Benefits of Enrolling in a Post-Bac Program

[patchouli]

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Hi,

I was wondering if there were significant benefits to enrolling in a formal post-bac program as opposed to just taking courses as a non-degree student or a 2nd degree/transfer student?

Would it be difficult to obtain a committee letter of recommendation without being in a post-bac program?

I'm located in NY, and I'm currently looking at Hunter and CCNY.

Also, I have already completed general chemistry, would I have to retake general chemistry if I enrolled in a post-bac program?

Thanks!

 

[rgerber85]

I don't know... I'm in a second degree program, I am working with the pre-med post-bacc adviser (his idea, actually) and it was suggested that I finish the pre-reqs and not complete the second degree (but I may be a unique case having both a BS and an MS)...

If you do the 2nd degree track... see if you can meet with the post-bacc adviser. I'm stoked b/c I'm working with the SMP program directors and the post-bacc adviser to the pre-med cert program to maximize my gains.

Insert yourself into the mix.. ask questions about your options directly. Chances are, if you seek it out... you will only gain from it. the WORST that can happen is they deny you availability and/or a letter rec.. there are other options available.

If program A doesn't allow you - have a program B.

I went for Harvard Extension.. Dr. Fixsen told me to fly a kite in a thunderstorm.

Now I'm at BU, and I'm being told I have 2 options and either of them will work. If I complete one of them in good standing ... although placement into a medical program isn't a sure thing, I still would be a competitive applicant warranting me at least 1 acceptance out of 15-20 applications.

Again, I may be a special case.. so definitely seek out those answers for YOUR case.

Good luck

 

[DrMidlife]

Would it be difficult to obtain a committee letter of recommendation without being in a post-bac program?

Yes.

Do you have to have one? No. Instead you get 3-4 faculty to recommend you. (Which implies you make a good impression and get killer grades.)

Best of luck to you.

 

[Jelloh]

I suspect that if you are at a school that does have a formal program, like Hunter, it might look bad if you do not enroll in that program. From what I understand the program at Hunter is relatively unstructured, and you have to enroll as a 2nd degree first and then apply for postbac premed status, but they will provide you with advising, committee letter, etc. and I think there is a postbac students association of some sort.

(Note that I have no qualifications here, just my personal opinion.)

 

[Cornell08]

why are pre-meds so obsessed about committee letters? it's not the end of the world if you are post-bacc and don't get one. just get plenty of strong letters and I'm sure you'll be fine. And study effectively for the MCAT and be honest with yourself. Doesn't matter if you get a 27 or lower and have committee letter that says you sure do know your pre-req science from someone you met for half an hour. Get to know your profs, your bosses, the doctors you shadow-- get great letters, and get that high MCAT. And of course do well in your post-bacc courses.

 

[Bru]

You likely would not have to repeat general chemistry (unless you wanted to for a variety of reasons).

In terms of Hunter the benefits are as follows:
-Priority registration for classes: you get more or less first pick of class which is a substantial benefit for the CUNY system. Getting into limited classes without it is difficult.
-Linkages: A few linkages through the program. Not a huge benefit since it really only affect like 1% of the people in the program.
-Certificate/Formal program: It's a somewhat well known program and would confer that official status
-Post-bacc community: Some degree of structure, networking and activities that comes from being part of a community.