How to start a DIY post bacc?

[acesCracked72]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I'm currently working a 40 hour a week job, and I'm not entirely sure what the best way to start taking classes are. I took an intro chem course like 5 years ago but forgot pretty much everything I learned, so I'll probably start from scratch.

I've heard someone say to not take classes at CC's (which are usually the only source of evening classes), so I'm wondering how my fellow non traditional applicants have done it in the past. Also, I'm in the seattle area FYI and the major 4 year here is UW, but it seems like most classes are morning/afternoon and the non-matriculated students get last priority so getting into intro classes would be quite hard I reckon.

Which type of schools don't all CC courses? I think taking classes at a CC would be a lot more feasible, but I don't want to filter out any med school options before I even start the track. Thanks!


Also, it seems that most med schools require bio, chem, ochem, physics, and math... so is it enough if I take the basic biology, chemistry and ochem sequences? My previous degree was in math so I have already finished extensive math and physics courses. I'm seeing people saying that they're planning on taking anatomy or neurology courses in their post bacc and I'm not sure why. Any advice would be necessary here as to what type of courses to take.

 

[Faha]

For DO schools and many MD schools you can take the prerequisites at a CC. After you take biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry you can take any other science courses that interest you.

 

[|A|B|C|InTheMake]

Is it not true CC credits are given lower priority? How about registering as Non Degree seeking student at a 4 yr school and completing courses?

 

[LittlePuppy]

I’m currently doing classes at a CC. Idk if it will be frowned upon come application time, but I cannot drop my FT work. I might even have to take some online classes, like for biochem, just so I can continue working. Not too sure how adcoms feel about this though, but I feel like I need to make everything work. Luckily, the my md state school favors nontrads.. so I hope things will work out!

 

[|A|B|C|InTheMake]

In fact, I am in a similar situation and I was cautioned on CC credits, and CC is my best option nearby, I am confused 🙂 and at the same time, I have to register as an Int'l.

 

[Goro]

So I'm currently working a 40 hour a week job, and I'm not entirely sure what the best way to start taking classes are. I took an intro chem course like 5 years ago but forgot pretty much everything I learned, so I'll probably start from scratch.

I've heard someone say to not take classes at CC's (which are usually the only source of evening classes), so I'm wondering how my fellow non traditional applicants have done it in the past. Also, I'm in the seattle area FYI and the major 4 year here is UW, but it seems like most classes are morning/afternoon and the non-matriculated students get last priority so getting into intro classes would be quite hard I reckon.

Which type of schools don't all CC courses? I think taking classes at a CC would be a lot more feasible, but I don't want to filter out any med school options before I even start the track. Thanks!


Also, it seems that most med schools require bio, chem, ochem, physics, and math... so is it enough if I take the basic biology, chemistry and ochem sequences? My previous degree was in math so I have already finished extensive math and physics courses. I'm seeing people saying that they're planning on taking anatomy or neurology courses in their post bacc and I'm not sure why. Any advice would be necessary here as to what type of courses to take.

As a nontrad, you'll get cut some slack for taking CC courses.
Taking upper level Bio classes shows Adcoms that you can handle rigorous material.
You'll need Biochem as well as a year of Bio and physics and the two years of Chem

 

[DocOrBust2019]

As a nontrad, you'll get cut some slack for taking CC courses.
Taking upper level Bio classes shows Adcoms that you can handle rigorous material.
You'll need Biochem as well as a year of Bio and physics and the two years of Chem

Goro, how are upper level sciences classes at a CC treated? Are they viewed similarly to upper level courses at a university or are they still viewed as less rigorous?

My CC offers a Biology bachelor's so ideally I would like to take all my upper level classes close to home.

 

[Goro]

Goro, how are upper level sciences classes at a CC treated? Are they viewed similarly to upper level courses at a university or are they still viewed as less rigorous?

My CC offers a Biology bachelor's so ideally I would like to take all my upper level classes close to home.

A 4 year university would be better, but again, non-trads who have to work are cut some slack.

 

[|A|B|C|InTheMake]

@Goro How about post bacc pre-med programs or non degree seeking programs, are they worth and spending money? and also how it would be after for Int'l students if taken? In Texas, I don't see any post bacc programs but there are pre-med in BioMedical Sciences but not sure if they are counted towards pre-requisites. Thank you

 

[Goro]

@Goro How about post bacc pre-med programs or non degree seeking programs, are they worth and spending money? and also how it would be after for Int'l students if taken? In Texas, I don't see any post bacc programs but there are pre-med in BioMedical Sciences but not sure if they are counted towards pre-requisites. Thank you

A post-bac program is good for career switchers.

It's hard to advise for internationals. Generally, for MD they need to be superstars. For the ~14 DO schools that take them, then it should be OK. You might have to relocate if interested.

 

[acesCracked72]

As a nontrad, you'll get cut some slack for taking CC courses.
Taking upper level Bio classes shows Adcoms that you can handle rigorous material.
You'll need Biochem as well as a year of Bio and physics and the two years of Chem

So to clarify, am I capping my target schools by taking CC classes? Are there certain schools that will absolutely not allow CC courses even for nontrads? If so, what tier/level are these schools at?

 

[acesCracked72]

For DO schools and many MD schools you can take the prerequisites at a CC. After you take biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry you can take any other science courses that interest you.

how necessary is it to take further science courses? I already have a bachelors degree in math so I'd prefer to self study MCAT material rather than keep taking formal courses to save time

 

[acesCracked72]

Is it not true CC credits are given lower priority? How about registering as Non Degree seeking student at a 4 yr school and completing courses?

the hardest part about that is that you typically have last priority to register for classes and it can get tough to get your classes in time depending on what school you're attending. But I agree, that would be the ideal way to go about it if you have a plethora of 4 year institutions near you.

 

[|A|B|C|InTheMake]

A post-bac program is good for career switchers.

It's hard to advise for internationals. Generally, for MD they need to be superstars. For the ~14 DO schools that take them, then it should be OK. You might have to relocate if interested.

Thank you, Do you have any recommendations for the post bacc schools, I have few with linkages, I am preferring 1 yr programs rather 2 yrs. Currently, I am planning to be Research Volunteer at a nearby orgs and I have a background in Electrical, Software, Aviation and want to save some years as I am starting already late. I have options of CC and UT Austin nearby. I want to study FT even with post bacc programs, that way I can focus on medical field though it burns out pocket 🙁

- Bryn Mawr
- UPenn
- Columbia
- NYU
- Boston University
-Georgetown

Thanks,
Abhi

 

[Faha]

how necessary is it to take further science courses? I already have a bachelors degree in math so I'd prefer to self study MCAT material rather than keep taking formal courses to save time

You only need them if you want to raise your sGPA.

 

[Goro]

So to clarify, am I capping my target schools by taking CC classes? Are there certain schools that will absolutely not allow CC courses even for nontrads? If so, what tier/level are these schools at?

Invest in M SAR online and see how they consider Community college courses

 

[acesCracked72]

Invest in M SAR online and see how they consider Community college courses

thanks goro

 

[|A|B|C|InTheMake]

A post-bac program is good for career switchers.

It's hard to advise for internationals. Generally, for MD they need to be superstars. For the ~14 DO schools that take them, then it should be OK. You might have to relocate if interested.

I am looking at MSAR for International, there is a very little percentage of int'l applicants are invited for the interviews but at the same time there is no clarity on the profiles and I agree whoever selected might be superstars. In general, what are skills be expected to be superstars from Int'l applicants leaving the factors sponsorship and financial liabilities aside esp., for nontraditional students?

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I am looking at MSAR for International, there is a very little percentage of int'l applicants are invited for the interviews but at the same time there is no clarity on the profiles and I agree whoever selected might be superstars. In general, what are skills be expected to be superstars from Int'l applicants leaving the factors sponsorship and financial liabilities aside esp., for nontraditional students?

It's really hard. IIRC, the majority of successful international applicants are Canadian (just off the top of my head, I know Wayne State accepts a handful of Canadians every year but they don't typically accept students from other countries). It gets considerably harder for international students with more complex visa issues.

Successful international matriculants will likely have combinations of the following attributes: stellar MCAT, very compelling reason for attending medical school in the US vs. home country (e.g., refugee status), high-level academic performance (I knew of one medical student who had earned a PhD in biochemistry in his home country and had multiple research awards), exceptional fit with the school's mission, exceptional life experiences, etc. US medical schools train doctors to practice in the US; schools need to be certain international MD students will practice in the US, and not return home immediately following their US government-funded residency.

Successful (non-Canadian) international MD applicants are very rare in this process, so there's not really one profile. The attributes sought will vary based on the needs of the school.

 

[LittlePuppy]

What is the general consensus on taking biochem online? The only biochem in my area is 10 am - 12 pm, MWF.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

What is the general consensus on taking biochem online? The only biochem in my area is 10 am - 12 pm, MWF.

Many schools do not accept any online coursework. The MSAR will tell you which schools are OK with online credits and which aren’t.

 

[deleted1010363]

A quick rant...but I'd like to add to this conversation by speaking about stigma on community college being considered non-competitive for entry to medical school. Given that 4 year universities will consider certain courses from a community college as equivalent to their course, they would then give you a transfer credit as an equivalent. This means that even the 4 year institutions are considering a community college course "on their level". The unfortunate reality to this is that not all adcoms see this in the same light. Rant over.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

A quick rant...but I'd like to add to this conversation by speaking about stigma on community college being considered non-competitive for entry to medical school. Given that 4 year universities will consider certain courses from a community college as equivalent to their course, they would then give you a transfer credit as an equivalent. This means that even the 4 year institutions are considering a community college course "on their level". The unfortunate reality to this is that not all adcoms see this in the same light. Rant over.

I’m with you. This is another way this game is (very unfortunately) skewed in favor of applicants with means. I’m encouraged to see that many state schools are warming up to CC prerequisite coursework.

That said, I wish CCs wouldn’t vary so wildly in quality. I taught intro chemistry students at a 4 year state school, many of whom had already taken chemistry at one of our local CCs. Students transferring from College X were far more prepared than transfers from College Y. For example, I had one student who earned a 3.2 in chemistry at Y but couldn’t write a generic acid/base expression or create a simple Lewis structure. Lots of transfers from Y failed out of my Gen Chem within the first semester, which was sad to see. Students from X, however, were mostly fine. These CCs were less than 15 miles from one another in the same county.

 

[deleted1010363]

That said, I wish CCs wouldn’t vary so wildly in quality. I taught intro chemistry students at a 4 year state school, many of whom had already taken chemistry at one of our local CCs. Students transferring from College X were far more prepared than transfers from College Y. For example, I had one student who earned a 3.2 in chemistry at Y but couldn’t write a generic acid/base expression or create a simple Lewis structure. Lots of transfers from Y failed out of my Gen Chem their first quarter, which was sad to see. Students from X, however, were mostly fine. These CCs were less than 15 miles from one another in the same county.

It almost makes you wonder that if you are taking all of your prerequisites from a community college, are you being taught the same quality of content to prepare you for the MCAT and/or med school? You're right, the system is a game...and we are to play it and (hopefully) win.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

It almost makes you wonder that if you are taking all of your prerequisites from a community college, are you being taught the same quality of content to prepare you for the MCAT and/or med school? You're right, the system is a game...and we are to play it and (hopefully) win.

Depending on the state, probably not. 🙁 Sadly, some low income applicants will be disadvantaged by choosing all CC work and will need to be very self-sufficient in their MCAT studies. I could go on and on about inequities in American higher education and the process of entering STEM fields, but that’s a topic for another day...

 

[1005480]

I took 2 semesters of General Chem, Bio, and Physics at CC and then the higher level sciences at a 4-year state school (I have my bachelors degree in finance from 2014 too). I applied this cycle to medical school and have had 1 DO invite and Acceptance and am scheduled for 1 more DO and 1 MD interview at the end of this month. I would say if CC is a much better fit for your life and wallet (it was for me) then go for it, I haven't seen it affecting me at all so far.

 

[|A|B|C|InTheMake]

what do you all think of second bachelors? which of the universities are flexible transferring credits from first bachelors?

 

[ToothlessTheDragon]

If it's helpful, I can tell you how I did it. I'm about five years out of undergrad. My work schedule wasn't flexible enough for me to take in-person courses at the local community college, so I took some online courses (including lab components) in intro biology I & II, chemistry I & II, O Chem I & II, and Physics I & II. I did a single post-bacc semester in person at the local 4-year university near me this past spring to finish the full complement of courses and further evidence my "current" academic abilities, etc. I received interviews at all the schools to which I have applied and have received one offer so far.

I suppose what I'm getting at is that the schools seem to be flexible depending on your circumstances. If it's obvious that you have been working, working hard, and are doing classes at the same time, then make that clear in your application and they seem to understand it. I think that the catch with this is that you absolutely will need a solid MCAT to evidence that you genuinely and sincerely understand the material.