Post-bacc at University of South Florida

[Gabby]

I'm really worried about attending a city college for my prereqs so I think my parents may help me out if I want to go some place else. I was thinking about Harvard's program, but I don't know if I can afford living in Boston AND tuition, even with their help. Now, I'm thinking about USF. I'm in-state so tuition won't be that bad and I live close enough right now where I can commute and won't have to relocate.

My question is: how is the program? I've researched it on the web and it sounds good, but is it? Would I be more likely to get into med school there if I complete the post-bacc with them?

Finally, I'm worried about class size. I really flourish in smaller classes and I imagine their classes are pretty large. When I got my degree, I went to a big university for my first two years (200 people in every lecture class), then transferred to a smaller college (about 50 people in each class) and did much better.

Does anyone have any tips or advice?

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[junebuguf]

I never went to USF. GujuDoc on this board is/was an undergrad there so she would be better able to comment. I can say, however, having gone to UF (large, state school) that ever intro class you take--Physics, Chem, Bio and Orgo will be in an auditorium with at least 100 students. There will probably be discussion sections with around 20 people that are lead by a TA. And labs, of course, will be around 20-30 people also.

If you live in the SWFL area, try New College of the University of South Florida (I think they are just called New College now). They are the Honors college of the state univeristy of FL system, so they have a very high rep and have, in fact, been chosen several times by US News as the best overall school in the country (counting tuition/value). Every FL school regards them as top-notch and most schools in the south will also. They also only have something like 10-20 people in each class and no grades! Professors write lengthy written evaluations of students performance. I dont know if they admit people doing post-bacc, but its worth a try.

Or you could do a two year post-bacc at USF. One year taking the pre-med pre-reqs and the second year (your applicant year) completing USF's new MS in Medical Sciences program, which is an SMP so you would be taking a lot of first-year medical school classes. Going this route and doing well will give you the best shot at matriculating at USF's med school. Good luck.

 

[Gabby]

Thanks so much for the info! I've also heard great things about New College, but one problem is I really need to bring up my GPA, so I think I need the grades.

Also, the prereqs for med school will probably take me a full two years since I took very, very little science in college. I can take the bios in one year, but I have to start with Gen Chem and go all the way through Orgo II, not to mention they recommend taking Microbio and Biochem as well. I also have to take Calc I before I can take Physics, so I'm looking at a year and a half at least, probably two.

I'll have to ask about the Master's program though because I'm thinking I'd be taking the MCAT in April 2008 and if I'm done with the prereqs that spring, I'd have another year before I could actually start med school.

 

[junebuguf]

Even if you have had no science at all, you can start with a sequence that enables you to complete all the pre-reqs in one year. First, you do not need calculus for physics. There is another physics course that requires only basic algebra and trigonometry--this is the course you should take. The MCAT will not test calculus based physics and no med schools (that I know of) require it. You will be unnecessarily wasting effort to learn calculus based physics, which is more complicated and will confer no advantage in problem solving. Trust me, I have a degree in engineering, took caclulus based physics, left it completely confused, retook the algebra based course years later in post-bacc and was pleasantly surprised at how much easier it was. Every school (including USF) offers an algebra based version. You will however need, trig and algebra knowledge (which you should have taken in high school), but a one semester survey course over the summer will more than cover what you need to get by.

That said, the sequence of courses would be:

Fall
Physics I with Lab
Bio I with Lab
Chem I with Lab

Spring
Physics II with Lab
Bio II with Lab
Chem II with Lab

Summer
Orgo I and II with Lab
OR
Micro/Genetics/Molecular

Fall and Spring (year 2)
Upper level bio courses

This sequence will enable you to finish everything you need in a timely manner. Taking all the pre-reqs at the same time is a lot of work, but you need to prove you can handle a tough course load and do well.

Also, if you have a low undergraduate gpa (lower than 3.5), you may want to seriously consider the SMP option after your first year, since many people have tried applying after two years of undergraduate post-bacc and failed to impress admissions committees who still had lingering doubts about their ability to handle med school.

 

[albaniandoc]

I am actually in the "program" right now.
I have a nursing degree and signed up for Biomedical Sciences Degree. The BMS is a bachelor program and it takes about 3 semesters if you go full time.
I looked into New College, but they only have full time programs in the morning and do not accept students part time. Besides that, they have a pass/fail system which makes it harder for med schools to evaluate you. I loked into Eckerd College, they only have classes in the morning as well.
USF is a huge college and classes fill up very fast.
Overall my experience has not been ok. If you want specific info pm me.
Good Luck