postbacc question....

[PaulKu34]

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hey everyone,

i'm planning to do some postbacc (as a 2nd bachelor candidate) at a Cal State University. Trouble is, I'm unfamiliar with the system. I'm aware that San Francisco State U is popular among postbacc student, but I'm considering other cal state schools. Can anyone tell me their opinions in terms of doing postbacc work at Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Dominguez HIlls, Cal State Northridge, San Jose State U., Cal State San Bernardino. Which school has good postbacc program, pretty popular among postbac students, gives good support to students, and just good overall? Any insights would be much appreciated. thanks a bunch

 

[mbell2]

i have the same question as ya...anyone know any?

 

[relentless11]

I have heard SDSU has a good pre-health advising system, while SFSU will be starting their own post-bacc program this summer. In terms of just taking classes, there is no difference in any of the CSU's (or any other schools for that matter).

I don't think any of the CSU's other than SFSU actually has a real structured program. Like I said, if you just care about taking classes, go where is most convenient. However if you are looking for more resources such as pre-med advising, and other pre-med services, then SDSU and SFSU may be good. SJSU for example appears to be a program that just lets you take courses for no degree, rather than an "officially structured" post-bacc program. But for many, thats all you need.

On a side note, have you considered private school programs and/or UC programs? Mills and Scripps are pretty good programs. While the UC post-bacc programs that are at UCSF, UCD, UCLA, UCSD, and UCI have benefits due to them having their own med schools, and affiliate hospitals. Nearby CSU's may reap in some benefits, but I feel that being at a UC may be more beneficial. I can always walk across the street to talk to our med school at UCD, rather than drive 30mins from CSUS😉. Not to mention the people at the specific UC will be familiar with the classes you take, and how they may relate to admissions at that particular school.

 

[MediMama23]

hey everyone,

i'm planning to do some postbacc (as a 2nd bachelor candidate) at a Cal State University. Trouble is, I'm unfamiliar with the system. I'm aware that San Francisco State U is popular among postbacc student, but I'm considering other cal state schools. Can anyone tell me their opinions in terms of doing postbacc work at Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Dominguez HIlls, Cal State Northridge, San Jose State U., Cal State San Bernardino. Which school has good postbacc program, pretty popular among postbac students, gives good support to students, and just good overall? Any insights would be much appreciated. thanks a bunch

I posted about some of these CSUs in another thread on here. It's called "sfsu?" In terms of your questions, SFSU and SJSU might answer all of them, although SFSU is the only school that has an actual post-bacc program (for students who haven't taken any of the pre-reqs). At the rest you just take classes and use the pre-health office if they have one. Note, though, that the application for the Fall is closed at pretty much all of these schools (definitely at SFSU and SJSU), so if you wanted to start this Fall, you would have to go through open university and then apply in the Spring.

relentless, the problem with the post bacc programs at the UCs is that you have to be a reapplicant, or disadvantaged in some way. I know a few get in without these requirements, but it's not the norm. UCIrvine would've been the OP's best bet, but their app is closed even for first time applicants. Actually, OP, you may still have a chance at UCD if you wanted to go that route. But it looks like you want to stay down the southern way.

 

[relentless11]

relentless, the problem with the post bacc programs at the UCs is that you have to be a reapplicant, or disadvantaged in some way. I know a few get in without these requirements, but it's not the norm. UCIrvine would've been the OP's best bet, but their app is closed even for first time applicants. Actually, OP, you may still have a chance at UCD if you wanted to go that route. But it looks like you want to stay down the southern way.

Yea, the UCD the is the less stringent one out of all the UC's. But it definately doesn't hurt to try since the rewards may outweigh the cost of applying. I think UCI (or one of the UC's) have some little caveat where if you're not disadvantaged, you have to show the school that you will be practicing in a "disadvantaged" area. Something like that. I'm not quite sure how they validate that.

 

[IMDORK]

hi i am a post-bacc student right now at SFSU. sounds like everyone is from california so this will be easy, as everyone will know what i'm talking about. the post bacc programs offered at UCSD, UCI (yay uci!), UCD, UCLA and USC are for people who have not completed their prereqs for their field of interest IE career changers. If you already have more than half of your prereqs completed, none of these schools are for you.

If you are interested in academic enhancement and you just basically want to improve your gpa and you don't need much guidance, then SFSU is fine. however, i would not strongly recommend this program. the classes here are always heavily impacted and i've learned that apparently, people take six years to graduate from here because they can never get their classes. also, the program is rather unstructured and one of the advisors said to me "oh you should probably stay here for five semesters." ...yeah that didn't happen, i am done as of this semester. (my stay = one school year) Also, if you are interested in academic enhancement, all i can say is that one or two years worth of just taking classes really wont help your GPA all that much. (hindsight is 20/20) It would probably be smarter to do a one year master's program. at least you'll get a degree. you know what i'm getting? a pat on the back....from MYSELF! hahaah THERE IS ONE GOOD THING THOUGH! there are some schools that are very fond of post-bacc students. they see it as commitment and perserverance. so at least at SFSU, you have the official title as a post-bacc student. (you can do post-bacc anywhere you dont really have to apply...you could do it at a JC if u wanted to. any classes after earning a degree is "post-bacc" technically)

if anything, i would look into post bacc programs that have GUARANTEED interviews if you do well in their program. Look into the field of your interest and see what's out there. make sure you get something! spending two years for a guaranteed interview is worth it. spending two years to get your GPA to go up .2 points is not.

if anyone has questions about SFSU, feel free to private message me. i'd be more than happy to reply.

hey everyone,

i'm planning to do some postbacc (as a 2nd bachelor candidate) at a Cal State University. Trouble is, I'm unfamiliar with the system. I'm aware that San Francisco State U is popular among postbacc student, but I'm considering other cal state schools. Can anyone tell me their opinions in terms of doing postbacc work at Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Dominguez HIlls, Cal State Northridge, San Jose State U., Cal State San Bernardino. Which school has good postbacc program, pretty popular among postbac students, gives good support to students, and just good overall? Any insights would be much appreciated. thanks a bunch

 

[MediMama23]

hi i am a post-bacc student right now at SFSU. sounds like everyone is from california so this will be easy, as everyone will know what i'm talking about. the post bacc programs offered at UCSD, UCI (yay uci!), UCD, UCLA and USC are for people who have not completed their prereqs for their field of interest IE career changers. If you already have more than half of your prereqs completed, none of these schools are for you.

UCI states that those who want to be in their post-bacc program but have never applied to medical school must have at least 75% of their pre-reqs done. Those who are re-applicants must obviously have completed all of them.

UCD's and UCSD's programs are also for re-applicants, so they must have all (or most) pre-reqs done.

UCLA has two programs, one for 6 weeks and another for a 11 months; since the 11-month one is for re-applicants, you would have to have all of the pre-req courses. I'm not sure about the 6-week program, however, but that one doesn't seem to offer too much as it is.

According to the AAMC, all of the UC programs are for academic record-enhancers and for those who are disadvantaged in some way. Looking at their individual websites confirms this. Most of them also state that prefer students who have demonstrated interest in providing healthcare to underserved communities.

 

[relentless11]

hi i am a post-bacc student right now at SFSU. sounds like everyone is from california so this will be easy, as everyone will know what i'm talking about. the post bacc programs offered at UCSD, UCI (yay uci!), UCD, UCLA and USC are for people who have not completed their prereqs for their field of interest IE career changers. If you already have more than half of your prereqs completed, none of these schools are for you.

I agree with with Medimama23 stated, since this is what I read and discussed at the specific UC's when considering to apply to their post-bacc programs. Although they make a strong case about being disadvantaged, they included statements that if you do not meet that criteria, you are still encouraged to apply. There's a few other things that need to be met though, like having taken an MCAT and gotten no less than 7 or 8 on each of the sections. This MCAT can be waived at some of the schools (like UCD), so clearly these people have taken their pre-reqs.

The main reason why people don't do UC post-baccs is because they got rejected, and did not meet the disadvantaged status as defined by AAMC. I do meet this disadvantaged status. At least the program at UCD is aimed towards GPA enhancement and helping people do better in school. I spoke with the our directors of admission about apply, but he said I probably won't get in because of my MCAT was "too high". He was right though, I knew I can get better grades on my own, I just needed a place to go to school..haha. Thats why I am doing a PhD program at UCD. 🙂

UCSD if i recall became a tad more strict about what you can waive and what you can't waive. I forgot what UCLA was all about but what Medimama23 said sounded right. I have no idea about the USC program since it would've been overpriced anyway😉. So not quite sure where you got that info about the UC post-bacc programs being for "career changers". 🙄 The only program that I am aware of that specifically states that it is a career changer is Scripps. I don't think Mill's is but I never read too much into them other than their linkage program.