postbac vs. taking classes at 4-year

[medicinegoal]

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Hi,

I graduated from undergrad in 2006 with a major in applied math. I just finished up my first year of grad school in applied math, and I got a Master's. I was premed for a while in undergrad, though, and I took most of my premed requirements, with the exception of one organic chem lab, one physics lab, a genetics class, and a biochem class. I calculated my science GPA, using AMCAS regulations, and it's around a 3.47 so far, not including graduate level courses.

I'm not sure if I should apply for postbac programs to finish up these requirements, or whether I should just finish them up at a 4-year university as a non-degree student. There are a couple of classes that I could have done better on, and I'm wondering, since it's been around 4 years since I've taken a premed class, if I would be able to retake them in a postbac program, in order to enhance my application.

The reason a postbac program appeals to me so much is because of the linkage opportunity, and because of a way to get great LOR's from professors who would probably get to know me well.

Any advice would be helpful!

 

[postbacker]

Hi,

I graduated from undergrad in 2006 with a major in applied math. I just finished up my first year of grad school in applied math, and I got a Master's. I was premed for a while in undergrad, though, and I took most of my premed requirements, with the exception of one organic chem lab, one physics lab, a genetics class, and a biochem class. I calculated my science GPA, using AMCAS regulations, and it's around a 3.47 so far, not including graduate level courses.

I'm not sure if I should apply for postbac programs to finish up these requirements, or whether I should just finish them up at a 4-year university as a non-degree student. There are a couple of classes that I could have done better on, and I'm wondering, since it's been around 4 years since I've taken a premed class, if I would be able to retake them in a postbac program, in order to enhance my application.

The reason a postbac program appeals to me so much is because of the linkage opportunity, and because of a way to get great LOR's from professors who would probably get to know me well.

Any advice would be helpful!

Some post bac programs will not allow you to retake something just to get a higher grade (maybe Goucher and Bryn Mawr, for instance)...similarly, if you have taken more than one or 2 pre reqs, some full time programs will not admit you...

Not all post bacs have linkage programs, either, and you really need to read the "fine print" to understand what hurdles you have to jump to qualify for a linkage deal (very few post bac students qualify for these)...

It would be best for you to contact the admissions office at some of these programs and ask specific questions about your case - we can only speculate - and some of these programs are extremely competitive and require high UG GPA, etc...what is your overall GPA? Most of the "name brand" post bac programs I am familiar with only admit people with a 3.5/3.6 or better (I am sure there are exceptions)...

 

[medicinegoal]

I had around a 3.63 cumulative GPA. I'm not sure if I should enroll in a formal postbac or just take classes at a 4-year school. there are many advantages for formal postbacs, such a a good LOR from the committee and the linkage option, but they are very expensive. also, does anyone know, if you don't enroll in a formal postbac, if it matters which 4-year school you attend to finish up the prereqs? I went to UCLA undergrad and Brown grad; would the 4-year school I would attend to finish up my prereqs have to be a top-tier school? that would be so expensive, too!

 

[meowkat444]

as someone who finished requirements at UCLA after work, i don't see the disadvantage to doing this. postbaccs usually cost much more. i was in the same situation as you... i took all chem and math requirements, but not the physics and bio.

 

[medicinegoal]

thanks for the advice..so you just finished up your courses at UCLA again? the thing is, though, that i am now living in RI, so I'm looking at schools on the East Coast. I'm not sure if it matters what the reputation of the schools is. Does anyone know?

I was looking at UPenn's Special Science Program, which allows you to take a min of 6 courses, which would cover the four I have to take, anyway, plus an additional 2 which I could use for enhancement of my application. This is expensive, again, since it's a private school. I'm looking at other Special Science/Special Master's programs, too, since I'm not really eligible for most general postbac programs, it looks like, since I have most of my prereqs done.

Does anyone know of any good special science/special master's, or any success stories of people finishing up reqts through either one of those programs or through just taking them at a 4-year univ. by being a non-degree student?

thanks so much..any help is very much appreciated!