is it too late to be applying to post-baccs?

[01futuremd]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum, and I was just wondering what people think, preferably from experience or firsthand knowledge of some kind. I just left a graduate program (not science-related) because I realized I want to be a doctor, and am just this week sending my apps to schools (like many people, Bryn Mawr, Goucher, and Scripps are my top choices). I had a 3.75 college GPA and a 1420 SAT, if that matters (I changed these slightly so as not to give myself away). Do I have a shot at getting into these programs, or do they usually fill up way before their deadlines? Sorry its such a specific question, thanks for any advice current postbaccers or applicants have!

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[drizzt3117]

I'm a current Scripps PB and I know we're still interviewing people FWIW. I have no idea if all the interview slots are full but the class certainly hasn't been filled yet.

 

[killdevil]

You are not too late by any stretch. I'm a Goucher postbac; I applied last year on Feb 1. I know for a fact that there are people in my class this year who applied and interviewed as late as April -- I think the program directors are careful to hold a few spots open for good people who apply a little late.

Also, Goucher is awesome, and all of your top three choices are excellent places.

--killdevil

 

[killdevil]

Also, your GPA and SAT stats are fine for the top programs. Just make sure you have some volunteer experiences to talk about in your applications as well.

 

[01futuremd]

Thanks for the replies. I am volunteering right now, but I just started (I plan to stay at the same place to volunteer until I start a program in the summer), and I volunteered for a month at a hospital in undergrad. Hopefully that's enough, since I do, after all, get a year in postbac to also expose myself to medicine and all that jazz. Anyway, thanks, wish me luck!

 

[redheadmed]

When I applied to Scripps, I got my application in a few days before the last day to apply. I got in, so I don't think it was a issue as long as you're a strong candidate. From your stats, it sounds like you are

 

[01futuremd]

I thought I was a somewhat strong candidate too, and though I did get an interview at Scripps (yay!), I'm pretty bummed right now because I just found out that Goucher doesn't want to interview me. It sounds like their class is pretty full already, but I don't really know what was wrong with my application. I don't mean to sound cocky or anything, but I do think my stats were competitive enough to get an interview even if I didn't get accepted after that. I have good ECs also, and I thought I explained the whole why I want to be a doctor now thing pretty well also. Well, really I'm just rambling since I'm pretty shocked that I barely finished applying everywhere and I've already been rejected. Any words of encouragement about the other schools I've applied to (Bryn Mawr, Hopkins, Scripps, Penn, Tufts) would be pretty appreciated at this point.

 

[drizzt3117]

I thought I was a somewhat strong candidate too, and though I did get an interview at Scripps (yay!), I'm pretty bummed right now because I just found out that Goucher doesn't want to interview me. It sounds like their class is pretty full already, but I don't really know what was wrong with my application. I don't mean to sound cocky or anything, but I do think my stats were competitive enough to get an interview even if I didn't get accepted after that. I have good ECs also, and I thought I explained the whole why I want to be a doctor now thing pretty well also. Well, really I'm just rambling since I'm pretty shocked that I barely finished applying everywhere and I've already been rejected. Any words of encouragement about the other schools I've applied to (Bryn Mawr, Hopkins, Scripps, Penn, Tufts) would be pretty appreciated at this point.

If you got an immediate rejection it could potentially be because their class was sufficiently full that they can fill it with the people they've already interviewed.

If you got interviews at Scripps and JHU it's likely there's nothing wrong with your application.

 

[01futuremd]

Thanks, I feel better- it was just a shock to get rejected so quickly. All I needed was some sushi and to talk to my friends, now I have some perspective. Their e-mail said they were almost done accepting people, so it makes sense that I probably just applied too late. In any case, anything wrong with my application at this point, I can't really do much about unless I get to interview and explain whatever it is. Besides, I'm incredibly excited about the interviews I do have. Wish me luck!

 

[DoctorPhud]

You're doing well; don't worry about it too much. You've applied, which is time consuming, and far better than most people ever do. My advice - keep really safe copies of your essays and applications to recycle when the time comes for medical school applications; you'll be glad you did.

For post-baccs, you can always do what I did.... Harvard Health Careers Program.

They accept almost anyone with an undergrad GPA of 3.0 or above (or international students with no GPA - my case), you can apply as late as the end of August, and it's cheap, compared to the others.

Honestly, I'm enjoying it, it's well-respected by the medical schools, the courses aren't easy, but great preparation for the MCAT (Harvard HCP students do better than Tufts on average, it doesn't cost all that money, and you can almost certainly get in, without having to jump through all those silly hoops of applications and interviews).

If you're willing to spend the money of living in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, save the tuition, apply to Harvard, be happy!

And if you feel up to it and have the spare cash, you can do General Chemistry at the Harvard Extension Summer School in July and August, then do Phys+Bio+Orgo for a year and be done with your requirements in one year!

 

[drizzt3117]

Thanks, I feel better- it was just a shock to get rejected so quickly. All I needed was some sushi and to talk to my friends, now I have some perspective. Their e-mail said they were almost done accepting people, so it makes sense that I probably just applied too late. In any case, anything wrong with my application at this point, I can't really do much about unless I get to interview and explain whatever it is. Besides, I'm incredibly excited about the interviews I do have. Wish me luck!

When are you interviewing at Scripps?

 

[01futuremd]

Harvard Extension is an option for me, but I really feel like I would benefit from a more structured program, which is why I applied to such programs. The plan for me is to see what happens with my applications, and if I don't get in anywhere that I would really be willing to shell out the cash to go to, then to choose an unstructured program. I may go to UCLA and do a roll-your-own in that case, since its closer to home and cheaper.