unique situation - is post-bac 4 me???

[pitt_AT]

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I hope someone can help me out!! I have done many searches but I have not gotten any help. So please pardon my somewhat long post, but its important for you to understand my situation to understand my question.

My major is athletic training, and I am a junior this fall. In the first two years I have done really well. With that said, most of my pre-requisites for med school are complete. (I was originally thinking about phys. therapy school).

BUT, I still need organic chem 1 and 2 (w labs), plus a semester
of calculus --did NOT needs these for PT.

However, with AT as my major and a selected curriculum of anatomy, physiology, injury eval, etc PLUS full time clinicals I have no time to take these courses during my undergrad education.

I have thought about summer classes but a semesters worth of Orgo crammed into 6 weeks may sacrafice my grades and i want to maintain my high gpa - currently 3.66 sciences (3.62 overall)

Now, my understanding of post-bac programs is that they are for:
1) Fulfill science pre-reqs for non-sci majors
2) Improve GPA
3) Take higher level science courses (biochem, etc)

With most of my pre-reqs completed + 3.66 gpa, it seems like I would not
need to pursue a post bac program for those reasons.

**However, I am in search of a program that provides some flexibility
where I can take: 1) OCHEM 1 & 2 w. labs 2) Calculus 3) Upper level
science courses including biochem, genetics, neurosci, bioethics, etc.

Do ANY programs offer what I am looking for? Does ANY program offer this
for me? OR..am I better off just making my own "post-bac" program and take what I need at pitt.

The downside is that post-bac programs look good to med schools, help prep
for MCATS, and other positive things. hmmmmmmmm im confused 🙄

If anyone could help me out in the slightest way, I would appreciate it!

Thanks for your time!

 

[Sundarban1]

You are better off not enrolling into a formal program and taking them at your local college/university. If that school does not have the classes you are looking for, you can take them at any local school. Good luck.

 

[pitt_AT]

You are better off not enrolling into a formal program and taking them at your local college/university. If that school does not have the classes you are looking for, you can take them at any local school. Good luck.

So there are NO programs out there that provide the flexibility that I'm looking for??

 

[pitt_AT]

what about the Upenn special sciences or duquesne programs? should they be of interest to me?

 

[Sundarban1]

what about the Upenn special sciences or duquesne programs? should they be of interest to me?

Ask yourself why you need a SMP or formal PB program, the answer is that you do not. Simply look around at class schedules at your local schools and see how flexable they are. I'm not familiar with PB programs in PA, but I do know that most SMP's require the MCAT for admission, and since your GPA is above average and you have not completed your pre-reqs yet to take the MCAT, SMPs are of no use to you.

Again, look at the local school class schedules and see how flexable they are. If you're insistant on formal PB programs in your area, look them up and run a search here. It will be more effective.

 

[pitt_AT]

Ask yourself why you need a SMP or formal PB program, the answer is that you do not. Simply look around at class schedules at your local schools and see how flexable they are. I'm not familiar with PB programs in PA, but I do know that most SMP's require the MCAT for admission, and since your GPA is above average and you have not completed your pre-reqs yet to take the MCAT, SMPs are of no use to you.

Again, look at the local school class schedules and see how flexable they are. If you're insistant on formal PB programs in your area, look them up and run a search here. It will be more effective.

well i definitly like the linkage benefit, plus the overall high regards to some of these programs. I contacted Johns Hopkins & UPenn(special sciences) and they both told me that I was elgible. The downside is the expense (and thinking about the cost of 4 yrs of med school doesnt make it easier). So I duno..if my top reason for doing it is not for my grades or prereqs, is doing it for the linkage/post-bac reputation justified?

 

[etikit]

I know kids who took the MCATS without any orgo classes...just a princeton review course...one guy got a 32. He is intelligent...but no genius...thats for sure. normal cat. then took the classes at a local community college...and is got into chicago med schools.

you have a good gpa. just get the classes out of the way, get some extracurriculars or clinical...and balls up..then apply to med school.

you'll be fine. most of the country does NOT do post baccs to get into med school. you shouldn't have to.

and on top of this...im assuming you are around 21 or so because of your year in school. i could be wrong, but you are young and don't need to commit to a year long program already. 3 or classes is just one semester. like 5 months. save your money, time, and ENERGY for something bigger and better.

my 2 cents...but don't doubt yourself. someone once told me "why act like you got rejected when you haven't even applied"????? its a good question.

 

[Lashaeot]

I hope someone can help me out!! I have done many searches but I have not gotten any help. So please pardon my somewhat long post, but its important for you to understand my situation to understand my question.

My major is athletic training, and I am a junior this fall. In the first two years I have done really well. With that said, most of my pre-requisites for med school are complete. (I was originally thinking about phys. therapy school).

BUT, I still need organic chem 1 and 2 (w labs), plus a semester
of calculus --did NOT needs these for PT.

However, with AT as my major and a selected curriculum of anatomy, physiology, injury eval, etc PLUS full time clinicals I have no time to take these courses during my undergrad education.

I have thought about summer classes but a semesters worth of Orgo crammed into 6 weeks may sacrafice my grades and i want to maintain my high gpa - currently 3.66 sciences (3.62 overall)

Now, my understanding of post-bac programs is that they are for:
1) Fulfill science pre-reqs for non-sci majors
2) Improve GPA
3) Take higher level science courses (biochem, etc)

With most of my pre-reqs completed + 3.66 gpa, it seems like I would not
need to pursue a post bac program for those reasons.

**However, I am in search of a program that provides some flexibility
where I can take: 1) OCHEM 1 & 2 w. labs 2) Calculus 3) Upper level
science courses including biochem, genetics, neurosci, bioethics, etc.

Do ANY programs offer what I am looking for? Does ANY program offer this
for me? OR..am I better off just making my own "post-bac" program and take what I need at pitt.

The downside is that post-bac programs look good to med schools, help prep
for MCATS, and other positive things. hmmmmmmmm im confused 🙄

If anyone could help me out in the slightest way, I would appreciate it!

Thanks for your time!

Hi, Your already in a good position and a post bacc program isn't necessary. All you need to do is take the courses you need, ace the MCAT, and acquire some volunteer experience. If being a MD is what you want to do, dont consider PT. I am currently working as an Occupational Therapist and I just started taking the required courses for med school. All PT programs have converted to DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy). It will take you at least 3 years to finish (at least). It might be 4 years. You will need 2-3 years of courses and 10-12 months of unpaid internship. Once your finished you will have only acquired a DPT degree, which is good, but it is not a PHD. Plus, your starting salary will not be that great. You'll be lucky if you make $65,000 on your first job.
Pursuing medicine is the way to go. Both paths are arduous, but the latter is more gratifying. Back to the Post Bacc program..............If you don't find one that meets your needs, that's fine, you can take those classess on your own......................

 

[Instatewaiter]

IMO, I would say try and apply in your fourth year and don;t waste a year. Post bacs are generally for people with low grades or MCATs or for those who have not taken many of the pre-recs. I would say take orgo over the summer. I did it w/ the labs and it was much easier than taking it during normal class time.

Also, calc is not needed for a lot of schools. Most however do require at least 1 or 2 semsters of college math. Stat will generally work for that if you have taken it.

One possible choice, which I do not know if it is possible is to study and try to sit for the AP calc exam. If you submit it to your college in time, you could get it on your transcript and get credit. This may circumvent your need to take calc.

You could also take calc at a community college. Won't look as good but with a decent MCAT and your GPA there should not be a problem.

You could also take calc the summer after you graduate or during a january term if your school has that.

Just tossing some ideas out there.