Is there a post-bac for me?

[baker2267]

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Background: Graduated about 5.5 years ago. Biology major (3.72 GPA). I did well in my courses and decided to work in a few labs, thinking I would pursue a career in research. That said, I've decided now that I'd like to pursue a career in medicine. Despite my good grades, I do not think I would do well on the MCAT now without re-learning the material.

I've looked at Kaplan, et al., but I don't think I would benefit from a course such as this. I'm quite well read in genetics now (my field of research), but everything else is basically a blur.

It seems that all of the post-bacc programs I have found are only for students who have not completed the required coursework. Is there anything out there that would take me?

Furthermore, as it has been almost 8 years (!!!!!) for some of the coursework, do these things ever expire?

Thanks so much!

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Just do your own postbac by taking the classes you need at any 4-year college. Your local state school will work nicely. This will be much cheaper than a formal postbac program.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I would recommend against doing classes again. It will be a waste of time since it will take a number of months to re-learn things you probably could on your own with some decent test prep material and videos. If you're adamant about classes, try your local community college and audit courses. It's a serious waste of time and money to do it any other way.

 

[MackandBlues]

Why do you need to take classes? Just take any prereq's that you don't have. Study for the MCAT on your own. I am 10 years from my prereq's and did fine on the MCAT even without taking physics II yet.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Even though you looked at Kaplan, I would do that route and take a structured course. It is designed to focus specifically on what the MCAT covers which is just about everything besides genetics. It would give you that brush up on the physics and chemistry that you need to feel confident. Your GPA is fine, you just need that MCAT score to put you in the game.

 

[Do Something]

Furthermore, as it has been almost 8 years (!!!!!) for some of the coursework, do these things ever expire?

I suggest checking carefully the course requirements of the schools you are interested in. A few of the schools I applied to specifically say that they only accept prerequisites up to 10 years back and insist that I retake classes I got As in despite a great MCAT score this year.