Decision-making time for post-bac

[megawatt]

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Hello all,

I think I might be rehashing a lot of the questions that have been asked over and over on this forum, but I want to get some opinions about my specific situation. So thanks in advance for reading this.

I'm currently doing the informal post-bac program at SFSU through the Open University program (I'm not a matriculating student, just taking classes "a la carte.") I think the program has some things going for it, and I plan on applying for a second bachelor's (which I have little intention of completing, but that's the only way to do it at SFSU) so that I can be a full-fledged student. However, I'd also like to keep my options open to do a formal post-bac next year at one of the higher-end private programs such as Goucher, Bryn Mawr, etc. I will have already completed chemistry and physics by that point, if I continue with the SFSU program. Am I essentially closing the door for the private programs by finishing half the pre-reqs, or would I still stand a decent chance? This is all assuming I do well in the SFSU classes, of course. By the way, my undergrad gpa is 3.7 from UCSB, SAT scores are 1300 (in 1994, before scores were re-centered), and I got a good score on the GRE (can't remember what it was at the moment). I have limited volunteer experience, but I plan on getting a lot more over the course of this year.

 

[Sundarban1]

SO whats your question

 

[jamesrd]

From what I know of BM and Goucher, you'll be out of luck. Those programs are for people who have taken none, or at most one, of the basic prereqs, although I could be wrong, you're best off emailing/calling their admissions offices.

You could always finish up your prereqs and MCAT at SFSU and apply to something like Georgetown, BU, Drexel, etc. as a masters/post-bacc student, or just go the full monty and apply directly to med school if you feel confident enough in your position.

 

[cosmicstarr]

I think if you finish 1/2 of the prereq., you probably would not be qualified to enter these private school postbacc because I'm sure they would want you to take them at their school.

The best way is to contact the schools you are interested in.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Those post-bacc programs put you through all of the pre-reqs in a year's time. (The glide year, for those programs that have a second year, is for research and clinical experience to complete your application.) Why not knock out the pre-reqs in an informal post-bacc at SFSU this year? You're looking for linkage?

 

[megawatt]

Yeah, linkage possibilities and just a generally more well-known program - I'm basically looking to maximize my chances. But I will complete the SFSU program if that ends up being the best or only option. Thanks for the response..

Those post-bacc programs put you through all of the pre-reqs in a year's time. (The glide year, for those programs that have a second year, is for research and clinical experience to complete your application.) Why not knock out the pre-reqs in an informal post-bacc at SFSU this year? You're looking for linkage?

 

[megawatt]

I've emailed a few of them and, coincidentally, just got two responses after writing this post, and it sounds like you're right, although from what they said it wouldn't rule me out completely but definately put me at a disadvantage. Thanks for the response.

From what I know of BM and Goucher, you'll be out of luck. Those programs are for people who have taken none, or at most one, of the basic prereqs, although I could be wrong, you're best off emailing/calling their admissions offices.

You could always finish up your prereqs and MCAT at SFSU and apply to something like Georgetown, BU, Drexel, etc. as a masters/post-bacc student, or just go the full monty and apply directly to med school if you feel confident enough in your position.

 

[LAcmw]

hey...i'm doing much the same thing as you at Cal State LA. i've matriculated as a second bacc, but i don't necessarily have intentions of completing the program...but if i can, i will. i'm not sure why you would want to do a formal post-bacc anyway if you have the ability to just stay at sfsu. it's a state school..and the classes you're taking there are going to be more than enough to get your prepped for the mcats. why do a formal postbacc when you're already in a program??? ---formal or not...

Hello all,

I think I might be rehashing a lot of the questions that have been asked over and over on this forum, but I want to get some opinions about my specific situation. So thanks in advance for reading this.

I'm currently doing the informal post-bac program at SFSU through the Open University program (I'm not a matriculating student, just taking classes "a la carte.") I think the program has some things going for it, and I plan on applying for a second bachelor's (which I have little intention of completing, but that's the only way to do it at SFSU) so that I can be a full-fledged student. However, I'd also like to keep my options open to do a formal post-bac next year at one of the higher-end private programs such as Goucher, Bryn Mawr, etc. I will have already completed chemistry and physics by that point, if I continue with the SFSU program. Am I essentially closing the door for the private programs by finishing half the pre-reqs, or would I still stand a decent chance? This is all assuming I do well in the SFSU classes, of course. By the way, my undergrad gpa is 3.7 from UCSB, SAT scores are 1300 (in 1994, before scores were re-centered), and I got a good score on the GRE (can't remember what it was at the moment). I have limited volunteer experience, but I plan on getting a lot more over the course of this year.

 

[megawatt]

I'm just exploring my options right now. It seems that the high-end formal programs offer a huge advantage to applicants (Goucher claims 100% of its post-bacs get acceptance -- mostly to well-known schools).. But part of that is probably that they select low-risk candidates for their programs -- i.e. ones who would probably get into med school no matter where they did their post-bac. So I'm taking that into account. I very well may stay at SFSU, but I want to explore as many options as I can. Thanks for your feedback, and good luck with your studies!

hey...i'm doing much the same thing as you at Cal State LA. i've matriculated as a second bacc, but i don't necessarily have intentions of completing the program...but if i can, i will. i'm not sure why you would want to do a formal post-bacc anyway if you have the ability to just stay at sfsu. it's a state school..and the classes you're taking there are going to be more than enough to get your prepped for the mcats. why do a formal postbacc when you're already in a program??? ---formal or not...