Do I have a chance at Post Bacc ?

[smmz]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone, I would like to apply to a top Post Bacc program (likely in the East Coast) with linkages to good medical schools (like Columbia, Groucher, Bryn Mawr). I'd prefer a program where I don't have to take the MCAT (if at all possible) or one with very high placement rates. I wanted to access whether I had a decent chance of getting in given my GPA and other qualifications. You all have probably seen this type of post before, but I am new to this site and would appreciate your responses given my naivete about Post Bacc programs.

Positives: My GPA is 3.9.
I have taken Chemistry I and II (the pre-med one not the one for non majors) and got an A in both.
I have alot done of extracirricular activities related to social justice, global health and international aid/development both on campus and abroad. 🙂

Other considerations:
I am majoring in Political Science and minoring in Economics and International Studies
I am 22 years old
I am a fifth year student ( I know, dont judge 😱)

Potential Negatives:
I turned two classes into pass/fail. One was French. I passed it.
The other was Biology. I passed it as well. It was a rough year as I was transitioning from the sciences to the social sciences, and I transformed my Bio class into pass/fail (my university has that option) because I did not want a C to affect my GPA and was changing majors.
I have not had significant experience in the health field in terms of research, internships, fellowships etc aside from volounteering at a hospital.
I go to a small state school, nothing Ivy League quality. It is not well known outside the Midwest but does have a good reputation in the region.
I have not taken the MCAT or GRE.
I went to a great academic high school and my grades are very good, but my ACT score was 26 🙁

Last question: My university is allowing me to take Bio I again. Should I do it to show that I can get an A in it to make up for that pass/fail?

In this semester, will it look good if I take Math and Economics classes or should I take non-premed Science classes like Anatomy, Public Health etc.

 

[NJD519]

3.95 is the cutoff for most post-baccs...

 

[FightinUruKai]

What do you want the post bac for? You have a good gpa, and it looks like you have taken a good portion of your pre reqs already. If I am misunderstanding something, please elaborate.

You are going to have to take the MCAT. You can't get out of that one.

 

[cherryghost]

1) There are not many ways at all to avoid the MCAT. The only way I can think of involves getting into Bryn Mawr or Goucher and taking advantage of a Brown or Dartmouth linkage. I would think that means <10 people a year get into medical school without taking the MCAT, but I could be wrong.

2) If you are interested in formal programs, I would talk to the programs individually and explain your situation. My impression is that Goucher's general policy and very small class size means that they won't take anyone who has done pre-reqs, even in Chem. You have Bio too, so that might DQ you for them. The other programs may be more flexible, but I think that may have to happen on a case by case basis.

3) I don't know the ACT enough to comment on a 26, but standardized test scores do matter for top formal program applicants.

 

[drizzt3117]

Definitely don't take bio again. I'd recommend taking the GRE to demonstrate good test taking ability. In the mean time, get some clinical experience.

 

[smmz]

What do you want the post bac for? You have a good gpa, and it looks like you have taken a good portion of your pre reqs already. If I am misunderstanding something, please elaborate.

You are going to have to take the MCAT. You can't get out of that one.

Hey thanks for the reply. Ok I have accepted that I will have to take the MCAT. The reason I want to get into a post bacc program is because I am under the impression that a formal post bacc program will increase my chances of admission into med school because of the helpful advisors, focused classes (often w/o freshmen), and MCAT training courses. In addition I am in my fifth year. I took Chemistry 3 years ago and recall nothing more than the three parts of an atom at this point. So I would like to take it again.

I have only done Chem I and Chem II, and pass/failed Bio I. I haven't taken Bio II. I don't think that its too many pre reqs to disqualify me, is it ?

Also I don't want to stick around at this university taking pre med classes w freshmen for another 1.5 years, hence again the post bacc programs.

 

[smmz]

1) There are not many ways at all to avoid the MCAT. The only way I can think of involves getting into Bryn Mawr or Goucher and taking advantage of a Brown or Dartmouth linkage. I would think that means <10 people a year get into medical school without taking the MCAT, but I could be wrong.

2) If you are interested in formal programs, I would talk to the programs individually and explain your situation. My impression is that Goucher's general policy and very small class size means that they won't take anyone who has done pre-reqs, even in Chem. You have Bio too, so that might DQ you for them. The other programs may be more flexible, but I think that may have to happen on a case by case basis.

3) I don't know the ACT enough to comment on a 26, but standardized test scores do matter for top formal program applicants.

1) Ok I have accepted that now. Thanks for the info.

2) I will check w the specific programs again but from when I looked at thier requirements, most programs stated they will accept you as long as you haven't done more than one half of the pre reqs.

3) Good to know. Thanks

 

[smmz]

Definitely don't take bio again. I'd recommend taking the GRE to demonstrate good test taking ability. In the mean time, get some clinical experience.

Why not take Bio I again, please explain soon. The dropping deadline is tommorow. Thank you.

Ok I will start studying for the GRE.

What do you mean by "clinical experience"
How can I get clinical experience with no background in Bio?

Thanks.

 

[FightinUruKai]

Honestly the years you are in school doesn't make much of a difference. Do some research into different post bacs that are designed for career changers (I believe there is a list of them in one of the stickied threads) and double check to see if you are able to take them since you have already taken one of the pre-reqs. I assume you will have to retake Biology. You can also google "post bac pre req med" and get a good list of results. If you have a question about a program that interests you, I would suggest contacting the admissions office of that program - they will be able to give you better answers than we can.

Something to consider is that post bac programs can get very expensive. Are you sure you don't want to just put your graduation off for another year and just take your pre-reqs at your current school?

Clinical experience can be something as simple as shadowing a doctor, volunteering at a hospital or clinic, or working in a lab. If you want to apply DO you have to have a letter of recommendation from a DO that you have shadowed. The point of clinical experience is to show you know what you are getting into. So try to find something that interests you and lets you get close enough to "smell the patients"

Good luck!

 

[smmz]

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. Definitely taking it all into consideration.

Supposing I do not take BIO I again at my school: How do I explain to the Post-Bacc admissions committees that I had to pass/fail Bio I in the past?

 

[smmz]

Definitely don't take bio again. I'd recommend taking the GRE to demonstrate good test taking ability. In the mean time, get some clinical experience.

Supposing I do not take BIO I again at my school: How do I explain to the Post-Bacc admissions committees that I had to pass/fail Bio I in the past?

 

[smmz]

Honestly the years you are in school doesn't make much of a difference. Do some research into different post bacs that are designed for career changers (I believe there is a list of them in one of the stickied threads) and double check to see if you are able to take them since you have already taken one of the pre-reqs. I assume you will have to retake Biology. You can also google "post bac pre req med" and get a good list of results. If you have a question about a program that interests you, I would suggest contacting the admissions office of that program - they will be able to give you better answers than we can.

Something to consider is that post bac programs can get very expensive. Are you sure you don't want to just put your graduation off for another year and just take your pre-reqs at your current school?

Clinical experience can be something as simple as shadowing a doctor, volunteering at a hospital or clinic, or working in a lab. If you want to apply DO you have to have a letter of recommendation from a DO that you have shadowed. The point of clinical experience is to show you know what you are getting into. So try to find something that interests you and lets you get close enough to "smell the patients"

Good luck!

Thanks 🙂 I will get on w/ the clinical experience.
Now supposing I do not take BIO I again at my school: How do I explain to the Post-Bacc admissions committees that I had to pass/fail Bio I in the past?

 

[FightinUruKai]

How do I explain to the Post-Bacc admissions committees that I had to pass/fail Bio I in the past?

You tell them....the TRUTH! Shocking, I know. Just tell them you were interested in the class, but that you didn't think you would need it and did not want it to interfere in your pursuit of your degree at the time. Just ace it the next time you take it.