Postbacc costs

[blah2015]

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Hi Everyone, long time lurker, and someone that is in need of advice. I was accepted to the Elms college postbacc program and am strongly considering going. However, I am an independent student and am wondering how I would be able to afford the 20,000 grand to go for the year. Also, if anyone had any inputs about the program, that would be great. I read a previous post about the program, but that was a while ago, and was wondering if anyone had any updates about it.

Thanks again,

 

[caffeinemia]

General wisdom I've heard is to go to a place that's reputable and preferably with a medical school. Otherwise, I have no idea, whether any program is distinctly better than another. It's really just an academic proving ground.

Finally, I'd suggest looking at federal student loans. They have special protections and generally are reasonable.

 

[EasternMer]

Hi Everyone, long time lurker, and someone that is in need of advice. I was accepted to the Elms college postbacc program and am strongly considering going. However, I am an independent student and am wondering how I would be able to afford the 20,000 grand to go for the year. Also, if anyone had any inputs about the program, that would be great. I read a previous post about the program, but that was a while ago, and was wondering if anyone had any updates about it.

Thanks again,

Hi, if you've not yet taken your science pre-reqs, consider Goucher, which has a great placement rate and is affordable.

However, if you have, I'd advise a traditional SMP if you need to do GPA repair. Places like EVMS have great SMP's.

 

[CharmanderMD]

I'd suggest going to a cheap state school as a student seeking a second degree (you need to be classified as degree seeking to get federal aid). I did this at a school that was 30 minutes from home and commuted every day. I took physics 1 + 2, gen chem 1+ 2, orgo 1+2, calc, a bio class, and stats and only took out a federal loan for $7500. I was looking into formal programs but it just didn't seem worth it to me especially at a school that doesn't have any linkages. If you're not going to a top program like bryn mawr or goucher you might as well just save your money and take the cheapest route.

Edit: if you're doing this to improve your stats disregard my post.

 

[blah2015]

Thanks guys (and or ladies). I am doing this to improve my stats. I have all the pre reqs completed with the exception of one semester of physics. It just doesn't seem feasible to take out 20k in debt b/c there has to be other ways, you know? Thanks again.

 

[Queenofspades]

[QUOTE=" If you're not going to a top program like bryn mawr or goucher you might as well just save your money and take the cheapest route."[/QUOTE]

Is Mills well considered? They say they place a disproportionate number of students at UCSF. What about SFSU? Anyone know how this adds up?

 

[emraldragon]

Unlike you OP, I didn't have the prereqs and took a post-bacc for around 30,000 not including cost of living. I ended up taking out 22,000 in loans--one Stafford and one private. Even though I wasn't degree seeking I didn't have any problem getting a 12,500 Stafford loan.

That being said though, if you can avoid it, don't take out the money and don't add to the debt you will incur in medical school. It seems that the general advice for stats boosting around here is an SMP. I don't know what that looks like in terms of cost. But it sounds like you don't need a post-bacc . . .

 

[emraldragon]

@gonnif

Thank you very much for that information. I had never heard of a SMP before SDN and I have been loath to ask about it and expose my ignorance.

 

[mehc012]

Thanks guys (and or ladies). I am doing this to improve my stats. I have all the pre reqs completed with the exception of one semester of physics. It just doesn't seem feasible to take out 20k in debt b/c there has to be other ways, you know? Thanks again.

I was in your exact shoes - all prereqs done other than Physics, but in need of gpa repair.
I opted for a DIY postbacc - meaning no official program - which ran me ~$800-$900 per class (3 credits each). There are cheaper options than this available, but I wanted a) to take upper division sciences, b) to avoid CC courses, and c) to be able to take those courses while working more than fulltime, so my options were a bit limited. Still, even at my overly-expensive rates, for the same number of courses as the formal postbacc, it would come out to half the price (and far more flexibility). Plus, you pay as you go, so it is more spread out.
So that's what I did, and would do again. You may be looking for something different, but without more backstory, I can't offer much useful advice. I will say that if you can improve your stats with a postbacc, I generally consider that a preferable option to an SMP for both cost and risk concerns - if you slip up in an SMP and don't do exceedingly well, you have pretty much slammed the med school doors shut. Postbaccs are a bit more forgiving (and easier to do well in). Which is right for you depends on what your actual gpa is. Good luck!