Anyone know what stats are needed for top tier career changer postbacc programs?

[alphabetsoup13]

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I have been searching everywhere for any indication of what range of undgraduate statistics top programs such as Mills, Scripps, etc typically accept but haven't been able to find anything. Does anyone have any info or experience with these schools or career changer specific schools in general?

 

[jjf2139]

You would most likely want to have at least a decent GPA - 3.0 or higher, however most of the top tier schools such as Columbia and Mills, etc. would like to see a slightly more competitive GPA (I got into Columbia with a 3.3 undergrad GPA). Most Postbac schools do not require science classes if they are true career changers, but I would look into that as well on a school-by-school basis to see if any additional courses such as Calculus are required.

Volunteer/leadership experience will greatly help your cause as well - remember that these programs are looking for people they think can get placed into med. schools so anything you do along that track will help you with your applications.

 

[drizzt3117]

You would most likely want to have at least a decent GPA - 3.0 or higher, however most of the top tier schools such as Columbia and Mills, etc. would like to see a slightly more competitive GPA (I got into Columbia with a 3.3 undergrad GPA). Most Postbac schools do not require science classes if they are true career changers, but I would look into that as well on a school-by-school basis to see if any additional courses such as Calculus are required.

Volunteer/leadership experience will greatly help your cause as well - remember that these programs are looking for people they think can get placed into med. schools so anything you do along that track will help you with your applications.

Again, Columbia and Mills aren't top
tier programs. Columbia takes anyone with a 3.0 pretty much.

As far as the top tier (JHU, Scripps, BM, Goucher), in order to feel comfortable about getting accepted, you want about a 3.7 from a reputable school and math and verbal total of about 1350 or above with some clinical experience and a really good reason for wanting to be a doctor.

 

[NewmansOwn]

I agree with drizz that a 3.7 from a reputable school will make you feel "comfortable" about being accepted. I, myself, had a notably lower GPA from a school with a reputation for grade deflation. This is not to say you'll get into any of the aforementioned programs with a 3.0, because you won't, but if you have a 3.4 - 3.5 from a notoriously challenging school (Chicago, MIT, Rice, Vanderbilt...bunch of others), you could very well be fine.

In my experience, the GPA is actually more flexible than the SAT score. I've advised a couple people on admission to top postbac programs who had great applications but mediocre standardized test scores and found themselves on the losing side of the game. Strange, but it happens. I suppose no one wants to take the chance that they'll teach you for a year and then you'll just bomb the MCAT.

 

[alphabetsoup13]

Thanks for all the replies.

NewmansOwn, what would you consider a mediocre SAT/ACT score?

Does anyone have any knowledge about Mills specifically? I searched the forums and pmed a few people but haven't gotten a response yet.

 

[NewmansOwn]

I don't know how the extra 800 points on the SAT these days factor in but for the old 1600 crowd, I'd say anything less than 1350 is mediocre. That's not to say folks haven't gotten in with lesser - I am certain they have -- but that's my call if we're going to make a strict numbers game out of it.

 

[drizzt3117]

Thanks for all the replies.

NewmansOwn, what would you consider a mediocre SAT/ACT score?

Does anyone have any knowledge about Mills specifically? I searched the forums and pmed a few people but haven't gotten a response yet.

I think sdn is pretty devoid of mills people which is rather surprising. I don't know that much about the program except that it's 2 years and that they put a good amount of ppl into sf.

 

[mtulli]

Even if your application is perfect, 25% of the game still boils down to luck. Just don't forget that now, or ever and you will prepare yourself better for the future. That being said, SAT's imo are more important than GPA. 1350+ is a good approximation.

(Plus, research, life experience, clinical exposure, good reason, etc.--as summarized by the fellas above.)

My GPA was well beyond what should be comfortable and my SAT's are a straight match for what is average. It was a no go. With such a competitive applicant pool there is no reason to pick any students other than the ones with the best composite. I think their discretion here accounts for their students' success on the MCAT. One does not equal the other but a student with the natural aptitude as proven on the SAT has greater starting potential to succeed on the MCAT (at face value).

Just apply to other schools too. Don't limit yourself to JHU, Scripps, Goucher, and Bryn Mawr. Will you only be applying to Harvard, Penn, JHU, and Yale Med? 😛

 

[alphabetsoup13]

This is all great advice guys. I really appreciate it!!

That being said, is anyone aware of second tier programs that are similar to these top ones? I am looking for a real program, not just an advisor that will tell me which classes to take when.

 

[deleted248403]

I am looking for a real program, not just an advisor that will tell me which classes to take when.

What is a "real" program?

There is no secret to what the premed reqs are and nor to the slight variance in sequence in which you can take them whether spread over 1 or 2 years.
If you are defining "real" as linkages then say it; a lot of ppl seemingly want an advisor for their premed sequence.

So what is your definition of "real" and we'll suggest some programs

 

[alphabetsoup13]

What is a "real" program?

There is no secret to what the premed reqs are and nor to the slight variance in sequence in which you can take them whether spread over 1 or 2 years.
If you are defining "real" as linkages then say it; a lot of ppl seemingly want an advisor for their premed sequence.

So what is your definition of "real" and we'll suggest some programs

I am referring to structured programs that foster a true post baccalaureate student community as opposed to simply throwing us in with other undergrads. I have read many posts on this board that express sentiments highlighting the difference between such programs.

Here is one post that articulates what I'm trying to say:

There are "programs" and there are programs. Seattle U does not compare with a structured postbac such as Mills or Scripps, and calling it a "postbac program" is a stretch. The program isn't much more than a web page telling you what classes to take, and access to an adviser and a club with negligible value add.

I apologize for the confusion!

 

[premedraja]

You would most likely want to have at least a decent GPA - 3.0 or higher, however most of the top tier schools such as Columbia and Mills, etc. would like to see a slightly more competitive GPA (I got into Columbia with a 3.3 undergrad GPA). Most Postbac schools do not require science classes if they are true career changers, but I would look into that as well on a school-by-school basis to see if any additional courses such as Calculus are required.

Volunteer/leadership experience will greatly help your cause as well - remember that these programs are looking for people they think can get placed into med. schools so anything you do along that track will help you with your applications.

I am currently at an Ivy institution and I am looking into Columbia as well and have a similar cGPA of about 3.3. However, my science GPA isn't too hot (I have only taken bio so far). Which GPA matters more for Columbia? Cumulative or science? Do I stand a chance of getting in? I'd say I have good/decent volunteer and leadership experience.

Any advice or help would be great!🙂

 

[SMBand]

Sorry to interject, I just made another post about this, but maybe you have some insight too?

I graduated Emory University with a BA in Computer Science and a BA in Economics... I have a 2.98 cumulative uGPA. (My Comp Sci major was about 2.88 and My Econ major was about 3.35). I took Biol 1 and 2, and Calculus when I was a freshman (back in 2000), but I at least want to retake biology.

My SAT's were 650v, 720m = 1370

I volunteer heavily at my city hospital's ER, which is a regional Level II Trauma center. I have over 300 hours under my belt so far, have been given a lot of responsibility, and have done a lot of clinical exposure/patient interaction (within my scope of course). I also have shadowing and an surgical externship/observership lined up for later this year. I also have completed an EMT-B course - but have not yet taken the national certification exam.

Do I have a shot at getting into Post Bacc with these current stats? I wish there was some way to raise my 2.98 to a 3.00 so I can meet Post Bacc cut-offs!

If I have a shot, which programs should I aim for? If not, should I try to boost my GPA before I apply to post bacc?

 

[drizzt3117]

You're competitive for some postbac programs. Maybe Columbia (they have a 3.0 cutoff, but might waive it since you have good test scores) although I wouldn't recommend it, Penn, HES as I mentioned before, perhaps programs like Northwestern and Wash U as well if you're in the area.

 

[SMBand]

You're competitive for some postbac programs. Maybe Columbia (they have a 3.0 cutoff, but might waive it since you have good test scores) although I wouldn't recommend it, Penn, HES as I mentioned before, perhaps programs like Northwestern and Wash U as well if you're in the area.

Thanks, drizzt. What do you mean by "good test scores"? I don't have any test scores so far except for my SAT. Do I need to take the GRE too?

What other programs would you recommend besides HES, Northwestern, and Wash U? I am not looking for top-top-tier schools on account of my crappy uGPA.

I am so confused and overwhelmed by the list maintained at http://services.aamc.org/postbac/ . I am using this as a base to start my research. It is somewhat overwhelming to research each school individually (there are 79 schools for undergraduate level postbacs here). I am having a hard time figuring out the best method to narrow down the list of schools to apply to, given my stats and that I already took Biology 10 years ago (I hope I can retake this prereq though). I really don't care about location, because I will have to relocate regardless.

Any advice? I'm sorry for the rant, I'm just frustrated tonight!

 

[drizzt3117]

I was referring to your SAT. I would focus on the programs I recommended.

Thanks, drizzt. What do you mean by "good test scores"? I don't have any test scores so far except for my SAT. Do I need to take the GRE too?

What other programs would you recommend besides HES, Northwestern, and Wash U? I am not looking for top-top-tier schools on account of my crappy uGPA.

I am so confused and overwhelmed by the list maintained at http://services.aamc.org/postbac/ . I am using this as a base to start my research. It is somewhat overwhelming to research each school individually (there are 79 schools for undergraduate level postbacs here). I am having a hard time figuring out the best method to narrow down the list of schools to apply to, given my stats and that I already took Biology 10 years ago (I hope I can retake this prereq though). I really don't care about location, because I will have to relocate regardless.

Any advice? I'm sorry for the rant, I'm just frustrated tonight!

 

[SMBand]

I was referring to your SAT. I would focus on the programs I recommended.

Thanks, drizzt! I really appreciate your advice. Good place to start.