Advice: Elms Post-bacc vs. Hofstra Post-bacc

[B4IZ]

Hi everyone! New to SDN; I graduated last year with a low GPA (c: 2.93, s: (honestly idk, likely 2.6)) and got accepted into a few post-bacc programs this year. Currently, I'm having some trouble choosing between Elms Post-bacc and Hofstra's. I'm still waiting to hear back from BU MAMS, but given the price (and my stats), I wanted to look into the other programs. There's not a lot of current info from students who did these programs (Elms + Hofstra), so if anyone knows any info about the experience with each program, that would be amazing. Both post-baccs provide housing so, that's not a major issue for me as well.

Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Hiree44]

I did not go to Hofstra's post bacc, but I'm a Hofstra med student and I have a friend that's in the post bacc. Hofstra's med school doesn't usually accept students out of the post bacc because it's not known to be good. This is out of the mouth of the dean of admissions. From what I've seen, the post bacc has a really strange way of doing things. Both semesters of O chem are in one semester, which I find suspicious. Also, are you a career changer or going for a special master's? Because doing a career changing post-bacc as a premed with a low GPA might be a different experience for you.
I know nothing about Elm's sorry.

 

[B4IZ]

I did not go to Hofstra's post bacc, but I'm a Hofstra med student and I have a friend that's in the post bacc. Hofstra's med school doesn't usually accept students out of the post bacc because it's not known to be good. This is out of the mouth of the dean of admissions. From what I've seen, the post bacc has a really strange way of doing things. Both semesters of O chem are in one semester, which I find suspicious. Also, are you a career changer or going for a special master's? Because doing a career changing post-bacc as a premed with a low GPA might be a different experience for you.
I know nothing about Elm's sorry.

Oh wow, thanks for this! I haven't heard anything about Hofstra's post-bacc, so I appreciate it! How is your friend's experience in the post-bacc so far? And I'm an academic enhancer!

 

[Hypertrophy22]

I did not go to Hofstra's post bacc, but I'm a Hofstra med student and I have a friend that's in the post bacc. Hofstra's med school doesn't usually accept students out of the post bacc because it's not known to be good. This is out of the mouth of the dean of admissions. From what I've seen, the post bacc has a really strange way of doing things. Both semesters of O chem are in one semester, which I find suspicious. Also, are you a career changer or going for a special master's? Because doing a career changing post-bacc as a premed with a low GPA might be a different experience for you.
I know nothing about Elm's sorry.

The dean says they don't accept students from their own post bacc program? Wow that's saying something.
Personally I need an academic enhancer. Now I'm not so sure this would be a good one.

 

[deleted1028537]

Absolutely do not go to Elms College. The whole program is a scam ran by a super shady advisor. If you want to blow all your money and not get anything out of it then go here. As a former student I can tell you to avoid this program at all costs.

 

[B4IZ]

Absolutely do not go to Elms College. The whole program is a scam ran by a super shady advisor. If you want to blow all your money and not get anything out of it then go here. As a former student I can tell you to avoid this program at all costs.

Hey, thanks for your reply! What about Elms didn't you like? You're the first person I've heard say not to go there, I'm just curious to your experience there, if you don't mind!

 

[B4IZ]

The dean says they don't accept students from their own post bacc program? Wow that's saying something.
Personally I need an academic enhancer. Now I'm not so sure this would be a good one.

I agree, I need an academic enhancer also! It was helpful to get some insight since I haven't heard anything about the program from anyone else

 

[deleted1028537]

Hey, thanks for your reply! What about Elms didn't you like? You're the first person I've heard say not to go there, I'm just curious to your experience there, if you don't mind!

I did this program for my post bacc and finished it last year. Initially I met with the director multiple times before committing to the program. So let me give you the rundown of this program and why you should avoid it:

1. The director of the program is not trustworthy in my opinion and has played favorites throughout my time in that program. She will basically pick certain students from each cohort and favors them endlessly and not care about others. I have head rumors about her having certain biases towards certain type of people but I am not sure if its true or not.

2. The director is also clueless when it comes to advising and doesn't really have an idea about what you need on your application and how you can improve it. She also has a reputation of grading certain students differently than others and that can come back and bite you in the ass if she decides to base her bias towards you.

3. This program also has no linkage, it says that they have an linkage with LECOM but that is not true since we had a recruiter come from there last year and they said that the linkage only applies to undergraduate pre-med students from there and doesn't apply to Post-Baccs and Masters students.

All in all if I were you I would not make the same mistake as I did by basically losing 20K on a program which is definitely a bottom tier SMP/Post-Bacc program. You should look into applying to more reputable programs such as Tufts, Drexel, BU, Qunnipiac, Cincinnati or Georgetown. I doubt that you would want to blow 20K plus on a lousy program that will not judge you based on merit and hard work but instead will judge you on other biased factors.

 

[B4IZ]

I did this program for my post bacc and finished it last year. Initially I met with the director multiple times before committing to the program. So let me give you the rundown of this program and why you should avoid it:

1. The director of the program is not trustworthy in my opinion and has played favorites throughout my time in that program. She will basically pick certain students from each cohort and favors them endlessly and not care about others. I have head rumors about her having certain biases towards certain type of people but I am not sure if its true or not.

2. The director is also clueless when it comes to advising and doesn't really have an idea about what you need on your application and how you can improve it. She also has a reputation of grading certain students differently than others and that can come back and bite you in the ass if she decides to base her bias towards you.

3. This program also has no linkage, it says that they have an linkage with LECOM but that is not true since we had a recruiter come from there last year and they said that the linkage only applies to undergraduate pre-med students from there and doesn't apply to Post-Baccs and Masters students.

All in all if I were you I would not make the same mistake as I did by basically losing 20K on a program which is definitely a bottom tier SMP/Post-Bacc program. You should look into applying to more reputable programs such as Tufts, Drexel, BU, Qunnipiac, Cincinnati or Georgetown. I doubt that you would want to blow 20K plus on a lousy program that will not judge you based on merit and hard work but instead will judge you on other biased factors.

Oh wow, thanks for this! It's concerning about the biases, especially since I'm an URM. In terms of those programs, the majority are SMPs and my cGPA is a 2.93, so I figured I needed to get to the 3.0 mark to avoid getting screened out in the app process and I haven't taken my MCAT yet. I did apply to BU but haven't heard back yet. Right now I'm stuck between this program and Hofstra, but given the pandemic and the distance + money, I'm not sure. How did you feel about the program in terms of academics, MCAT prep and LORs? And if you don't mind me asking, where are you now in the process? Thanks!

 

[deleted1028537]

Oh wow, thanks for this! It's concerning about the biases, especially since I'm an URM. In terms of those programs, the majority are SMPs and my cGPA is a 2.93, so I figured I needed to get to the 3.0 mark to avoid getting screened out in the app process and I haven't taken my MCAT yet. I did apply to BU but haven't heard back yet. Right now I'm stuck between this program and Hofstra, but given the pandemic and the distance + money, I'm not sure. How did you feel about the program in terms of academics, MCAT prep and LORs? And if you don't mind me asking, where are you now in the process? Thanks!

Hey so I am an URM too and I can tell you to def not go here. I am currently an MS1 student at an DO school and doing well. In terms of the program its not bad in terms of rigor and there are some great professors who teach classes you need as pre-reqs (physics, ochem and gen bio). In terms of LOR I had a ton since I have a long history of working as an volunteer and an EMT and had my science professors from undergrad write me the letters. I did not trust the advisor because she was clueless and I knew the bias I felt against me and other students will get in her way of writing an effective letter. The MCAT prep on campus was great and prepped us well to take our exams. I just think that you should look into more established programs or do this program called Harvard Extension School.

 

[B4IZ]

Hey so I am an URM too and I can tell you to def not go here. I am currently an MS1 student at an DO school and doing well. In terms of the program its not bad in terms of rigor and there are some great professors who teach classes you need as pre-reqs (physics, ochem and gen bio). In terms of LOR I had a ton since I have a long history of working as an volunteer and an EMT and had my science professors from undergrad write me the letters. I did not trust the advisor because she was clueless and I knew the bias I felt against me and other students will get in her way of writing an effective letter. The MCAT prep on campus was great and prepped us well to take our exams. I just think that you should look into more established programs or do this program called Harvard Extension School.

Wow, I'm sorry about your experience! I'm glad you're doing well in med school and congratulations! Thanks for replying. It feels like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place since Elms and Hofstra were the two I was considering. I applied to the Harvard Extension School with no luck due to the sub 3.0. It seems that despite the classes and the MCAT prep, the advisor was made things difficult. If despite that, you're still recommending not to go, I definitely have really think about my options since I wanted to begin my post-bacc year this fall

 

[deleted1028537]

Wow, I'm sorry about your experience! I'm glad you're doing well in med school and congratulations! Thanks for replying. It feels like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place since Elms and Hofstra were the two I was considering. I applied to the Harvard Extension School with no luck due to the sub 3.0. It seems that despite the classes and the MCAT prep, the advisor was made things difficult. If despite that, you're still recommending not to go, I definitely have really think about my options since I wanted to begin my post-bacc year this fall

If you get into Hofstra please go there. Absolutely avoid Elms College because this is school is nothing but a scam ran by a really corrupt advisor. They will try to pry you in coming there and after they take all your money you're on your own. I really wish that the board of education look into the corrupt practices that take place in this school. I would even consider community college classes over going to Elms.

 

[MedSkoolDude2020]

Hi I am a former student who attended Elms too and I can attest that definitely avoid going to this program. The place is cesspool of corrupt practices and the administration/school doesn't do anything about it. Save your time and money and look at some reputable programs. Your gpa is low but def not a deal breaker, I am sure if you spend time doing research you will find a reputable post bacc/smp program which well help you achieve your goal. The corruption I witnessed at Elms is something I have never ever witnessed at other schools and there is only one person to blame for it (the advisor). Besides that program is fine. I doubt you will want to blow 50K on a program which has the potential to hinder your success and goals.

 

[B4IZ]

If you get into Hofstra please go there. Absolutely avoid Elms College because this is school is nothing but a scam ran by a really corrupt advisor. They will try to pry you in coming there and after they take all your money you're on your own. I really wish that the board of education look into the corrupt practices that take place in this school. I would even consider community college classes over going to Elms.

Oh wow, thank you! This was actually really helpful and I appreciate it, I definitely have a lot to consider now and I'm currently in touch with Hofstra about their courses.

 

[B4IZ]

Hi I am a former student who attended Elms too and I can attest that definitely avoid going to this program. The place is cesspool of corrupt practices and the administration/school doesn't do anything about it. Save your time and money and look at some reputable programs. Your gpa is low but def not a deal breaker, I am sure if you spend time doing research you will find a reputable post bacc/smp program which well help you achieve your goal. The corruption I witnessed at Elms is something I have never ever witnessed at other schools and there is only one person to blame for it (the advisor). Besides that program is fine. I doubt you will want to blow 50K on a program which has the potential to hinder your success and goals.

Hey thanks for replying! Yeah that's definitely true! I didn't think the program advisor would be like this, and it's sad that students have complained and nothing has happened. Did you do the program last year or sometime earlier? Despite the advisor, do you feel like you got what you expected from it? And if you don't mind me asking, where are you currently in your process?

 

[MedSkoolDude2020]

Hey thanks for replying! Yeah that's definitely true! I didn't think the program advisor would be like this, and it's sad that students have complained and nothing has happened. Did you do the program last year or sometime earlier? Despite the advisor, do you feel like you got what you expected from it? And if you don't mind me asking, where are you currently in your process?

Hi so currently I am in a masters in biomedical sciences at a reputable program because I need to solidify my application a little more. And despite the advisor and her bull**** politics the program wasn't bad. I was able to take some good foundation classes that were taught by really good professors. My advice to you is really exhaust all your options before considering this joke of a program. Save your money and try for a reputable program there (there is a lot that will take you with your GPA) than go here. Just my 2 cents.