Post-Bac Pre-Med Program

[Thales]

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I came across this at a local University;

http://uwf.edu/biology/preprofessional/postbac/

Essentially after completing my bachelors the school will help me meet my med. school admission requirements by planning out a course-load, preparing me for the MCAT, getting me LoR, and getting clinical experience should I desire it. I talked with my ex who got her Finance degree at this school and she knows of two people who are in the program and they love it.

Any thoughts on this or similar programs? I would be able to take some of my requisite courses in science and math while getting my Psychology degree, then knock the rest out post-bac if I needed to.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

If you're already going to college, why not just take the prereq classes at your current college? You could fit them into your current schedule so you don't end up with one difficult year packed with science classes, and the classes would most likely be much cheaper than a structured program.

It looks like you've already noticed the advantages of a structured postbac program over the organize-it-yourself approach, with the planned schedule, references and MCAT help. Some of these programs will also give a guaranteed acceptance into an affiliated med school if you do well enough, typically a 3.67 GPA and a specified MCAT score. This means you won't have a "gap year" in between your postbac classes and med school like most nontrads will. The disadvantage is that the structured programs cost much more than just taking the same classes at your local 4 year state college. and you're going to need a lot of money real soon. If you don't mind paying the extra money immediately before incurring massive medical school debt, they could be a good option.

I chose to set up my own postbac class schedule at State U because I couldn't see myself paying extra for a reference letter and a little MCAT coaching, but sometimes I get too cheap that way. We'll see if it works out in the end.

 

[Thales]

If you're already going to college, why not just take the prereq classes at your current college? You could fit them into your current schedule so you don't end up with one difficult year packed with science classes, and the classes would most likely be much cheaper than a structured program.

It looks like you've already noticed the advantages of a structured postbac program over the organize-it-yourself approach, with the planned schedule, references and MCAT help. Some of these programs will also give a guaranteed acceptance into an affiliated med school if you do well enough, typically a 3.67 GPA and a specified MCAT score. This means you won't have a "gap year" in between your postbac classes and med school like most nontrads will. The disadvantage is that the structured programs cost much more than just taking the same classes at your local 4 year state college. and you're going to need a lot of money real soon. If you don't mind paying the extra money immediately before incurring massive medical school debt, they could be a good option.

I chose to set up my own postbac class schedule at State U because I couldn't see myself paying extra for a reference letter and a little MCAT coaching, but sometimes I get too cheap that way. We'll see if it works out in the end.

I'm going to be going to the school that is offering the post-bac program to complete my degree, so my intention is to take most of my pre-req's while getting my degree. Possibly wrapping it all up with that program. That particular school does have an accelerated program of 3 years there, then transferring to FSU or USF for their MD program but I've already acquired too many credits to be eligible.

Thanks for the input.

 

[brettevan]

There's only one problem with your plan, deciding where you're going to med school at fsu or usf when you haven't even applied or been accepted. One step at a time.

 

[Thales]

There's only one problem with your plan, deciding where you're going to med school at fsu or usf when you haven't even applied or been accepted. One step at a time.

No, the problem is that you either didn't read my second post or didn't understand it. UWF has partnership programs with FSUcom and USFcom that allow you to fast track your last year to either school, but I have too many credits to enter the program. Chip n Sawbones mentioned it and I replied with information about a similar program at UWF.

Also, what is wrong with planning to attend one of the two in-state med schools I mentioned at this stage? Absolutely nothing. If I know what their typical accepted applicants look like I know what to shoot for.

You didn't rush into this thread to shoot me down simply to increase your post count did you?

 

[brettevan]

Im sorry about that, it was uncalled for and far from necessary. Best of luck in your endeavors.