Columbia program

[premedical18]

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Does anyone out there know how competitive it is to gain admission to Columbia's post-bacc program?

 

[lawnboy313]

Does anyone out there know how competitive it is to gain admission to Columbia's post-bacc program?

Not very competitive. Probably harder to stay in the program than to get into it--they have a high rate of attrition.

 

[oneandonlylo]

I'm pretty sure that to get in mostly what you need is a 3.0 gpa and a decent essay etc.

The attrition rate is definitely high. I've been there less than a semester and already know a handful of people who left the program.

 

[drdolittle1]

Is it hard to get in out-of-state?

 

[Gooble]

Its a private school. In-state means nothing.

 

[drdolittle1]

Ok, I should have known that.

I am seeking a postbacc program to fulfill prerequisites needed for pharmacy school. Since Columbia is such a highly regarded school, I would think it would be very benefitial if you're trying to get into pharm school or med school, for that matter.

I graduated from undergrad in 2005 from a highly ranked public university. My big concern is my GPA, which is just under 3.0 (2.9). Would it be impossible for me to gain acceptance into the Columbia postbacc program? Does it matter if I'm a minority? I didn't take any of the required science courses in undergrad, so I guess it's good that I'm starting from a clean slate...

 

[dgp29]

Ok, I should have known that.

I am seeking a postbacc program to fulfill prerequisites needed for pharmacy school. Since Columbia is such a highly regarded school, I would think it would be very benefitial if you're trying to get into pharm school or med school, for that matter.

I graduated from undergrad in 2005 from a highly ranked public university. My big concern is my GPA, which is just under 3.0 (2.9). Would it be impossible for me to gain acceptance into the Columbia postbacc program? Does it matter if I'm a minority? I didn't take any of the required science courses in undergrad, so I guess it's good that I'm starting from a clean slate...

Columbia will accept you....all they want is your money. It is REALLY expensive and hardly worth it. I got in and I didn't even complete the entire application. I applied, and apparently "half of my trascript was missing"!! I don't know how that was possible...very weird. But at the time i applied to a bunch of other postbaccs, and didn't care about columbia...so i never resent my transcripts. Then all of a sudden...I got an acceptance letter. GO FIGURE!

If you're worried about not having the grades to go to a reputable enough program, got to the HARVARD EXTENSION SCHOOL. its a fraction of the cost of columbia (2G's semester vs. 30G's tuition). And if you kick ass at harvard, no one can really mess with you. just do well on the MCATs, get some Extracurriculars in, and apply. Just remember....this will not be an easy road. classes will be demanding, and the MCAT is well, the MCAT.

good luck....

and hey, at least you got that minority thing going for ya....me too..

 

[oneandonlylo]

Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about your ability to get in. That said, definitely consider going elsewhere. Although I feel as though I have the potential to learn a whole bunch, the classes are ridiculously (and perhaps unreasonably) hard and I'd say there is no guarantee of doing that well (perhaps defeating the goal of raising your gpa). Don't get me wrong, the name is valuable, but it may be the main thing you get out of the experience. Is it worth the ridiculous price tag? I don't know. As you can tell, I as well as many of my fellow students are having that debate right now.

So as not to seem unbalanced, I do think the program has many things to its credit. But if you're considering cost v. value etc, I would just really advise to see what your options are. Columbia boasts a very high rate of getting their students into schools, but what they often fail to mention of course is that that is a statistic based on the students who get through the program. So if you're willing to give up your life and tough it out, it may be worth it, but I definitely know people who think its not.

Good luck either way, and again, don't stress too much about the getting in part.

 

[premedical18]

thanks so much for your honest advice. can you please elaborate on what positives there are to columbia? also, if i am willing to work hard are As still possible or are the classes ridiculously difficult?

 

[drdolittle1]

Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, that $30,000 for one year is very steep. And oneandonlylo's comments about the program aren't exactly a ringing endorsement.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but the Harvard Extension School looks enticing. Apparently they have a sponsorship program, http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2006-07/programs/hcp/sponsor/. Are the classes ridiculously hard here also, like Columbia?? It says they have rolling admissions, so I wouldn't be opposed to starting in the upcoming spring semester....however on the website, they say it's rare that students begin in the spring. I haven't taken any of the pre-requisite science courses, but I want to finish them within a year or year and a half....I'd like to matriculate into pharm or med school fall of 2008.

 

[oneandonlylo]

thanks so much for your honest advice. can you please elaborate on what positives there are to columbia? also, if i am willing to work hard are As still possible or are the classes ridiculously difficult?

Honestly, I thought so, but I can't give you a verdict until I finish a semester.

 

[christi04]

thanks so much for your honest advice. can you please elaborate on what positives there are to columbia? also, if i am willing to work hard are As still possible or are the classes ridiculously difficult?

I am also in the columbia post-bacc program. I would say that the big positive to the Columbia program is that you are in classes with undergrads and not with people who may have taken the course before and are just looking to raise their grade (as in open enrollment classes).

From what I have seen the classes are no more difficult than they would be at other schools, and the curves are very generous. Both of my classes are curved to a B and one of them offers extra credit. The benefit that you would have as a post-bacc is that you are going to try harder than most of the undergrads and will do better than the curve as a result.

So far I have found that working hard really does pay off. But it is definitely a good idea to not overload your class (or work, if possible) schedule so that you are able to work as hard as you can.

 

[nellenellenelle]

I'm from Boston, so I've taken a class at HES (General Chemistry). It was well-taught and well-organized. The grading scheme is structured such that every student who works hard and who deserves a good grade will earn a good grade. So if the entire class works hard, everyone can get an A, which fostres a wonderful learning environment because students are helpful to one another and forms very good study groups. The class material is good and solid. Nothing too hard. So if you are persistant and keep up with the materials, you are pretty much guaranteed a grade that you deserve.

Of course, I've only taken one class so far. So I cannot say too much about the entire program in general. I am actually relocating to Columbia starting in the spring because I feel that Columbia is definitely one of the most reputable among postbaccs. Also, main thing that attracts me is their linkage.

I would looove to hear from what the Columbia postbaccs have to say about the program.

Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, that $30,000 for one year is very steep. And oneandonlylo's comments about the program aren't exactly a ringing endorsement.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but the Harvard Extension School looks enticing. Apparently they have a sponsorship program, http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2006-07/programs/hcp/sponsor/. Are the classes ridiculously hard here also, like Columbia?? It says they have rolling admissions, so I wouldn't be opposed to starting in the upcoming spring semester....however on the website, they say it's rare that students begin in the spring. I haven't taken any of the pre-requisite science courses, but I want to finish them within a year or year and a half....I'd like to matriculate into pharm or med school fall of 2008.