Attrition rates

[Cyclechick]

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I was alarmed to learn that Columbia has something like a 50% attrition rate. Yikes! That seems like a pretty big gamble to me. What are some of the other post bacc attrition rates? I want to make sure I spend my money well.

 

[drizzt3117]

Attrition rates are primarily because people don't do well or like the program. The top formal postbacs have low attrition (although clearly not 0%) but it's rare for people to not finish (then again they're also only one year)

 

[Cyclechick]

The top programs are bm, goucher, scripps and mills? What do you think "rare" is? Like 1 in 10 drop out or more like 1 in 100?

 

[Stixman28]

You have uncovered a deep dark secret about post bac programs.

At Penn, the way they keep the % acceptance to med school rate so high, is that they only include students that finish the program, and get a committee letter (>6 credit hours and >3.0 gpa, credit system at penn is funny and 6 credit hours is much more like 6 courses). That's all fine and well...but they dont tell you that.

They also dont post the attrition rate, but Id say 10-25% or so dropped out after first year. Could be more, could be less, I was surprised to not see people though.

Most dropped bc classes are hard, and perhaps they were not prepared to put in the work

 

[dgm]

I don't think I'd worry much about attrition rates in a post-bacc program, because I'm not sure they have meaning. Technically I was in Penn's post-bacc pre-health program, but it was just a way to sign up for the few classes that I still needed to take. I took two bio classes at Penn, then took organic chem at Villanova, then returned to Penn for biochem... I didn't get a committee letter, because a) I didn't meet the minimum credit requirements for one, and b) as a vet school applicant I didn't care about a committee letter (maybe it is important for pre-meds?). So while I got what I needed out of the program, someone trying to track attrition rates might incorrectly assume that I didn't "finish". I imagine lots of people could be in a similar situation...

I'd just consider the overall academic quality of the school in question and make my decision based on that.

 

[NewmansOwn]

The top programs are bm, goucher, scripps and mills? What do you think "rare" is? Like 1 in 10 drop out or more like 1 in 100?

The top programs (BM, Goucher and Scripps are the most familiar) always lose 1 or 2 people over the course of the year, but never many more than that. And usually it's not for academic reasons. People find that they aren't personally invested enough to continue with all the BS, or they decide another career is best for them. Come to think of it, I can't think of anyone who desperately wanted to be a physician and just couldn't finish one of the formal programs. Everyone I know who peaced found something that interested them more. Good for them.

 

[drizzt3117]

The top programs (BM, Goucher and Scripps are the most familiar) always lose 1 or 2 people over the course of the year, but never many more than that. And usually it's not for academic reasons. People find that they aren't personally invested enough to continue with all the BS, or they decide another career is best for them. Come to think of it, I can't think of anyone who desperately wanted to be a physician and just couldn't finish one of the formal programs. Everyone I know who peaced found something that interested them more. Good for them.

Scripps tends to do that a bit less often just because our classes are soooo small and tight knit (15) but a few people do wash out.

 

[Cyclechick]

That's reassuring. Thanks for the info!

 

[NewmansOwn]

Scripps tends to do that a bit less often just because our classes are soooo small and tight knit (15) but a few people do wash out.

Woah Scripps is only 15 people? That's elite.

Though you guys won't stand much of a chance in the next Big Three postbac street rumble with that kind of manpower.

 

[drizzt3117]

Woah Scripps is only 15 people? That's elite.

Though you guys won't stand much of a chance in the next Big Three postbac street rumble with that kind of manpower.

yeah, BM would definitely have a leg up there... just watch out for Columbia... or georgetown SMP

 

[molly123]

I'm currently a 2nd year postbac at Columbia, and there is absolutely no way the attrition rate from this program is 50%! Speaking personally, I have been here for 4 semesters and haven't seen a single person (nor heard of anyone through the grapevine) leaving the program. The same people in my classes now are the same people I've been seeing since I started. It's a challenging program, but the students are dedicated and it seems that all of us have been able to tough it out.

The attrition rate is less than 5%, as indicated on the postbac website. http://www.gs.columbia.edu/postbac/admissions-faqs

Also, I think it's best to consider attrition as people leaving the program at their own discretion, not because they get kicked out. Things come up in life and occasionally people choose to switch up their paths. The attrition rate reflects those students, along with the (assumed few) number of students who are asked to leave after being unable to maintain the standard required by the administration.

Getting into the program initially indicates that you are a hardworking, motivated individual. The requirements for receiving committee support after finishing the program (maintain at least a 3.0) are in place because the administration recognizes that medical schools would expect this GPA at the very least, and getting into medical school is obviously the purpose of being in the postbac program!

Columbia's postbac is great. It's tough but it's worth it, and it's definitely nowhere as cutthroat or crazy as some people on here make it sound. Take it from me!