Another DIY vs. post-bacc thread

[psychtopostbacc]

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Hi all, new member here who's recently become interested in pursuing a career in medicine. I realize there are tons of threads like this but I'd appreciate any feedback/advice you can give!

I graduated with a BA in psychology in 2018 (GPA: 3.93) from a highly ranked public institution. There, I was in clinical research labs for almost two years, earning one poster presentation, one publication (not first author), and an award for excellence in research. Since, I have moved to NYC where I worked for a well-known cancer hospital, recruiting for research studies in psycho-oncology (lots of patient exposure and interaction). I earned one first-author poster presentation and two publications (one second author). I've since moved on to another research-oriented role at another institution in NYC. It was during my time at the cancer hospital that I realized a fascination for medicine.

All that said, I did not take a single med school pre-req in college, so I have a lot of work to do. I find the post-bacc program at NYU highly appealing, but the cost is incredibly prohibitive. I already have some (minor) debt from undergrad and I'm hesitant to take on $100k in loans for a program that ultimately may not do anything for me.

So, my questions:

1. Based on my background with research and clinical interactions, am I well set to pursue a medical career? Like I mentioned, I have not taken any of the necessary science requirements, so I would have to do all of them in a post-bacc.
2. Jumping off of my lack of experience in hard science, would I be better suited at a program like NYU where I'd be able to devote all of my time to my studies (while spending a lot), or should I aim to take non-degree classes in the city while maintaining my current job?
3. Does anyone have any tips to financing a post-bacc aside from ridiculous private loans?
4. Anyone with experience at the NYU post-bacc, PLEASE share your stories and tips.

If you have ANY advice or tips for me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks to you all!

 

[PeteM14]

You sound pretty well set up to pursue a medical career. In terms of a post-bacc, paying $100k for one is absolutely wild.

I was like you in that I had no science pre-reqs, so I completed a post-bacc at the City College of New York while working full-time. Taking three years was a bit longer than I would have liked (I took two classes per semester, and one class each summer), but I had to keep working to pay that NYC rent. You could definitely do a post-bacc at CCNY in way less time if you can work less and money is less of a concern.

In the end, the CCNY post-bacc set me up well, probably cost around $12k or less (which I paid without taking any loans), and I got into med school.

You're gonna have to ask yourself these questions: do I want to work while completing a post-bacc? am I okay with taking a bit longer to get into med school if I do work? Is it worth it to take loans for a post-bacc when I'm going to have to take big ones out for med school?

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Hi all, new member here who's recently become interested in pursuing a career in medicine. I realize there are tons of threads like this but I'd appreciate any feedback/advice you can give!

I graduated with a BA in psychology in 2018 (GPA: 3.93) from a highly ranked public institution. There, I was in clinical research labs for almost two years, earning one poster presentation, one publication (not first author), and an award for excellence in research. Since, I have moved to NYC where I worked for a well-known cancer hospital, recruiting for research studies in psycho-oncology (lots of patient exposure and interaction). I earned one first-author poster presentation and two publications (one second author). I've since moved on to another research-oriented role at another institution in NYC. It was during my time at the cancer hospital that I realized a fascination for medicine.

All that said, I did not take a single med school pre-req in college, so I have a lot of work to do. I find the post-bacc program at NYU highly appealing, but the cost is incredibly prohibitive. I already have some (minor) debt from undergrad and I'm hesitant to take on $100k in loans for a program that ultimately may not do anything for me.

So, my questions:

1. Based on my background with research and clinical interactions, am I well set to pursue a medical career? Like I mentioned, I have not taken any of the necessary science requirements, so I would have to do all of them in a post-bacc.
2. Jumping off of my lack of experience in hard science, would I be better suited at a program like NYU where I'd be able to devote all of my time to my studies (while spending a lot), or should I aim to take non-degree classes in the city while maintaining my current job?
3. Does anyone have any tips to financing a post-bacc aside from ridiculous private loans?
4. Anyone with experience at the NYU post-bacc, PLEASE share your stories and tips.

If you have ANY advice or tips for me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks to you all!

I am a former psych major turned MD applicant, so maybe I can offer some input.

Before you spend a dime on a post-bacc - formal or DIY - you need to do some dedicated shadowing of physicians, especially primary care docs, outside of your place of employment. You need to see physicians work when not encumbered by your research role, I can't stress this enough. You have only seen one small side of medicine from a research perspective, but that's not going to be enough to truly inform whether medicine is a good career for you or not. I recommend spending at least 40 hours shadowing a primary care physician (so that means a pediatrician, IM, or FM doc) before making any financial commitments to this process.

Also, I have heard from SDN adcoms that interacting with patients in a research capacity doesn't really count as clinical experience from a medical school application perspective. That type of activity is still categorized as "research" on your application. Adcoms like to see that you're interacting with patients while they're receiving treatment, so that usually means hospital/hospice/outpatient clinic volunteering. Since you're already connected to a cancer center, I recommend doing some volunteering with patients receiving IV chemotherapy. That's incredibly rewarding work.

But just to address your NYU question, I personally think $100K is an insane and unwise amount of money to spend on post-bacc coursework. I was in the same boat as you - no medical school prerequisites at all when I started my DIY postbacc, but I did it at a cheap state school for less than $30K.

 

[Goro]

1. Based on my background with research and clinical interactions, am I well set to pursue a medical career? Like I mentioned, I have not taken any of the necessary science requirements, so I would have to do all of them in a post-bacc.

Only you can answer this. Medicine is a calling. But your clinical experiences are excellent



2. Jumping off of my lack of experience in hard science, would I be better suited at a program like NYU where I'd be able to devote all of my time to my studies (while spending a lot), or should I aim to take non-degree classes in the city while maintaining my current job?

There's no way that program is worth $100K! You could get four year UG degree for less than that! In reality, these programs are a dime a dozen. Do your research. Can you relocate?

3. Does anyone have any tips to financing a post-bacc aside from ridiculous private loans?

Work for a few years and save up the money.


If you have ANY advice or tips for me, I would greatly appreciate it.
You can do this DIY. SDN can be your advisor, if you can get past the angst and neuroses here.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

If you have ANY advice or tips for me, I would greatly appreciate it.
You can do this DIY. SDN can be your advisor, if you can get past the angst and neuroses here.

This is absolutely true!!! I've been at this premed process for many more years than I'd like to admit, and I've done it completely alone - no premed friends, no advisers, no physicians in my family. Every move I've made has been informed by my lurkings around on SDN (off and on since about 2008; I finally made an account last year). I genuinely believe I would not be applying for medical school this year if it weren't for this forum.
The people here are total lunatics, but I love you guys anyway 😍

 

[psychtopostbacc]

In terms of a post-bacc, paying $100k for one is absolutely wild.

There's no way that program is worth $100K!

Sorry guys, I didn't mention that this would be tuition + living expenses... obviously still outrageously expensive.

Also, I have heard from SDN adcoms that interacting with patients in a research capacity doesn't really count as clinical experience from a medical school application perspective. That type of activity is still categorized as "research" on your application. Adcoms like to see that you're interacting with patients while they're receiving treatment, so that usually means hospital/hospice/outpatient clinic volunteering. Since you're already connected to a cancer center, I recommend doing some volunteering with patients receiving IV chemotherapy. That's incredibly rewarding work.

I should note that I was working with patients while they were receiving treatment; I was also in the ICU daily speaking with patients and their families. Good to know that it may not count for much when it comes to clinical shadowing - I'll reach out to my connections at my former job and see if they are aware of any opportunities.

In the end, the CCNY post-bacc set me up well, probably cost around $12k or less

I've visited their website and I could potentially see myself going through their program. Did you ever have a hard time registering for the courses you wanted? It says their undergrads are prioritized in registration, and I'd only be available starting 4pm at the earliest due to my work schedule. Also, what were the advisers like? Were you able to get a committee letter? Did you feel well-prepared going into the app process?

You can do this DIY.

Thanks for your encouragement. It's a huge, daunting undertaking (all of it, but this first step is what is most concerning right now), and I appreciate your confidence.

Thank you to everyone who responded!

 

[PeteM14]

I've visited their website and I could potentially see myself going through their program. Did you ever have a hard time registering for the courses you wanted? It says their undergrads are prioritized in registration, and I'd only be available starting 4pm at the earliest due to my work schedule. Also, what were the advisers like? Were you able to get a committee letter? Did you feel well-prepared going into the app process?

I recall worrying about registering for classes when I started, but I never had an issue. My work sounds like it was a little more flexible than yours. I was able to take general physics I & II, bio I & II, and chemistry I & II at night after work. The more upper level classes like orgo and biochem were not always available at night, so I took them in the morning, and worked later that day and stayed an our later on other days. The advisers are pretty good, if a bit overworked. I did get a committee letter in the form of a letter from the head premed advisor which all schools I applied to accepted as a committee letter since it was from a post-bacc program. You'll be well-prepared going into the app process if you use both the advisors at school and reputable people on SDN.

You might also want to look at CUNY: Hunter's post-bacc. Their program is more regimented I think and you may have missed the deadline to apply until the next academic year.

 

[psychtopostbacc]

You might also want to look at CUNY: Hunter's post-bacc.

I've looked into this program but unfortunately they've discontinued it (not taking new applicants). However, I could register as a non-trad student and do it informally... though I don't think they grant committee letters to non-degree seeking students. I'm very new to this process, so forgive me, but does not having a committee letter severely hurt your chances of getting into a decent MD school? Thanks again!

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I've looked into this program but unfortunately they've discontinued it (not taking new applicants). However, I could register as a non-trad student and do it informally... though I don't think they grant committee letters to non-degree seeking students. I'm very new to this process, so forgive me, but does not having a committee letter severely hurt your chances of getting into a decent MD school? Thanks again!

I would only do this process as a degree-seeking student. That allows you to access federal loans and priority registration. If the program doesn't let you enter as a degree-seeking student, it's going to be way more expensive, and you'll also likely be given lowest priority in terms of enrolling in the classes you need. You don't actually have to finish the degree/major you declare.

But to answer your question, not having a committee letter won't hurt your chances if you have a good reason for not obtaining one (i.e., your institution doesn't offer one to you for whatever reason). You will be given a chance to explain this on your secondaries if the medical school cares about this.

It gets iffy if you have the ability to get a committee letter but you reject your school's letter. That's bad optics for an applicant.

 

[psychtopostbacc]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! Such a great community here.

I would only do this process as a degree-seeking student. That allows you to access federal loans and priority registration. If the program doesn't let you enter as a degree-seeking student, it's going to be way more expensive, and you'll also likely be given lowest priority in terms of enrolling in the classes you need. You don't actually have to finish the degree/major you declare.

Sorry if you're the wrong person to ask, but how does this generally work? Since I've already obtained a BA would I just be applying as if I desired a second undergraduate degree?

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! Such a great community here.


Sorry if you're the wrong person to ask, but how does this generally work? Since I've already obtained a BA would I just be applying as if I desired a second undergraduate degree?

Exactly. You just apply as a second degree seeking student. That’s what I did with my DIY post bac. When I finished my prerequisites, I withdrew and started repaying my student loans.

 

[PsychPop]

Hey looks like I found the relatable psych thread what a joy!
I am going to be doing the same journey as you my friend but unfortunately for me, my GPA is not so steller at a 3.0. I actually still have one year of undergrad left but I am only managing to squeeze in one year of BIO, so I too have to take all the prereqs and kill the MCAT. As they have said above get some shadowing hours with a physician! I just completed 50 with a family medicine doc this summer and it was very interesting and eye-opening to see what it is actually like to be a doctor (warning: lots of charting ahead! ). I also shadowed a PA which was a very similar experience as they pretty much at primary care level can do the same things. I would strongly suggest looking into the PA route as well as it offers similar outcomes such as being a healthcare provider, but the big plus is you can finish a program in two years, and have lateral mobility of specialties which MDs simply do not have. They also still make great money too!
Good luck!