Hello everyone,
I'm just going to start off with some background about myself:
- B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering @ Rutgers University, New Brunswick
- Double majored in mathematics
- Currently a part of a M.S. leading to Ph. D. program in Mechanical Engineering at University of California, Irvine
- GPA ~3.5
- Some volunteer experience (Participated in an Alternative Breaks program where I volunteered in Biloxi, MS for a week with a team)
- Planning to volunteer at UCI medical center this summer
- Decent GRE score
- Never took bio/bio lab or orgo/orgo lab
After coming back from my service trip to Biloxi senior year, I started to rethink what I wanted out of a career. During my whole week of service, I had felt better about what I was doing than I had the past four years of undergrad. I had already been accepted into a Ph. D program at this point, but something just felt like it was missing. The idea of research didn't turn out be what I expected either. I wanted a career where I could help people in a more personal setting with more interaction and still need to use advanced scientific knowledge, so my gut feeling told me medical school was the way to go.
I was wondering if there were major differences among the popularized post-bacs (Columbia, Hopkins, Bryn Mawr, Goucher) that were noteworthy. I know Columbia's linkages are of high status, but I don't think I'd be able to afford such a program after looking at tuition costs. Which post-bac has the best MCAT prep courses and works the fastest towards getting their students into med school? Also, is it uncommon for non-bio related engineers to apply and be accepted into these programs? Lastly, if there is anyone who is currently in these programs or has graduated from them, I would really like to hear your story (e.g. what is the program like. why did you apply, what were your experiences).
Thanks!
I'm just going to start off with some background about myself:
- B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering @ Rutgers University, New Brunswick
- Double majored in mathematics
- Currently a part of a M.S. leading to Ph. D. program in Mechanical Engineering at University of California, Irvine
- GPA ~3.5
- Some volunteer experience (Participated in an Alternative Breaks program where I volunteered in Biloxi, MS for a week with a team)
- Planning to volunteer at UCI medical center this summer
- Decent GRE score
- Never took bio/bio lab or orgo/orgo lab
After coming back from my service trip to Biloxi senior year, I started to rethink what I wanted out of a career. During my whole week of service, I had felt better about what I was doing than I had the past four years of undergrad. I had already been accepted into a Ph. D program at this point, but something just felt like it was missing. The idea of research didn't turn out be what I expected either. I wanted a career where I could help people in a more personal setting with more interaction and still need to use advanced scientific knowledge, so my gut feeling told me medical school was the way to go.
I was wondering if there were major differences among the popularized post-bacs (Columbia, Hopkins, Bryn Mawr, Goucher) that were noteworthy. I know Columbia's linkages are of high status, but I don't think I'd be able to afford such a program after looking at tuition costs. Which post-bac has the best MCAT prep courses and works the fastest towards getting their students into med school? Also, is it uncommon for non-bio related engineers to apply and be accepted into these programs? Lastly, if there is anyone who is currently in these programs or has graduated from them, I would really like to hear your story (e.g. what is the program like. why did you apply, what were your experiences).
Thanks!
