Post bac to be or not to be

[kingjameslbj]

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Alright so i have a few more questions for you guys. Ive applied to a couple post bacs but i started rethinking my situation. I am a liberal arts major with a 3.3 urm so i am career changing. I went to 2 community colleges before the university so i already have 3 transcripts (if that matters). I would be putting myself in a lot of debt for a formal post bacc so i started thinking about alternatives.

1.What if i went for a graduate degree in political science and just did the science pre reqs for med school instead of the other classes. Is this possible? How would schools look at this?
2. Would it be easier to declare a second bachelor and do the same thing mentioned above ^^
3. What if i took the classes at a local community college, do med schools look bad upon this since they are lower division classes? This might not be the best option since it would have to be out of pocket. Im most concerned with getting fin aid.
4. Any other options would be great if anyone has ideas, the major issue is FINANCES.

I just really want to finish my pre reqs quickly and take the mcat. Ive always been strong in sciences.No science classes taken thus far except chem 1 and lab with A's

Thank you in advance people.

 

[deleted248403]

Alright so i have a few more questions for you guys. Ive applied to a couple post bacs but i started rethinking my situation. I am a liberal arts major with a 3.3 urm so i am career changing. I went to 2 community colleges before the university so i already have 3 transcripts (if that matters). I would be putting myself in a lot of debt for a formal post bacc so i started thinking about alternatives.

1.What if i went for a graduate degree in political science and just did the science pre reqs for med school instead of the other classes. Is this possible? How would schools look at this?
2. Would it be easier to declare a second bachelor and do the same thing mentioned above ^^
3. What if i took the classes at a local community college, do med schools look bad upon this since they are lower division classes? This might not be the best option since it would have to be out of pocket. Im most concerned with getting fin aid.
4. Any other options would be great if anyone has ideas, the major issue is FINANCES.

I just really want to finish my pre reqs quickly and take the mcat. Ive always been strong in sciences.No science classes taken thus far except chem 1 and lab with A's

Thank you in advance people.

1) I doubt you would even be able to register for the science pre-reqs, and if you did manage to.... don't you think a poli sci adviser might notice that you had done so? this just seems ridic
2) Yes
3) DO NOT TAKE THEM AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
4) Isn't it for everyone? I just got an email yesterday saying im accruing $22 a day of interest on my $158k of student debt so far. And i've a year to go....

 

[darklabel]

1) I doubt you would even be able to register for the science pre-reqs, and if you did manage to.... don't you think a poli sci adviser might notice that you had done so? this just seems ridic
2) Yes
3) DO NOT TAKE THEM AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
4) Isn't it for everyone? I just got an email yesterday saying im accruing $22 a day of interest on my $158k of student debt so far. And i've a year to go....

Ouch on the debt.. Just to add to #3, only take them at a community college if you're ok with going to DO school since some people like to save money and DO schools are open to CC credits. You didn't list your GPA so idk if you have a 4.0 or just barely hovering around a 3.0. Also before entering medical school, I already have 38k in debt. So yeah, most people are carrying debt with them, but I'm not really worried about it (yet).

Good luck!

 

[kingjameslbj]

i have a 3.3 and im already in 40,000 debt from an aviation degree i obtained as well 🙁. Im not ok with DO so im scratching community colleges off. My main question for you guys about getting the second degree is, do i have to complete the whole degree or would i be able to drop it after i finished the med pre reqs? It seems insane to do a whole degree because of all the pointless classes i would have to take with it.. Im so confused. Im leaning toward the second degree but i dont want to do 60+ credits!

 

[darklabel]

i have a 3.3 and im already in 40,000 debt from an aviation degree i obtained as well 🙁. Im not ok with DO so im scratching community colleges off. My main question for you guys about getting the second degree is, do i have to complete the whole degree or would i be able to drop it after i finished the med pre reqs? It seems insane to do a whole degree because of all the pointless classes i would have to take with it.. Im so confused. Im leaning toward the second degree but i dont want to do 60+ credits!

Oh no, as long as you have a b.s. already it doesn't matter. Just do the pre-reqs and you're good. If you get near a 4.0 and score really well on the MCAT, you have a chance of schools overlooking your cumGPA.

 

[kingjameslbj]

Oh no, as long as you have a b.s. already it doesn't matter. Just do the pre-reqs and you're good. If you get near a 4.0 and score really well on the MCAT, you have a chance of schools overlooking your cumGPA.

I have a B.A, does that make a difference? Once i finish the pre reqs and take the mcat, would i just send my incomplete transcript that has the science pre reqs and my original lib arts B.A with recommendations and im all good to go? If it was this easy i dont see why anyone would take a post bac?? lol

Sorry for all the question, but i really appreciate your help thus far

 

[darklabel]

I have a B.A, does that make a difference? Once i finish the pre reqs and take the mcat, would i just send my incomplete transcript that has the science pre reqs and my original lib arts B.A with recommendations and im all good to go? If it was this easy i dont see why anyone would take a post bac?? lol

BA is fine and postbacc is just taking classes after a baccalaureate degree. Some programs are structured and may give you a certificate and other are just informal and taking classes.

So you doing just the pre-reqs is considered a postbacc. Only people that get a second bachelors degree is if their GPA is very low and they need to take a lot of classes to get it above a ~3.0.

Also, a ~3.3+ and a near 4.0 for science GPA and high MCAT are all you need as long as you have the pre-reqs. Assuming good ECs of course.

 

[kingjameslbj]

Alright ill apply for the second degree today in chemistry. I just always thought that if i only did the prereqs and didnt finish the degree i would get in trouble lol. Are these classes all i need? Would you recommend anything else?

• General Chemistry I* / General Chemistry I lab (CHM 2045 / CHM 2045L)
• General Chemistry II / General Chemistry II lab (CHM 2046 / CHM 2046L)
• Organic Chemistry I / Organic Chemistry I lab (CHM 2210 / CHM 2210L)
• Organic Chemistry II / Organic Chemistry II lab (CHM 2211 / CHM 2211L)
• General Biology I with lab (BSC 1010C)
• General Biology II with lab (BSC 1011C)
• Algebra-based Physics I* / Algebra-based Physics I lab (PHY 2053 / PHY 2053L)
• Algebra-based Physics II / Algebra-based Physics II lab (PHY 2054 / PHY 2054L)
• Calculus* (MAC 2311)

I just dont get it because these are the same classes you would take for the post bac certificate but you wouldnt get fin aid. For a degree in chemistry, these are the same prereqs! Why wouldnt everyone just do a second degree for the prereqs to get fin aid instead of a post bac certificate out of pocket (even if you dont need to boost your gpa). What am i missing with the post bac certificate, that makes it sound like a better option!

Chemistry pre reqs: http://www.unf.edu/catalog/link/2013-2014COAS-BSACHMCHM2/
Post bac certificate: http://www.unf.edu/coas/premed/Post-Baccalaureate_Program.aspx

 

[deleted248403]

Alright ill apply for the second degree today in chemistry. I just always thought that if i only did the prereqs and didnt finish the degree i would get in trouble lol. Are these classes all i need? Would you recommend anything else?

• General Chemistry I* / General Chemistry I lab (CHM 2045 / CHM 2045L)
• General Chemistry II / General Chemistry II lab (CHM 2046 / CHM 2046L)
• Organic Chemistry I / Organic Chemistry I lab (CHM 2210 / CHM 2210L)
• Organic Chemistry II / Organic Chemistry II lab (CHM 2211 / CHM 2211L)
• General Biology I with lab (BSC 1010C)
• General Biology II with lab (BSC 1011C)
• Algebra-based Physics I* / Algebra-based Physics I lab (PHY 2053 / PHY 2053L)
• Algebra-based Physics II / Algebra-based Physics II lab (PHY 2054 / PHY 2054L)
• Calculus* (MAC 2311)

I just dont get it because these are the same classes you would take for the post bac certificate but you wouldnt get fin aid. For a degree in chemistry, these are the same prereqs! Why wouldnt everyone just do a second degree for the prereqs to get fin aid instead of a post bac certificate out of pocket (even if you dont need to boost your gpa). What am i missing with the post bac certificate, that makes it sound like a better option!

Chemistry pre reqs: http://www.unf.edu/catalog/link/2013-2014COAS-BSACHMCHM2/
Post bac certificate: http://www.unf.edu/coas/premed/Post-Baccalaureate_Program.aspx

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/266006/data/2015previewguide.pdf

 

[kingjameslbj]

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/266006/data/2015previewguide.pdf

Thanks for that. If anyone can answer this question (I just dont get it because these are the same classes you would take for the post bac certificate but you wouldnt get fin aid. For a degree in chemistry, these are the same prereqs! Why wouldnt everyone just do a second degree for the prereqs to get fin aid instead of a post bac certificate out of pocket (even if you dont need to boost your gpa). What am i missing with the post bac certificate, that makes it sound like a better option!

Chemistry pre reqs: http://www.unf.edu/catalog/link/2013-2014COAS-BSACHMCHM2/
Post bac certificate: http://www.unf.edu/coas/premed/Post-Baccalaureate_Program.aspx )

Thank you as well

 

[deleted248403]

Thanks for that. If anyone can answer this question (I just dont get it because these are the same classes you would take for the post bac certificate but you wouldnt get fin aid. For a degree in chemistry, these are the same prereqs! Why wouldnt everyone just do a second degree for the prereqs to get fin aid instead of a post bac certificate out of pocket (even if you dont need to boost your gpa). What am i missing with the post bac certificate, that makes it sound like a better option!

Chemistry pre reqs: http://www.unf.edu/catalog/link/2013-2014COAS-BSACHMCHM2/
Post bac certificate: http://www.unf.edu/coas/premed/Post-Baccalaureate_Program.aspx )

I don't know.... I've never seen the UNF program discussed on here. They may be different sections for the class, different grading schemes for post-bacs vs degree seeking students - these are all things you will have to ask of the program itself.

 

[kingjameslbj]

Yeah same here, i live close by so i became interested. I called today and they were dinguses basically telling me i cant come talk to anyone until i finish the the application, pay and get accepted! So i just applied to the second degree, and i guess i will find out the major differences when i can talk to someone. I guess my plan will be to knock out the prereqs in the second bachelors and take the the MCAT in a year or so..

 

[sassypenguin]

The difference is that the 2nd degree-seeking candidates do not get priority for registration.