Post-Bac/Masters

[MD-iwish]

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Ok this probably sounds dumb (but the only dumb question is the one never asked), but when ppl say "post-bac" does that necessarily mean a masters degree in something? If so, then how long does it usually take? If not, then is post-bac just taking masters level classes, but not actually getting a masters? I'm asking this because I dont think I have the numbers to apply right now (I'm a junior), and am thinking about doing a post-bac (I'm thinking its 2 yrs). Any suggestions will be appreciated!

 

[chaeymaey]

Post-bac is undergrad coursework taken after you've earned a bachelor's degree. It's different from master's, which is grad work and not calculated in your undergrad GPA.

 

[Law2Doc]

Ok this probably sounds dumb (but the only dumb question is the one never asked), but when ppl say "post-bac" does that necessarily mean a masters degree in something? If so, then how long does it usually take? If not, then is post-bac just taking masters level classes, but not actually getting a masters? I'm asking this because I dont think I have the numbers to apply right now (I'm a junior), and am thinking about doing a post-bac (I'm thinking its 2 yrs). Any suggestions will be appreciated!

No - it's not a masters. A postbac is usually a program at which you take the premed prerequisites if you have never taken them, retake the prerequisites if you took them but screwed up, or take upper level sciences if you need to bolster your application to show that you can handle the sciences (often because you've been out of school for a while) or where you did adequately but not great in the prereqs. There are formal programs which work with you in terms of advising and placement, sometimes sponsorship, and some have linkages to med schools which might guarantee you admission or an interview if you hit a certain GPA and MCAT score, and there are unofficial self created programs where you just take classes for credit at a school on your own. Most postbac programs don't result in any sort of degree, and this distinguishes them from a masters. 2 years is pretty typical, but some can be done in a year & a summer, esp. if you are really good at the sciences and don't need a lighter load to get the A's. Most importantly, most postbac courses count as undergrad courses, and although listed seperately on AMCAS, are averaged in when calculating your undergrad CUM and BCPM.

 

[deuist]

From the Introduction:


Post-baccs (post-baccalaureate students) are non-degree seeking students who go back to college for the sake of taking classes---usually to prepare for graduate school or to learn skills necessary for employment. They are in a sort of limbo---they are too old to be undergrads, yet are not graduate students---meaning that they get the worst of both worlds. They get no privileges that graduate students receive such as longer check out times for the library. Some cannot even join campus organizations that are reserved for undergraduates. The post-bacc route is available for nothing more than taking classes; it is not a master's program. Many post-baccs will work full-time in addition to their studies. Use this option only if you need to boost your GPA, take extra pre-med classes such as biochemistry, or are advised to do so by someone on an admissions committee.

Almost all universities admit post-bacc students. Some even have programs that are tailored specifically for medical school rejects. Drexel, UPenn, Georgetown, and a bunch of others have some curriculums that can help people to demonstrate their dedication to medicine and their aptitude for science. According to one of the Introduction's reviewers, Drexel has many options: an evening post-bacc program for professionals; a graduate program that has a first year of anatomy and some other grad level courses and a second year of first year med school courses; there's a program where all you take is many first year med school classes; and then the last one is taking med school classes first year and then doing research plus some other optional classes the second year.


To answer your question directly, you can do post-bacc for as long as you want. Usually, people do so for only a year, as universities would rather have you enter graduate school if you plan on taking 2 years.

 

[stcathm]

I attended Drexel's Medical Sciences Program which is a one-year post-bacc program, however if you stay for two years you will recieve a Master's in Medical Sciences. There were 35 of us and we not only took first and second year Medical School Courses such as Pharmacology, Anatomy, and Biochemisty but we also took ochem, chem, and physics in an accelerated program designed to help you on the MCAT. Not only that but they also paid for us to be tutored for 2 hours a day on MCAT prep and had a mock MCAT every weekend. Everyone in my class got into Med school and I just got a full ride to one of the three schools I got into based on my high GPA at Drexel. Drexel's program is based on Georgetown's (which I heard is even harder). It was the best time and money I ever spent and it got me into college. I only stayed for one year and took this year off, but a lot of my pals did the two year program. Good luck

 

[llort]

Ok this probably sounds dumb (but the only dumb question is the one never asked), but when ppl say "post-bac" does that necessarily mean a masters degree in something? If so, then how long does it usually take? If not, then is post-bac just taking masters level classes, but not actually getting a masters? I'm asking this because I dont think I have the numbers to apply right now (I'm a junior), and am thinking about doing a post-bac (I'm thinking its 2 yrs). Any suggestions will be appreciated!

dude, are you literate? post-bac stands for post bachelors degree, which would infer you have graduated. If you were going for a master's, thats called graduate school.

 

[JShen]

Hi All,
I recently graduated undergrad with a 3.3 GPA. I applied to a number of Post Bac programs in order to improve my GPA and have narrowed down my options to the post bac programs at Hofstra and Duquesne. Here is my dilemma:
I can only apply to med school after I have completed the post bac program and taken the MCAT. This means I will need to wait a year after doing my post bac so I can apply to medical school. Would it be better to do a post bac at Hofstra, apply to medical school, and get a year of research/clinical experience while waiting to hear back/hopefully interviewing, or do a joint post bac/Masters in Healthcare system management in Duquesne, while applying to medical school in between the two academic years of Duq's program?
Will being on route to getting a masters help my med school chances?
Thanks