Question about post-bac courses

[Meridian]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I was wondering how post bac courses get calculated into the amcas transcript. Do they get combined with the grades that you received at your previous university or are they calculated separately to generate an overall QPA?

Also, do I have to be accepted into a university in order to do post bac classes? There's this thing called a non degree option at cmu, where you can take classes as a registered student and eventually apply for an acceptance, if you'd like... would that work?

 

[TheKoman]

Usually Post-bac are for ppl who have already attended a University and obtained a BS/BA degree, hence POST = After, Bacc = BS or BA degree. If you haven't graduated yet, or have never attended a university, then you can just enter as a undergraduate or go to some community college. If your working, you can take night class at some school. Try looking into their extension programs.

Taking for your post, it seems like you already have graduated. In that case, you just apply into the post-bacc program and if your accepted, your enrolled in the university. You do not have to be currently enrolled.

As for GPA calculations, post-bac have their own entry in AMCAS that is seperate from your undergrade gpa. If you do a non-degree granting, which is still a post bac, its still seperate. I don't know if there is any why to change your undergrad gpa stats. you might want to talk to your univ for that. Hope it helps

 

[ironey]

Originally posted by TheKoman

As for GPA calculations, post-bac have their own entry in AMCAS that is seperate from your undergrade gpa. If you do a non-degree granting, which is still a post bac, its still seperate. I don't know if there is any why to change your undergrad gpa stats. you might want to talk to your univ for that. Hope it helps

But they do add your post-bac GPA to the Cumulative GPA calculations in the end. So when the Ad Com looks at the overall picture, your post-bac courses will be included.

 

[Meridian]

so if i took this non degree thing, would that be counted toward my post bac work?
and yes, ill be graduating this year.

 

[TheKoman]

"But they do add your post-bac GPA to the Cumulative GPA calculations in the end. So when the Ad Com looks at the overall picture, your post-bac courses will be included."

That is quite true. I still think Ad Coms look at them seperately but I think it depends. I'm not too sure on that matter.

To your question M..., yes that program seems like its a post-bac.

 

[ironey]

Any class that you take after you graduate from college (and is not part of a formal Graduate degree) is considered to be Post-Bac.

So, you graduate in June and take another class during Summer quarter. The course will be considered post-bac. It doesn't matter where you take that class, it will be considered post-bac. Whatever you plan to do with that class, it will be considered post-bac.

Large universities have formal "Post Baccalaureat," "Continuing Education," or "Community Education" programs that all mean the same thing: you aren't working on a degree at the time that you take the class. Community colleges usually don't differentiate between post and pre-bac admissions and registrations.

I did 50% of my pre-med post-bac 🙂)). If you have any questions, send me a note and I'll help if I can.

 

[UNMC2006]

One word of caution, taking courses post-bac is fine, and if you want to boost your GPA, it works out nicely. BUT, be sure not to register for a degree program (i.e PhD). Many medical schools will require that you finish all current degree programs before applying for admission. I know someone who really got burned on this sticky point, and was left out to dry. Good applicant, would have made a good doc (perhaps he still will), but couldn't do it because of logistics. Make sure that you have all your "ducks in a row" and know exactly what you are signing up for.

 

[2ndave]

BUT, be sure not to register for a degree program (i.e PhD). Many medical schools will require that you finish all current degree programs before applying for admission. I know someone who really got burned on this sticky point, and was left out to dry.

UNMC2006--

Was this person was enrolled in a graduate program? Do you know if the same expectation applies to people who enroll in programs that would lead to a 2nd bachelor's degree?

The reason I ask is because I've just applied to my local university as a second time undergrad. I'm taking post-bacc science classes (I was a humanities major the first time around)--and the only way I can get student loans is if I'm enrolled on a degree-seeking basis. I don't really intend to finish the degree though. Up til now I've been taking the classes at a community college, but some med schools want to see science grades from a four year school, so it's not like I really even have a choice!

 

[ironey]

Originally posted by 2ndave
UNMC2006--
The reason I ask is because I've just applied to my local university as a second time undergrad. I'm taking post-bacc science classes (I was a humanities major the first time around)--and the only way I can get student loans is if I'm enrolled on a degree-seeking basis. I don't really intend to finish the degree though. Up til now I've been taking the classes at a community college, but some med schools want to see science grades from a four year school, so it's not like I really even have a choice!

The financial aid thing sucks doesn't it? I had the same problem as you. A quote from the denial letter: "You have enough credits for a Master's degree and yet you persist in taking undergraduate classes. Under the circumstances, we will not honor your application for financial aid."

It's unfortunate that colleges/universities don't regard pre-med as viable degree anymore - it might make it easier for the "non-traditionals" to finish their requirements. I was forced to spend all the money I'd saved up for the application process on finishing organic chemistry and physics. Needless to say, I had to go into debt to apply and travel to interviews (and those loans aren't at the 6% rate of college loans, believe me).

Anyway, I don't know anything about the requirement of finishing a degree program before being allowed entrance. It seems that is a very school-specific situation. You should call up the admissions offices at the med school's you're interested in.

If it helps any, a friend of mine took all her science requirements during her AA at a community college - she was accepted into two schools this year.

 

[ironey]

Originally posted by 2ndave
UNMC2006--
The reason I ask is because I've just applied to my local university as a second time undergrad. I'm taking post-bacc science classes (I was a humanities major the first time around)--and the only way I can get student loans is if I'm enrolled on a degree-seeking basis. I don't really intend to finish the degree though. Up til now I've been taking the classes at a community college, but some med schools want to see science grades from a four year school, so it's not like I really even have a choice!

The financial aid thing sucks doesn't it? I had the same problem as you. A quote from the denial letter: "You have enough credits for a Master's degree and yet you persist in taking undergraduate classes. Under the circumstances, we will not honor your application for financial aid."

It's unfortunate that colleges/universities don't regard pre-med as viable degree anymore - it might make it easier for the "non-traditionals" to finish their requirements. I was forced to spend all the money I'd saved up for the application process on finishing organic chemistry and physics. Needless to say, I had to go into debt to apply and travel to interviews (and those loans aren't at the 6% rate of college loans, believe me).

Anyway, I don't know anything about the requirement of finishing a degree program before being allowed entrance. It seems that is a very school-specific situation. You should call up the admissions offices at the med school's you're interested in.

If it helps any, a friend of mine took all her science requirements during her AA at a community college - she was accepted into two schools this year.

 

[Meridian]

thanks guys, but how is it different doing it at another university. I'm aware of the fact that your qpa increases only minimally when you add on credits in your senior year - so wouldn't this also be the case, when you take more courses at a different univeristy? is the fact that it's a whole new transcript is what's different?

 

[2ndave]

The financial aid thing sucks doesn't it? I had the same problem as you. A quote from the denial letter: "You have enough credits for a Master's degree and yet you persist in taking undergraduate classes. Under the circumstances, we will not honor your application for financial aid."

Yeah, it's very frustrating. Sorry to hear about your situation. As for me, I'm not even looking for financial aid, just student loans.

It's all a big catch 22, if you ask me. I called several med schools 2 years ago, before starting out as a post-bacc, and asked if they cared whether I went to a four year school, a community college, or a private post-bacc program. They ALL told me then that they didn't care--the grades were all that mattered. I made a point of picking a CC with a great science track. Anyway, the tide seems to be changing. I called again this spring to verify these policies, and was told by some schools that they now prefer that the classes be taken at 4-year schools. Ok, but 4-year schools cost more money and have lengthy application processes. I'd have to apply for a degree to get the student loans. Fine by me. But now, if med schools are requiring students to formally complete any programs they enroll in, I wonder if they'll apply that to my second, absolutely unnecessary BA. I'll start calling around to schools, but who knows--how do I know they won't change their policy next year?

I'm seriosly starting to think med school should be left for the cookie cutter types. I'm not even that old, and I've got good grades and very interesting experiences, but it's really disillusioning to see all the hoops people are forced to jump through in this process. Some of these rules are so arcane. It reminds me why I eschewed the pre-med grind my first time around.

 

[ironey]

Originally posted by 2ndave
I'll start calling around to schools, but who knows--how do I know they won't change their policy next year?

I'm seriosly starting to think med school should be left for the cookie cutter types. I'm not even that old, and I've got good grades and very interesting experiences, but it's really disillusioning to see all the hoops people are forced to jump through in this process. Some of these rules are so arcane. It reminds me why I eschewed the pre-med grind my first time around.

Dave!! Don't do it!!! Don't give up!!! If a musician like me can get into medical school three years after graduating college, you can do it, too. When you apply, pick the schools that have a stated interest in 'non-trad' students and that put heavy weight on life experience. My favorite secondary application essay was titled "Write an essay about anything other than the medical field." That's the kind of school you're looking for!

As of this year, community college courses were still A-OK for the application process. In only one interview did I get asked about taking OChem at the CC. I told the guy flat-out that I thought I'd gotten a better science education from my CC classes and that my MCAT scores proved it! Of course, it helped that my bio scores were higher than my physical scores (which generally correlates to bio/Orgo=CC and chemistry/most of physics/math=huge state university).

My advice again - take control of your own education, prove yourself on the MCATs and show them what a great guy you are during the interviews. Schools that are really interested in admitting good future doctors aren't going to refuse someone just because they took classes at a CC (especially if they did well on the MCAT).

 

[2ndave]

Ironey,

Thanks for your inspiring words! But believe me, I won't be giving up for at least three or so application cycles to come. Still, the process gets infuriating sometimes.

 

[UNMC2006]

The person I was referring to was enrolled in a biochemistry doctorate program. I was pleased to hear this year, that because of his connections to the director of the admissions committee he was able to get into medical school this year, contingent on the basis that he finishes his degree program either during or after medical school, small price to pay I guess.

I am sorry to hear about your dilmea, believe me the app process can be frustrating, but believe me when I tell you that it is all worth it in the end, and when you are finally in med school, you will soon forget the struggle you went through to get there.

I guess I can't speak for every medical school, I would just make sure that you call the admissions office, speak with the chair of the committee if you can, if you get the information directly from the top, you are assured that it is corret. Ask him or her what their policy is, and what they would recommend. I think that you will be quite pleasantly surprised at how helpful admissions people are willing to be if you are courteous and grateful.

Anyway, good luck, if you have any other questions for me, please don't hesitate.

 

[Violinrose]

So I was wondering how post bac courses get calculated into the amcas transcript. Do they get combined with the grades that you received at your previous university or are they calculated separately to generate an overall QPA?

Going back to this original question. I have one of my own. For the past year, I have been taking grad-level courses as part of a post-bacc program which are the same classes you would take for the masters (minus the research). When I applied this past year, I put those as "graduate" level courses on the AMCAS because they were more applicable to graduate than they are to post- bacc undergraduate, which is the other category. I am applying again this year, should I change the status of the classes to PBU or leave them as grad? No one, including a couple med schools, has been able to give me straight answer on this.

 

[UNMC2006]

It shouldn't matter, that is probably why you have gotten mixed responses from medical schools, post-bac or grad, they will weigh equally in the committee's decison-making process. Put whatever you feel like🙂 If you are on a degree path, then you should probably list them as grad classes, especially if they are going to lead to a Masters or Doctorate degree