Post Bac vs "On your own"

[flanagan10]

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I am 24, graduated with a 3.9 GPA from the University of Chicago two and a half years ago. My degree was psychology. Since then, I've done research for a neurologist/psychiatrist doing fMRI work. I thought I wanted to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, but now, I think I want to do medical school.

Despite my job, I actually was a basic psychology major in college, and took hardly any sciences. I have one year of general chemistry in that I slept through and got Bs/A-s. I also took a year of Calculus, but I forget most of it, and I want to retake it.

My question(s) are the following:

1) What is the FASTEST way to get the med school recs done? Would it be to do a post-bac or just take them on my own?

2) Is there any special perks of doing a post-bac? I take it that people who do that as compared to taking courses on their own have a better chance of admission?

3) I am in NYC---what is the best program in my area? Are any part-time?

4) I have researched some of the post-bac programs, and some are incredibly pricey. What are you actually buying besides the courses? I notice "linkage programs" are mentioned on some of the sites---does that mean they have ongoing relationships with these schools that enhance your chances?

I hope my questions do not sound stupid, but I am thinking about this very seriously!

 

[sgtbrushes]

You should have posted this in the non-traditional subthread, since you are non-traditional.

1) What is the FASTEST way to get the med school recs done? Would it be to do a post-bac or just take them on my own?

Just take them on your own if a university will let you. Oftentimes, universities will not let you do this.

2) Is there any special perks of doing a post-bac? I take it that people who do that as compared to taking courses on their own have a better chance of admission?

Doing a formal post-bacc can raise your GPA more, because you will take more classes than just the 8 semesters of science pre-reqs. As far as statistical data to s upport formal post-baccs do better, I have no idea.

I will skip #3 as I live more than 1,000 miles away, and #4 because I don't really know anything about linkage programs. As far as the cost being so high, if you do an informal post-bacc, it should cost you as much as it costs the 18-year old doing college for the first time.

 

[willen101383]

Drexel...where I did my Masters has a program just for this. I think its 1 year long. You come in do all your prereqs, and they do an MCAT course there for you. I know of several people that went that route that were successful at US allopathic schools.

 

[premad]

1) What is the FASTEST way to get the med school recs done? Would it be to do a post-bac or just take them on my own?

2) Is there any special perks of doing a post-bac? I take it that people who do that as compared to taking courses on their own have a better chance of admission?

3) I am in NYC---what is the best program in my area? Are any part-time?

4) I have researched some of the post-bac programs, and some are incredibly pricey. What are you actually buying besides the courses? I notice "linkage programs" are mentioned on some of the sites---does that mean they have ongoing relationships with these schools that enhance your chances?

I hope my questions do not sound stupid, but I am thinking about this very seriously!

1) Postbac could be faster if you do a 1ish year/18 months version where they allow you to pack all Physics/Bio/Orgo into two semesters, and do Gen Chem I/II in the prior summer. You can do this on your own as well, but it might be nice to be assured that the scheduling will work out and that you will have people to commiserate with.

2) Postbac might be nice because you have may have a committee who will write a lovely letter about you. Or, better advising, MCAT prep, linkages, etc. However, it's best to really investigate what a program claims to have vs. what the student experience is.

3) If you're doing an NY postbac...you can investigate CUNY's options, NYU, and Columbia. Pros and cons to all, but you will probably see that Columbia does not get exquisite ratings on these boards, and I would tend to agree with the criticisms w/in reason. I had specific reasons for choosing Columbia, it worked for me, but if I had been open to other options, I probably would got to Bryn Mawr or Gaucher if looking for a formal program.

4) At Columbia, you're only buying the courses, which are just expensive. You're not paying anything more than undergrads would pay.

Good luck!

 

[Anita817]

Despite my job, I actually was a basic psychology major in college, and took hardly any sciences. I have one year of general chemistry in that I slept through and got Bs/A-s. I also took a year of Calculus, but I forget most of it, and I want to retake it.

Since you already have chemistry and math out of the way, there's no reason why you couldn't just take Phys, Ochem and Bio all at once over 2 semesters at any school (I don't know of any that don't allow non-degree seeking undergrads, it just might affect when you get to register--and hell, you could pretend you are seeking a second degree if it helps and just and stop when you get what you need!)

Don't take calc again. HUGE waste of time--lost of schools don't even require it, and even if they do, it's often only a 1 semester requirement. You passed it, move on. Retaking classes you did fine in will only slow down the process.

 

[apumic]

I am 24, graduated with a 3.9 GPA from the University of Chicago two and a half years ago. My degree was psychology. Since then, I've done research for a neurologist/psychiatrist doing fMRI work. I thought I wanted to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, but now, I think I want to do medical school.

Despite my job, I actually was a basic psychology major in college, and took hardly any sciences. I have one year of general chemistry in that I slept through and got Bs/A-s. I also took a year of Calculus, but I forget most of it, and I want to retake it.

My question(s) are the following:

1) What is the FASTEST way to get the med school recs done? Would it be to do a post-bac or just take them on my own?

2) Is there any special perks of doing a post-bac? I take it that people who do that as compared to taking courses on their own have a better chance of admission?

3) I am in NYC---what is the best program in my area? Are any part-time?

4) I have researched some of the post-bac programs, and some are incredibly pricey. What are you actually buying besides the courses? I notice "linkage programs" are mentioned on some of the sites---does that mean they have ongoing relationships with these schools that enhance your chances?

I hope my questions do not sound stupid, but I am thinking about this very seriously!

Having been in a similar situation not too long ago, I would suggest the informal PB. It'll save you money and the difference a formal PB makes is minimal if the school you attend for the informal is of a high caliber (meaning top or 2nd tier, although w/ your 3.9 they're not likely to ask many questions even if you went the community college route to be honest, since it would simply appear you were saving money, assuming your psych courses were the more "sciency" ones, such as Cognition, Research Methods, and Physiological Psychology as opposed to the "soft" fluffy classes like Psych of Personality and Intro to Counseling). As for your questions:

1) A formal PB's linkage program could speed things up slightly (since there's not lag year) but b/c most don't take spring applicants, you'd start later, which would cancel out the very thing you're paying for (linkages)
2) No difference if the schools are of similar caliber and you do well. Formal PBs don't take students who wouldn't be successful, so their numbers tend to be extremely high (95-99% of students at the best ones). The reality, though, is that these numbers are enormously inflated by their <25-50% acceptance rates. In other words, if you're not likely to get in to med school (based on GPA, test scores, interview, PS, etc.) and help their averages, they're not going to admit you to their program.
3) Do an informal one at one of the nearby public universities. Informal PBs can certainly be part-time, although part-time will always take longer....
4) You're paying for the school's name, a committee that likes non-trads (for your committee LOR to med school), and any linkage program(s) the school has set up. Linkages don't really make it "easier" to get in, persay, so much as they make it quicker. Basically, if you are in the top X% of the class and achieve an X MCAT score, the linked school will automatically accept you. Many UGs actually have equivalent programs for their premeds if you're a strong enough student...and you're usually not paying for those linkages. My suggestion would be to go informal. I don't think you need the help of a formal PB and would most likely just be wasting your hard-earned money.