Unclear about Post bacc options

[grlpwr]

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Hello everyone, I am currently a senior at a large university getting my undergraduate degree in speech language hearing sciences. After a lot of thinking I have decided to pursue medical school but I have only taken a few basic science classes such as human anatomy and astronomy. I know I need pre reqs for med school.... as I have not taken any chem, bio, physics classes in college and I have not taken the MCAT. Would a formal post bacc option be appropriate for my situation??

thanks in advance!

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Either a post-bacc or a MBS program. The benefits of the formal program only help from a committee letter standpoint IMO.

 

[Ad2b]

I would DIY the pre-med prereqs as there's no need to do SMP unless your GPA is really low and in that case, you'd likely not get accepted anyway.

Start with gen chem 1 or bio 1 and go from there. Take it one decisive step at a time, and after each semester think, "Next?" or not. Also, don't hold yourself to a strict timeline as things ebb and flow. If you can ebb and flow with life, everything will work out in the end...

 

[grlpwr]

I would DIY the pre-med prereqs as there's no need to do SMP unless your GPA is really low and in that case, you'd likely not get accepted anyway.

Start with gen chem 1 or bio 1 and go from there. Take it one decisive step at a time, and after each semester think, "Next?" or not. Also, don't hold yourself to a strict timeline as things ebb and flow. If you can ebb and flow with life, everything will work out in the end...

So you don't recommend applying to formal Post Bacc programs such as Harvard extension, etc?

 

[Ad2b]

I do not. I think they are too expensive, no guarantee of acceptance. There are a handful of people that I know who have done them over the past 8 years (sample size is small) and only 1 has been accepted to the linkage program; the others had to still do more work to get accepted; one is still waiting.

Without knowing more about your grades, EC's, etc... it's really hard for me to give my true op but gut instinct for me is "no" to formalized post bacc.

 

[Goro]

Either a DIY post-bac or a formal program will suffice. I can';t recommend a SMP because these don't give the pre-reqs.

Hello everyone, I am currently a senior at a large university getting my undergraduate degree in speech language hearing sciences. After a lot of thinking I have decided to pursue medical school but I have only taken a few basic science classes such as human anatomy and astronomy. I know I need pre reqs for med school.... as I have not taken any chem, bio, physics classes in college and I have not taken the MCAT. Would a formal post bacc option be appropriate for my situation??

thanks in advance!

 

[bluebeardAT]

People hate on formal programs all the time on here. If your DIY yourself option is at a local uni with 400 people lectures for bio101 or you'd need to move or have difficulty registering for courses, or your DIY option is in city with significantly higher COL than a formal program, formal options begin to look more appealing in a heartbeat.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

I do not. I think they are too expensive, no guarantee of acceptance. There are a handful of people that I know who have done them over the past 8 years (sample size is small) and only 1 has been accepted to the linkage program; the others had to still do more work to get accepted; one is still waiting.

Without knowing more about your grades, EC's, etc... it's really hard for me to give my true op but gut instinct for me is "no" to formalized post bacc.

I disagree with this. I think you're conflating formal post-baccs with linkage programs and they are not equal. For instance, I did a formal post-bacc that offered no linkage. It was strictly pre-medical training. I also don't understand why you say "others had to still do more work to get accepted." Med school admission is difficult and you you need to do a ton of work regardless of program.

 

[Ad2b]

I disagree with this. I think you're conflating formal post-baccs with linkage programs and they are not equal. For instance, I did a formal post-bacc that offered no linkage. It was strictly pre-medical training. I also don't understand why you say "others had to still do more work to get accepted." Med school admission is difficult and you you need to do a ton of work regardless of program.

When they were done with formal post-bacc, they still had pre-reqs to take... and you're right, I did consolidate formal post-bacc/with linkage. Either way, I still say DIY is the way to go.

No need to line the pockets of schools for more classes than you need.

 

[grlpwr]

Either a DIY post-bac or a formal program will suffice. I can';t recommend a SMP because these don't give the pre-reqs.

Thank you for your insight. Are there any formal post-bac programs you recommend? I am someone who likes structure and guidance so I am a little worried about going the DIY route. Here are some of my Stats to help: I have a cumulative GPA of 3.4, I currently volunteer at a rehabilitation hospital weekly, I also volunteer in my professors lab where I work on TBI and stroke eye tracking data analysis and I am the president of a club associated with my major (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association).

 

[Goro]

No, because they're a dime-a-dozen. Your ECs are great, BTW.

Thank you for your insight. Are there any formal post-bac programs you recommend? I am someone who likes structure and guidance so I am a little worried about going the DIY route. Here are some of my Stats to help: I have a cumulative GPA of 3.4, I currently volunteer at a rehabilitation hospital weekly, I also volunteer in my professors lab where I work on TBI and stroke eye tracking data analysis and I am the president of a club associated with my major (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association).

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Thank you for your insight. Are there any formal post-bac programs you recommend? I am someone who likes structure and guidance so I am a little worried about going the DIY route. Here are some of my Stats to help: I have a cumulative GPA of 3.4, I currently volunteer at a rehabilitation hospital weekly, I also volunteer in my professors lab where I work on TBI and stroke eye tracking data analysis and I am the president of a club associated with my major (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association).

Even if you don't do a "formal" post-bacc, talk to some local universities and tell them about your goals. Most have pre-health advisors who can help set up your schedule of classes. Since you are non-degree seeking, the only issue may a limitation of access. But like Goro said, you have strong ECs so the main focus is crushing it academically.

 

[grlpwr]

Even if you don't do a "formal" post-bacc, talk to some local universities and tell them about your goals. Most have pre-health advisors who can help set up your schedule of classes. Since you are non-degree seeking, the only issue may a limitation of access. But like Goro said, you have strong ECs so the main focus is crushing it academically.

Thanks for the reply! I just spoke to an advisor at my school about doing a DIY post-bacc and they told me it will take about 2 years to complete my pre reqs... is that accurate? They told me I need to take four Chem classes (which includes Ochem), two biology classes, a BioChem class, and two physics classes. I am a unsure if this is correct information or not. Can someone clarify this for me?

 

[kraskadva]

Thanks for the reply! I just spoke to an advisor at my school about doing a DIY post-bacc and they told me it will take about 2 years to complete my pre reqs... is that accurate? They told me I need to take four Chem classes (which includes Ochem), two biology classes, a BioChem class, and two physics classes. I am a unsure if this is correct information or not. Can someone clarify this for me?

Yes, you have to take all of those, plus at least one each of Psych, sociology, English and math (these last 2 are requied at mutiple schools and would give you the best odds. Though if you've already taken them, you're fine).
In reality this may take more than 2 years (unless this school is going to let you overlap chem courses) since it's typically 1 semester each, in order, Chem 1 -> Chem 2 -> Orgo1 -> Orgo 2 -> Biochem

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Thanks for the reply! I just spoke to an advisor at my school about doing a DIY post-bacc and they told me it will take about 2 years to complete my pre reqs... is that accurate? They told me I need to take four Chem classes (which includes Ochem), two biology classes, a BioChem class, and two physics classes. I am a unsure if this is correct information or not. Can someone clarify this for me?

It can be done depending on your schedule. Some schools also require either a math stats or calculus course. For myself I did the following series over 2 years.*

Spring - Chem 1, Bio 1
Summer - Chem 2, Physics 1
Fall - OChem 1, Bio 2
Spring - Physics 2, MCAT Prep
May - Old MCAT
Fall (while applying) - Ochem 2, BioChem 1

*already had all other pre-reqs done from undergrad

This isn't necessary ideal or the gold-standard, but I was working full-time so this was the best fit for my schedule.

 

[kraskadva]

It can be done depending on your schedule. Some schools also require either a math stats or calculus course. For myself I did the following series over 2 years.*

Spring - Chem 1, Bio 1
Summer - Chem 2, Physics 1
Fall - OChem 1, Bio 2
Spring - Physics 2, MCAT Prep
May - Old MCAT
Fall (while applying) - Ochem 2, BioChem 1

*already had all other pre-reqs done from undergrad

This isn't necessary ideal or the gold-standard, but I was working full-time so this was the best fit for my schedule.

This would (and clearly did) work fine with the old MCAT, but the current version requires Biochem, Psych and Sociology in addition to the regular 4.

 

[grlpwr]

It can be done depending on your schedule. Some schools also require either a math stats or calculus course. For myself I did the following series over 2 years.*

Spring - Chem 1, Bio 1
Summer - Chem 2, Physics 1
Fall - OChem 1, Bio 2
Spring - Physics 2, MCAT Prep
May - Old MCAT
Fall (while applying) - Ochem 2, BioChem 1

*already had all other pre-reqs done from undergrad

This isn't necessary ideal or the gold-standard, but I was working full-time so this was the best fit for my schedule.

Wow this is great information! Thank you very much 🙂
I've taken a stats class at my school but not calculus, is that typically recommended?

 

[Gurby]

So you don't recommend applying to formal Post Bacc programs such as Harvard extension, etc?

Harvard Extension is kind of the best of both worlds IMO. It's not rigidly structured like most post-bacs, more a la carte, but you get a committee letter at the end of it and an awesome rigorous science education. It's also pretty darn cheap - was $1400/class when I took it...That's around $350/credit. It was much cheaper than state school for me.

 

[grlpwr]

Harvard Extension is kind of the best of both worlds IMO. It's not rigidly structured like most post-bacs, more a la carte, but you get a committee letter at the end of it and an awesome rigorous science education. It's also pretty darn cheap - was $1400/class when I took it...That's around $350/credit. It was much cheaper than state school for me.

Thanks! I've heard a few things about the Harvard Extension program but I don't know too much about it. My state school is about 450$ a credit which isn't terrible but it would be nice to save money and get a committee letter. Is the extension program two years or one?

 

[Gurby]

Thanks! I've heard a few things about the Harvard Extension program but I don't know too much about it. My state school is about 450$ a credit which isn't terrible but it would be nice to save money and get a committee letter. Is the extension program two years or one?

Boston is a pretty expensive city so you may not save money overall vs your state school FWIW.

I'm currently taking OChem2 at a community college and it has really been making me appreciate how awesome HES was. The facilities are amazing, faculty and TA's are amazing, the student:TA ratio for labs is amazing, the classes are extremely rigorous/difficult but also very fair and straightforward, the student body is amazing, there's kind of something in the water and it's fun to be part of the Harvard community.

It's more of a choose-your-own-adventure postbac so you can do whatever schedule you want, but most people take 2 years. It's designed to accommodate career changers and a lot of people work during the day, do research, etc.

 

[research5]

Boston is a pretty expensive city so you may not save money overall vs your state school FWIW.

I'm currently taking OChem2 at a community college and it has really been making me appreciate how awesome HES was. The facilities are amazing, faculty and TA's are amazing, the student:TA ratio for labs is amazing, the classes are extremely rigorous/difficult but also very fair and straightforward, the student body is amazing, there's kind of something in the water and it's fun to be part of the Harvard community.

It's more of a choose-your-own-adventure postbac so you can do whatever schedule you want, but most people take 2 years. It's designed to accommodate career changers and a lot of people work during the day, do research, etc.

Did you see students who took HES classes to improve their GPA, as a record enhancer, especially given that I have been out of school for 4 years. Additionally, I took many prereqs around 2008-10, I found out I wanted to medicine after graduating.

 

[Gurby]

Did you see students who took HES classes to improve their GPA, as a record enhancer, especially given that I have been out of school for 4 years. Additionally, I took many prereqs around 2008-10, I found out I wanted to medicine after graduating.

There are definitely people who do this. You run the risk of getting B's and not improving your situation, but I guess if you do well having the Harvard name might help a bit as opposed to taking courses at your local state school.

 

[research5]

There are definitely people who do this. You run the risk of getting B's and not improving your situation, but I guess if you do well having the Harvard name might help a bit as opposed to taking courses at your local state school.[/QUOTE
Were you part of the prehealth program at the Extension school or DIY? Additionally, are you in medical school?

 

[Gurby]

I did all my prereq's and a couple other classes at HES, and am starting medical school later this year!

 

[Anion]

Just out of curiosity, how was physics and biochem at HES? Also, did you take any other biology courses?

I did all my prereq's and a couple other classes at HES, and am starting medical school later this year!

 

[Gurby]

Just out of curiosity, how was physics and biochem at HES? Also, did you take any other biology courses?

Physics and biochem were great. People complained about Intro Bio - I thought it was really tough but beatable.