Post Bacc necessary?

[bev78]

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I graduated with a BA in Communications. I have decided I want to go to medical school, but obviously I am missing some pre-req's (Chem, Physics, etc.)
I know that typically a post-bacc premed is the best option. However the schools that are most convenient to me (near "free living") don't offer a specific post-bacc premed program.
Is a post-bacc premed program necessary, or is it possible to just take the necessary classes at a University and use those for my pre-reqs.
Any advice on if this is a good idea and how to go about it?
I am looking at Universities in the Atlanta area.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

You can take post-bacc classes anywhere, you don't have to do a formal post-bacc program. I'm doing an informal post-bacc at my state school where I get in-state tuition. I would advise speaking with a pre-med advisor at the school you're looking at to find out whether post-baccs have the same opportunities as undergrads for research, pre-med committee letters, etc.

 

[Ativanigans]

You dont have to do a real program. Just take classes

 

[mybubbles14]

You don't have to take a formal post bac just to take the pre-req courses. However, be advised that funding might be more difficult if this is an issue for you. Generally you qualify for federal loans if you are part of a degree/certificate program which many post bacs qualify under. If you choose to just take the courses you might have to pay out of pocket or try to get private loans (not sure how difficult that would be...I used private for undergrad but that was obviously a degree program). I was going to take a few courses at my state school post-graduation but decided to do a "grad post bac" due to funding reasons. As a "non-degree" student at one of my state schools I didn't qualify for any financial aid.

 

[Usernamed]

There's a lot of info about this and for your situation in general on the nontraditional student forum, but from what I've heard a post-bacc isn't necessary if you can arrange your personal/work schedule around the classes you need to take -- just make sure they're at a four-year institution. CC is a no-no in 9 out of 10 cases.

The road is long expensive, if I were you I'd live for free and keep expenses to a minimum throughout the pre-med school process. Post-bacc's are awesome and definitely have their perks, but non-official/self-constructed programs are more realistic for some of us. It's what I'm doing and so, naturally, I'm biased. Good luck!

 

[bev78]

I agree with the "keep expenses to a minimum" which is why I am trying to look for other options that formal post-bacc program.

How do you apply to schools to do a self-constructed program? Do you apply as an undergrad? How did you go about it?

 

[bev78]

How exciting you've been accepted to school! Do you find there are many advantages to post-bacc vs. non post-bacc?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I applied as a second degree student by filling out a transfer student application. I'm classified as a fifth-year senior by the university, which is great because I get to choose my classes before anyone else, lol. I also qualify for grants and federal student loans because I'm considered an undergraduate. So I pretty much get the best of both worlds! I'd definitely recommend that approach if the school you want to take classes at will allow it. You get a lot more opportunities than you might as a non-degree student.

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

The non-structured pseudo post bacc program worked for me, I enrolled as a non-degree student at a local 4 yr school and took all of the needed/desired classes. Plus was that it was inexpensive (there were no formal post bacc programs nearby and I was uncomfortable taking the risk of moving in order to improve chances of med school acceptance)

Major pros were: cost, free to take any courses I wanted, probably less competition for top grades. Cons were less support and lower quality pre-med advising than would likely have been available at a formal post-bacc program.

Separate note -- there are MANY med students who have majored in chem, biochem, physiology, etc. I'm very happy that I took a few add'l advanced courses in addition to the required minimum premed courses; without these I'd be having a much tougher time now as an MS1!

 

[nabeel76]

If money is a big factor for you then go enroll in a local 4 year, keep your living expenses low, study for the MCAT and then apply to med schools.


However, if money is not that big an issue and you have a good undergraduate GPA, then look into formal postbacc programs like Bryn Marr, Columbia, etc. These programs have linkage programs that guarantee acceptance to certain med schools - some of them are top medical schools that you might not have that great a chance to get into otherwise. This can make your life a lot easier if you do well in the program. You wouldn't have to worry about the hassles of applying everywhere, might not even have to take the MCAT (not sure about this though) and can probably save your self some time too.

Either way, explore both of your options before you confirm your decision.