postbacc vs. interspersed pre-med

[harmonicator]

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Hey fellow nontrads! I'm 28, have yet to transfer to a University, and want to major in jazz guitar! I dont think it gets much nore nontraditional than that.

Upon hearing the advice that I don't have to major in a life/phys sci to get accepted to med school, I am seriously considering majoring in jazz studies. Would it be better to finish my undergrad music courses, then take all the pre-med sciences in a post-bacc program; or just take them interspersed with my major during undergrad? Do med-schools prefer one way or the other?

I suppose the postbacc would be better because all the info will be fresh (in my mind) for the MCAT.

 

[MaryWrathers]

"Would it be better to finish my undergrad music courses, then take all the pre-med sciences in a post-bacc program;"
>Yes. I think it might be better if you can handle natural science courses lumped together each semester upon completion of the music major. This is what I am doing, but it is not a formal post-bacc program.

"or just take them interspersed with my major during undergrad?"
>This would be good to do for financial aid reasons. You can still get certain federal aid (pell grant) if you qualify. Once you graduate then you are limited to what federal aid you receive.

"Do med-schools prefer one way or the other?"
>You might want to call 3-5 schools just to get their opinion. Good question. I would like to know also.

"I suppose the postbacc would be better because all the info will be fresh (in my mind) for the MCAT."
>True. Good planning. But, think about the loss of possibly qualifying for federal grants. This route is what I am doing. I am eligible only for sub and unsub loans as far as I know.

 

[Moto]

Hey fellow nontrads! I'm 28, have yet to transfer to a University, and want to major in jazz guitar! I dont think it gets much nore nontraditional than that.

Upon hearing the advice that I don't have to major in a life/phys sci to get accepted to med school, I am seriously considering majoring in jazz studies. Would it be better to finish my undergrad music courses, then take all the pre-med sciences in a post-bacc program; or just take them interspersed with my major during undergrad? Do med-schools prefer one way or the other?

I suppose the postbacc would be better because all the info will be fresh (in my mind) for the MCAT.

Compare the cost of taking pre-reqs during undergrad vs. post-bacc, usually (it was for me) it is much, much cheaper to postpone graduation and finish pre-reqs as an undergrad.

 

[justin984]

Compare the cost of taking pre-reqs during undergrad vs. post-bacc, usually (it was for me) it is much, much cheaper to postpone graduation and finish pre-reqs as an undergrad.

My thoughts exactly. Why not let financial aid pay for it if you can?

 

[Law2Doc]

Hey fellow nontrads! I'm 28, have yet to transfer to a University, and want to major in jazz guitar! I dont think it gets much nore nontraditional than that.

Upon hearing the advice that I don't have to major in a life/phys sci to get accepted to med school, I am seriously considering majoring in jazz studies. Would it be better to finish my undergrad music courses, then take all the pre-med sciences in a post-bacc program; or just take them interspersed with my major during undergrad? Do med-schools prefer one way or the other?

I suppose the postbacc would be better because all the info will be fresh (in my mind) for the MCAT.

It won't make a great deal of difference in terms of admissions -- just do it whatever way ends up getting you as close as possible to A's in all the prereqs and a high score on the MCAT. Less science-oriented types such as myself would suggest trying to space out the sciences througout your education so that you don't have to face Orgo/Bio/Phys/Calc (or some such combination) all at once. These classes can be easy when given plenty of time, but turn ugly fast if you need to learn them simultaneously. The financial cost suggested by the other posters is a good point as well.