Several questions regarding PostBac

[deleted158872]

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Hi everyone,

I hope you will help me answer these questions:

1/ WHEN do people usually go for Postbac? For example: if I applied for Med schools in junior year and wasn't accepted, would it be best to apply for Postbac in my senior year so that I would go immediately after graduation? Can I apply for Med schools AND Postbac at the same time so that I have a backup in case the worst thing happens ??

2/ Are you required to write an essay for Postbac application? If yes, should it be similar to a Med-app essay ?

3/ Are in-state schools easier at acceptance than out-state ?

 

[just thoughts]

Hi everyone,

I hope you will help me answer these questions:

1/ WHEN do people usually go for Postbac? For example: if I applied for Med schools in junior year and wasn't accepted, would it be best to apply for Postbac in my senior year so that I would go immediately after graduation? Can I apply for Med schools AND Postbac at the same time so that I have a backup in case the worst thing happens ??

2/ Are you required to write an essay for Postbac application? If yes, should it be similar to a Med-app essay ?

3/ Are in-state schools easier at acceptance than out-state ?

i'm not sure that a post-bacc program is really appropriate for you. a good number of them tend to be for people that haven't completed most, if any, of the medical school pre-req courses. given that you're talking about applying to med school...you may not be eligible for some post-bacc programs. give us a bit more info and we'll take it from there.

just thoughts...

 

[Nasem]

post-bacc for most, is nothing but a "2nd bachelors degree"

Right now I am doing an informal "post-bacc"
meaning, all the classes I am taking are undergrad courses for my 2nd bachelors degree (chemistry)

Reason I am doing a post-bacc is because I graduated in '04 with a BS in Computer Science (double majored with Math), and took zero chemistry & biology courses.

Right now, I am going back to finish all my chemistries and biologies.


The term "post-bacc" can also mean a special UNDERGRAD program that some institutes offer for people who want to pursue a life in the medical industry (such as myself)..... but in most cases, most people don't go into these special post-bacc programs, they just apply to thier state schools (like I did) as 2nd degree bachelors to finish up thier requirements

 

[oneandonlylo]

post-bacc for most, is nothing but a "2nd bachelors degree"



The term "post-bacc" can also mean a special UNDERGRAD program that some institutes offer for people who want to pursue a life in the medical industry (such as myself)..... but in most cases, most people don't go into these special post-bacc programs, they just apply to thier state schools (like I did) as 2nd degree bachelors to finish up thier requirements

I generally disagree with this. First off, many postbaccs, particularly the formal ones, are not degree programs, meaning that students are not seeking to get a second bachelors degree. These programs are however designed for students who have not taken the prereqs for med school or the mcat. Many people, however, do choose to do a formal program (as opposed to going to their state schools etc.) This however does not seem like the option you are looking for... I just wanted to clarify.

Anyhow, try looking into SMPs, which fall under the category of postbaccalaureate work but are designed for students like yourself who have fulfilled the reqirements but want to boost their application for med school. That said I see no reason not to apply during your senior year, concurrent to your med school applications and see what happens. Good luck!

 

[deleted158872]

i'm not sure that a post-bacc program is really appropriate for you. a good number of them tend to be for people that haven't completed most, if any, of the medical school pre-req courses. given that you're talking about applying to med school...you may not be eligible for some post-bacc programs. give us a bit more info and we'll take it from there.

just thoughts...

Ah sorry, I was talking about "academic enhancement" programs for Pre-meds who feel that they need to boost their GPA to become better candidates for Med schools

 

[just thoughts]

Ah sorry, I was talking about "academic enhancement" programs for Pre-meds who feel that they need to boost their GPA to become better candidates for Med schools

ah, ok. well then, i agree with the last person and think that an SMP is where you may want to put your attention. and you can definitely apply to SMPs and med school at the same time.

 

[Nasem]

I generally disagree with this. First off, many postbaccs, particularly the formal ones, are not degree programs, meaning that students are not seeking to get a second bachelors degree. These programs are however designed for students who have not taken the prereqs for med school or the mcat. Many people, however, do choose to do a formal program (as opposed to going to their state schools etc.) This however does not seem like the option you are looking for... I just wanted to clarify.

maybe I should have clarified what I meant by "undergraduate program"...
the formal post-bacc is an "undergraduate" program meaning the grades you earn will calculate toward your undergrad GPA... its not an actual degree you earn but more like a set of classes you take.

 

[deleted158872]

Ahhhh thank you!!! And can anyone please answer questions #2 and #3 ?? ^^;

 

[Klipsch]

I have a related question... I am researching Post Bacc and SMP currently but i dont know what would be best for my situation...

I am graduating with a BS in Biological Sciences (one more physics class). My grades were enough to get the degree... but not to go on to medical school.

After completing school and seeing everyone move on around me, Ive decided for myself that its time to grow up and get serious.

Where should Step 1 of my journey to medical school start? Post Bacc or Other?

 

[Nasem]

Ahhhh thank you!!! And can anyone please answer questions #2 and #3 ?? ^^;

For #2
Im pretty sure theyr going to require some sort of a personal essay, but its not going to have to be as "nice" as you medical application's essay.
When I applied to MSU for my informal post-bacc.... I can swear my personal essay came out of my ass, one day (after I got accepted) I went back and read it one time and said to myself "wtf... was I drunk when I wrote this... how the hell did they accept me, I sounded to arrogant".


For #3
majority of in-state schools do prefer in-state applicants.
Here in michigan, Wayne state and MSU accepts approx 88% of thier students from michigan alone

 

[postbacker]

Hi everyone,

I hope you will help me answer these questions:

2/ Are you required to write an essay for Postbac application? If yes, should it be similar to a Med-app essay ?

3/ Are in-state schools easier at acceptance than out-state ?

#2 - every post bacc application I have seen (formal post baccs only) requires a personal statement or essay styled much like the PS one writes for med school apps...I am not familiar with the "informal" post bacc application procedures...

#3 - undoubtedly the answer is "yes" (for public schools) since this is almost always the case, but in general, I don't think the in-state preference for post bacc programs is anywhere near what happens in med school or even during the 4 year college app process...in-state publics usually have preferential tuition, too, not an insignificant consideration in all of this...

OP: what is your situation, what are you trying to accomplish, and where are you considering (vs where you live)? Your questions so far are very vague and it is hard to provide insightful answers to vague questions...

 

[raceblk]

2. writing an essay for a post-bacc application really depends on the type of program. if you apply to just about any formal programs (from the big name private programs to the formal state programs), you will have to write at least one essay, possibly more. they're typically questions that ask why you're interested in medicine, what you've been doing since graduation, and so on...it's a nice time to practice how you might write your personal statement for med school applications. if you apply to an extension school, typically all you have to submit is a transcript that indicates your GPA and the fact that you actually have a Bachelor's degree.

3.post-bacc programs aren't directly turning out health professionals that can have a significant medical impact on their cities, towns, and so on. they are turning out people that may or may not continue on to medical (or other health) school. it seems to me that they are less interested in applicants' state of residence than they are in our stats, our motivations for going into medicine, and our ability to successfully get into medical school (that it, after all, what their program success is based upon). based on that, i would say that the only time that residency comes into play is when it's time to pay tuition as a 2nd bachelor's or open university student, and those are more informal post-bacc routes.

i looked into eight different formal public and private post-bacc programs and extension schools, and the tuition was the same regardless of home state residence.

just thoughts...

 

[postbacker]

2. writing an essay for a post-bacc application really depends on the type of program. if you apply to just about any formal programs (from the big name private programs to the formal state programs), you will have to write at least one essay, possibly more. they're typically questions that ask why you're interested in medicine, what you've been doing since graduation, and so on...it's a nice time to practice how you might write your personal statement for med school applications. if you apply to an extension school, typically all you have to submit is a transcript that indicates your GPA and the fact that you actually have a Bachelor's degree.

3.post-bacc programs aren't directly turning out health professionals that can have a significant medical impact on their cities, towns, and so on. they are turning out people that may or may not continue on to medical (or other health) school. it seems to me that they are less interested in applicants' state of residence than they are in our stats, our motivations for going into medicine, and our ability to successfully get into medical school (that it, after all, what their program success is based upon). based on that, i would say that the only time that residency comes into play is when it's time to pay tuition as a 2nd bachelor's or open university student, and those are more informal post-bacc routes.

i looked into eight different formal public and private post-bacc programs and extension schools, and the tuition was the same regardless of home state residence.

just thoughts...

I attend a formal post bacc at a public college and the in-state tuition is significantly less than for OOS...

 

[raceblk]

I attend a formal post bacc at a public college and the in-state tuition is significantly less than for OOS...

Sounds good. I should have said that my experience was anecdotal. The programs that I looked at were in California and either in or very close to some of the bigger cities along the East Coast.

OP - you may just have to call around to post-bacc programs in places that you're interested and ask them.

 

[deleted165728]

Hey I was wondering for the informal post-bac, is it necessary to do them at a university? I received most of my C's in the required courses such as general chemistry and organic chemistry. I was thinking of going to a junior college just to take them because it would save money.
However, I was wondering would there be a stigma on that?

I intend to apply for SMP just a year later. In the meantime, my counselor suggested for me to bring up my gpa; since SMP only shows that you are competent as being a med student, but not necessarily bring up your gpa.


Thanks! 🙂

(Sorry I'm not for sure if this where I can post, still new to this)

 

[JohnnyCat]

Hello...I am currently one semester down at USC's post-bacc program and I am thinking of switching to Columbia's program in the summer. Would you recommend doing that? Does it matter? I also have a research job here in LA but from what I understand, you can't work much anyway the second year with orgo and bio so does it matter?