Is a post-bacc the same as a second undergrad?

[lincoln87]

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I live in Ontario, Canada and I don't seem to see any post-bacc programs listed at our schools. Is a second undergrad the same thing?

 

[HarryPotterLostInNarnia]

Depends, but not usually. There are premed post bacc programs which generally takes 1~2 years, covering all the prerequisite classes. They may give you a certificate or even a master's degree (if it was an SMP) but not another undergrad degree.

Now, if your school doesn't have such programs, you can do a DIY (do it yourself) postbacc, which includes taking prerequisite classes on your own. You can do this by taking courses as a non-degree seeking student, or even as a degree-seeking student in which case you will get yourself a second undergrad degree.
I recommend checking the non-traditional forum for more info.

 

[lincoln87]

Thanks for the replies. I have reached out to a few MD schools and they have mentioned that non-degree courses do not count towards your GPA.

So, if I enrolled in a second undergrad, did courses but did not finish the degree, this would count towards the GPA? Is this practice shunned upon by admissions committees?

 

[libertyyne]

Thanks for the replies. I have reached out to a few MD schools and they have mentioned that non-degree courses do not count towards your GPA.

So, if I enrolled in a second undergrad, did courses but did not finish the degree, this would count towards the GPA? Is this practice shunned upon by admissions committees?

The courses are meant to go towards a degree, you are just not completing the degree.

 

[prehealthadvisor55]

You mention "the GPA" but there are actually several GPAs adcoms can look at.

After you graduate with a degree, any undergrad course taken goes into your post-bacc GPA, which can be looked at together with undergrad GPA (cumulative total undergrad), but typically isn't. It's usually viewed separate from your traditional undergrad. Some schools may differ, but that's how I've typically seen it.

If you reapply for undergrad admissions for a "second bachelor degree" it's still post-bacc to my understanding. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not sure how things work in Canada higher ed or at your institution. Are you applying to American med schools or Canadian?

 

[lincoln87]

You mention "the GPA" but there are actually several GPAs adcoms can look at.

After you graduate with a degree, any undergrad course taken goes into your post-bacc GPA, which can be looked at together with undergrad GPA (cumulative total undergrad), but typically isn't. It's usually viewed separate from your traditional undergrad. Some schools may differ, but that's how I've typically seen it.

If you reapply for undergrad admissions for a "second bachelor degree" it's still post-bacc to my understanding. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not sure how things work in Canada higher ed or at your institution. Are you applying to American med schools or Canadian?

Going to be applying to American schools. So if these post-bacc classes in a second degree go towards a separate GPA pool, they won't influence my cGPA or sGPA?

Thanks for the help.

 

[LizzyM]

Going to be applying to American schools. So if these post-bacc classes in a second degree go towards a separate GPA pool, they won't influence my cGPA or sGPA?

Thanks for the help.

All coursework you take counts toward your GPA. That said, schools will see GPA by academic year, total GPA at college graduation, GPA for post-bac undergrad classes, total GPA from unergrad plus post-bac, GPA for grad classes. And each of those averages is split into BCPM (science GPA) and AO (all other), too.

 

[lincoln87]

your original degree will broken up by year. Any undergraduate courses taken after you have earned your original degree (whether for a second degree or just additional coursework) will be listed as post-bacc. all the above, your original degree and postbacc, will then be combined into cumulative GPA, BCPM GPA, AO GPA

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Very helpful, thank you! 🙂