Columbia Vs Tufts and other options?

[PentaDoc]

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I'm just starting out on the PostBac road, I went to a good college initally as a Chem major, I only completed Gen Chem I & II because my mother got sick Freshman year and it really effected my grades across the board. I switched my major to Computer Science incase I needed to work from home, and graduated with a 3.6. My father is a physican so I know it won't be easy espcically since my mothers health conintues to go up and down but I decided that unlike the first time I can handle the school work and family heath issues so I am going to pursue my MD goals. I have worked in a wet lab doing Cancer Research, and I am currently volunteering at an ER. I was looking at the Columbia or Tufts PostBac programs, anyone in these have any advice? Or anyone with any other ideas or guidence, I would really appricate it! Thanks!

 

[bkflaneur]

I'm just starting out on the PostBac road, I went to a good college initally as a Chem major, I only completed Gen Chem I & II because my mother got sick Freshman year and it really effected my grades across the board. I switched my major to Computer Science incase I needed to work from home, and graduated with a 3.6. My father is a physican so I know it won't be easy espcically since my mothers health conintues to go up and down but I decided that unlike the first time I can handle the school work and family heath issues so I am going to pursue my MD goals. I have worked in a wet lab doing Cancer Research, and I am currently volunteering at an ER. I was looking at the Columbia or Tufts PostBac programs, anyone in these have any advice? Or anyone with any other ideas or guidence, I would really appricate it! Thanks!

Take this with a grain of salt because it's purely anecdotal. But most people I've met who did the Columbia program were really unhappy with it. I think they accept a lot of people and expect that many people won't complete the program. Sink or swim.

 

[PentaDoc]

I've heard that, I've also read alot of back and forth in some old post (2-3yrs old) from people deciding between the Hunter Program and the Columbia one, has anyone made that decision, why, and how did it turn out?

 

[NeuroResearch]

I've heard that, I've also read alot of back and forth in some old post (2-3yrs old) from people deciding between the Hunter Program and the Columbia one, has anyone made that decision, why, and how did it turn out?

I just started at Hunter, where I've met some people who knew others who'd chosen Columbia --- and switched to Hunter. I was told the atmosphere at Columbia was "nasty" and needlessly competetive, whereas at Hunter, people were more willing to help each other out.

So far, registration and appointments with the premed advisor, have gone smoothly. We'll see how the classes go.

 

[Carpool tun syn]

I just started at Hunter, where I've met some people who knew others who'd chosen Columbia --- and switched to Hunter. I was told the atmosphere at Columbia was "nasty" and needlessly competetive, whereas at Hunter, people were more willing to help each other out.

So far, registration and appointments with the premed advisor, have gone smoothly. We'll see how the classes go.

Columbia is not supercompetitive. It is difficult for sure, and people do not get along, but most students are from Ivy League so there is a lot of ego, pride issues.

I enjoyed my experience at Columbia, it is tough but not as bad as people tell you. Columbia undergrads really hate, loathe post baccs, because they ask a lot of questions and bring the curve up.

 

[ncalcate]

I'm just starting out on the PostBac road, I went to a good college initally as a Chem major, I only completed Gen Chem I & II because my mother got sick Freshman year and it really effected my grades across the board. I switched my major to Computer Science incase I needed to work from home, and graduated with a 3.6. My father is a physican so I know it won't be easy espcically since my mothers health conintues to go up and down but I decided that unlike the first time I can handle the school work and family heath issues so I am going to pursue my MD goals. I have worked in a wet lab doing Cancer Research, and I am currently volunteering at an ER. I was looking at the Columbia or Tufts PostBac programs, anyone in these have any advice? Or anyone with any other ideas or guidence, I would really appricate it! Thanks!

I did my undergrad at Tufts and I evaluated the Tufts post-bacc program before choosing to take classes at UMass instead to prepare me. As I am sure you are aware, the post-baccers at Tufts take their classes with the undergrads. They primarily sit in the front row and are generally somewhat "noticeable" in comparison to the undergrads. For the most part, and there are exceptions, the post-baccers don't really interact too much with the undergrads. Science classes at Tufts are notoriously difficult. You need to work very hard in order to receive an A. In addition, very few people who apply to the post-bacc program are given the guaranteed acceptance to Tufts Med. So you're best bet is to maintain a certain GPA, which, assuming the program is still the same when I looked at it, will guarantee you only an interview at Tufts Med.

I think the Tufts post-bacc program is a good bet if you really want to go to Tufts Med and you have the money to pay for this very expensive program. But you can do well if you go to a state school. I did my post-bacc at UMass Boston for 1/4 of the cost and received acceptances at Tufts Med and a couple of other Top 40 schools. As long as you do well on the MCAT and in your classes, it really doesn't matter where you do your post-bacc. So don't get wrapped up in the name of Tufts or Columbia. This is just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth. Good luck.

 

[PentaDoc]

Thanks, i really don't have the money so now I'm looking towards Hunter - much cheaper and good linkage. We'll see, thanks for the info.

 

[2010MD]

I've heard that, I've also read alot of back and forth in some old post (2-3yrs old) from people deciding between the Hunter Program and the Columbia one, has anyone made that decision, why, and how did it turn out?

Sorry to be responding a little late, but I "chose" Hunter over Columbia and was very happy with Hunter's program (chose is in quotes because, to be honest, the cost of Columbia's program was prohibitive and it was never really a real option). The classes at Hunter are solid and I hear they have a new advisor who's really great. Even if money weren't an issue for you, I still don't think the high cost of the Columbia program is necessarily worth it. You can get a great education among smart fellow students at Hunter, and the environment is pretty relaxed. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions about the specifics of the program.

 

[frootloop]

Sorry to be responding a little late, but I "chose" Hunter over Columbia and was very happy with Hunter's program (chose is in quotes because, to be honest, the cost of Columbia's program was prohibitive and it was never really a real option). The classes at Hunter are solid and I hear they have a new advisor who's really great. Even if money weren't an issue for you, I still don't think the high cost of the Columbia program is necessarily worth it. You can get a great education among smart fellow students at Hunter, and the environment is pretty relaxed. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions about the specifics of the program.

I second this opinion on Hunter. I'm only taking an Orgo Lab there, completed the rest of my prereqs. in undergrad, but the classes seem organized, the students intelligent, and the atmosphere friendly. Plus, they offer plenty of nighttime and Saturday classes which are easier to fit in around a full-time job.