Multiple questions: post bac linkage schools, competitive environments, etc.

[NYerCartoonist]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I'm a 25 year old Ivy grad with four years of work experience in health (consulting and government) who's looking to apply to a post bac program. I'm most seriously considering Bryn Mawr, Penn, and Columbia's post bac programs, but may choose a program based on linkage opportunities. That said, I have a few questions I'm hoping you can help answer:

1. Which medical schools have linkage partnerships? Specifically, which post bac programs offer linkage to Columbia, NYU, or Cornell Weill? (Do any? It appears no, but I find this hard to believe.)

2. From a competitive and learning environment perspective, which medical school is more supportive and less competitive: Columbia, Penn, NYU, Cornell-Weill, Mt. Sinai?

3. Which linkage schools do not require the MCAT? (e.g., Dartmouth has an arrangement with Bryn Mawr's post bac.)

4. For those who link to Penn Med from Bryn Mawr, what is the minimum MCAT score allowed to maintain acceptance? How about Penn to Penn?

5. Does anyone know anyone who attended Columbia's post bac and linked to Mt. Sinai?

It might seem ridiculous to some people on this forum, but I am deciding programs based on where I want to go to medical school. I have very strong ties to Philadelphia and Penn, but prefer living in New York City (close to family and all of my friends). I don't want to take a glide year, but would consider doing so if Columbia/NYU/Mt.Sinai/Cornell were more attractive than Penn, given the extra year off and my advanced age (ha).

Thanks so much everyone! I appreciate any insight you can share.

Best,
NYC

 

[Dabyachunv]

I am also living in NY-long island, and although i looked at colombia the cost of living is a bit much ~19,000 and tuition is a bit crazy too 38,000. In nyc some of the programs are really new also. consider hunters post-bacc its on 68th and lex, (6 train)

 

[drizzt3117]

1. Which medical schools have linkage partnerships? Specifically, which post bac programs offer linkage to Columbia, NYU, or Cornell Weill? (Do any? It appears no, but I find this hard to believe.)

None.

2. From a competitive and learning environment perspective, which medical school is more supportive and less competitive: Columbia, Penn, NYU, Cornell-Weill, Mt. Sinai?

I know that Cornell is a very supportive and less competitive environment, and I have heard the opposite about Columbia. I have heard that students at Penn and Sinai are happy (but just third party/SDN info, not direct) and haven't heard much about NYU.

3. Which linkage schools do not require the MCAT? (e.g., Dartmouth has an arrangement with Bryn Mawr's post bac.)

Probably just that one, there aren't many.

4. For those who link to Penn Med from Bryn Mawr, what is the minimum MCAT score allowed to maintain acceptance? How about Penn to Penn?

Those are exceedingly hard linkages, you can ask the admissions people at both institutions about it but the postbac GPA requirement and MCAT requirement are likely to be very similar to the entering averages at Penn (which is something like 3.8/35 or higher).

5. Does anyone know anyone who attended Columbia's post bac and linked to Mt. Sinai?

I don't believe that it happens very often.

It might seem ridiculous to some people on this forum, but I am deciding programs based on where I want to go to medical school. I have very strong ties to Philadelphia and Penn, but prefer living in New York City (close to family and all of my friends). I don't want to take a glide year, but would consider doing so if Columbia/NYU/Mt.Sinai/Cornell were more attractive than Penn, given the extra year off and my advanced age (ha).

The schools you've listed are among the most competitive in the country, so linkage and open pool admissions to them are going to be very competitive. It isn't a bad idea to base your program decisions based on where you want to attend school but keep in mind the entering averages at the schools you've listed are 3.8/35 or higher, and those numbers are hardly a guarantee for admissions. As a non-science major you'll have to demonstrate mastery of the sciences during your postbac (which won't be easy at Penn/Columbia, not sure about BM) and probably do exceedingly well on the MCAT and obtain outstanding references to have a good shot.

 

[NYerCartoonist]

Hi Drizz,

Thanks so much for your thoughtful answers. I really appreciate it. As for your last point, I agree that it's going to be tough to get into these schools. No school is a sure bet and the MCAT could kill even a great post-bac GPA. I won't go into details and I don't want to come off as anything less than humble (or lucky?), but if past performance and experience are indicative, then I should be a strong candidate. I'm more worried about the MCAT, although I've faired well on standardized tests in the past. I don't want to take classes with undergrad gunners from top schools. I've already been in a couple pre-med classes with those types...and I'd like to avoid them this round now that I am actually pre-med, haha. I don't mind being with them in medical school (or, rather, I don't mind as much).

I think I'll probably go to Bryn Mawr... but I must be open to *not* linking. You're more than right in that area.

Thanks!
NYC

 

[drizzt3117]

I think bm would be a good choice. One thing to keep in mind if you decide not to link is the required coursework for your top choices. You can probably take care of them during your glide year but just keep it in mind. Btw someone said that the min gpa to link from penn to penn was 3.6. I would guess the number at bm would be more like 3.8 but i am sure you could find out. Good luck.