Columbia and other postbac essays

[Doctor2010]

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I'm about to apply to the Columbia postbac program. One of the requirements is a 500-word essay about a project or something you've done that you were successful at. They specifically tell you this is not about your motives/motivation for med school.

Has anyone done this before? What's the best subject matter to write about. I'm thinking of writing about a market entry strategy project that I did with an international team but I don't know if that's what I should be doing. I don't want to write anything boring or typical.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Halcyon440]

I just submitted my application to Columbia about three weeks ago and have yet to hear from them. I don't think it's a trick question. You really can write about just about anything. I wrote about how I taught myself to perform a different role at work and was eventually offered to officially transfer to that position (something which hadn't been done before).

I'll let you know if that impressed them.

Some folks have said that Columbia likes to make it seem as though their screening process is rigorous, but that they pretty much take everyone who applies and is willing to fork over the money.

*shrug*

 

[Wednesday]

Some folks have said that Columbia likes to make it seem as though their screening process is rigorous, but that they pretty much take everyone who applies and is willing to fork over the money.

This is very close to the truth. They also look at your undergrad grades because they have (or used to have) this idea that if your ugrad grades are below around a 3.0, then you will "never get into med school". (Yes someone told one of my friends this).

Since you are looking to do post-bacc in NYC, I would advise that you look into Hunter, especially if you are a NY resident. The program is supposed to be good and it's MUCH cheaper. Columbia isn't a bad program, but it's VERY expensive and I personally didn't really like the advisors there.

As for your essay topic, it sounds unique and interesting. 🙂 I think they're just trying to see if you can put a sentence together anyway.

 

[Halcyon440]

For what it's worth, I got my acceptance to the Columbia program yesterday.

My alma mater wants me back!

I'm excited because I guess this now makes me officially "pre-med". It has been almost 10 years to the day since I dropped pre-med as an undergrad.

 

[Halcyon440]

There is no interview for Columbia. The deadline to apply for the Spring 04 semester is 12/1 so you'll probably have to apply for September. I just read in something they sent me that the only thing they let you start off-sequence is Math or Physics. So if you were planning to start with Chem, Bio, or Orgo, you'd have to wait until Fall anyway.

Good luck!

 

[Paws]

I'd be careful about the CU program - the rigor is intense ! I don't think alot of people realize just what they're getting themselves into. Columbia Physics is very different from say, physics at Hunter. And the Biochemistry course will make you weep. Be aware, people who can make it thru the program really ARE very capable, but alot of good people will get chewed up in the process.

I recommend the City College program, or Hunter. Brooklyn College is intense as well, but you will learn alot. Same courses, more reasonable schedules and much cheaper. I'd rather flunk out at $1200. a semester than $10,000., psychologically speaking, there is a world of difference.

 

[kittykat82]

Hello
I am doing my research on post bac programs now. One of the programs I have been looking at is the Columbia post bac and was wondering what were the gpa's of some people who are applying or who got accepted? I just need to know more or less how hard it is to get in. I have a 3.5 in finance and plan to raise by the time I graduate to a 3.7. thanks, I'm new to the process

 

[Plinko]

I did the postbac program at Columbia. I'm now in my second year of medical school so I can't really complain too much about the program. It did after all allow me to get into medical school. A few words about the program. They take just about everybody who applies with an undergrad GPA over 3.0. The program is a moneymaker for the School of General studies and be certain that as a part time student you will be low on the university's list of priorities in so far as advisement, class choices, etc. The program is difficult, but at the end of the day, they are still just undergrad lower division science classes you will be taking, and at half the load of the Columbia College and Barnard students. If you do choose CU, I would advise you to take morning, not night, classes, as you will be graded on a curve with undergrad students who have more classes to study for than the typical postbacc student taking one or two classes at night and who has all the time in the world to study.

Personally, if I could do it over again I would have gone to another program that was less expensive. Columbia does get a high number of applicants into medical school. However, I don't feel the program is what it promotes. I did reasonably well in the program (GPA 3.3 and 32 MCAT) and I only received acceptances to two lower tiered medical schools. I'm happy where I am so I can't complain too much, but I can't help but think that with my MCAT that if I had gotten a 4.0 at a community college or a less expensive state program I would have landed in the same place I am today, but with $25K more in pocket.

Lastly, the attrition rate at CU is high (>40%), but keep in mind that the majority of those people choose to leave instead of flunking out. Most didn't realize the full scope of the long road ahead of them to becoming a doctor when they started the program. I would say that most people who enter could successfully complete the program. It's all about effort, less so that intelligence.

 

[kittykat82]

Thanks for the reply... do you know how good the Hunter post bac is? I know it's a lot cheaper but I dont know about the success rate of getting into med schools. Also how long did it take you to complete the Columbia program. On the website it says 2-3 years but I was wondering if it can be done under 2..Thanks

 

[absolutezero]

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[Plinko]

kittykat,
Sorry for the late reply. How long the program takes in entirely dependent on the science classes you already have in your pocket from undergrad. If you have gen chem then you will be able to launch into Organic chem and Bio right away, and then get physics in whenever you can. If however you don't have Gen Chem then you have to spend a year taking that course before you take OChem and Bio. So, it will take you either one or two years. Keep in mind that you will have to add one year on to all of this before you enter medical school because of the application year ("lag year") you will spend racing all over the country for interviews. It's a long road, but worth it. Good luck.

 

[Mackchops]

Sorry for throwing a stats question out there but I'm just looking for a little bit of clarification. Some people are saying that CU accepts anyone while others add the caveat of a minimum 3.0 GPA. What about someone with just below? Am I automatically cut off or will they seriously consider me if I wave a signed payment contract in their face?

Also, while a CU Post-bac student may be low on the advisee totem pole, how good is the advising in general? Will they sit down with you and work out your program one-on-one or is there a pretty standard plan of action that everyone takes and, if you happen to get into med school after its all said and done then kudos to you?

Word

 

[pyau03]

Hi, just writing to let you know that CU is notoriously known for being unorganized. I have a classmate (at a different postbac program) who didn't hear anything from CU about being accepted until 2 wks before the programs start when the office called him to see if he would be attending...

 

[Halcyon440]

Hmm, so far my experience has been good. I got accepted a few weeks after submitting my application. The letter came in a big information package (via FedEx). Also included were housing info, financial info, and curriculum/course information. There was also a letter where you accept, decline, or defer admission and send in your deposit. You also had to RSVP for one of three "planning sessions". Additionally, they asked you to keep orientation day, Jan 12, 2004, free. At the planning session we met the three advisors (I think these guys are all different from whoever was heading the program 2 or so years ago). The advisors gave presentations about the curriculum, volunteering, and the school in general. We then broke off and met with our advisors individually for about 15 minutes. The meeting was to determine what course(s) you'd be taking in January. You had to fill out a paper registration paper (because the phone/web registration already passed) and the advisors signed it and kept it to submit it for you. We chatted a bit about my proposed course of study. My advisor was actually really great. She welcomed me back (I went there undergrad) and was very friendly. She told me to visit her a few times each semester and that if her regular hours are bad for me that she could make special arrangements for us to meet.

A few days later I went into the Columbia site and saw that my status had been changed back to student and that I was already in my classes.

*shrug* I hope things continue this way because so far I've actually been impressed.

I don't know if these advisors are the same ones people have been complaining about or if the prior ones were the disorganized ones. Let's see how it goes. I can keep you all updated.

Feel free to PM me about the program.

Edit: Just saw the other message above. I would think it difficult to finish the Columbia postbacc in under 2 years. I get the feeling that even if you had prior coursework you might be asked to take certain classes at the school. I would think the minimum would be 2 years, but this is just my impression.

 

[jbing]

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[absolutezero]

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[jbing]

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[absolutezero]

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[Mackchops]

Jbing, if you could do it all over again what would you do differently? Why did you initially choose Columbia and, knowing what you know now, where would you have preferred to go? I'm curious, because I'm very interested in Columbia (although the money worries me a lot). Thanks.