is there a stigma for post-bac students?

[oren621]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi!

I'm currently an undergrad at a top 15 school who is considering a post-bac. I'm trying to decide whether I should try to finish my science requirements here (and possibly see my gpa drop substantially) or just wait it out and apply for some post-bac programs when I graduate. But my primary concern is that med schools don't look favorably upon students who choose the post-bac route right after undergrad...do they consider this? Also, concerning post-bac programs specifically, I am not completely confident about my abilities as a science student and taking several science classes at the same time is intimidating to me, is it better to go to the top ones that are probably very difficult or the ones in my state that are probably less intense to some degree?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks so much!

 

[postbacker]

Hi!

I'm currently an undergrad at a top 15 school who is considering a post-bac. I'm trying to decide whether I should try to finish my science requirements here (and possibly see my gpa drop substantially) or just wait it out and apply for some post-bac programs when I graduate. But my primary concern is that med schools don't look favorably upon students who choose the post-bac route right after undergrad...do they consider this? Also, concerning post-bac programs specifically, I am not completely confident about my abilities as a science student and taking several science classes at the same time is intimidating to me, is it better to go to the top ones that are probably very difficult or the ones in my state that are probably less intense to some degree?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks so much!

No basis for this concern...increasingly the students in formal post baccs are recent grads...I think that the original target audience for post bacc programs was "career changers" in their mid 20s on up, but I have personally observed a shift towards younger, more recent grads in formal post baccs...

 

[drizzt3117]

Hi!

I'm currently an undergrad at a top 15 school who is considering a post-bac. I'm trying to decide whether I should try to finish my science requirements here (and possibly see my gpa drop substantially) or just wait it out and apply for some post-bac programs when I graduate. But my primary concern is that med schools don't look favorably upon students who choose the post-bac route right after undergrad...do they consider this? Also, concerning post-bac programs specifically, I am not completely confident about my abilities as a science student and taking several science classes at the same time is intimidating to me, is it better to go to the top ones that are probably very difficult or the ones in my state that are probably less intense to some degree?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks so much!

You're better waiting it out and doing one of the top formal postbacs, IMO. I wouldn't say that the top formal postbacs are more DIFFICULT, but they are more rigorous in the course scheduling. That said, personally I think it would be significantly easier for a qualified student to pull a 3.8 at Scripps, Goucher, or BM taking three science classes with lab than a 3.8 at Penn or Columbia taking two. If you graduated from a top school with a non-science major and have a good GPA, graduate from a top formal postbac with a good GPA (3.7-3.8ish) (and choose not to link), and do well on the MCAT, you'll have a great shot at the top schools.

 

[oren621]

What is generally considered a competitive GPA for programs like Scripps, BM and Goucher? What makes these programs better or different from the ones at schools like Columbia and Penn and how important are SATs and high school grades for programs like these?
I really appreciate your responses! 🙂

 

[postbacker]

What is generally considered a competitive GPA for programs like Scripps, BM and Goucher? What makes these programs better or different from the ones at schools like Columbia and Penn and how important are SATs and high school grades for programs like these?
I really appreciate your responses! 🙂

High school grades: well, they often do ask for the transcript, but it beats me as to why? Who knows...this is probably much less important for the less competitive post baccs, just a guess...

SAT: gives an indication of standardized testing ability, so this is pretty important...and can be very important for Goucher, et al, to be in the 1350 or higher bracket, and again I assume less of a hurdle at the less competitive schools...

GPA for the more competitive post baccs: prob a min 3.5, but plenty of folks in those programs are in the 3.8+ range, so be aware of your competition...

Scripps, BM, and Goucher screen their applicants more thoroughly, offering fewer admissions, thus they have a "stronger" class with a higher likelihood of succeeding...other post baccs tend to "lower the bar" for admissions, allowing more people in, but more people "flunk out" or drop out or even get run off by the program...so pick your poison, because no matter where you go, only the strong survive the process...

What I looked for? Cost to attend was huge for me...typical grade distributions (i.e., how hard is it to make As?)...program "extras" like MCAT prep, arranging volunteer and research activities, etc...committee letter...

Less important to me? Linkages...

 

[drizzt3117]

What is generally considered a competitive GPA for programs like Scripps, BM and Goucher? What makes these programs better or different from the ones at schools like Columbia and Penn and how important are SATs and high school grades for programs like these?
I really appreciate your responses! 🙂

Scripps, BM, and Goucher are programs that are intended for students to do the pre-reqs in one year, while some other programs such as Columbia are two, and Penn (for non-science) is as well AFAIK. Their programs are also pretty structured and have advising, MCAT preparation, internships, and other things more laid out for the student. They are also designed specifically for non-science majors.

One nice thing about Scripps, IMO is the fact that they don't grade on a curve, which is probably a really good thing for the joint science undergrads.

 

[lawnboy313]

Hi!

I'm currently an undergrad at a top 15 school who is considering a post-bac. I'm trying to decide whether I should try to finish my science requirements here (and possibly see my gpa drop substantially) or just wait it out and apply for some post-bac programs when I graduate. But my primary concern is that med schools don't look favorably upon students who choose the post-bac route right after undergrad...do they consider this? Also, concerning post-bac programs specifically, I am not completely confident about my abilities as a science student and taking several science classes at the same time is intimidating to me, is it better to go to the top ones that are probably very difficult or the ones in my state that are probably less intense to some degree?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks so much!

IMHO--and from what I've gathered during a few med school interviews--being a post-bac student only helps your application. Med schools like well-rounded folks who have a bit of experience in other things.

And as far as difficulty of the "top" programs--much like undergrad colleges--reputation doesn't always correlate with difficulty. Bryn Mawr, for example, gives take home tests (so you can take them at your best time), bases curves on the performance of the undergrads (so B's becomes A's, because post-bacs try harder and in general are more talented students), and you only have to take 3 classes at a time, which really isn't so bad. I would have died for this kind of hand-holding during my post-bac experience at UConn--we took a minimum of 4 science classes plus labs and there were no curves or take home tests. Granted, I paid a lot less for my post-bac, learned more, and 100% of those in the program have been accepted to med school, so the extra headache was probably worth it. But don't assume a state program is less intense.

 

[oren621]

Do post-bac adcoms favor students who are coming straight out of undergrad or people who are actually switching careers? I'm wondering specifically about the really competitive ones like Goucher and BM.

Thanks!

 

[drizzt3117]

Most have a combination of both. The common themes are good stats, well-rounded individuals and a commitment to medicine.