Understanding Informal Post Bac

[Dayzed00]

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Hello,

I'm looking at the informal post bac route. For this option, do I apply to a specific program or do I apply to the general studies program? I can't just go to a university and say I want to take a few classes, right?

I'm a non-trad student. I've been out of college for a while, if I take the required pre-reqs needed for med school that I missed in undergrad (organic chemistry, for example), do the grades calculate into my undergrad cumulative gpa?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[orangeblossom]

i believe you apply to be a post-bac student (this would be "general studies"?). the titles differ by school. some call it a 5th year program etc, i think. post-bac gpa is separate from ug gpa; it wont change/affect ur ug gpa, even if ur doing post-bac at your alma mater

 

[LaughingGas]

I thought post bac programs (ones that have undergrad upper level bio, aka academic enhancer) do affect on the uGPA.

 

[orangeblossom]

maybe im wrong
but its always been my impression that once you graduate, your uGPA is sealed forever. it sucks!

 

[DrMidlife]

How to take classes:
1. Find a school
2. Find their website
3. Find their premed advising webpage (or the bio/chem/phys departments)
4. Find their course schedule for when the classes you need are offered
5. Find their admissions and/or registrar pages
6. Consider the options (and consider other schools)

You are likely to find the prereqs offered under headings like these:
- extension
- nonmatriculated enrollment
- postbaccalaureate enrollment
- non-degree enrollment

The prereqs tend to be high-enrollment, which means that you probably can't just sign up for them at a state school, because there are more students than seats. So look for where they are offered at night, during the summer, or at schools that are not over-enrolled.

Postbac is undergrad. Undergrad GPA includes postbac classes. When you apply to med school, the application service calculates your cumulative GPAs, and also provides a breakdown by year. Looks like this for AMCAS:

You don't have to take my word for it: see the instructions published by the app services and read the admissions web pages of med schools in which you're interested.
MD: AMCAS
TX: TMDSAS
DO: AACOMAS

Best of luck to you.

 

[deleted248403]

maybe im wrong
but its always been my impression that once you graduate, your uGPA is sealed forever. it sucks!

Its sealed in terms of that school's GPA, but AMCAS/AACOMAS looks at all undergrad classes taken

 

[Dayzed00]

Thank you all for the helpful information. Truly appreciate it!

 

[SuziQ333]

So I was just wondering... How do I go about putting together a plan for taking classes? How do I know which ones to take? Thanks

 

[DrMidlife]

So I was just wondering... How do I go about putting together a plan for taking classes? How do I know which ones to take? Thanks

How to take classes:
1. Find a school
2. Find their website
3. Find their premed advising webpage (or the bio/chem/phys departments)
4. Find their course schedule for when the classes you need are offered
5. Find their admissions and/or registrar pages
6. Consider the options (and consider other schools)

Line 3 above is how you find out what the prereqs are at a school.

If you need more general info about how to get ready to apply to med school, the MSAR is a good resource. Start at aamc.org.

Best of luck to you.

 

[cityoflights]

Would anyone happen to know if this is the same for PharmCAS? I'm interested in doing a post-bacc for pharm school but there is not much information on that route. Please share what you know. thanks so much.