University of Rochester - new program 1st year

[DPDPD]

Just wanted to see if anyone else on these boards has been accepted to the new UR postbac program? Got my notice via email a few hours ago.

But in a related question: What do you guys think about joining a brand new postbac program? If you were offered into the first class would you take it or stay way back until you knew what their track record was?

 

[grouse]

Where did you find out about this. Can't seem to find it on their website.

 

[DPDPD]

Brand spanking new, I think they only announced it in a few months ago with the due date for materials being May 15th. I wouldn't have known if a friend hadn't have mentioned something about it, and then I emailed the school asking for more information.

http://www.rochester.edu/college/premed/index.html

 

[grouse]

Thanks. Will be interested to see how it goes.

 

[NY Musicologist]

UR has a decent med school, and if I remember correctly, they're also one of the few places to have a combined BS-to-MD program for high school grads who are sure that's the path they want to take scared. So I would assume that their program would be solid. Is there a linkage option to UR Med on completion? If so, that might be a good sign. Also, I'd look for the amount of dedicated advisement for post-bacc students. It's one thing for a cash-starved school such as UR (and I say this having been a student there) to launch a "post-bacc program" that basically consists of letting people join its regular undergrad prereq classes (i.e., no extra outlay required on their part in terms of staff/faculty) and a program that has adequate support for the enrollees (such as seems to be the case at UVa, which launched a couple of years ago).

In a nutshell, if there are advisors and/or coursework specially for the postbacc'ers, and/or a linkage option, I don't see any reason to be wary. In the end, it's going to be more about what YOU put into it in any case...

 

[DPDPD]

From what I've found so far:

- non-certificate
- no linkages
- 1 year summer or fall start
- available (and nice) advisor
- classes with general student population

And thanks for the advice Musicologist

 

[KCMcCarty]

Hi DPDPDP
I am applying to the U of R post-bac program too. I'm having a hard time digging up my sat/act scores but I think I'll be able to get them from my high school. I hope that I can work part-time while doing the program...are you planning on working? Where did you go to college?
-Katherine

 

[DPDPD]

Hey Katherine,

I actually went to UR, so I know what to expect out of the departments etc., but what concerned me was the execution of the program. UR does things either very well, or quite half-assed. Personally I've delayed for another year, and will use the time to get in at least some pertinent work experience and volunteering, can't help up figure that any future med school interview would include a question or two on what I've done to show my interest in medicine.

My SAT scores were on the back of my High School transcript so I was lucky there, the time it takes when you order them is a bit insane. Even with the rush service it only speeds up about 1/2 of the process! About working part-time, personally I'm going to avoid it if I can. I figure that it may hurt me a bit to have the money crunch but with the amount that these programs cost it should be my full time job to study! ha...but we'll see how long that lasts eh?

 

[NY Musicologist]

Hey DPDPD, you didn't happen to take any music classes at UR/Eastman, did you? If so, I might have been your TA!

 

[SleightofHand]

From what I've found so far:

- non-certificate
- no linkages
- 1 year summer or fall start
- available (and nice) advisor
- classes with general student population

So what essentially is the difference between this program and just figuring it out for yourself at a local (and cheaper) state school, besides the (IMO) minimal prestige associated with going to a private university? I grew up in the Roch and did my undergrad at UR, so it seems like a likely possibility for me if I wanted to do a post bacc prog., but the advantages that at least some of them have seem to be lacking here. Am I right? Anyone in this program now?