ready to apply to post-bacc programs for next fall, but I am a little unsure as to whether I should go for a 1- or 2-year program. I'm getting my undergraduate degree in music at an arts school, so I have taken zero college-level sciences (except for a semester of genetics a couple years ago). Also, since I only recently decided that I wanted to go into medicine, I don't have any research or clinical experience whatsoever.

My instinct is to go for a two-year post-bacc program to give myself time to get some research and clinical experience in along with a couple extra, not-strictly-required-but-highly-recommended classes, due to my utter lack of undergraduate science. At the same time, though, I would love to get to med school as quickly as possible, and of course there's the extra money to consider.

I don't have a lot of experience in this area to base my decisions on, so I thought I would see what the SDN folks thought. So. Should I go for the two-year program, or is that second year just unnecessary? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Unnecessary if your undergraduate record is impressive. The top formal postbacs have near-100% acceptance rates to medical school after one year of study in the sciences. If you can get into one of those, you're probably in good shape.

Start stocking up on medically-related extracurriculars.

 

[chopper]

Unnecessary if your undergraduate record is impressive. The top formal postbacs have near-100% acceptance rates to medical school after one year of study in the sciences. If you can get into one of those, you're probably in good shape.

Start stocking up on medically-related extracurriculars.

I disagree, and think someone in your situation should think about the two year program. If you have had 'zero' science classes, you will be required to do quite a bit of science in a short period of time. This would include either gen-chem in a condensed format the summer before, or orgo the summer after (can't take both at once).

This can be a real problem, esp if you haven't had a good deal of math in the past. I think with physics and gen chem that it isn't always the concepts that trip people up, it's being facile with math.

The worst thing that you could do is try to stuff everything into one year and not do well. If your situation was different (i.e. changing from engineering or another science with some background in math/science), my advice would be different.

 

[NewmansOwn]

I disagree, and think someone in your situation should think about the two year program. If you have had 'zero' science classes, you will be required to do quite a bit of science in a short period of time. This would include either gen-chem in a condensed format the summer before, or orgo the summer after (can't take both at once).

This can be a real problem, esp if you haven't had a good deal of math in the past. I think with physics and gen chem that it isn't always the concepts that trip people up, it's being facile with math.

The worst thing that you could do is try to stuff everything into one year and not do well. If your situation was different (i.e. changing from engineering or another science with some background in math/science), my advice would be different.

This indeed may be a problem for some people, but many (including myself, with no science background) have had absolutely no problem getting it done. Frankly, taking the medical prereqs in one year is a good way to show medical schools that you can handle the intensity they themselves will require.

That's why I said, if the OP can get into a formal postbac program, she probably has the drive and intelligence to handle the sciences in one year. I agree that cramming it in and blowing it is a bad idea, but I wouldn't describe it as "a real problem." I'd say, rather, it's a challenge many see as an excellent opportunity.

To the OP: If you're smart and determined, you will be able to handle the prereqs in one year -- plenty of people do it every year and, at the top formal programs, almost all of them get into medical school once they're done.

You don't need a "science background" to do well in the prereqs. You just have to be hard-working and mentally flexible.

 

[sharona1121]

Hi!

I'll offer my 2 cents.

I'm in a similar position...I'm currently looking at post-bacs. I've been looking at this for years and finally decided to go for it.

I understand your concern about the whole 1 yr vs 2 yr thing.

I personally have concluded that if you have an aptitude for doing well in class and undertake a rigorous work load, you can do it in 1 yr. I know a lot of ppl that undertook a 5 course work load during undergard while working 20+ hours and did a lot of ECs. I KNOW that sciences are very challenging BUT just in terms of time / determination, I think doing a regular course load at college + a lot of ECs is comparable.

That being said, I think the real point of consideration (for me at least) is the "stress" factor. The stakes are high. That's what I've been thinking about. I feel pretty sure that I can do 3 sciences...but what I've been giving thought to is whether I can deal with doing extremely well AND taking the MCAT all at the same time. I'm sure you've seen the stats that are needed to get into a decent school and I sure remember all my friends stressing out/studying like crazy just to end up getting mediocre MCATs.

The 1 year programs though, as Newmans Own pointed out, do a good job of carefully considering whether an applicant can deal with 1 yr cramming + MCATS. Their stats certainly seem to boast this.

I personally have decided to go for it and apply to the 1 yr programs and see what happens. At the same time, I'm keeping my options open and will also consider the Harvard Extension School (which requires no application woohooo). At HES, you can design your own courseload.

In the end I think you just have to take a few steps back and check your gut while being realistic. A lot of it will be your drive and determination.

Good luck!!! Congrats on deciding to do the whole post-bac thing.

 

[Erisium]

I also agree that doing a 1-year is better than 2 years. Career changer post-bacs are designed specifically for people with little to no science background, and many many people have succeeded through that route. The top post-bacs all offer 1-year programs, which show med school adcoms you can handle the rigor of medicine. If you're determined and disciplined enough, you can definitely do well. Remember that you can always use the glide year (should you decide to take one) to beef up your research and take more upper-level classes. Good luck!

 

[futurepedonc84]

I am currently involved in a one-year post-bac program at a delightfully inexpensive state school...and thought that since I have two BMs (Bachelors of Music) that I might be able to offer a helpful two-cents.

The only students who know how big a change right brain thinking is from left brain thinking are the ones who have actually had to make it- and I will tell you- it is not at all easy.

Not easy. But not impossible, either.

I'm doing well...but only because I'm working my tail off, in the short amount of time that I have (I chose to continue working through the program).

So, if you want to do the one year program, and you can handle a large amount of stress well... then by all means, do it!

However...I have to ask. What's the rush to get to medical school? Especially for someone who has had no clinical experience?
I felt this once...after making such a big decision, you want to be able to act on it, right then and there...but take some things into consideration:

I've had many doctors and research scientists (some were the best of the best) say, regarding premedical preparation : "You can teach a dog science...but you cannot teach a person to love another person". Volunteering...and I don't mean just filing papers or bringing patients trays... will help you figure out if this really is the way for you to go. Shadowing is also very important.

I suggest that before you do ANYTHING else... spend a day shadowing. Find a vounteer program where you're actually exposed to patients, and can see their problems...the blood, guts...and the actual scary parts: the disasters that happen to be their lives. See how you deal with them. See how it changes you.

I remember my first day shadowing. It was at a pretty well known teaching hospital and lasted an unplanned 7 hours. It was probably one of the most amazing days of my life.
I will also remember my first day as a hospital chaplain. I don't remember a day filled with more hell, anger, amazment, wonder, and happiness. It was...awesome.

You're going to have to answer the question to someone, all too soon: Why do you want to be a doctor?
And I know you have an answer now. But I do not doubt that by then...you will have a story. It is that story that will say "This is how I learned that I do indeed love and care for other people...to the point where I will risk my life for their sake on a daily basis."

So, as a fellow musician (and you will always be, no matter what letters follow your name)- good luck. Feel free to private message me if you have any questions.

 

[Rooni]

Thanks for all the advice, folks! I really appreciate it!

For the record, my undergraduate GPA is 3.63, which as I understand it, is not spectacular but pretty decent. I'm used to a fairly rigorous course load, since music students at my school take an average of about ten classes a semester, but like futurepedonc84 said, I'm mostly a little worried about the sudden switch from music to science.

It sounds like the general consensus is that if I can get into one of the good one-year programs, then I can probably do it in one. I don't have a lot of background in math or science, but I don't have a history of struggling in it either, so my intuition is that I'll probably be all right.

 

[NewmansOwn]

Thanks for all the advice, folks! I really appreciate it!

For the record, my undergraduate GPA is 3.63, which as I understand it, is not spectacular but pretty decent. I'm used to a fairly rigorous course load, since music students at my school take an average of about ten classes a semester, but like futurepedonc84 said, I'm mostly a little worried about the sudden switch from music to science.

It sounds like the general consensus is that if I can get into one of the good one-year programs, then I can probably do it in one. I don't have a lot of background in math or science, but I don't have a history of struggling in it either, so my intuition is that I'll probably be all right.

You've got the right idea. 3.63 is better than mine and I'm in one of the top one-years. I can pretty much guarantee you'll be fine. People will surely disagree with me because I know many (if not most) feel differently, but I actually found my undergraduate liberal arts education harder than these sciences courses. It's almost refreshing to have (mostly) definite answers on tests and a finite amount of material to master -- that's not to say it's in any way easy, but you really will adapt well. An open-minded, liberal arts kind of brain will actually benefit you a great deal in classes like Organic Chemistry, where multiple possibilities exist for how a reaction may ultimately proceed.

 

[BORNagainSTDENT]

can some one elaborate on the math? do you mean that these sciences are similar to math or would one actually need math such as binomials etc?

 

[NewmansOwn]

can some one elaborate on the math? do you mean that these sciences are similar to math or would one actually need math such as binomials etc?

You'll just need to either have (or quickly develop) a facile understanding of things like basic algebra, trig functions, integrals (nothing too crazy), the quadratic and logarithms. You can learn this as you go, probably, as much of it will be review from high school. If you want, though, grab a book like Math Smart/Math Smart II and do a bit of review so you can hit the ground running.

 

[fireflygirl]

I disagree, and think someone in your situation should think about the two year program. If you have had 'zero' science classes, you will be required to do quite a bit of science in a short period of time. This would include either gen-chem in a condensed format the summer before, or orgo the summer after (can't take both at once).

This can be a real problem, esp if you haven't had a good deal of math in the past. I think with physics and gen chem that it isn't always the concepts that trip people up, it's being facile with math.

The worst thing that you could do is try to stuff everything into one year and not do well. If your situation was different (i.e. changing from engineering or another science with some background in math/science), my advice would be different.

I completely agree here. Everyone is different and just because someone else with no science background did alright doesn't mean another person will have the same experience. I graduated from a top UG institution with honors and struggled for the first semester in the post bac. I eventually did quite well but the grades that I got in the first semester (taking 3 lab courses at the same time which I DO NOT recommend for someone of the OPs background) totally screwed over my total GPA. But I really convinced myself that given my strong track record in UG, that I would be fine. I learned my lesson and stuck to 2 lab courses at a time which really helped me boost my GPA and just have the time to understand the material.

My advice is to take the 2 year route and if it turns out easier for the OP, then all the more better. Use the extra time to build a strong resume and gain the extra ciric experiences that will make you the OP a more solid candidate. And also enjoy some of the extra time and the life that you will still have - it only gets worse once you're in med school!!

 

[Rooni]

My advice is to take the 2 year route and if it turns out easier for the OP, then all the more better. Use the extra time to build a strong resume and gain the extra ciric experiences that will make you the OP a more solid candidate. And also enjoy some of the extra time and the life that you will still have - it only gets worse once you're in med school!!

Thank you! 🙂 I really appreciate the advice. As of now, I think I am going to apply to a range of programs, and then select what feels best from the ones I get accepted to.