Minority boost for postbac premed programs?

[kingjameslbj]

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JW. Is there any boost or place to indicate when your applying for these programs? I am an african american female, and from what i read they are few in the STEM fields.. I was accepted into undergrad as a biomedical engineer major but switched to declare a liberal arts major for law school before i even took science classes. Instead of burying myself alive by attending law school my interest are veering back to science. I am primarily looking at NYU's program. Also how does one pay for these programs?

Thanks for the help

 

[SeverusSnape]

From my experience, people primarily pay for Postbac programs with loans or with generous parents. There are a few people in my program who worked for long enough in another field that they're able to finance the year themselves. Also, have you looked at Columbia's program at all, if you're deadset on being in NYC? Their program has a better reputation and some nice linkage options.

Unfortunately I can't speak to your original question as to a "minority boost" although I would hazard a guess that it won't hurt you and may help marginally...?

 

[kingjameslbj]

Thanks for that info. Yes i am in the south now and pretty dead set of nyc because up until 2 weeks ago i was attending law school there. I believe i looked at columbia but they want GRE score or SAT scores (one of the two, i believe). I changed my life after high school so my SAT's are horrible and i really dont want to take the GRE, unless they are giving me scholarship money. NYU'S admissions seemed pretty easy which is why i focused on them. I would definitely have to take out a loan if i can even get one 🙁. I was also up all night looking at other programs in NY like fordham and hofstra (any info about those)? Lastly, i took my last 2 years completely
online because i had to work to pay for school/living so when i had to get recommendations for law school it was HELL. I did end up getting 2 extraordinary recs but the way the law school process works is that that the recommender has to send the recommendation directly to LSAC so i dont get to see it. I did manage to get a hold of one at the time but the other recommender sent it directly to them and never gave me a copy. So my question is, can i submit the 1 recommendation myself or does the letter have to absolutely come from the recommender directly. Its freaking me out because i had to work so hard to get those letters from those busy people and i dont believe going back to them and explaining why im not going to law school anymore is an option.HELP is much appreciated from anyone. I have a 3.3 and an associates with a 3.4 if that matter

 

[darklabel]

I'm afraid that most programs require either an SAT or GRE to admittance.

Also, it's difficult to secure government loans/aid without being a degree-seeking student. I believe you can get around this by applying for a second major (such as bio) and then just do the pre-reqs.

Since you already have a degree, you'll be hard-pressed to find scholarship money or any federal aid for a post-bacc program.

Contact schools in NYC directly for information about post bacc programs, such as NYU and ask them how most people fund their education.

 

[kingjameslbj]

I'm afraid that most programs require either an SAT or GRE to admittance.

Also, it's difficult to secure government loans/aid without being a degree-seeking student. I believe you can get around this by applying for a second major (such as bio) and then just do the pre-reqs.

Since you already have a degree, you'll be hard-pressed to find scholarship money or any federal aid for a post-bacc program.

Contact schools in NYC directly for information about post bacc programs, such as NYU and ask them how most people fund their education.

Yeah from the research ive done its seems like NYU is the only one that doesnt require any test scores. What your saying is apply for a second bachelors degree? Do schools usually let you do that? Would i have to finish the whole program for the bachelors or would i be able to drop it after i finish the prereqs? Sorry for all the questions, im really excited about this change in my life im just lost. I plan to reach out to a few tomorrow

 

[DrMidlife]

Jeez, nobody is going to mention that THERE ARE URM POSTBACS? Lots of them. Lots of different kinds.

OP, take a look at the low GPA thread in the stickied post at the top of this forum. Five years ago I found a bunch. Use what you find in that list to search for more current info.

Best of luck to you.

 

[darklabel]

Yeah from the research ive done its seems like NYU is the only one that doesnt require any test scores. What your saying is apply for a second bachelors degree? Do schools usually let you do that? Would i have to finish the whole program for the bachelors or would i be able to drop it after i finish the prereqs? Sorry for all the questions, im really excited about this change in my life im just lost. I plan to reach out to a few tomorrow

NYU is a great school, any reason why you're looking for other programs?

 

[kingjameslbj]

Jeez, nobody is going to mention that THERE ARE URM POSTBACS? Lots of them. Lots of different kinds.

OP, take a look at the low GPA thread in the stickied post at the top of this forum. Five years ago I found a bunch. Use what you find in that list to search for more current info.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks im going to look now. What your saying is that, In that sticky i should find some URM postbac info right?

 

[kingjameslbj]

NYU is a great school, any reason why you're looking for other programs?

I dont want to throw all my eggs in one basket, i would love to attend NYU's program but what if i dont get in. Then what? I heard the program is not an easy one to get into

 

[Hailstorm]

Highly suggest that you shadow a physician and deal with some difficult patients before you bury yourself in debt. If you performed well on the LSAT (Which I presume you did since NYU is competitive) the GRE should be a joke.

 

[kingjameslbj]

Highly suggest that you shadow a physician and deal with some difficult patients before you bury yourself in debt. If you performed well on the LSAT (Which I presume you did since NYU is competitive) the GRE should be a joke.

I have shadowed a physician so i am well aware of everything, i was originally a science background and changed. I scored in the 90 percentile on the LSAT and of course got a boost for urm but i studied my ass off for 6 months and dedicated so much to it. Doing it all over for another test is blah. I need to start school in the fall regardless of what way i choose.

 

[darklabel]

I have shadowed a physician so i am well aware of everything, i was originally a science background and changed. I scored in the 90 percentile on the LSAT and of course got a boost for urm but i studied my ass off for 6 months and dedicated so much to it. Doing it all over for another test is blah. I need to start school in the fall regardless of what way i choose.

You'll only need a month at most to study and do well enough in the GRE to get in somewhere. Also, even if you score poorly, the GRE program allows you to send what scores you want to whatever school you want. So even if you get nothing right, but the second time you take the test you do really well, you don't have to release the first score to schools.

I wish the MCAT was that way 🙁

 

[kingjameslbj]

You'll only need a month at most to study and do well enough in the GRE to get in somewhere. Also, even if you score poorly, the GRE program allows you to send what scores you want to whatever school you want. So even if you get nothing right, but the second time you take the test you do really well, you don't have to release the first score to schools.

I wish the MCAT was that way 🙁

Welp if NYU doesnt work out then i guess i may have to look that way 🙁. The little info i found about programs for minorities want you to do horrible on the MCAT before getting in. Im a liberal arts majors and ive only taken genchem at the college level. There is so much conflicting info everywhere, its really hard to know wheere to even start. LSAT is completely different from GRE so who knows how well ill do.

 

[darklabel]

Welp if NYU doesnt work out then i guess i may have to look that way 🙁. The little info i found about programs for minorities want you to do horrible on the MCAT before getting in. Im a liberal arts majors and ive only taken genchem at the college level. There is so much conflicting info everywhere, its really hard to know wheere to even start. LSAT is completely different from GRE so who knows how well ill do.

https://services.aamc.org/postbac/

Great link with a list of programs. You can choose either career changer or URM. I don't think you need an URM driven program unless it offers you a scholarship or reduced tuition.

Good luck!

 

[kingjameslbj]

https://services.aamc.org/postbac/

Great link with a list of programs. You can choose either career changer or URM. I don't think you need an URM driven program unless it offers you a scholarship or reduced tuition.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info

 

[DrMidlife]

Thanks im going to look now. What your saying is that, In that sticky i should find some URM postbac info right?

Pro tip: it would have been faster to go look than to type this question.