a note on scripps post bac

[softy]

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just wanted to give people a head's up on this program in case they are thinking of applying...

i applied to three post bac programs: scripps, usc and mills. i was accepted into usc and mills and hadn't heard back from scripps. at all. i started classes at ucla extension to just refresh and prepare myself for one of these formal post bac programs, but ended up doing really well - straight A's - so for now i'm going to keep going. i still might transfer these classes into USC because their program is pretty strong, but i'm not sure yet because of the cost.

as for scripps - i applied in september, and it's april now. i literally haven't heard a peep. finally gave them a call to see what was going on - even if it was just a rejection, and it turns out that they have 1 recommendation and a copy of my transcripts on file. no SAT scores, no actual application or anything. which is interesting, because i have receipts from college board and a receipt from scripps college itself confirming acceptance of my application.

it's almost mid-april by now, so obviously their post bac class is most likely full. it's ok for me, because i don't mind sticking with ucla extension or usc. but for people who have scripps as their number one priority, i would definitely follow up and make sure that they are not randomly losing parts of your application for one reason or another.

the only thing that really annoys me is all the money it cost to send stuff over to them...$41 for SAT score, $10 for transcripts, a bunch of prepaid envelopes with delivery confirmation for my professors...it would have been fine if they had just looked at my application and even rejected me, at least i would have gotten something for my money instead of literally nothing.

 

[johnnyscans]

Why did it take you so long to follow up with them?

 

[softy]

it wasn't my top choice, so i wasn't really invested in whether or not i got in. besides, usc and mills handled everything smoothly and i didn't have to follow up with either of them. with scripps' reputation, i would think they would be even better than mills and usc in handling simple things like applications. i only followed up now on principle - i spent all that money, might as well see what was going on. i also moved to los angeles from nyc recently, so i was preoccupied with other items that were more pressing - not babysitting a post bac program's admission's office.

sorry, don't mean to sound mean. but at this point, i've called them multiple times and each time they've told me to call back and/or someone would also reach out to me. every time i call, they tell me i need to call back, and if i leave my number, they'll definitely call me back.

as i said though, not a big deal for me - i'm on track to take the MCAT by next spring and apply next cycle, and that's what's most important.

 

[anonymous1200]

Scripps is incredibly disorganized and would lose files constantly - not a surprise

 

[snooper]

You should ask for your application fee back since they obviously didn't review it.

 

[phenoflier]

Scripps is incredibly disorganized and would lose files constantly - not a surprise

This is simply not a constructive comment. Scripps has, at most, 17 spots available. For those 17 spots it gets more than 300 applications. Certain students will hear back sooner than others based on the exchange between who they want to accept into the program and who they think will actually matriculate. Part of the process of a selective post-bac program is that you have to wait. It is frustrating and I totally sympathize with you. In a perfect world, you would not have to sit around for months waiting to hear a response. Unfortunately, as you know, this is a very competitive program that essentially pre-screens out students that it thinks will be most successful in the general med school admissions process. If you decide to apply to a competitive post-bacc program like Scripps/Goucher/Bryn Mawr/JHU then you need to understand that this is part of the process. If it bothers you now, it will drive you nuts when you apply for med school, when you apply for residency, when you apply for fellowship, etc. This is a test to see if this is something you really want to commit your life to, because you will encounter similar "gate keeper" obstacles numerous times during your path.

If it's worth it to you, be patient, be realistic about the process and be honest about yourself. If there is something that you think might be holding you back in an application to Scripps, it will likely become an issue again when you apply to med school after completing your pre-reqs. As a current student in med school, I will tell you that though these initial barriers may be disheartening, they are there for a reason. Would you rather get bad news now or in 2 years? Sometimes, though it is painful (trust me, I've been there) it really is time to move on to the next thing. It's up to you whether you can accept that negative feedback and move on to something besides medicine or take steps to address things that you think do not represent your true capability/desire and try again.