Advice? Columbia Post-Bacc?

[Crake]

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Ok,
I'm trying to decide if spending up to $60,000 for a post-bacc program (e.g. Columbia) is worth the time and expense. It appears that MS are so competitive, that I would be written off by virtue of having a degree in the liberal arts rather than a hard-science B.S.

Even with a good run at a program such as Columbia, would I have a chance at getting into a top MS? Even a second or third tier MS?

-Thanks! 🙂

 

[Lindyhopper]

I have no first hand knowledge of Columbia's program, but I'm wondering if you have considered CUNY Hunter. I'm working on a masters in molecular cell bio at Hunter. The dept has many wonderful and helpful.
Currently, the basic core courses (Gen Bio etc.) are taught by some truly excellent teachers. I would particularly recommend our A&P course taught at the school of Health Sciences.
It's not too hard to find research opportunites and they are lenient about letting people take grad courses as non-Matrics.
So while I don't know about Columbia, I can say Hunter will give you a very good education, every opportunity to move on, and not a mountain of debt.

 

[jbing]

.

 

[Crake]

Thanks for all your input, I have heard many mixed reviews of CU so maybe I'll consider Hunter

 

[junebuguf]

To begin with, it really doesnt matter what your ugad major was to med schools, only that you performed well. That said, a 3.53 in Engineering is going to be more impressive than a 3.53 in the liberal arts.

Second, if I were you, I might seriously consider Columbia. Your gpa is strong, not great, but really good and about at the average for the MCP's and George Washingtons of the world with which Columbia has linkage agreements. It sounds like you already have soom good EC's. If you can get one or two good LOR's from undergrad, then you should really think about Columbia. Even though its expensive, it cuts down on the lag year--you could, concievably get in to Columbia's post-bacc this year and get into one of the schools with which they have linkage agreements for the 2005 entering class if you perform well in coursework and on the MCAT. I think this is best selling point of formal post-bacc programs. They are geared for applicants like you that have strong numbers already.

You can get good volunteer experience while in the program and pick up a letter of two from the professors/supervisors there. And even though it may be 30-40k more expensive, in the long run, you will be a praticing physician for one more year ($$$) so dont worry about the cost.

There are many other schools that have linkage agreements for post-baccs. I know Johns Hopkins and U of Penn have some but I really dont know is you're too late to get into the programs itself. I'm also not sure how early you have to apply to be in consideration for the linkage agreements. Your best bet if you're interested in this option is to call the program directors at these schools and ask them if you're competitive and when the deadlines, requirements are...

 

[Crake]

wow, great advice, thanks for giving me some encouragement! I think that I will probably give Columbia a chance (if I'm accepted) as I already have many personal contacts in the city. Basically, I was torn between Hunter and Columbia, having heard that CU was so disorganized (particularly some horror stories concerning committee LOR's) and expensive. But you make a good point in that if I qualify for a linkage program, I'll be making up for the glide year with an extra year of working (I hadn't really considered that). You mentioned that I could get good volunteer experience while in the program. I was wondering if CU helped you to find volunteer opportunities (and research opportunities) or if you were responsible for doing that on your own. Thanks again to everyone for their helpful advice!

 

[Crake]

Oh and Junebug (and anyone else who's familiar with the program), if you did go to CU post-bacc, I'm curious as to how you thought the advising/life/curriculum was there. Please feel free to PM me!