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Hi there,
I just completed summer sessions 1 and 2 of Meredith College's "Postbac Pre-Health" program, and now that the Fall semester is underway I thought it might be helpful to share a little bit about my experience so far, especially since I'm a non-traditional applicant. Like many programs, it's hard to get the inside scoop so I'll do my best to help future applicants. I'll try and post feedback at the end of the program as well.
Overview of the program schedule (most common path):
Summer Session 1: General Chemistry 1 + Lab (6 weeks), Biology 1 + Lab (3 weeks)
Summer Session 2: General Chemistry 2 + Lab (6 weeks), Cell Biology (3 weeks)
-
Fall (Regular 15 week duration): Organic Chemistry 1 + Lab, Vertebrate Physiology + Lab, Physics 1 + Lab
-
Spring (Regular 15 week duration): Organic Chemistry 2 + Lab, Biochemistry, Physics 2 + Lab
My experience so far:
To be clear, these classes, especially the summer sessions will be a humbling experience if you were not a STEM major in undergrad. I had never taken chemistry, it had been a long time since math, and hardly any bio, which meant all of this was new to me - all of it. Although the learning curve is steep, the program as a whole is quite good, and just like with anything else you adjust as time goes on. I'm glad I chose this program, I wanted to stay in NC and the small cohort (about 35) appealed to me. Here are some pro's and con's so far:
Pros:
- Empathetic faculty and staff
- Very good Postbac advisor
- The program writes you a consolidated letter of recommendation - very helpful for applications
- Not many distractions (read - boring campus)
- Many volunteering opportunities in the area (clinical & non-clinical)
- Small class sizes/ cohort
- Considered an undergraduate program, so you can qualify for FAFSA
- Past students are positive about this program, and continue to recommend it
Cons:
- No MD linkages (there is one for DO)
- The summer semester is extremely challenging
- The summer schedule is very difficult to manage
- No official MCAT prep
Tips for non-traditional students:
Make it through the summer, and you will be fine.
1) Do not, if at all possible, work a job during the summer. I tried that and I regret it.
2) Take as much time as you possibly can to go through Khan academy and complete the basic Chemistry and Biology courses prior to starting the summer semester. This will pay dividends, I promise you.
3) The summer courses move at a break-neck speed, at times you will be covering 15 weeks of material in a matter of 3 weeks. I wish I was kidding about this lol. Refer to tip #2 above.
3) Start your MCAT preparation soon. After Summer 2 session is a perfect opportunity, you will have a few weeks to regroup and plan out your MCAT strategy, and everything will be fresh in your mind. Dont worry about not understanding orgo, biochem, etc. work on what you do know.
4) Stay positive, what you're doing is special, and 100% worth all of the hard work. If you can do well in this program, you can certainly keep up in MD/PA/Dental school.
Feel free to reach out with any questions, and best of luck!
I just completed summer sessions 1 and 2 of Meredith College's "Postbac Pre-Health" program, and now that the Fall semester is underway I thought it might be helpful to share a little bit about my experience so far, especially since I'm a non-traditional applicant. Like many programs, it's hard to get the inside scoop so I'll do my best to help future applicants. I'll try and post feedback at the end of the program as well.
Overview of the program schedule (most common path):
Summer Session 1: General Chemistry 1 + Lab (6 weeks), Biology 1 + Lab (3 weeks)
Summer Session 2: General Chemistry 2 + Lab (6 weeks), Cell Biology (3 weeks)
-
Fall (Regular 15 week duration): Organic Chemistry 1 + Lab, Vertebrate Physiology + Lab, Physics 1 + Lab
-
Spring (Regular 15 week duration): Organic Chemistry 2 + Lab, Biochemistry, Physics 2 + Lab
My experience so far:
To be clear, these classes, especially the summer sessions will be a humbling experience if you were not a STEM major in undergrad. I had never taken chemistry, it had been a long time since math, and hardly any bio, which meant all of this was new to me - all of it. Although the learning curve is steep, the program as a whole is quite good, and just like with anything else you adjust as time goes on. I'm glad I chose this program, I wanted to stay in NC and the small cohort (about 35) appealed to me. Here are some pro's and con's so far:
Pros:
- Empathetic faculty and staff
- Very good Postbac advisor
- The program writes you a consolidated letter of recommendation - very helpful for applications
- Not many distractions (read - boring campus)
- Many volunteering opportunities in the area (clinical & non-clinical)
- Small class sizes/ cohort
- Considered an undergraduate program, so you can qualify for FAFSA
- Past students are positive about this program, and continue to recommend it
Cons:
- No MD linkages (there is one for DO)
- The summer semester is extremely challenging
- The summer schedule is very difficult to manage
- No official MCAT prep
Tips for non-traditional students:
Make it through the summer, and you will be fine.
1) Do not, if at all possible, work a job during the summer. I tried that and I regret it.
2) Take as much time as you possibly can to go through Khan academy and complete the basic Chemistry and Biology courses prior to starting the summer semester. This will pay dividends, I promise you.
3) The summer courses move at a break-neck speed, at times you will be covering 15 weeks of material in a matter of 3 weeks. I wish I was kidding about this lol. Refer to tip #2 above.
3) Start your MCAT preparation soon. After Summer 2 session is a perfect opportunity, you will have a few weeks to regroup and plan out your MCAT strategy, and everything will be fresh in your mind. Dont worry about not understanding orgo, biochem, etc. work on what you do know.
4) Stay positive, what you're doing is special, and 100% worth all of the hard work. If you can do well in this program, you can certainly keep up in MD/PA/Dental school.
Feel free to reach out with any questions, and best of luck!
