Another late application chances question

[Nuggles]

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Hi everyone,

I'm graduating this March and am hoping to get into a post-bacc program this fall (or next summer in the case of certain programs). I knew from the beginning that I would be at a disadvantage when it came to admissions (since I won't be able to complete my application until late-March--when my transcript will show that I have graduated), however I was always under the impression that there would still be a few seats available come early April. I just read in another thread that this apparently is not the case as most of the top post-bacc programs are now close to full (and it's only February!)

I'm planning to apply to the career-changer programs at: Goucher, Harvard Extension, UPenn, Columbia and NYU. What are my chances getting into these schools if I apply in late-March/early-April? I'm not in a particular rush to get in this year (so if my chances are very low, I'm not against waiting).

Thanks, some brief info about me:

-Economics major at a nice university with a cum. GPA of 3.7, a major GPA of 3.85 and a science GPA (science + math) of 3.97.
-My high school GPA is around a 3.75
-I have not taken any core sciences classes before--I've taken only 3 science classes and they were all "topics courses" for nonmajors.
-I haven't taken the GRE before... The only standardized test scores I have are from high school; my SAT score was around 1310.
-I have two good letter of recommendations and I think my application essays are good
-The main weakness of my application will probably be my interview... I'm not very good at talking, but I'll try my best to improve this aspect as much as possible before the interviews (assuming I manage to get any)

So... yea, what are my chances if I can't apply until late March? If my chances are very low, should I still try applying? How do these programs tend to view second-time applicants (i.e. if I fail to get in this year, but apply again next year)? Do they view it favorably?

Thanks!

(Also, if anyone has been in a similar situation as me, please share how your experience went!)

 

[moneduloides]

How did you come across the information that you needed to have actually graduated prior to application? This might be the case, but it sounds weird; graduate programs in general (MA/MS/MD/PhD/JD/etc...) all allow application prior to graduation with the understanding that you must graduate to matriculate. For instance, I know of at least one person attending Goucher this coming year that is currently in school and this person definitely applied early on.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll be fine for Harvard Extension. The others would be quite difficult. You didn't mention any EC's, and without them you will almost definitely be rejected from Goucher, UPenn and Columbia (I know nothing about NYU's program), no matter when you apply.

 

[Nuggles]

Thanks for the reply moneduloides,

I forgot to mention that I've been shadowing doctors at the nearby medical center (in the ER, OR and clinics) for about 14 hours/week for the past few months. Apart from that and a few odd TA/internship jobs I've had here and there, I don't really have many ECs.. That's probably another weakness of my application that I should have mentioned...

And if graduation is not a requirement for application, then that is great news!! I'll be able to apply within a few weeks (once the recommendation letters are written in early March)! I'm not sure where I got the information that graduation was required, but I remember one of the program coordinators saying that; I'll double check on everything. Thanks again!

And regarding rejections, if you've been rejected from a program, and reapply the next year, how do they tend to view re-applicants? Thanks

 

[Erisium]

I don't think you'd have too much trouble applying during senior year of school. I'm at Goucher and I have several classmates who joined the program right after graduation, so obviously they applied when they hadn't received their diplomas. As for re-applying if you don't get in this year: one of my classmates applied to Goucher for 07-08, was not accepted, worked another year, and re-applied for 08-09. He got in the second time around. I don't know about the other programs, but I can't see how anyone would flat-out reject you twice if you show that you strengthened your application somehow between applications. Good luck!

 

[Nuggles]

Thanks Erisium for the info!

 

[Erisium]

No problem! Any other questions, feel free to post.

Are you from a school in Chicago, btw? The Windy City has good representation in the program. At least 2 people are Chicago natives, 2 others went to the University of Chicago, and one went to Northwestern.

 

[Nuggles]

I'm currently studying at the UofC. But my family lives in Hong Kong (I'm a US citizen though, so that should be ok I hope 😱)

 

[Erisium]

I'm from the UofC too, and I worked in HK for a while. You'd be in good company at Goucher.

For what it's worth, Goucher usually holds a few spots open into March/April because they know a lot of strong candidates submit then, so I wouldn't worry too much. You could always contact the office as well and Betsy and Sharon would probably be pretty upfront with you about how things stand.

 

[Nuggles]

Thanks again Erisium! I will probably call them within a week or two after I get a final layer of polish on the app