CA Career-Change Postbaccs?

[bays1de]

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Hello everyone,

I was wondering which postbacc programs are considered the best for "career-changer" students? I am mostly looking for CA postbacc programs, and I would love to attend a UC medical school. However, I understand that CA is cutthroat, so any California med school would be awesome. I am a UC graduate (non-science bachelors) but do not qualify as URM for the UC postbaccs. I currently have around a 3.8 cGPA and sGPA without any prereq coursework. I'd really appreciate any information.

Thanks!

 

[bays1de]

bumping, hopefully someone has suggestions!

 

[Naruhodo]

Hmm...I'm not an expert, but I'm also not coming up with anything that is super compelling (no linked post-baccs come to mind). Most of the folks I know who did formal post-baccs after non-science majors, did them at East Coast schools where they then matriculated. If you feel like you don't have that much geographic flexibility, what about a local community college or extension school for your pre-reqs and then loading up on meaningful volunteer experiences, clinical work, etc.? I know you're hoping for a program, but part of the reason for the silence may be that others are also drawing a blank...

 

[bays1de]

Hmm...I'm not an expert, but I'm also not coming up with anything that is super compelling (no linked post-baccs come to mind). Most of the folks I know who did formal post-baccs after non-science majors, did them at East Coast schools where they then matriculated. If you feel like you don't have that much geographic flexibility, what about a local community college or extension school for your pre-reqs and then loading up on meaningful volunteer experiences, clinical work, etc.? I know you're hoping for a program, but part of the reason for the silence may be that others are also drawing a blank...

It seems like the East Coast schools are dominating the postbacc "marketplace". Surprising lack of linkages at the SoCal programs, but it probably comes with the territory. Maybe not so surprising once we consider the nature of CA medical school admissions. I've only come across Scripps as a postbacc with linkages, but seems pretty cutthroat for admission.

Is there a stigma associated with going to a UC for undergrad, but attending a CC, CSU, or UC Extension for postbacc coursework? I know that MSAR shows which schools accept CC or Online coursework, but it doesn't say much regarding institutional preference. I also don't think I can just call Keck Medicine to ask if they'd look down on UCLA extension coursework. I'm really facing a predicament!

 

[futureDocDD]

Postbaccs at any CC is a waste of time/money. If you really want UCLA extension, go ask them to show you the stats how their postbacc applicants did in the past.

 

[Naruhodo]

Personally I disagree with the above. If you're not able to move for one of the postbacc's with linkage I'd say absolutely do you prerec's locally wherever makes the most sense for you. Just make sure you have one heck of a compelling app outside of your required coursework.