Engineering graduate go to postbacc for the name? Advice pls

[kayjay00]

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I graduated with a bachelor's and master's in engineering at a very competitive college but looking to go to dental school. My bachelors gpa is in the very low 3.x, but both my masters and science gpa is decent. I've taken Chem I & II and Bio I and got an A in all three. Is it worth the money to go to a non-top-tier decent post bacc program (talking HES level), or should I just finish my prereqs at a local college?

I'm starting to think the postbacc isn't worth it because I will be getting my committee letter from my undergrad anyway and I can find more shadowing opportunities here since I know lots of ppl. If I move to go to the post bacc, I have to start paying for an apartment (currently live with parents), and have to find new shadowing/research opportunities, and I'll be broke as heck.

Is the name brand of the postbacc worth it??

 

[ChopinLiszt]

I think your ECs, LORs, and DAT are going to matter more than the name of your post-bacc institution, unless you're looking for a specific linkage program. The most important thing to do in post-bacc is to get A's. Having a free living situation and avoiding the moving stress, etc., might help you get A's. HES is not known for giving easy A's, but I took several post-bacc classes there and managed a 4.0 with consistent work, so don't get scared off if HES is the best option for you. And I don't know if there are really 'tiers' for post-bacc - the Bryn Mawrs and Gouchers of the world are really for people who have no prereqs done and need a structured program with advising, etc. And HES has a great reputation. Good luck.

 

[kayjay00]

I think your ECs, LORs, and DAT are going to matter more than the name of your post-bacc institution, unless you're looking for a specific linkage program. The most important thing to do in post-bacc is to get A's. Having a free living situation and avoiding the moving stress, etc., might help you get A's. HES is not known for giving easy A's, but I took several post-bacc classes there and managed a 4.0 with consistent work, so don't get scared off if HES is the best option for you. And I don't know if there are really 'tiers' for post-bacc - the Bryn Mawrs and Gouchers of the world are really for people who have no prereqs done and need a structured program with advising, etc. And HES has a great reputation. Good luck.

Thank you! I definitely do want to go to the formal post bacc but I feel like the money is really going to stress me out cause I'll be so tight on it (might have to even taken out some loans). But if doing a post bacc at a very reputable college is going to let me look better, I thought it would be worth it.

 

[Ad2b]

Did you cross-post this on the dental forums? you might get more traction there

 

[ChopinLiszt]

Well, if HES is near you and that works best, they do have a formal post-bacc, and their courses usually cost about half as much as other formal programs. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[GreenDuck12]

The general consensus is no, moving for the name of a post-bac program is not worth it. While institutional prestige may be a factor and one of a small group of undergraduate institutions, the reality is there are several thousand community colleges, colleges, and universities that students might attend. Admissions committees are less interested in the name of your institution and more interested in the work that you do (grades in classes, MCAT, extracurricular activities/work experience, and letters of rec) especially as a post-bac. If you are already established in your area and can find a local university to take classes at, I would do that.

 

[bears1992]

I was in your shoes last year (although my engineering degree is just a bachelors). I did an informal postbac at my local state school taking the following courses:
Bio I
Bio II
Chem II
Orgo I
Orgo II
Sociology
Pshychology
Biochem

I went the medical route but I'm sure you can take a similar route for Dental.