Harvard Extension School Premedical Program / Other Boston Postbaccs

[scscnell]

Hello! I’m looking to apply to a post-baccalaureate program to complete the rest of my premed requirements and have been considering the official Harvard Extension School Premedical Program. It seems like a good fit for me schedule-wise, as I will be working a full-time position and need evening class options. While I know DIY post-baccs are also an option, I wasn’t premed during college and am seeking a program that provides support and advising, which the premedical program at HES appears to offer.

I was wondering if anyone has experience or insight into the competitiveness of the program, as well as experiences with the program itself? I don’t have a particularly spectacular story—my background is in Biomedical Engineering (BS, MEng). However, through my experiences, I discovered a love for patient interaction and the opportunity to help people directly, which inspired my shift from the innovation- and industry-focused side of BME to pursuing medicine. It's a pretty common story, but I think I can weave it into a cohesive and clear personal statement.

I started some volunteering in the last few months (crisis text line, and other non-medical) a few months ago and have explored some virtual shadowing resources to gain a general idea of shadowing, but I haven’t been able to shadow in person yet. My GPA is ~3.3 for my undergraduate degree and 3.95 for my master’s. Given my experiences and motivation, I’d really appreciate any insight into whether I could be a good fit for this program as an applicant, or if I'm better off looking for other options that meet what I'm looking for.

I've also looked at the AAMC website and other resources for other Boston premed options, but if anyone has had positive experiences with other evening formal post-baccalaureate programs in the area and is willing to share, I’d be super grateful. Thank you!

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[LindaAccepted]

Hello! I’m looking to apply to a post-baccalaureate program to complete the rest of my premed requirements and have been considering the official Harvard Extension School Premedical Program. It seems like a good fit for me schedule-wise, as I will be working a full-time position and need evening class options. While I know DIY post-baccs are also an option, I wasn’t premed during college and am seeking a program that provides support and advising, which the premedical program at HES appears to offer.

I was wondering if anyone has experience or insight into the competitiveness of the program, as well as experiences with the program itself? I don’t have a particularly spectacular story—my background is in Biomedical Engineering (BS, MEng). However, through my experiences, I discovered a love for patient interaction and the opportunity to help people directly, which inspired my shift from the innovation- and industry-focused side of BME to pursuing medicine. It's a pretty common story, but I think I can weave it into a cohesive and clear personal statement.

I started some volunteering in the last few months (crisis text line, and other non-medical) a few months ago and have explored some virtual shadowing resources to gain a general idea of shadowing, but I haven’t been able to shadow in person yet. My GPA is ~3.3 for my undergraduate degree and 3.95 for my master’s. Given my experiences and motivation, I’d really appreciate any insight into whether I could be a good fit for this program as an applicant, or if I'm better off looking for other options that meet what I'm looking for.

I've also looked at the AAMC website and other resources for other Boston premed options, but if anyone has had positive experiences with other evening formal post-baccalaureate programs in the area and is willing to share, I’d be super grateful. Thank you!

Sorry that I can't comment on the Boston options specifically, but would encourage you to get some clinical experience and direct patient contact if you don't have it yet. And resume it if you had it in the past, but have not had it recently.

 

[AJS59]

Whatever postbac option you take try your best to ensure its in person classes, even if it has to be through a community college

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

Hello! I’m looking to apply to a post-baccalaureate program to complete the rest of my premed requirements and have been considering the official Harvard Extension School Premedical Program. It seems like a good fit for me schedule-wise, as I will be working a full-time position and need evening class options. While I know DIY post-baccs are also an option, I wasn’t premed during college and am seeking a program that provides support and advising, which the premedical program at HES appears to offer.

I was wondering if anyone has experience or insight into the competitiveness of the program, as well as experiences with the program itself? I don’t have a particularly spectacular story—my background is in Biomedical Engineering (BS, MEng). However, through my experiences, I discovered a love for patient interaction and the opportunity to help people directly, which inspired my shift from the innovation- and industry-focused side of BME to pursuing medicine. It's a pretty common story, but I think I can weave it into a cohesive and clear personal statement.

I started some volunteering in the last few months (crisis text line, and other non-medical) a few months ago and have explored some virtual shadowing resources to gain a general idea of shadowing, but I haven’t been able to shadow in person yet. My GPA is ~3.3 for my undergraduate degree and 3.95 for my master’s. Given my experiences and motivation, I’d really appreciate any insight into whether I could be a good fit for this program as an applicant, or if I'm better off looking for other options that meet what I'm looking for.

I've also looked at the AAMC website and other resources for other Boston premed options, but if anyone has had positive experiences with other evening formal post-baccalaureate programs in the area and is willing to share, I’d be super grateful. Thank you!

Another major advantage to official PostBacc programs are the infrastructural benefits that you get from pursing the courses at a major university. Many PostBaccs offer linkage agreements to their affiliated med schools, committee LoR packets, and networking for research that are often unique to the program. Finding the program that is the best fit for you is essential considering the financial and emotional investment that most PostBaccs require.

PostBaccs are becoming an extremely relevant option for nontraditional applicants because they offer the opportunity to hit the reset button on premedical courses, shadowing, research, etc, but it all depends on your specific experiences and what resources you have available to you via your previous undergraduate and graduate school programs.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

How to Choose a Postbaccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP) - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[LunaOri]

The Harvard classes are good, and even the virtual ones often have some in-person lab sessions.

 

[deleted1197125]

Hello! I’m looking to apply to a post-baccalaureate program to complete the rest of my premed requirements and have been considering the official Harvard Extension School Premedical Program. It seems like a good fit for me schedule-wise, as I will be working a full-time position and need evening class options. While I know DIY post-baccs are also an option, I wasn’t premed during college and am seeking a program that provides support and advising, which the premedical program at HES appears to offer.

I was wondering if anyone has experience or insight into the competitiveness of the program, as well as experiences with the program itself? I don’t have a particularly spectacular story—my background is in Biomedical Engineering (BS, MEng). However, through my experiences, I discovered a love for patient interaction and the opportunity to help people directly, which inspired my shift from the innovation- and industry-focused side of BME to pursuing medicine. It's a pretty common story, but I think I can weave it into a cohesive and clear personal statement.

I started some volunteering in the last few months (crisis text line, and other non-medical) a few months ago and have explored some virtual shadowing resources to gain a general idea of shadowing, but I haven’t been able to shadow in person yet. My GPA is ~3.3 for my undergraduate degree and 3.95 for my master’s. Given my experiences and motivation, I’d really appreciate any insight into whether I could be a good fit for this program as an applicant, or if I'm better off looking for other options that meet what I'm looking for.

I've also looked at the AAMC website and other resources for other Boston premed options, but if anyone has had positive experiences with other evening formal post-baccalaureate programs in the area and is willing to share, I’d be super grateful. Thank you!

Grades are the most important, imo. You can have all the premed advising in the world, but if you don’t have great grades it won’t mean anything.

Given that you mentioned having a 3.3 undergrad gpa, I’d be very careful in choosing where you take your courses. Some post baccs are notorious for curved, harsh grading.

 

[bennewill]

I can comment on this as someone who will be attending Harvard Extension School. If you're focusing on Northeast schools specifically, there are only three colleges that offer 1 yr post bacc pre med/pre dental accredited programs. Boston University, Harvard, and Tufts.

The difference between the three? BU and Tufts do not allow online undergrad credits as of 2025. Harvard does. Harvard also accepts bachelors degrees taken online (SNHU graduate myself). BU and Tufts has a no online credit policy.

Here is the kicker. Harvard med school does not accept online undergrad credits even if you attended their extension school. Also note, all three schools require post bacc science courses be taken in person. There are a few colleges that offer online certificate programs such as UNE which also has a dental school, but they will not count toward an accredited degree. You leave HES with a M.S.

UCONN has great med and dental school, but their post bacc programs are certificate only and are "highly selective". It's actually easier to get into Harvard than it is UCONN which is pretty incredible. Read about it below. Out of 200 only 13 were selected.

UConn Post-Bacc

I know all of this because I just went through the process of applying to 20+ different med schools to find out what I would need to qualify. All of the extension schools are highly competitive but give opportunity for all to attempt.