Post-Bac Worth it ? Opinion and options

[Tomasguar]

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Hello, first off thank you for taking the time to read this.

I was accepted to Brandeis University Post Bac program for the Fall of 2018. I am eager to start my pre-reqs to go to med school. I would like to start as soon as possible.
Brandeis has a fairly good reputation, although I have not been able to find first-hand experiences regarding the program. It has linkages to GW University, a small cohort, a structured program and strong advising, but it also has a huge price tag on it (and virtually no aid, or scholarships, and no formal MCAT preparation).
I have to decide if I want to enroll in the program by June 8th but I am very worried about the large price tag. I thought about my options and realized I could go for one year start my pre-reqs and finish at a cheaper institution. What attracts me the most is the option of starting so soon and its structure.
I would greatly appreciate any kind of advice or opinion regarding DIY programs or Brandeis post bac. I would also greatly appreciate if anyone has any advice on how to start as soon as possible in a DIY program.
Thank you very much for your time and attention.
All the best,

TG

 

[timephone]

So I'm completing a DIY post-bacc right now. Like you, I really wanted to do a structured one year post-bacc, but there's no way I would ever have enough money to do so. And I wasn't willing to try to take out ~$50k in private/public loans to do so...

It's taken me two years instead of one, but I don't regret having done the DIY. First of all, if something had happened and I had performed poorly in the classes, then I would not be out as much $$$. I'm doing this at a public university w/ in-state tuition, so it's cheap. Also I can take classes at my own pace. It's much more flexible. Taking two years allowed me to get in more upper-level classes before MCAT, which helped me a lot during MCAT studying. Not to mention the amount of time I've had to get in tons of volunteering as well as campus work and some research experience.

Pros: All of the above.
Cons: poor advising (at this particular uni, don't even get me started), took a little bit longer, no "cohort" but in retrospect I don't think this is as important a factor for me personally.

 

[nobaddays]

I am coming up on the end of my DIY post bacc at CC and feel like it was the way to go for me. I still need biochem, but am able to take it online at a state school, which I think will be alright.
In my opinion, lack of advising support was kind of a non-issue. Before I started taking classes, I met with a CC adviser that basically told me what "most med schools" require in terms of pre-reqs. I did my own homework and his story seemed to check out for most of the schools I plan on applying to.

I also have a full time job i couldn't afford to give up, so CC offering all these classes at night was a lifesaver.

Everybody has different needs, but for me CC was the only way to go. I think people hesitate to go the CC route for fear of adcoms looking down on CC classes. But this was the only way it was going to happen for me, so I'll take my chances.

To speak directly to your question, it is my opinion that a formal post-bacc is not really worth the money; but I have not applied yet, so I am far from an expert.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

If you will provide your cGPA/sGPA and whether you have taken the MCAT or not (provide score also if have), then we can determine whether a formal SMP or a DIY PB will be the best and cheapest course of action for your situation.

 

[dochan213]

I did my post bac at bennington and got everything done in one year. But I had to reapply. One thing I didn’t consider and had to was that if you want to apply during the cycle right afterwards you’ll need to start studying for your MCAT and getting your app together before the end of your program. How many link in? Combined with the increased class load i wasn’t able to get everything approved and submitted until late summer which puts you at a disadvantage if you have average scores. Despite studying for only a month ( not recommended) Everything worked out for me, I would still do a structured program as tuition was 35k and with expenses and living cost total was 50k. But go in knowing That unless you’re banking on linking, you’ll need to be organized in getting everything together (recommendations, essays etc) if you want to skip the gap year.

 

[workaholic181]

Largely depends on how strong their linkage agreements are. How many students actually link per year? I finished my pre reqs in a DIY post bac but as another poster stated it can be hard to schedule everything. There are pros and cons to each option, I think the deciding factor again is the strength of the linkage.

 

[Goro]

Hello, first off thank you for taking the time to read this.

I was accepted to Brandeis University Post Bac program for the Fall of 2018. I am eager to start my pre-reqs to go to med school. I would like to start as soon as possible.
Brandeis has a fairly good reputation, although I have not been able to find first-hand experiences regarding the program. It has linkages to GW University, a small cohort, a structured program and strong advising, but it also has a huge price tag on it (and virtually no aid, or scholarships, and no formal MCAT preparation).
I have to decide if I want to enroll in the program by June 8th but I am very worried about the large price tag. I thought about my options and realized I could go for one year start my pre-reqs and finish at a cheaper institution. What attracts me the most is the option of starting so soon and its structure.
I would greatly appreciate any kind of advice or opinion regarding DIY programs or Brandeis post bac. I would also greatly appreciate if anyone has any advice on how to start as soon as possible in a DIY program.
Thank you very much for your time and attention.
All the best,

TG

A DIY is fine. The + to an organized program is that you get advising and guidance.

 

[A4320]

Hello, first off thank you for taking the time to read this.

I was accepted to Brandeis University Post Bac program for the Fall of 2018. I am eager to start my pre-reqs to go to med school. I would like to start as soon as possible.
Brandeis has a fairly good reputation, although I have not been able to find first-hand experiences regarding the program. It has linkages to GW University, a small cohort, a structured program and strong advising, but it also has a huge price tag on it (and virtually no aid, or scholarships, and no formal MCAT preparation).
I have to decide if I want to enroll in the program by June 8th but I am very worried about the large price tag. I thought about my options and realized I could go for one year start my pre-reqs and finish at a cheaper institution. What attracts me the most is the option of starting so soon and its structure.
I would greatly appreciate any kind of advice or opinion regarding DIY programs or Brandeis post bac. I would also greatly appreciate if anyone has any advice on how to start as soon as possible in a DIY program.
Thank you very much for your time and attention.
All the best,

TG

Hello, first off thank you for taking the time to read this.

I was accepted to Brandeis University Post Bac program for the Fall of 2018. I am eager to start my pre-reqs to go to med school. I would like to start as soon as possible.
Brandeis has a fairly good reputation, although I have not been able to find first-hand experiences regarding the program. It has linkages to GW University, a small cohort, a structured program and strong advising, but it also has a huge price tag on it (and virtually no aid, or scholarships, and no formal MCAT preparation).
I have to decide if I want to enroll in the program by June 8th but I am very worried about the large price tag. I thought about my options and realized I could go for one year start my pre-reqs and finish at a cheaper institution. What attracts me the most is the option of starting so soon and its structure.
I would greatly appreciate any kind of advice or opinion regarding DIY programs or Brandeis post bac. I would also greatly appreciate if anyone has any advice on how to start as soon as possible in a DIY program.
Thank you very much for your time and attention.
All the best,

TG

I have some questions about the program. If you have time do you mind PMing me? Thanks.