Columbia accelerated post bac

[NYerCartoonist]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,

Although the deadline for Columbia's 18-month "accelerated" program is November 1st, I'm still considering applying. Can anyone tell me any inside information about the program? (I realize this is the first year they're offering an 18-month schedule.) Do you take classes as if an undergrad? Are the professors accessible? Do they teach well? Do TAs speak English (let's be honest, it can be a problem). How supported are the post-bac students? And do post-bac students really need TWO math courses to win a committee letter? That sounds a little unnecessary to me. Surely there are loopholes.

If you have any thoughts, please share soon! I would really like to stay in New York, but haven't yet seen the benefits of Columbia's program when compared to BM, Penn, and Goucher.

Thanks!
NYC

 

[drizzt3117]

Columbia's program isn't as good as BM/Goucher and is similar to Penn's. If you want to stay in NY, though, it's one of your only options. You may also want to consider NYU's program although I don't know that much about it. They do have linkages to MSSM if that's something you're interested in.

 

[oneandonlylo]

I think the 18 month program is new this year because it is the first year that Gen Chem I is being offered in the Spring, but I will answer your questions based upon my experience of the program as a whole, because I'm assuming it's not really any different.

Classes are taken as though you were an undergrad, which is a plus and a minus. The big plus is that struggling undergrads tend to help out postbaccs by providing a nice curve 🙂 Most of the professors I have had are accessible, some more than other. Mostly, some are just more approachable people than others, but I guess that goes for people in general. I am generally happier with my professors this year as a whole as compared to Gen Chem/ Physics. Teaching quality is mixed I'd say. I've had some fabulous ones and some not so fabulous ones. The not-so-good ones were mostly just boring and required a lot of teaching yourself the material, but I guess there are worse things in life.

Most of the TA's I've had have been wonderful, and all of them have spoken English, though I've heard of people having problems with an isolated few. This can be avoided largely by switching sections around at the beginning of a semester. Postbacc students are incredibly supported. THis is one of the things I am most pleased about with the program. Advisors are knowledgeable and very accessible and there is a student-run group called the PMA that provides support and community (and social events!) Finally, I don't know if two math classes are actually required for the committee letter, but I know that almost all medical schools require two math courses, which is why they have the requirement. If you have taken these courses previously you should be able to manage to avoid retaking them.

I don't know if I can speak specifically to the benefits of Columbia over other programs. I like you needed to stay in New York and certainly didn't see any benefit to choosing another program in NY over Columbia. As I'm sure you've heard by now, attrition rates are high, but for students who complete the program, med school acceptance rates are very high and most students who finish the program find their status as a Columbia postbacc student highly regarded among adcoms and are pleased.

 

[Animkali]

Just want to say, thanks for the info, that was most definitely information i was looking for. In addition to that, i had a couple questions about the program at Columbia. I majored in English as an undergraduate, and did attempt to take many of the premedical requirements, quite unsuccessfully, i must say and do to that, it has affected my GPA considerably. I know the program is quite lenient about GPA's and retaking science courses--because that is one of the purposes. But do you have any advice or thoughts on my chances of getting accepted? I am applying for the 18-month accelerated sequence that begins in January 2008. I am afraid i will not be accepted because i have taken many premed courses already and my science GPA is not very strong.

Help? Advice? Thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[oneandonlylo]

The program is actually directed at individuals who have not taken premed courses before so that might be more of a factor in your acceptance than your GPA. Your best bet would be to directly contact someone at the school and ask them.

 

[TeacherGoneMed]

Have you heard anything from Columbia? I also applied for the accelerated sequence and am waiting for a response.