Do most all quality Post-Bac programs require an application/selection process?

[ilovesnapples]

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I'm a college graduate who started out as a pre-dental student, but poor grades deterred me from continuing. Now, after entering the real world, I'm thinking about giving Dental another shot. I was interesting in entering a Post-Bac program in the near future, but was wondering if anyone could help.


1.) Do most all quality post-bac programs require an application/selection process? I understand that my classmates were able to take summer courses at other universities simply by just signing up and was under the impression that Post-bac classes were similar. Now I hear that there is a selection process?

2.) How rigorous is the Post-Bac program selection processes?

3.) what is the difference between formal and informal Post-Bac programs?

3.) Is it "greatly" (subjective) in my best interest to enter these formal programs, or will the informal programs give me the boost I need (my GPA is poor and I need a considerable boost)?

Thanks, I really appreciate the help~~

 

[Longcatislong]

Hi there,

Like you, I'm somewhat new to this post-bacc business. But, since I've already been on SDN for a bit, and have also applied to (and gotten into) several formal post bac programs, I'll give your questions a shot 🙂

1.) Do most all quality post-bac programs require an application/selection process? I understand that my classmates were able to take summer courses at other universities simply by just signing up and was under the impression that Post-bac classes were similar. Now I hear that there is a selection process?

yes, most formal post-bacc programs will require an application, letters of rec and possibly an interview. If you don't want to go the formal route, you can always taken classes at your college through Open University Enrollment. Most state school's have this. There are two drawbacks i see to doing this: 1) as an open U student you're never guaranteed enrollment in classes and you're lowest registration priority 2) no financial aid. Formal post-baccs are advantageous in that they guarantee enrollment in the classes and provide aid if you need it. Also, they provide academic counseling and do committee letters of rec for you. Plus, you get to be in a tight community of other post-baccs like yourself 🙂

2.) How rigorous is the Post-Bac program selection processes?

It varies. I don't imagine most are that hard to get into if you have a decent undergrad gpa. I could be wrong. Check out other threads on this forum that seem to highlight these rigorous/competitive programs...

3.) what is the difference between formal and informal Post-Bac programs?

see answer to #1.

3.) Is it "greatly" (subjective) in my best interest to enter these formal programs, or will the informal programs give me the boost I need (my GPA is poor and I need a considerable boost)?

In my opinion, doing formal is better. Why? 1) Because you're guaranteed admission into ALL the prereq classes you need (unlike through open university, where you're always going to be last on a waitlist and may never get into certain in-demand courses). 2) you take your prereq classes with other post-baccs, so you all will bond over your shared experience and you all will have a similar seriousness of purpose in your academics. I see these things as nice positives to going the formal route. But I could also understand how that could be of no importance to someone if all you need are just a few classes.

However, I don't think it really matters whether you do a formal program or an informal program, so long as you DO WELL in all your classes!

Well, that was my stab at answering your questions. Hope it helps!