Do I take more Physics???

[Mackchops]

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Hey y'all,

Just a quick question. What are your opinions on taking science courses while still at your undergrad school? I've taken into bio, one semester of physics and am currently registered for the second physics semester in the spring. Do post-bac programs prefer no science or would completing my physics req give me an edge in getting in to a post bac and doing well while I'm there? Any help and I'll love you forever.

Peace.😍

 

[arciedee]

I would check the programs you're interested in. Many of the formal post-bacc programs are intended for people who have not taken any of the pre-reqs previously and they usually require that a minimum number of courses be taken at their school (typically 6, I believe). However, a lot of them have an allowance for people who already have some of the coursework to substitute higher-level courses (bio, etc.) for those already taken. Hope this helps.

 

[vixey1230]

Wait... if I'm understanding correctly, you're still in undergrad, and you're planning things for success in a post-bac program after you graduate?

😕

I would recommend that if you're in undergrad now, you take advantage of that and take whatever courses you would be taking in a post-bac premed program before you graduate. And even if this means being a 'super-senior' and staying on for another year (or maybe just an extra quarter/semester), I would say that this is a better idea than graduating and then applying for post-bacs.

Most of the post-bac programs are intended for ppl who were not premeds, hadn't taken premed courses, and need to take them b/c they've changed their career goals and are now considering medicine. There are a few post-bac programs meant for ppl who were pre-meds as an undergrad, but for whatever reason didn't get very good grades in those courses.

But in the end, if you're still in college and have the opportunity to just take those courses now, it'll be much easier - both in terms of time, and finances.

 

[CaMD]

I agree with Vixy,

Get anything you can out of the way, you'll be so glad you did.

🙂

 

[Mackchops]

Thanks for the advice, but the reason I'm concerned is for the exact reason that you stated -- namely that most post-bac programs are for students who have taken none of or, at least, very few of the pre-med reqs. I'm a graduating senior who will have no chance to successfully complete all of my reqs before graduation. I go to a small liberal arts College so staying on for an extra year at 37k a shot isn't really in the cards. What I'm really wondering is, if I plan to apply to programs for non pre-med students anyway, should I have as few sciences as possible? Maybe this seems like a silly question and I will probably call the schools anyway, but I was curious if anyone was somewhere in the middle between pre-med looking to raise his or her grades and someone who had not taken any science or math classes. Thanks a ton!

 

[CaMD]

Is there some specific reason you need an official post-bacc program? (overcoming a bad GPA maybe or needing an advisor?)

You should consider taking as many pre-med courses as you can this year (for 37K get your money's worth). Then graduate and take the rest of the courses you need to finish outside the structure of a post-bacc program. You could take them full time at a public university or get a job and take a couple a time at nght.

I had to make the decision you're making last year (I had gen chem and physics and nothing else) I became pre-med the end of my junior year and as a senior I made the decision of taking as much as I could and then finishing on my own after graduation, rather than waiting and post-baccing it. I did it for financial reasons (post-bacc programs TEND to be way mroe expensive than taking courses one at a time. I think.) and psychological reasons (feeling like I was working towards my goal sooner, rather than waiting 2 semesters to begin). I will be able to apply one year earlier than I would have if I'd waited to do a full post-bacc program.

Your circumstances seem similar to mine, so this is not to say that it's the right decision for you, but I thought you might like to know my reasoning.

 

[arciedee]

Have you spoken to the pre-med committee at the school you currently attend? They may be able to offer you some insight into what the best path would be for you to pursue if you cannot finish the pre-reqs while you are there. It's worth a shot to at least get their opinions, I'm sure you're not the first person at your school to have these concerns.

 

[Mackchops]

Very true. Thanks a bunch!