Post Bacc Opportunities + Chances

[AppliedBehaviorAddiction]

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Hello all!

I am a recent graduate from a BA in Communication sciences and Disorders program in California. I am moving to the Philadelphia- Central Jersey area for personal reasons and am looking to get on the path to an MD. I have 4 years experience with special needs kids, 3 of those were spent as a Registered Behavior Technician in a clinical ABA setting. I graduated with a 3.6 overall, 3.9 for my last 60 units (CC transfer).

My next steps seem like to get experience in a hospital setting and some shadowing/clinical research experience, but my big next challenge is getting all my pre-reqs done and take the MCAT. So I am looking for advice. I like the structure of formal post bacc programs with linkages, but what are the ones in the area I am moving to (outside of Bryn Mawr)? Where are some other universities where I could do a DIY post bacc in case I don’t get into a formal one?

I know that formal post bacc programs don’t publish admissions data or percentages, but would I have a shot at any of them?

Thank you for all the help. This has been something I have wanted to do for awhile during my undergrad, but just decided to truly go for it.

 

[Moko]

Formal post-baccs will take almost anyone with a pulse (perhaps a slight exaggeration). What you should be looking at is whether you can succeed in that academic environment (i.e get good grades), and what percentage of each incoming class ends up matriculating to med / vet / dental school. Do not go into a program based on the med school acceptance rate that they publish. Often times, this number is only for folks who've successfully completed their program with a certain GPA. Most students drop out and/or have their academic records tanked (and not for the lack of trying), and these folks are not included in their statistics.

The AMCAS website has a list of post-bacs that you can sort by state. Be sure to research programs carefully, and see if the extra cost in tuition is worth the services that they offer. Good luck

 

[bluerock]

Hello all!

I am a recent graduate from a BA in Communication sciences and Disorders program in California. I am moving to the Philadelphia- Central Jersey area for personal reasons and am looking to get on the path to an MD. I have 4 years experience with special needs kids, 3 of those were spent as a Registered Behavior Technician in a clinical ABA setting. I graduated with a 3.6 overall, 3.9 for my last 60 units (CC transfer).

My next steps seem like to get experience in a hospital setting and some shadowing/clinical research experience, but my big next challenge is getting all my pre-reqs done and take the MCAT. So I am looking for advice. I like the structure of formal post bacc programs with linkages, but what are the ones in the area I am moving to (outside of Bryn Mawr)? Where are some other universities where I could do a DIY post bacc in case I don’t get into a formal one?

I know that formal post bacc programs don’t publish admissions data or percentages, but would I have a shot at any of them?

Thank you for all the help. This has been something I have wanted to do for awhile during my undergrad, but just decided to truly go for it.

I did the DIY, non-matriculated, post-bacc work at the university that I graduated from. It was much cheaper and the quality of the science courses much higher than the private schools in my area. It was a little tricky getting the classes I needed, because I couldn't register until the day classes started, but I made it through 2.5 years of it in good time. Before I went back, I met with some pre-med advisers, who tried pushing me toward community college. I really can't recommend that approach. Try as they might, people just can't weigh a 4.0 from a competitive university as heavily as one from a CC. They also tried pushing me toward a post-bacc program at a private school, which cost $40K a year. I'm sure the classes would have been fine, but I'd be $100K poorer.
It's also really annoying to hear, I know, but while grades and MCATs are essential, they really only get you over a threshold. They won't get you into a school. It's really about research, volunteering, clinical experience, and how well your story fits within their goals.

 

[Moko]

I met with some pre-med advisers, who tried pushing me toward community college... They also tried pushing me toward a post-bacc program at a private school, which cost $40K a year.

Those advisers need to make up their mind. They've literally recommended the entire spectrum of schools..

At the end of the day, both grades and ECs are essential to a successful application. Neither alone is sufficient.

 

[bluerock]

Those advisers need to make up their mind. They've literally recommended the entire spectrum of schools..

At the end of the day, both grades and ECs are essential to a successful application. Neither alone is sufficient.

Haha, tell me about it. That meeting was useful, not because I used much of their advice, but because it taught me about what not to do and all the horrible stigmas I'd have to get through as a non-trad.

 

[AppliedBehaviorAddiction]

Thank you. You are right. DIY would suit me better, and I could still probably do it in a full year. I am most likely going to apply to Temple, as it is the only public uni in Philly. Are the main ones that I need Gen Chem 1/2, Bio with lab, Organic Chem 1/2, Physics, Biostats, and a general psych course?

Also, during the time I have to wait for an acceptance, should I focus on research and volunteering? I have a lot of paid clinical experience, but not in a hospital. I figure I could get that by volunteering at a hospital.

 

[bluerock]

Thank you. You are right. DIY would suit me better, and I could still probably do it in a full year. I am most likely going to apply to Temple, as it is the only public uni in Philly. Are the main ones that I need Gen Chem 1/2, Bio with lab, Organic Chem 1/2, Physics, Biostats, and a general psych course?

Also, during the time I have to wait for an acceptance, should I focus on research and volunteering? I have a lot of paid clinical experience, but not in a hospital. I figure I could get that by volunteering at a hospital.

It depends on the nature of that experience. Schools really seem to value patient interactions, which not all paid clinical work include in high quality. If you feel that it's good, make sure you have shadowing still. Volunteering in a hospital is definitely a great way to get volunteer hours, but make sure it's an experience you value. It's almost worth it to think about how you can volunteer with underprivileged populations instead. State schools in particular seem to care a lot about this.
If you don't have research, you need it. When you get into class, start asking around the departments, looking for a professor who does something that interests you, then ask if they have any work you can do. If you have the time and motivation, you can get part-time work in a lab as a student and get paid. Or, if you're really devoted to it, you can do like I did, find a really amazing researcher who can use volunteers, but doesn't have time to go looking for them, and offer yourself up.

 

[AppliedBehaviorAddiction]

It depends on the nature of that experience. Schools really seem to value patient interactions, which not all paid clinical work include in high quality. If you feel that it's good, make sure you have shadowing still. Volunteering in a hospital is definitely a great way to get volunteer hours, but make sure it's an experience you value. It's almost worth it to think about how you can volunteer with underprivileged populations instead. State schools in particular seem to care a lot about this.
If you don't have research, you need it. When you get into class, start asking around the departments, looking for a professor who does something that interests you, then ask if they have any work you can do. If you have the time and motivation, you can get part-time work in a lab as a student and get paid. Or, if you're really devoted to it, you can do like I did, find a really amazing researcher who can use volunteers, but doesn't have time to go looking for them, and offer yourself up.

My experience thus far is with the autism population in a clinically ABA setting. 1:1 interaction, registered with a board, senior position, work within HIPPA guidelines. But again, not at a hospital. So, that is where I am definitely looking for opportunities.

 

[Moko]

Also, during the time I have to wait for an acceptance, should I focus on research and volunteering? I have a lot of paid clinical experience, but not in a hospital. I figure I could get that by volunteering at a hospital.

Do things that you enjoy that can also be helpful in the worst case scenario should you need to reapply. Nothing worse than finding you need to reapply but having literally done nothing for the entire gap year.

 

[bluerock]

My experience thus far is with the autism population in a clinically ABA setting. 1:1 interaction, registered with a board, senior position, work within HIPPA guidelines. But again, not at a hospital. So, that is where I am definitely looking for opportunities.

I think too, it might be helpful to work with a more diverse patient population, and more time directly with a physician.