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I need HONEST opinions and thoughts please?
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Your high school GPA doesn't matter, and your current GPA is great. Keep it up in your postbacc. I can't see why you'd have any trouble getting in anywhere for a postbacc.
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high school grades are not considered by post-bac programs. For the programs that you are targeting, each spot is very competitive. Your grades and test scores are great, as you know. However, it looks like you are lacking clinical/shadowing/volunteer experience. You should have a significant amount of volunteer experience by the time you apply to the post bac program and very strong answers for "why medicine." If you are only interested in formal post-bac programs, you should check out the post-bac forum as there is more specific information there.
I will definitely keep that in mind- that is very helpful! Thank you very much!
If you don't mind me asking, why did you not apply to Goucher and where did you end up instead?
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Sounds like the best thing is a 2-year post-back to gain clinical experience, take about 4 semesters of post-back pre-reqs (sciences), study for the MCAT and gain volunteer experience.
Your mission/overseas trips are nice, but you need clinical hands-on in a medical setting. I would start ASAP, even if only a few hours a week, shadowing a doc or volunteering at a clinic, etc. You need it for 2 reasons: 1) You don't have much of a shot without it and 2) YOU need to see it to know for yourself that this is what you want to do.
Your mission/overseas trips are nice, but you need clinical hands-on in a medical setting. I would start ASAP, even if only a few hours a week, shadowing a doc or volunteering at a clinic, etc. You need it for 2 reasons: 1) You don't have much of a shot without it and 2) YOU need to see it to know for yourself that this is what you want to do.
Thank you for your advice- I mentioned my two summers at hopkins now so far, which was in total 6 months total of clinical volunteer work, sitting in multiple surgeries, and research combined. With my school schedule and performances it is impossible to fit in shadowing in my last semester. How much more do you think I would need to at least have a good shot in a postbacc program?
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Why I considered it: I was figuring out the post-bacc world and I live in the DC area so I knew it was close to home.
Why I didn't end up applying: I took a couple of the medical school pre-reqs in college and didn't need to retake them (just studied on my own to refresh memory after 7+ years) so I decided formal programs like Goucher were not for me due to strict requirements. I am a very independent person and wanted flexibility. I didn't want to commit to linkage yet and wanted the gap year off to make money again since I quit my job to do the post-bacc courses in 3 semesters.
I ended up at a local university that has a post-bacc program, but it was quite informal. I had a dedicated advisor and a cohort of peers, but we took classes with the general undergrad population. She helped with advice, schedules, EC opportunities, and advice on the application process/interviews. This program wasn't as competitive or cutthroat as I have heard the more formal programs are and that jives with my personality. I was very successful - 7 MD interviews and a few acceptances and wait lists. No rejections yet. My cohort hasn't been as successful and so far no one else has an acceptance to a US school. Take that for what it's worth -- in a DIY environment, you don't have the protection of the program's name/reputation, it all rests on your qualifications. But that worked in my favor, I guess.
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I would argue that the reputation of the program (goucher, brywn mawr, scripps etc) and its success at getting students into medical school has less to do with qualities of the program itself but rather is caused by accepting a few, highly accomplished students that have shown they have the skills to do well in the classes, on the mcat, and ultimately will matriculate to medical school. With a DIY approach, many schools accept students regardless of academic abilities or likelihood to matriculate.
I applied and was accepted to one of the reputable post bac programs but ultimately decided to take classes at a local university instead. In the end, I decided the $30k+ price tag was not worth it for the smaller environment/reputation.
I applied and was accepted to one of the reputable post bac programs but ultimately decided to take classes at a local university instead. In the end, I decided the $30k+ price tag was not worth it for the smaller environment/reputation.
Ah, I understand. That's a good opinion and insight to have considering my situation and what would be the most beneficial to me in the long run...thanks! Gives me a lot to think about!!
That's a very good point- thanks for your opinion!
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I would try to maintain at least a few hours every week/half a day every other. Consistently is a good sign. I would try to do that no less than 6 months.
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Agree 100%. You can get a leg up on your post-bac if you can take some pre-req coursework outside of Julliard. If not, don't sweat it. Post-bacs and SMPs are a dime a dozen.
Going to Julliard and being a violist gives you a +1 in my book. I can barely whistle and am amazed that my 10 year daughter can play the violin. Bio majors are plentiful, but you'' immediately stand out in an interviewer's mind as "that kid from Julliard.
Going to Julliard and being a violist gives you a +1 in my book. I can barely whistle and am amazed that my 10 year daughter can play the violin. Bio majors are plentiful, but you'' immediately stand out in an interviewer's mind as "that kid from Julliard.
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I would echo Green Duck's advice to consider designing your own postbacc- you have a very impressive resume already and no big red flags/bad grades to overcome, so I wouldn't think you would need a formal SMP unless the cost is not an issue for you. good luck with everything!
This is not a good idea - if OP takes pre-reqs now s/he will actually be disqualified for many formal postbac programs. The type of program OP needs is designed for career-changers/non-science majors - they are for people who have NOT taken the pre-reqs. The other category of postbac program is for science majors who need to boost their stats, and usually consists of upper-level courses. Goro is confusing these two types of programs: take a look at Temple's BCMS program vs. ACMS program, for example, to understand the difference. Likewise, SMPs are not for people in OP's situation.
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Goro was not saying that the OP should pursue and SMP but rather was stating that there are a TON of post-bacs and SMPs.
OP, take the time to research your options. There are formal programs an informal programs at a variety of price ranges. Ultimately, you need the same basic sequences of classes + or - some math/bio courses. I would advise you to pick the program where you can 1) do well 2) earn letters of rec and 3) reduce amount of debt (the first two are the biggest priorities). My best advice is don't jump into an expensive (or inexpensive) post-bac without taking the time to volunteer and shadow others in order to find out if medicine is the path for you. The reality of medicine is much more complicated and challenging than outsiders think and by volunteering and shadowing you can get a taste of what it is like.
OP, take the time to research your options. There are formal programs an informal programs at a variety of price ranges. Ultimately, you need the same basic sequences of classes + or - some math/bio courses. I would advise you to pick the program where you can 1) do well 2) earn letters of rec and 3) reduce amount of debt (the first two are the biggest priorities). My best advice is don't jump into an expensive (or inexpensive) post-bac without taking the time to volunteer and shadow others in order to find out if medicine is the path for you. The reality of medicine is much more complicated and challenging than outsiders think and by volunteering and shadowing you can get a taste of what it is like.
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Op can also do a DIY post-bac, starting right now with, say, basic Biology or Chemistry.
So it seems like many of you are suggesting more of a DIY route (or enrolling in schools that aren't offering more rigid, formal post-bac courses). I know, for example Harvard extension school offers post-bac classes but are more suited to fit the design of the needs of the student instead of the student adhering to a specific program. I definitely thought I needed a really rigid program because I'm coming from a music background but it seems that maybe a DIY approach can still be helpful and help me get accepted into good medical schools. If you have Any more opinions on which you would prefer, please let me know, and if you think the 30k+ is really worth these programs... (This is a lot of information to take in!!) THANKS everyone you guys are all so helpful 
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Many career changers choose the DIY approach at local universities because of 1) cost 2) the need to work to support self/family 3) can schedule part time classes in the evening. Plenty of students have been successful going this route depending on starting GPA / GPA during post bac, and MCAT scores. There are also plenty of career changers who go back to school at a local university full time to take the required classes. In my own case, this option appealed to me more than a formal program
That being said, plenty of others have gone the formal route and have been successful. For them, it was worth the additional cost to take classes within the structure of that program because either they believed it was a place they could succeed or that it was necessary to go to a formal program. It really is up to you to decide which option will work best for you so do your research.
That being said, plenty of others have gone the formal route and have been successful. For them, it was worth the additional cost to take classes within the structure of that program because either they believed it was a place they could succeed or that it was necessary to go to a formal program. It really is up to you to decide which option will work best for you so do your research.
So it seems like many of you are suggesting more of a DIY route (or enrolling in schools that aren't offering more rigid, formal post-bac courses). I know, for example Harvard extension school offers post-bac classes but are more suited to fit the design of the needs of the student instead of the student adhering to a specific program. I definitely thought I needed a really rigid program because I'm coming from a music background but it seems that maybe a DIY approach can still be helpful and help me get accepted into good medical schools. If you have Any more opinions on which you would prefer, please let me know, and if you think the 30k+ is really worth these programs... (This is a lot of information to take in!!) THANKS everyone you guys are all so helpful
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