Input on Post Bacc Prog. that don't Req. GRE. Business Career Changer

[Sarah.S.M]

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Would like some feedback from previous Post Bacc Applicants/ researchers of Post Bacc programs.

I have a few concerns, as I am sure others in similar situations have and would like some input from others:

1) Lack of science background. I want to choose a post bacc program that offers a lot of support. In going back to school. I want to make sure this time GPA is far higher and focus is 100% on getting into a solid medical program. Need a great support team at Post Bacc Program.

2) Reasonable cost- (don't care what part of the country).

3) I haven't taken the GRE, and would prefer to not to do this and study for 6 months- 1 year before going back full-time to school. (I am already in the process of selling my rental properties, selling a business, working FT and saving the money to pay for this endeavor...not too much time left over at end of days).

I have a 3.25 undergrad GPA in Business, an MBA with a 3.3 and a MA in Psychology of 3.2. I am a small business owner (in the process of selling to go back to post bacc and medical school) and work full time currently. My professional background is in healthcare HR and also educational advising. I will also be volunteering at a Hospital in San Diego over the next 6 months.

Any comments or suggestions would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[Sarah.S.M]

Eicks...Think I may have posted this under wrong area! Anyways, hopefully some will still have some good tips! Thanks!

 

[wiloghby]

You don't need a GRE for most post-bacc programs. If I were you, I would register for courses at your local four-year university -- even if they don't have an official post-bacc program -- and just take the pre-med courses you need. With your GPA, you must must must get straight A's and strut your stuff academically. That's what I did, and I have received 8 interview invitations so far this cycle.

You will need a minimum of 15 months if you have to take all of the pre-reqs. That would be Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer... or Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring if you start in the Spring. Then you'd have to take the MCAT as soon as you finish that sequence, assuming you get a 3.8+ in your post-bacc If your MCAT comes back and it's good, you can always take biochemistry/genetics or any other upper level requirements while you are going through the application process.

You will of course want to be preparing for the MCAT starting a good 8-12 weeks before your test date...there's a whole forum on MCAT prep, but I would say don't worry about that now and just see if you can ace all the pre-reqs.

Depending on what your final GPA is, you might be better off taking an extra semester or two and retaking courses in which you got a C or lower (but getting A's the second time around) applying DO. That will bring your GPA up very quickly. Honestly even with a 3.3 undergrad GPA you can go really far as long as your MCAT is nice and high.

So I'd just take all those pre-med pre-reqs at the most convenient four-year school nearby as a non-matriculating student, or as a second bachelor's degree student (you don't have to finish). You won't need to take the GRE or any other standardized test to do this. Get all A's (or very close to it) and take the MCAT once you've covered all the material. If your MCAT score is very high (33+), you could probably apply MD and DO without taking any more elective coursework. If your MCAT is in the 28-32 range, you will probably want to do some extra coursework, and maybe apply DO with grade replacement and/or MD without it depending on your final GPA.

 

[Sarah.S.M]

Thank you Willogby,

That was very helpful and I appreciate your thoroughness. =-)

I agree with you about the non- matriculated information. Unfortunately, in Southern California, most of our local 4 year schools have such impacted programs, that by the time the "open enrollment" opens up, the science classes are filled as well as the wait lists...Gotta love the CA spending cuts on education! But that is ok...there are other options with Post Bacc programs, and I know UC Berkeley just started a Post Bacc program. UC Berkeley's is still new, so its a little harder finding people who have gone through it.

Yes the straight A's is my plan, as well as taking my time to do well and adequately prepare for the MCAT.

Thank you again, and hopefully this post will help others in similar situations.

 

[box8psych]

I agree with everything wiloghby said. The one thing I will add is that if you are looking for strong guidance, it is going to be hard to find an affordable option, since you will only be able to get the structure and attention from a "formal" Post-Bac. I went to Scripps in Claremont and cannot be happier with my decision, with the only caveat being the cost. That's just a decision that you will have to make for yourself (everyone's financial situation is different), but otherwise I was very happy with the guidance and individual attention (the largest class I heard of was 18). PM if you have any questions about Scripps or otherwise and good luck!

 

[mehc012]

Thank you Willogby,

That was very helpful and I appreciate your thoroughness. =-)

I agree with you about the non- matriculated information. Unfortunately, in Southern California, most of our local 4 year schools have such impacted programs, that by the time the "open enrollment" opens up, the science classes are filled as well as the wait lists...Gotta love the CA spending cuts on education! But that is ok...there are other options with Post Bacc programs, and I know UC Berkeley just started a Post Bacc program. UC Berkeley's is still new, so its a little harder finding people who have gone through it.

Yes the straight A's is my plan, as well as taking my time to do well and adequately prepare for the MCAT.

Thank you again, and hopefully this post will help others in similar situations.

The actual UC postbaccs can be hard to get into, depending on their target population (some prefer minorities, etc.)
If you're near UCB, you can consider looking into UC Berkeley Extension...it's nice because the classes are in the evenings (so you can still work) and they have upper level bios.