Course load for post-baccs?

[Chrissy]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello, i'm sorry if there is another thread on this but i was just wondering if there is a standard for course load as a post-bacc. I know many people work full time and take courses but for someone who is working part-time and mostly going to school is there a preffered amount? i know taking a light load can reflect negatively on you. Thanks!

 

[TiggidyTooth]

Hello, i'm sorry if there is another thread on this but i was just wondering if there is a standard for course load as a post-bacc. I know many people work full time and take courses but for someone who is working part-time and mostly going to school is there a preffered amount? i know taking a light load can reflect negatively on you. Thanks!

I came out of college with a really poor GPA, and by that I mean closer to a 2.0 than a 2.5. After 39 credits of post-bac work at near 4.0 work, and a 31 MCAT to boot, an adcom said I was still a long shot. Her reason that even though I was working full-time while taking part-time courses I only had one year of full-time course work throughout my post-bac. So, I would strongly advise carrying a full load of science course work. I would discourage working part-time and focus on school. I know some people can manage it and if you feel comfortable than by all means do it but do not give up being a full-time student for a few extra bucks.

Tooth

 

[Chrissy]

Thank you that is very good advice! Freshman year I had a 3.70 overall....science 3.75....transferred for sophomore year and ended the next 3 years with a 2.73 and never took anymore sciences....so my overall is juuust below a 3.0...the sciences i took (although 4 years ago) are high....so i guess i'm looking to get my gpa up AND take the rest of the pre reqs....wow, 39 credits is a lot as a post-bacc!

I came out of college with a really poor GPA, and by that I mean closer to a 2.0 than a 2.5. After 39 credits of post-bac work at near 4.0 work, and a 31 MCAT to boot, an adcom said I was still a long shot. Her reason that even though I was working full-time while taking part-time courses I only had one year of full-time course work throughout my post-bac. So, I would strongly advise carrying a full load of science course work. I would discourage working part-time and focus on school. I know some people can manage it and if you feel comfortable than by all means do it but do not give up being a full-time student for a few extra bucks.

Tooth

 

[blee]

My advice would be twofold: First, honestly assess and know your limits. Second, make sure you work right up to those limits.

It's obviously important to earn very high grades in your postbac classes, so make sure you don't overload yourself between school and work. At the same time, you need to show that you can handle a rigorous schedule, so don't sell yourself short by taking only one class if you can handle two.

I think that the ideal situation is to quit work for a year and take a full load of courses: Gen chem over the summer, then orgo/bio/phys during the regular school year. Some people (maybe most people) can't afford to do this, though, so your perfect course load will depend a lot on your individual situation. Remember, you can't be perfect -- none of us can be perfect. You just have to do the absolute best that you can.

 

[CUarzt]

i don't think there is any "standard" courseload from post-bacc to post-bacc; however, the courseload and its curricula will vary based upon the goal of the post-bacc program itself: ie, fulfill pre-med reqs vs demonstrate high gpa in advanced sciences

personally, my program involves 32 credits over two semesters. these are classes taken with masters and phd students in the respective fields. histology, biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy make up the first semester--and i have completely forgotten what the 2nd semester involves. i am not working at all during this time

you may want to weigh your options vis a vis one year and two year programs (or certificate vs. masters programs) if youre interested in working

if you are concerned about whether the programs youre considering are intense enough for your goals, i think it might be best to err on the side of over-intensity

just my $.02

 

[Chrissy]

well i wont be working actually. my current position ends in jan 06 so i'll be starting coursework that term...i'm looking for a program to get my GPA up (overall 2.9, science (gchem/gbio) 3.75)......and help me finish my prereqs...my plan is to finish them up and then take some upper level classes before/while applying....i think i'd rather stick with the MD as my goal and not go into a masters program...it seems unnecessary for me i feel. thanks for the advice!

i don't think there is any "standard" courseload from post-bacc to post-bacc; however, the courseload and its curricula will vary based upon the goal of the post-bacc program itself: ie, fulfill pre-med reqs vs demonstrate high gpa in advanced sciences

personally, my program involves 32 credits over two semesters. these are classes taken with masters and phd students in the respective fields. histology, biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy make up the first semester--and i have completely forgotten what the 2nd semester involves. i am not working at all during this time

you may want to weigh your options vis a vis one year and two year programs (or certificate vs. masters programs) if youre interested in working

if you are concerned about whether the programs youre considering are intense enough for your goals, i think it might be best to err on the side of over-intensity

just my $.02

 

[CUarzt]

i read much too quickly and didnt realize you hadnt fulfilled the medical school prereqs--so disregard my previous post

since youre not planning on working, it seems your options will be greater, and you ought to attack an intense post-bacc program. i dont know about other schools, but i know that the medical college of virginia considers spring matriculation for their post-bacc program; however, this is a graduate level program and not intended to fulfill MD prereqs

maintain that 3.75 in a postbacc prereq program and youll be golden

i dont know about the importance of your cumGPA--i dont know how youd mitigate that situation and whether there's a dire need

good luck in your endeavors

 

[chan]

Hello, i'm sorry if there is another thread on this but i was just wondering if there is a standard for course load as a post-bacc. I know many people work full time and take courses but for someone who is working part-time and mostly going to school is there a preffered amount? i know taking a light load can reflect negatively on you. Thanks!

Do what you can... If you absolutely must work, then you must work. However, if you can go to school full time, it is probably prefered. Everyone is different. Some people have children and wife etc.. they need to support so going back to school full time is not an option. Others, only have themselves so going to school full time is easy. Do whatever you can to make YOUR application stand out, dont try to be cookie cutter. Everyones situation is different.

 

[jlittlej]

When you guys talk about studying full-time, what kind of schedule do you recommend? After two years out of college, I'm looking to start an informal postbac this fall and matriculate in '07.

I'll be working about ten hours a week but want to carry a full load to make up for a spotty college record. I've got English and calc., so that means nine courses - including biochem - over two years. Any ideas on when to do what?

Fall
Bio I
Chem I
Phys I

Spring
Bio II
Chem II
Phys II

Summer
Orgo I & II

Fall
Biochem
Other Science Course
Study for April MCAT

Does this look realistic?

 

[Deleted member 72527]

When you guys talk about studying full-time, what kind of schedule do you recommend? After two years out of college, I'm looking to start an informal postbac this fall and matriculate in '07.

I'll be working about ten hours a week but want to carry a full load to make up for a spotty college record. I've got English and calc., so that means nine courses - including biochem - over two years. Any ideas on when to do what?

Fall
Bio I
Chem I
Phys I

Spring
Bio II
Chem II
Phys II

Summer
Orgo I & II

Fall
Biochem
Other Science Course
Study for April MCAT

Does this look realistic?

Depends upon what you mean by realistic. All of the courses you list in the first year are labs - this will translate to three labs a week (count on 3-4 hours each). That combined with class time will be a lot - not to mention that additional work that labs create through write-ups, pre-lab work, etc. I would suggest you take a look at some of the ways the formal post-bac programs work (I don't know, I did all my pre-med stuff as an undergrad).