mshheaddoc said:
What are you plans for post-bacc?
I'm trying to formulate my plan currently and I'm getting really frustrated. I know that just taking my prereqs won't help get me in and I'm preparing to take 2 years of classes but here are my concerns:
1) Financial Aid - you only get aid for post bacc for one year correct?
2) Finding the right program for me - I know I need the prereqs but would like to take upper level classes as well. Should I do that in the same program? Or apply for a masters? I have so many options and I guess I want to have an idea of what I need to do. I have already been told to do the prereqs and then some sort of offical post-bacc. But how did you decide what program you went to? I'm curious how everyone evaluated programs. I'm stuck on what I should do ... and I have talked to many people.
3) Location and working part time - these go hand in hand, I need to work part-time for bills ...
Any thoughts 😕
Its good that you're starting with a plan....you'd be surprised at how many people (myself included) just kind of start somewhere and try to figure their way around.
Since you're gpa is...ahem...atrocious, you're right about the two years of post-bacc. When I graduated it was 2.25 cum and around 3.0 bcmp. After a year and a half of post-bacc, which included one year of taking the pre-reqs and another year of taking upper level ugad level sciences (which I'm currently in the middle of), my cum is 2.7 something and my bcmp is 3.2 something. You may want to do some rough math and figure out what your cum and bcmp gpa will be after 1 and 2 years of post-bacc at the udergrad level. If it makes a significant jump (ie pushes both above 3.0), it might be worth it. Otherwise, you may just want to take the pre-reqs and apply to an SMP.
I had to retake the pre-reqs because I took it previously with low grades. If you've already taken them, done reasonably well (3.4+) *and* it has not been too long since (< 3 years), I would not bother retaking. Start with upper level biology courses.
As for where to start, it depends on what your overall plans are. Are you just planning on two years of post-bacc taking the pre-reqs and more upper level sciences at the undergrad level? If so, stay at one university for both years and try to apply for a second bachelors degree. Pick a good state school, going to a Penn or Goucher or Columbia just for their post-bacc program wont give you enough of an advantage to justify their costs. Remember this about post-bacc programs: in most cases, their only real advantage is the linkage program, which shaves a year of the cycle and guarantees a seat for you in med school. Unfortunately, this is only for people with reasonably good grades to begin with....which isnt you, so take the advice of those who purport these programs with a grain of salt. You may start by calling or writing the admissions office at your state school or other schools you're interested in attending and asking them which schools they consider 'good'. You'd be surprised at how many times you get a response from the Director of Admissions. If money is no option, try to go to the best school you can get into. Columbia has the School of General Studies that offers evening courses to fulfill second bachelors requirements in Biology and Biochem, among others. If getting a second bachelors is your plan, I would think this would be your best option, since none of the other ivys are likely to admit low gpa/second bachelors students.
If you plan to just take the pre-reqs and then pursue grad work, again, take the pre-reqs at a good, cheap, state school and then do an SMP if your grades are atrocious. Depending on how well you do in post-bacc and on the MCAT, you may apply during the SMP year and get in. If you dont do well it will be two years before you should apply.
Financial aid is very difficult to get as a non-degree or post-bacc student. I have not heard of finincial aid being available for one year of post-bacc, so I dont know what to tell you about that. In most cases, you must be enrolled in a formal certificate granting program or as a second bachelors candidate to get financial aid for undergrad work. I would advise you to avoid working part-time. You'll be surprised at how much inane, busy-work is associated with these classes. Taking out loans is well worth it if it means fewer distractions. Between school and volunteering, ECs and research et., you wont have much time, believe me. I worked in ugrad my first go around, and it showed in my grades. Of course I didnt care too much about school back then either, but still. Dont bite off more than you can chew. Just take the loans.
Finally, three points:
1) Wherever you go for the pre-reqs, try to get into the Honors section: better interaction with professors, smaller class size, better rec letters, looks good on your transcripts.
2) Take Bio Chem and Phys in your first year, Orgo over the summer and dont take anything else. These classes are very intensive, and to really do well and prepare yourself for the MCAT, you need to focus on nothing but school.
3) Because you're in the low gpa club and a post-bacc, your tolerance for miscues is extrememly low. You really, really, need to strive for a 4.0 in your post-bacc. Forget about dropping classes, W's and C's. These will destroy your record. ADCOMs are wary of low gpa applicants anyway and want to see that you can excel with a challenging courseload. If you werent able to perform (for whatever reason) as an undergrad before, you should start small and build up your confidence before attempting grad courses or a 15+ hour undergrad load.
Hope this helps...and good luck.
