Questions from a Newbie

[xylosome]

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This is my first post on these forums, so let me start off with a proper hello and introduction...

Hello, everyone! 🙂

I'm currently a junior in the nursing school at the University of Michigan (go blue), and after much consideration, I've decided that becoming a physician is the path that's best suited for me. As someone who has already had a lot of clinical experience, I am extremely confident in my decision, and I'm looking for ways to reach my goal.

Though I don't know of any post-baccalaureate programs offered in Michigan, I have decided that an intense post-bacc premed program would be best matched for me. I currently hold a 3.85 GPA, and I intend to only raise it these next two years.

I have a few concerns about gaining admittance into one of these post-bacc programs. First and foremost, my ACT score is not great. I took the exam once, five years ago, and obtained a 24. For some reason or another, I never retook the exam. I personally find it unbelievable that they would look at an exam from so long ago, and use it to judge how good of a candidate you are for their program. I mean, I can see that they want to look at how well you do on standardized tests, but don't they understand that many of us were immature at that time? Would anyone suggest retaking the ACT? Do they LET you retake it as a junior?

If I don't retake the ACT, how good are my chances of being admitted to a post-bacc program? Is my GPA competitive enough for a top school? What schools do you suggest for someone like me? Finally, what are some things I can do to develop my application?

... And out of curiosity, why do some schools ask for a photo of you?

Thanks, everyone 🙂. I'm a broke college student, so I can't afford to apply everywhere, hehehe.

 

[gatewasani]

am I missing something?

you still have 4 semesters of undergrad left, why don't you just do all your pre-reqs in those 4 semesters?

you don't need a post bacc, that is just gonna end up being wasted years and money.

Start your pre-reqs this semester, take the mcat and apply regular; no need for post bacc

 

[xylosome]

Completing my BSN and doing a post-bacc program will take the same amount of time as pulling out now and getting the courses I need (according to my adviser). Why not get my BSN and have the option to work as a nurse if it takes the same amount of time? Not to mention, I personally feel working as a nurse would better prepare me for my profession.

 

[NewmansOwn]

Your GPA is fine for the top postbac programs. And they generally love nursing students.

You don't need to retake the ACT. No one retakes a college admission test to get into a postbac. You can take the GRE to prove your standardized testing aptitude (this is why they require such tests scores, by the way, though I agree it is a bit of a stretch).

You and your advisory know your situation better than I, but are you quite certain you couldn't simply take an extra class or two each semester and get the prereqs done along with your BSN? You'd only have to take 2 prereqs per semester (assuming you haven't already done any for your BSN) and you'd save a ton of money.

Postbacs are expensive. Even if you stay an extra year at Michigan, it'll be a year of in-state tuition as opposed to private tuition for a year at a postbac. We're talking thousands of dollars in savings.

Just something to think about.