Post Bacc Questions

[frette]

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Hello all,

I'm a recent graduate, from a completely none medical major and with no pre-reqs, who's decided to pursue a degree in medicine.

In the past year, I applied to two post-bacc programs, NYU and Columbia, since my target location was NYC, and was accepted. I choose Columbia because I knew people who took the pre-med undergraduate course, at both NYU and Columbia, and Columbia's seemed comparably better and the people didn't seem to hate it. And, to be honest, because of the name.

However, I've been skimming through some of the past discussion threads on the matter and the general consensus seems to be that Columbia kind of fails in its goals. Admittedly there were some positive reviews as well. All of which gave me the impression that it's a program that seems to give only as much as you put into it. I can handle that. I had a mediocre undergraduate performance, and am willing to devote all of the coming months to getting sterling grades. Knock on wood.

My question then, after getting hit with this semester's bill, is there anyone, more recent than the 2003 or 2008 threads I found, that can share their experience with the Columbia Post Bacc program? Financial aid? Classes? Professors? Advice? Fun (or not so fun) stories to share?

Or am I just making a huge and costly mistake? Because I want to be a doctor, but some of these threads are quiet disheartening, especially at 1AM in the morning.

Thanks,

Some what befuddled, hopefully new pre-med student

 

[freakingoutabit]

Just out of curiosity, why are you doing a formal post-bacc program? My impression is that while they get the job done, they aren't necessary. You could save a small fortune by taking all of the classes you need at a state school. Also, because they aren't formal degree programs, I'm not convinced they have much prestige, despite their names.

I'm not knocking them. I just don't understand the appeal.

 

[Courtjester8]

Do some of them have a backdoor into the affiliated med school? That would totally be a reason to drop the extra dough imho.

Make sure the school you take the pre reqs at is respectable. I took my prereqs at a state school in NJ and an adcom member at UMDNJ (SAME STATE) told me she didn't recognize the school and therefore didn't see my fantastic performance as particularly credible....even with the 35mcat to back it up.

-cj8

 

[thlaxer]

Also, because they aren't formal degree programs, I'm not convinced they have much prestige, despite their names.

They aren't as prestigious, but the name still helps a bit if you do well in the program. A couple of interviewers talked about how rigorous the post-bac classes must've been etc and how that made my academic record look even more impressive. I don't think I would've gotten the same "wow" treatment if I went to Random U.

But like you said, these formal programs (and their perceived prestige) are by no means necessary--your GPA and MCAT are more important in the admissions process so you should go to where you will be most successful academically (especially if it saves you money).. The linkages are only worth the money if you are one of the several students who do so successfully. The vast majority of people in my class did not link.

Do some of them have a backdoor into the affiliated med school? That would totally be a reason to drop the extra dough imho.

The post-bacs do end up sending a few of their students to their affiliated med school. But, these students would've still been competitive for those schools though if they went to another institution imo.