Post Bacc Programs - few questions!

[bmonster]

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I'm new to the site so i'm sorry if i'm posting in the wrong area! But i have a couple questions about the post bacc programs.

1. Does anyone know what schools have direct admission into their med school once the post bacc program is completed? I'm trying to narrow down some schools based on the programs.

2. What are your opinions on post bacc? i have a year off because i'm taking my MCAT this summer and i was thinking about doing one because i would like to enhance my GPA and show med schools i can handle the course work. My GPA went slightly below a 3.5 so i figured this would be the next best option.

Thanks!

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to the post-bacc forum.

 

[plumhill]

1. I don't think any program will admit you to their medical school simply because you completed the program. What you can find are programs that have a large number of graduates gaining acceptances to medical school, based on their performance.

2. A postbacc program is specifically for people who have not completed the premedical requirements (bio, gen chem, o-chem, etc). Since you are studying for the MCAT, I'm assuming you have taken these core requirements, so what you'll want to look for is an SMP, or Special Master's Program. These programs (usually one year in length; sometimes two) are for people just like you: those who have completed the classes but need an "academic enhancer." Your GPA is high enough to gain admittance to a number of competitive SMP programs that have fairly high success rates in terms of getting people into medical school. Since your GPA is not particularly competitive for an MD school (but if you score in the high 30's on the MCAT you won't necessarily be out of the running), an SMP route would be a good choice for you. The program that comes to mind in terms of "guarantees" is Tufts, which will grant the top 25% of the SMP class an interview for the next cycle. Other than that, I can't think of any guaranteed programs.

If you do decide to go the post-bac route, you'll need a very high postbac GPA in order to have a good chance at medical schools. SMPs can be risky because if you don't do well in your SMP program, THEN you're pretty much out of the running for med school.

 

[bmonster]

1. I don't think any program will admit you to their medical school simply because you completed the program. What you can find are programs that have a large number of graduates gaining acceptances to medical school, based on their performance.

2. A postbacc program is specifically for people who have not completed the premedical requirements (bio, gen chem, o-chem, etc). Since you are studying for the MCAT, I'm assuming you have taken these core requirements, so what you'll want to look for is an SMP, or Special Master's Program. These programs (usually one year in length; sometimes two) are for people just like you: those who have completed the classes but need an "academic enhancer." Your GPA is high enough to gain admittance to a number of competitive SMP programs that have fairly high success rates in terms of getting people into medical school. Since your GPA is not particularly competitive for an MD school (but if you score in the high 30's on the MCAT you won't necessarily be out of the running), an SMP route would be a good choice for you. The program that comes to mind in terms of "guarantees" is Tufts, which will grant the top 25% of the SMP class an interview for the next cycle. Other than that, I can't think of any guaranteed programs.

If you do decide to go the post-bac route, you'll need a very high postbac GPA in order to have a good chance at medical schools. SMPs can be risky because if you don't do well in your SMP program, THEN you're pretty much out of the running for med school.

Thank you so much for your feedback, it definitely helped! Would you happen to know any schools off the top of your head that have a good SMP? I'm on the AAMC site but it's just giving me the Post-Bac schools and the majority i looked at are for people who have not taken their science classes.

 

[Remxed]

I'd suggest taking a look at this thread here http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=346106

That post will answer a lot of your initial questions and help you narrow down some SMP programs out there that fit your criteria.