HELP!!!! The Expensive Post-Bacc

[LilyMD]

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I know there has been some discussion already on whether it's worth the $$$ to go to a formal, more expensive post-bacc program or whether it would be better take the classes more informally at your local university. It seemed that most people leaned towards the cheaper local university. But one issue that I didn't notice being brought up, which is my concern is this:

I'm not a science major and really never thought of myself as a science-type. I was intidimated by science classes and would've never dreamed of going to med school. I did my undergrad at the local university, which was great for the money, and hated my two science professors because one was in a huge auditorium with the professor not even allowing questions and the other professor's English was difficult to understand. I ended up going to law school (and getting hefty loans to pay for it) at a smaller private law school. The education I received in law school was the first time I ever had really great professors, who were available, genuinely interested in the material, and wanted to engage the students. My fear is that I will not do well bc of my little science background in the local university class in auditorium style classrooms and poor teachers. I think I might do better in post-bacc where classes are smaller and the professors understand that we are post-baccs with no science background. I was all planning to do the more expensive route for post-bacc (assuming I'd get in) to get the foundation down and have a greater chance of getting into med school - and then trying to get into a state school to save on med. school. The more I read the more it sounds like an unrealistic plan. Also, in case it makes a difference, I'm in Florida. Also, many of the posts indicate that I might have a problem getting a great residency if I limit myself to Florida public med schools (UF, USF and FSU). Anyone??? Please help!

 

[Jamaican MD]

In my opinion, it is not worth spending the extra $$ to go to a formal post-bacc program UNLESS the program has a linkage agreement with some medical schools.

If you don't get into one of those, or you don't think you'll need to or whatever, the next step would be taking your pre-med classes at a university that has a medical school. That way, you can establish contact early.

Or, you could always take classes at your state school. On AMCAS, I don't believe that they make any distiction between taking post-bacc classes and taking post-bacc classes as part pf a program.

 

[DoctorInSpace]

Check out the various post bacc programs for several reasons. First of all, all the post-baccs aren't necessarily congregated into their own class. At University of Miami, I was in class with students 10 years younger then me, who didn't have a big gap in their science education, and were competing for spots in the 7-year med school program. There were lots of post-baccs, but we were each taking different things at different times, depending on our various needs. So don't think that a post-bacc program will have smaller classes with ONLY post bacc students in them, unless you check that out in advance.

As far as residencies, it is more about the contacts you make on your rotations and how well you do at the particular hospitals you want to be a resident at, then what school you attended. Unless you want to do neurosurgery at Harvard or something ultra competitive like that.

My opinion on post baccs, having been there----go cheaper, save the money, you will need it.

good luck

 

[Anka]

Just a quick suggestion. If you're willing to take more time, U Penn's pre-med post-bac courses can be done entirely during the evening. While I'm not in the formal program (I actually found out about the formal program after taking most of the classes), a lot of the students in my courses were, and many of them worked full time. If you get a job at U Penn, your tuition is paid for. So, you have a decent income and can take up to 6 classes per year (2 per term). If you go over by a half unit in an evening course, you can always pay the ~500$ for the extra half unit (it happens sometimes for labs), as the evening courses are much cheaper than the day courses.

Most universities offer tuition benefits. I know a girl who works at Jefferson, and gets her UPenn classes paid for.

Anyway, it's an option that might take an extra year, but will leave you a whole lot less in debt and the courses are from U Penn.

Best of luck,
Anka

 

[epigenetics]

HELP!!!🙁


I have been accepted into a few different Post-Bacc Pre Med programs and every one seems to have the same reply in that:


Only a fraction of the programs are covered by regular federal student loans....

It seems like my only option are PRIVATE BANK LOANS--which I am very leary to take out as I already have a ton of loans from my undergrad and concerned about not having options on private loans for deferrment or income-based programs for repayment. (Which may be necessary during "glide year", residency, etc......)

Since the whole point of doing a Post-Bacc Pre Med program is to get stellar grades to get into Med School, really want to focus fully on school......


What options are there out there?? Are there any Banks that offer better loans than other for this particular course of study...??


YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED as most of the schools I am talking to are not very helpful as they don't want to recommend any lending institutions and Post Bacc Pre-Med programs seem to be a "gray area" outside the area of expertise of most Financial Aid offices...


THANKS A MILLION FOR ANY COMMENTS!!!🙂