Post-bacc curriculum and sponsorship

[deleted212936]

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I've started looking to Post-bacc as a back-up to enhance my academic credentials (I've completed all Premed prerequisites). Please, I need thorough answers to these questions.
The programs I'm interested in are Harvard Extension, U of Penn, and NYMC.

First, it was mentioned in the "FAQ" thread that "if you do well enough, you may be directly admitted to medical school".
This can happen only if the Post-bacc program links with a med school, right?
HEC, I know for sure, is not linked to a med school.
UPenn and NYMC seem tougher to get in, and probably more expensive.
U Penn does put people in Med school if they do well enough. Not sure about NYMC.

Second, how rigorous are Post-bacc curricula compared to Med school?
To all of you who have the experience: In addition to lectures, are you required to attend recitations/discussions and/or labs?

Third, what do "formal" and "informal" mean?? I know "formal" programs give some more advantage...

One more thing: how will your GPA calculated after you complete Post-bacc? Will it be added as a "5th-year GPA" + your undergrad GPA = new GPA ,
or separately?

 

[aspiringmedstud]

I say go to UPenn or NYMC. HES is all hype and it is not even a highly respected post-bacc program. They accept almost everyone who applies and most people don't make it past semester 1. Also, no finanical aid is offered after year 1, so expect to come out of pocket for that as well. In addition, if your from out of town, Cambridge is very expensive!!! I wouldn't recommend working while in this program either because you will have a ton of work. There are discussion sections, labs, and lecture for each course. Not to mention that some type of assignment is due for each one. The people who are most successful at this program are those who are either super geniuses or people who don't work and are living off of a large sum of money. But don't take my word for it, you can always find out for yourself.

 

[drizzt3117]

I think the success of people who finish the HES program speaks for itself. Even on SDN there are dozens of people who successfully finished the program and got into top med schools. I would definitely choose HES over the other options.