I'm a little confused on Post-bacc programs. According to this website, a lot of people have considered doing the post-bacc program -- the criteria for most of them (like UCSDs and UCLAs) is that you have to either be disadvantaged economically or educationally. Does that mean I would be eligible to apply if I have a relatively low GPA (~3.2-3.3)? Are the programs competitive to get into?
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411 on Post-bacc Programs
Started by shree1919
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I don't think having a sub-par GPA qualifies as being "educationally disadvantaged". It's more along the lines of having attended overcrowded public schools in areas that are usually underfunded.
The UC programs are competitive and helpful in getting well-performing students into medical school. The easiest way to get an answer to your eligibility question is to contact the programs you're interested in and ask them directly.
If you don't qualify, you can take additional courses through the CSU system. SFSU recently suspended their program but I believe other campuses (Long Beach comes to mind) still allow post-baccalaureates to complete additional coursework.
The UC programs are competitive and helpful in getting well-performing students into medical school. The easiest way to get an answer to your eligibility question is to contact the programs you're interested in and ask them directly.
If you don't qualify, you can take additional courses through the CSU system. SFSU recently suspended their program but I believe other campuses (Long Beach comes to mind) still allow post-baccalaureates to complete additional coursework.
First of all low GPA is not equal to educationally disadvantage. To be educationally disadvantage you have to grow up in an environment with little access to education. For example, a high school that is overcrowded, with little or no college advising, etc.
Maybe you attend a junior college instead of a four year university because you can't afford to go to a four year university or little high school advising.
Second there is a wide range of admission requirements for different CA Post Bacs. Davis for instance puts emphasis on community service while UCSF are more balanced (i.e. grades, community service, and research). UC Post bac is highly competitive because about 2 - 3% of the applicants are selected. (typically 10 out of 600 applicants get selected)
Third there is a wide range of GPA and MCAT for their accepted students. High GPA and MCAT is always better but you need to have the extracurricular and Letter of Recommendations to back it up. I heard that the GPA range from 3.7 - 3.0 and MCAT range > 27.
I received an acceptance to the UCSF post bac with a 3.37 (Undergrad) 30N, and a 3.9 Post Bac GPA. And I got in through an alternate list.. meaning that I wasn't their top choice.
If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.
