SFSU Post Bac vs. UMass Post Bac

[northstar209]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi All,

Does anyone have any information on which of these two schools would be better for a PreMed Post Bac? I'm trying to make a decision between the two but would like some information on how they compare with each other. Which one is "better" to have a Post Bac PreMed Certificate from in the eyes of medical schools? Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

 

[DrMidlife]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any information on which of these two schools would be better for a PreMed Post Bac? I'm trying to make a decision between the two but would like some information on how they compare with each other. Which one is "better" to have a Post Bac PreMed Certificate from in the eyes of medical schools? Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

Both are public schools, so your state of residency is relevant. Out of state tuition...

Rumor has it SFSU lost its funding for its postbac.

A program that grants a certificate is typically more organized and a bit more likely to be proactive about financial aid and advising and committee letters. The certificate itself is rather useless and won't score you points in med school admissions. You're in charge of your med school candidacy, regardless of whether your postbac grants a cert.

See the postbac forum for more info.

 

[psychmdhopeful]

.

 

[matt367]

I cant really comment on the quality of either(yet) but i attended an interview at SFSU and everyone was very friendly and the coordinator seemed like a cool guy. The formal post-bacc students seemed very tight knit and they even have their own wifi, break room, etc. It was impressive to say the least.

 

[Nasrudin]

Indeed. What has been said is correct.

I am vaguely familiar with UMASS and very familiar with SFSU.

First cost. Given they are equivalent institutions. And then location. I'm sorry but this is a no-brainer. Having lived in both cities. There's no comparison to San Francisco. Unless you're talking Tokyo, Amsterdam, London, etc. Boston is in New England. Shhhhh. They don't like to hear this. But they're boring, tribal, and anti-social, with large objects wedged in their anuses.

SFSU rests in a pretty little nook close to the Pacific Ocean. West coast man. If I have to explain that to you then you should just forget about it or come see for yourself.

The only downside being. Everywhere else. For the rest of your life. In this entire country. Will suck. Either somewhat. Or totally.

 

[mspeedwagon]

While I couldn't agree more with the beauty of SF, I'd go to the cheaper one if I had to make the choice. SFSU is great, but expensive. And, it's strapped for cash. Their formal post-bac is fine, but don't try to do an informal post-bac there (you can't get into any of the classes as an open university student; trust me, I've tried).

I don't know anything about UMass even though I went to high school in Western MA and my sister in law attended school there, but I'd imagine it's significantly cheaper. Also, keep in mind where you might want to go to medical school (applying as a CA resident vs a MA resident).

That's my two cents.

Indeed. What has been said is correct.

I am vaguely familiar with UMASS and very familiar with SFSU.

First cost. Given they are equivalent institutions. And then location. I'm sorry but this is a no-brainer. Having lived in both cities. There's no comparison to San Francisco. Unless you're talking Tokyo, Amsterdam, London, etc. Boston is in New England. Shhhhh. They don't like to hear this. But they're boring, tribal, and anti-social, with large objects wedged in their anuses.

SFSU rests in a pretty little nook close to the Pacific Ocean. West coast man. If I have to explain that to you then you should just forget about it or come see for yourself.

The only downside being. Everywhere else. For the rest of your life. In this entire country. Will suck. Either somewhat. Or totally.

 

[Nasrudin]

While I couldn't agree more with the beauty of SF, I'd go to the cheaper one if I had to make the choice. SFSU is great, but expensive. And, it's strapped for cash. Their formal post-bac is fine, but don't try to do an informal post-bac there (you can't get into any of the classes as an open university student; trust me, I've tried).

I don't know anything about UMass even though I went to high school in Western MA and my sister in law attended school there, but I'd imagine it's significantly cheaper. Also, keep in mind where you might want to go to medical school (applying as a CA resident vs a MA resident).

That's my two cents.

Good points. Budget cuts. High price tags. But.

To make myself more clear.

60 degrees year round. Or Snow and hot.

Ugly, cross-eyed women with thick horrible accents and unbifurcated family trees. Or all the colors of the rainbow in beautiful genetic hybrid creations.

People engaged in vast array of cultural expression. Or tribal pride about never leaving the block you were raised on.

People from all over the world coming to re-invent themselves and their place in the world. Or militant religious pride about a sports franchise.

Southie rioting the integration of the schools in the 1980's. Or massive cultural revolution happening decades earlier.

Chillaxin cali style. I hear the breeze from the ocean right now. Cool delicious fog. Wrapping itself around the hills of the Presidio and through the golden gate. Grooving pleasantly to the sounds of ships.

F@ck seasons. As if that were something to compare to.

The day I hopped a plane out of Boston was the last time I will ever see the place. I was gone baby gone.

 

[docelh]

Wow. LOL.

As a former denizen of both cities, that's a harsh assessment of Boston and San Francisco. But not entirely inaccurate.

Boston has better public transit, college student scene, cheaper student housing, and better nightlife than San Francisco.

San Francisco has better food and an all-around unique vibe that's hard to match anywhere.

Both are expensive as F^#K though the cost of living felt higher than San Francisco due to rental housing costs and taxes.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Lived in both cities as well, and I agree if you are looking for a place to live, definitely SF. But, in terms of taking pre-med classes, go to the cheaper one.

In terms of below, Western MA is actually really, really cheap. It's definitely not Boston in terms of prices.

Wow. LOL.

As a former denizen of both cities, that's a harsh assessment of Boston and San Francisco. But not entirely inaccurate.

Boston has better public transit, college student scene, cheaper student housing, and better nightlife than San Francisco.

San Francisco has better food and an all-around unique vibe that's hard to match anywhere.

Both are expensive as F^#K though the cost of living felt higher than San Francisco due to rental housing costs and taxes.