Should I switch out of my Post-Bac if I'm unhappy? Need Advise.

[sitalee]

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Hey,
So this is my first post. I'm really stuck about what to do here and would seriously appreciate any advise post-bac grads or med students have to offer..I realize I'm about to unload a whole bunch of crap on to this post, but please bear with me because I really need some opinions.
I just finished my first year an Ivy League (with-holding name for now) Post-Bacnand I hate it. Im so so miserable. I'm not doing badly. Its an adjustment to go from sociology to science but I'm making progress I think. My undergrad GPA was 3.74 and my current gpa is 3.53...
But, its not the work load that I don't like, its the school's culture...

For one, I feel like for the amount of money you pay the education isn't that great. The teachers either read directly from slides or they ramble incoherently about whatever happens to be on their mind. I just read the text book in class and try to teach myself the problem-sets via youtube videos. I go to office hours, and with some teachers its great, but with others, its the same: stuttering, rambling stream-of-conciouness craziness and I often walk out of office hours thinking I just wasted two hours listening to this dude ramble and I'm still confused. I get that some of these folks are brilliant and are probably doing some brilliant research I couldn't grasp if I tried, but as teachers, they kind of suck.

Second, the guidance counselor I've been assigned to is, in my opinion, horrible. I don't know if this woman doesn't like me or if I always catch her in a bad mood...but the first time I met her in person she said "Oh, you're the one who asked all the questions..." I smiled and laughed it off but in my head I'm going "Woman. Isn't it your job to answer my questions?" Plus, my first semester here I got really sick and spent a total of 3 weeks in the hospital, but I worked my butt off while I was in there to keep up, and even left once, against doctors orders, to take a chem exam because he wouldn't let me take it in the hospital and was going to force me to take a zero. (And I still scored 5 points above the class average). I ended with pretty good grades considering but when I went to her to talk about going part-time next semester to give myself a break, she stone-faced and monotone told me I should just drop out of the program. No empathy, no supportiveness, no discussion of other options, no recognition of the fact that worked my butt off to keep up. Then after staring at her blankly for a full minute she added: "You know, for your health...thats the most important thing, after all."
It seems clear to me that all she cares about is keep the program's numbers up so the school looks good. But like I said, maybe I just have bad timing with her.

And lastly, the students here are so friggin competitive and cut-throat and judge-y. And again, maybe I just got stuck with a class with crappy social chemistry, but still. You don't know how many times I've (gladly!) given help to those who asked for it, but then when I needed help they'd turn around and say "do your own work". The way people talk **** about each other is insane! I feel like I'm in high school. I've seen people talk smack about other students sitting right in front of them, how this girl is stupid or that guy is a tool, and then walk right up to them and ask them for answers. And then there are the straight-up vultures. Twice I've had to deal with people who do this thing where they came up to me at the beginning of every. single. class. and copied all my stuff. And when I finally was like "Look, enough already." they didn't quit! It took like three or four of those conversations for them to back off. Then there are the other group of people who apparently think I'm a friggin' ****** because they don't even acknowledge my presence. Like this happens: we're all sitting in lab. someone asks an open question. I offer my answer. they ignore it. spend the next 10 minutes discussing it. Then ask the teacher. And when I'm right, no acknowledgement.

Am I losing my mind? Is this how it is everywhere? I feel like I'm back in high school, seriously! Maybe I just need to grow a thicker skin? You know, I wouldn't care so much if it wasn't for the fact that studying with other people helps me learn, but these kids are serious butt-heads (I'm trying really hard to avoid using more accurate terminology) and I can not get down with the conniving, back-stabbing and but-kissing that goes on. The few people that I did think were genuinely nice/up-front people have all switched out or just graduated. Seriously. All of them. The ones that graduated were so burnt out it was depressing to talk to them about it. They said empathized but ultimately said to stick it out. What other options do I have? Is it a terrible idea to switch out after one full year? Will it look really crappy on my transcript? Some of the students I know who switched last semester said they are way happier. But they did it after one semester, quick. I waited a whole year. Plus, if I switch out I want to go back to California (where I'm from, cause these winters are brutal), and moving all the way back is going to be a drag. I really don't know what to do. Should I stick it out or should I follow my instincts? Because I really feel like I don't belong here but I also feel like its too late to pull out.

Thoughts? I know that was a whole lot of stuff to process but I'd really appreciate help from any of you who've made it through the process.

Thanks so much
Sita

 

[Adnap]

Your most recent GPA is going to be very important. So if you feel that you won't do well at your post-bacc, then you should do what you need in order to get above a 3.70.

To be honest, I feel like most post-bacc programs are going to be the same. Your ivy league program is probably one of the better ones. Most pre-meds are cut-throat and are just worried about themselves getting accepted into medical school.

I studied science and a non-science in undergrad. I can tell you that the two cultures are completely different. I could be wrong, but I think Sociology is a relatively chill major in undergrad where people are happy and not fighting each other. Switching from that environment to the pre-med environment is going to be rough. People aren't going to be nice. Half the people don't even really care about being a doctor but are doing it anyway for whatever reason.

If I were you, I would probably stick through it. Classes are going to be hard and you're going to have days where you want to quit. However, just think about the end goal. If you're really that miserable though, then you should do what keeps you sane.

Good luck!

 

[smiley27]

Transfer out of Columbia, come to Harvard Extension. So much better here 😀

 

[deleted248403]

Transfer out of Columbia, come to Harvard Extension. So much better here 😀

He/She is at UPenn lol

Its not much of a disguise when you post essentially the exact same post in the UPenn thread.

 

[chayo234]

I've actually seen this on a few occasions where people from the west coast have have had a hard time adjusting to the east coast ways.

I believe the administration has been talked about thoroughly that UPenn doesn't have a strong counseling service so you should've known heading into the program.

That atmosphere isn't going to go away and you just have to find a group of people that have similar interests as you. Finding the group is the hard part. Realistically, it sounds like the worst is over and you only have to stick it out for a little longer to leave.

Jumping around programs look bad so stick it out and learn to deal with the crowd. Don't let their methods deter you away from who you are and learn to say "no" to people who have two faces.

 

[sitalee]

Transfer out of Columbia, come to Harvard Extension. So much better here 😀

lol Are you serious? Is it that much better?

 

[sitalee]

He/She is at UPenn lol

Its not much of a disguise when you post essentially the exact same post in the UPenn thread.

thanks for pointing that out. although you didn't actually have to say it here, since i'm obviously with holding that info for a reason...

 

[smiley27]

lol Are you serious? Is it that much better?

In my very biased opinion, yes it is.

But like another poster above pointed out, it won't look good if you transferred to another postbac because the classed were too competitive or that the advising wasn't good. Imagine trying to explain that to an interviewer.

Sounds like you just gotta suck-it-up and finish what you started.

 

[deleted248403]

thanks for pointing that out. although you didn't actually have to say it here, since i'm obviously with holding that info for a reason...

Then you shouldn't have posted 3 times in the UPenn thread about how much you hate it lol

When of your 5 posts, 3 of them are directly about how you hate it - it doesnt take much to figure it out.

And as mentioned, you should have known about the upenn advising ahead of time.

But if you are unhappy then switch programs

 

[sitalee]

In my very biased opinion, yes it is.

But like another poster above pointed out, it won't look good if you transferred to another postbac because the classed were too competitive or that the advising wasn't good. Imagine trying to explain that to an interviewer.

Sounds like you just gotta suck-it-up and finish what you started.

gotchya. thanks

 

[sitalee]

Then you shouldn't have posted 3 times in the UPenn thread about how much you hate it lol

When of your 5 posts, 3 of them are directly about how you hate it - it doesnt take much to figure it out.

And as mentioned, you should have known about the upenn advising ahead of time.

But if you are unhappy then switch programs

alright then, thanks for your very helpful opinion.

 

[sitalee]

I've actually seen this on a few occasions where people from the west coast have have had a hard time adjusting to the east coast ways.

I believe the administration has been talked about thoroughly that UPenn doesn't have a strong counseling service so you should've known heading into the program.

That atmosphere isn't going to go away and you just have to find a group of people that have similar interests as you. Finding the group is the hard part. Realistically, it sounds like the worst is over and you only have to stick it out for a little longer to leave.

Jumping around programs look bad so stick it out and learn to deal with the crowd. Don't let their methods deter you away from who you are and learn to say "no" to people who have two faces.

Honestly, I didn't know how notoriously crappy program's counseling department is, but that is of course my bad for not doing the research.

Yea, I figured its probably not going to be much different any where I go. I guess sticking it out and growing a thicker skin is gona have to be the way to go.

 

[sitalee]

If I were you, I would probably stick through it. Classes are going to be hard and you're going to have days where you want to quit. However, just think about the end goal. If you're really that miserable though, then you should do what keeps you sane.

Good luck!

Thanks man, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[sublyminal]

Hi there,

I've stumbled upon your posts about your experience and would like some advice if possible. I too am from California, and will start the program (UPenn, BCMS) in Summer 2014 (pushed back my Summer 2013 start date, because we didn't make it out here (to the east coast) on time.

1: Do/did you find issue with the curving system? Is it curved from A-F, or from A-B/C? Do you know what percent of students gets "awarded" an A on these curves? How difficult do you think it would be to earn an A in every class if I had no job/EC's to deal with?

2: You mentioned that the lectures were almost useless. Do you think it would be better to just focus on reading the texts, or is it pretty important to show up to lectures?

3: Are the labs extensions of the lectures, or are they treated more like an entirely separate course?

4: At my previous University we didn't have anything called "recitations".... Do the courses require that you attend recitations? If so, are they beneficial?

5: Did you ever experience (hear of) issues getting into preferred courses during registration times? At my undergrad university there was always a "rush" to get in, or get stuck having to wait til the next semester.

6: How do you perceive their MCAT prep?

7: Does physics require calculus? All I have/know is Trig....will I be fine?

8: Were you able to find research/shadowing/EC experience? Do Penn faculty/clubs/organizations consistently provide awareness of such, or did/do you have to seek out these opportunities on your own?

I really look forward to a possible response. Thanks for looking...

 

[WaterCLurker]

[Disclaimer: My opinions come from anecdotal evidence so take it for what it is, anecdotal-evidence-derived opinions.] I went to an Ivy League and though I wasn't a pre-med, I was friends with a bunch of them. They were cutthroat as hell but not really with each other or with me which leads me to believe that it's more of a logical survival thing if that makes sense, especially if the class is graded on a curve and your performance in the class is dependent on others failing.

Maybe you should try to find yourself a group of friends as others have suggested. It might make the program more palatable and the cutthroat people easier to ignore. Honestly, it sounds like you're too nice; I can't believe you let people copy your work even once. Do that with your group of friends, not random people you don't know or even like. I can barely say no to anyone but when people ask to copy my work, it's an automatic **** you.

Or a more lonely road would be to become the hated but untouchable top of the class student and then you could take satisfaction in jump-kicking the cutthroat people's dreams.

 

[deleted248403]

Hi there,

I've stumbled upon your posts about your experience and would like some advice if possible. I too am from California, and will start the program (UPenn, BCMS) in Summer 2014 (pushed back my Summer 2013 start date, because we didn't make it out here (to the east coast) on time.

1: Do/did you find issue with the curving system? Is it curved from A-F, or from A-B/C? Do you know what percent of students gets "awarded" an A on these curves? How difficult do you think it would be to earn an A in every class if I had no job/EC's to deal with?

2: You mentioned that the lectures were almost useless. Do you think it would be better to just focus on reading the texts, or is it pretty important to show up to lectures?

3: Are the labs extensions of the lectures, or are they treated more like an entirely separate course?

4: At my previous University we didn't have anything called "recitations".... Do the courses require that you attend recitations? If so, are they beneficial?

5: Did you ever experience (hear of) issues getting into preferred courses during registration times? At my undergrad university there was always a "rush" to get in, or get stuck having to wait til the next semester.

6: How do you perceive their MCAT prep?

7: Does physics require calculus? All I have/know is Trig....will I be fine?

8: Were you able to find research/shadowing/EC experience? Do Penn faculty/clubs/organizations consistently provide awareness of such, or did/do you have to seek out these opportunities on your own?

I really look forward to a possible response. Thanks for looking...

These are answered in the UPenn thread - read it for more details

 

[lamonalee]

Hi there,

I've stumbled upon your posts about your experience and would like some advice if possible. I too am from California, and will start the program (UPenn, BCMS) in Summer 2014 (pushed back my Summer 2013 start date, because we didn't make it out here (to the east coast) on time.

1: Do/did you find issue with the curving system? Is it curved from A-F, or from A-B/C? Do you know what percent of students gets "awarded" an A on these curves? How difficult do you think it would be to earn an A in every class if I had no job/EC's to deal with?

2: You mentioned that the lectures were almost useless. Do you think it would be better to just focus on reading the texts, or is it pretty important to show up to lectures?

3: Are the labs extensions of the lectures, or are they treated more like an entirely separate course?

4: At my previous University we didn't have anything called "recitations".... Do the courses require that you attend recitations? If so, are they beneficial?

5: Did you ever experience (hear of) issues getting into preferred courses during registration times? At my undergrad university there was always a "rush" to get in, or get stuck having to wait til the next semester.

6: How do you perceive their MCAT prep?

7: Does physics require calculus? All I have/know is Trig....will I be fine?

8: Were you able to find research/shadowing/EC experience? Do Penn faculty/clubs/organizations consistently provide awareness of such, or did/do you have to seek out these opportunities on your own?

I really look forward to a possible response. Thanks for looking...

Hi,
So I'm also in the post-bac, also from cali and also had a similar experience to this person, although I'm almost out of the woods so I'm feeling okay about it.

1. Honestly, I don't know exactly what the curving system is, but its not too rough. It is definitely possible to get As although it, of course depends on the class. I know for Bio it was really easy, for chemistry it was much harder. Of course, that's just me. But its do-able

2. Again it depends on the class and your learning style. I remember the bio lectures were a total waste of time, because its all on the slides! Chem again, was a little harder because you actually had to do math problems with rules that weren't always easy to understand. But the teacher for that class also kind of rambles, so sometimes you can get more by going to a few minuets of office hours then three hours in class. But again, it depends on your style and what works for you. But I can see why some people would call the lectures useless.

3. I would say more like separate classes. For Bio, you lab grade is factored in to your grade. But Chem Lab has its own grade separate from you Chem Lecture grade. The labs are meant to correlate with the chapters in the lecture (for both classes) but schedules usually get messed up so fast that they barely ever match up. Chem lab, in particular, could be very confusing because the labs were always ahead of the lecture, so we were setting up experiments without knowing what or how or why we were doing it. Obviously not the best scenario. But talk to your TAs, go to office hours, ask questions..they'll help you.

4. Recitations are not required. Just recommended. Recitations are taught by TAs. You bring questions that you are having trouble with and the TAs will do them up on the board step by step. A few things though. First, you have to actually bring problems and be prepared, otherwise you'll just sit there awkwardly. Second, in my experience, alot of times the TAs don't know exactly what to teach you. What I mean by that is, for example, I've asked a TA a question and they tried to answer it, but because they know way more then I do, they gave me this really complicated answer that was way above the class level and way over my head and just confused me more. She tried then tried to back track and gave me a more simple answer, but by then we were both confused. In the end the TA emailed the teacher the question and the teacher put up the her "official" answer on-line. So the lesson I learned was...just go to office hours and ask the teacher. Another problem that was hard for me, personally, was the language barrier. A lot of TAs are foreign students, and either don't always speak perfect English or have really bad accents and it can be really really challenging to communicate with them. Its not because they don't know the answer. They do. It's just they either can't really understand what you are asking them or you can't understand what their saying. Its really frustrating and I blame the school for not giving them better english-language classes before allowing them to TA.

5. You'll be fine registering. The classes that are most important have special sections for the post-bac students so that you'll always get a spot. For the higher level classes there can kind of be a rush. But theres a pre-reg period and then regular registration. If you register during the pre-reg period, you'll be fine. If you forget, you can go on the wait-list and try to crash. I've never had any problems with this, it usually works out on way or the other.

6. I haven't done MCAT prep yet so I dont know.

7. Physics dosn't require calculus. You just need some solid algebra. They go into SOME calc concepts but its nothing heavy. One thing I will say though...if you do plan to take calc. Dont do it here! Do it somewhere else. The calc class here is notoriously hard, for some weird reason...

8. There are posts and email notices sent out about opportunities and things but you really have to go for it on your own. Remember that there are a million pre-med students here all looking for experience and internships to put on their resumes, so competition is high. My advise would be to apply for everything that you possibly can. Not just the notices that come through your emails but really everything. And do lots of volunteer work with organizations, that way while you are looking, you can still show that you were doing something productive. I also spoke to a doc once who told me its more important to pick a project that you really love and stick with it, then it is to have little pieces of "experience" that "look good" but don't really show your passion or dedication as a future doctor. Does that kind of make sense?

I think my biggest advise though, as a west-to-east cost transplant...be prepared for the possible culture-shock. People can be cold here. The person above seems to be venting a lot, which is whatever, but I can relate to feeling like culture of the program is pretty cut-throat and people can definitely be rude. But like most people said already, if find your group of friends (in or outside the program) and just push through it and its fine. Oh, but the winters are hellaaaa depressingly cold and dark and gross, so bring a coat! Good luck!

 

[sublyminal]

Hi,
So I'm also in the post-bac, also from cali and also had a similar experience to this person, although I'm almost out of the woods so I'm feeling okay about it.

1. Honestly, I don't know exactly what the curving system is, but its not too rough. It is definitely possible to get As although it, of course depends on the class. I know for Bio it was really easy, for chemistry it was much harder. Of course, that's just me. But its do-able

2. Again it depends on the class and your learning style. I remember the bio lectures were a total waste of time, because its all on the slides! Chem again, was a little harder because you actually had to do math problems with rules that weren't always easy to understand. But the teacher for that class also kind of rambles, so sometimes you can get more by going to a few minuets of office hours then three hours in class. But again, it depends on your style and what works for you. But I can see why some people would call the lectures useless.

3. I would say more like separate classes. For Bio, you lab grade is factored in to your grade. But Chem Lab has its own grade separate from you Chem Lecture grade. The labs are meant to correlate with the chapters in the lecture (for both classes) but schedules usually get messed up so fast that they barely ever match up. Chem lab, in particular, could be very confusing because the labs were always ahead of the lecture, so we were setting up experiments without knowing what or how or why we were doing it. Obviously not the best scenario. But talk to your TAs, go to office hours, ask questions..they'll help you.

4. Recitations are not required. Just recommended. Recitations are taught by TAs. You bring questions that you are having trouble with and the TAs will do them up on the board step by step. A few things though. First, you have to actually bring problems and be prepared, otherwise you'll just sit there awkwardly. Second, in my experience, alot of times the TAs don't know exactly what to teach you. What I mean by that is, for example, I've asked a TA a question and they tried to answer it, but because they know way more then I do, they gave me this really complicated answer that was way above the class level and way over my head and just confused me more. She tried then tried to back track and gave me a more simple answer, but by then we were both confused. In the end the TA emailed the teacher the question and the teacher put up the her "official" answer on-line. So the lesson I learned was...just go to office hours and ask the teacher. Another problem that was hard for me, personally, was the language barrier. A lot of TAs are foreign students, and either don't always speak perfect English or have really bad accents and it can be really really challenging to communicate with them. Its not because they don't know the answer. They do. It's just they either can't really understand what you are asking them or you can't understand what their saying. Its really frustrating and I blame the school for not giving them better english-language classes before allowing them to TA.

5. You'll be fine registering. The classes that are most important have special sections for the post-bac students so that you'll always get a spot. For the higher level classes there can kind of be a rush. But theres a pre-reg period and then regular registration. If you register during the pre-reg period, you'll be fine. If you forget, you can go on the wait-list and try to crash. I've never had any problems with this, it usually works out on way or the other.

6. I haven't done MCAT prep yet so I dont know.

7. Physics dosn't require calculus. You just need some solid algebra. They go into SOME calc concepts but its nothing heavy. One thing I will say though...if you do plan to take calc. Dont do it here! Do it somewhere else. The calc class here is notoriously hard, for some weird reason...

8. There are posts and email notices sent out about opportunities and things but you really have to go for it on your own. Remember that there are a million pre-med students here all looking for experience and internships to put on their resumes, so competition is high. My advise would be to apply for everything that you possibly can. Not just the notices that come through your emails but really everything. And do lots of volunteer work with organizations, that way while you are looking, you can still show that you were doing something productive. I also spoke to a doc once who told me its more important to pick a project that you really love and stick with it, then it is to have little pieces of "experience" that "look good" but don't really show your passion or dedication as a future doctor. Does that kind of make sense?

I think my biggest advise though, as a west-to-east cost transplant...be prepared for the possible culture-shock. People can be cold here. The person above seems to be venting a lot, which is whatever, but I can relate to feeling like culture of the program is pretty cut-throat and people can definitely be rude. But like most people said already, if find your group of friends (in or outside the program) and just push through it and its fine. Oh, but the winters are hellaaaa depressingly cold and dark and gross, so bring a coat! Good luck!

Lol at the coat recommendation. I met with an adviser at a medical school up there two weeks ago and I could barely move when I got out of my car. I could not believe how ridiculously cold it was; my freaking jawbone was stuck and my fingers wouldn't move (or so it felt)! And I have noticed that some people are extremely rude for no apparent reason. The first few times it happened I felt like I should say/do something, but after awhile I'm beginning to see that it's cultural. Very strange contrasted with what we're used to.

I really appreciate the candid responses. This is definitely new to me (the east coast and this sort of program), and given my circumstances I'll take all the advice I can find. I'll actually be commuting from Delaware every day, and so learning of ways to be more efficient with my time are a must (it's a one hour commute with no traffic from my house). Any chance you can PM me with some "avoid these professors and/or you're really gonna hate this (or love this), join this club over this one, park in this garage, don't walk down this street"......type of recommendations?

Thanks again for your response...

 

[sublyminal]

These are answered in the UPenn thread - read it for more details

Considering I was asking subjective questions, I doubt the answers can be found in the UPenn thread.. However, just in case I was wrong I decided to read (again) all 1 billion pages within said thread.. Didn't find her responses there... I guess I can understand your frustration, as I too have stumbled across questions that are superficially indicative of a person infected with the lazy bug. Trust me when I tell you, however, that I try (though I sometimes fail) not to ask ignorant questions when (and if possible) doing so is within the parameters of my own cerebral functioning capacity/abilities.

With that said; do you have personal experiences with this program that you wouldn't mind throwing my way/our way (my hope is that the questions asked could be universally beneficial to many donning similar shoes)? Any cultural nuances that you may remember? Ways to make the experience better/easier? Professors to avoid, clubs to join/avoid, tips for navigating the parking situation....or an answer to any of the eight previously listed questions?

Thanks in advance...

 

[deleted248403]

Considering I was asking subjective questions, I doubt the answers can be found in the UPenn thread.. However, just in case I was wrong I decided to read (again) all 1 billion pages within said thread.. Didn't find her responses there... I guess I can understand your frustration, as I too have stumbled across questions that are superficially indicative of a person infected with the lazy bug. Trust me when I tell you, however, that I try (though I sometimes fail) not to ask ignorant questions when (and if possible) doing so is within the parameters of my own cerebral functioning capacity/abilities.

With that said; do you have personal experiences with this program that you wouldn't mind throwing my way/our way (my hope is that the questions asked could be universally beneficial to many donning similar shoes)? Any cultural nuances that you may remember? Ways to make the experience better/easier? Professors to avoid, clubs to join/avoid, tips for navigating the parking situation....or an answer to any of the eight previously listed questions?

Thanks in advance...

Cultural nuances - you don't want my opinions on West Coasters whining about East coast being mean, trust me on this.
Professors - has been discussed, I know it has, cos i've done it many times for multiple classes.
Parking - sucks. no solution to this unless u get a parking pass from the school and use their lots for whatever it costs a month. I lived in the city and walked so wasn't an issue for me as there was street parking where I lived.

I'll humor your questions tho i'm sure you can find the answers to all but #2, #8 in this thread.
#1 - also discussed in the thread, maybe not explicitly but its there. People make too big a deal of the grading curve. Its not difficult to get As. There are the one or two weed out classes that every pre med program should have (i think upenn's is gen chem, never took it tho)
#2 - I went to lecture for everything. Some classes its prob useless (my physics professor was terrible) but others its critical (histology). answer = depends on you and the class
#3 - Loosely related in my experience
#4 - Not required, sometimes helpful. I went to them all but generally left early
#5 - Yup big issue for the desirable upper electives. It was the same at my undergrad. Its life.
#6 - Useless
#7 - Physics requires a bit of calc but not a lot. If you are ok in math, then you should be alright. Some med schools I think require calc so you could do that first, and then do physics. Check the latest AAMC recommendations on requirements. I've no idea whats on the new MCAT given I'm done with that crap.
#8 - Yes, very easily. The post bac sets up some weak links but the best is to forge out on your own and email people and get involved that.

 

[beingandfluffyness]

I don't want to revive this thread from the dead, but I'd like to add some input.
Just entered into a post-bacc program this year and am halfway through the entire program. I feel similarly to the OP (but tend to be purposefully on the fringes of the group when it comes to class discussion). We had a lab where there was peer review and it was insane...everybody marked everybody else ridiculously low. You were even graded on how well your scores corroborated with the low scores people gave others. Pre-med...no comprendemos team/group work.

To de stress I run regularly.

I say keep your chin up and don't let these random clowns keep you from your goal. At least that's what I tell myself...

 

[ZedsDed]

I don't want to revive this thread from the dead, but I'd like to add some input.
Just entered into a post-bacc program this year and am halfway through the entire program. I feel similarly to the OP (but tend to be purposefully on the fringes of the group when it comes to class discussion). We had a lab where there was peer review and it was insane...everybody marked everybody else ridiculously low. You were even graded on how well your scores corroborated with the low scores people gave others. Pre-med...no comprendemos team/group work.

To de stress I run regularly.

I say keep your chin up and don't let these random clowns keep you from your goal. At least that's what I tell myself...

They are ruthless little sociopaths. I know blatant cheaters who volunteer thousands of hours to show how "caring and empathetic" they are. It literally makes me shudder to think that these people will probably be my colleagues some day.