UPenn Post Bacc Program

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Yeah, I think they're pretty slow in updating that website... I have classes there, but they're out of date, since I dropped out of two of them and added other ones (that was about a week ago). The new ones aren't on blackboard, even though my PennInTouch shows the right classes.

You should probably either submit a work-order type form (found on the website in the contact tab) or call them. Some classes already listed syllabus and stuff, so you should try to get access to blackboard.
 
So I just moved into Philly and started the program this semester, and have noticed there isn't much in the way of a post-bacc community. I'd love to meet people to study with or even just hang out, so if anyone is up for it, let me know! Also, does anyone know if the penn post-bacc society actually does anything?
 
People regularly send out emails through the list servs about parties or bbqs.

Some of it is thru the post bac society and other times its not.

And if you just started, classes started yesterday and you've already decided there isnt much of a community? I've spent over a year here now and I disagree. Give it time and once people get settled - they come out of their shell more
 
i have my first class tomorrow!! (Bio lecture) - I'm nervous!

Just wanted to share that with everyone.

By the way, I did take 320 (so I guess that was my first class...) and agree with Rob - LOVED IT. I'm actually taking 321 this semester, and think I already know what I'm writing my paper on. It's an awesome opportunity... take 320!!
 
Dr P's chem class is making me feel like crying... what am I doing wrong? I have no issue with bio whatsoever... it's just chem.
 
What's giving you the biggest trouble in Dr. P's class?

I would agree with rob, he does a pretty solid job of making you feel like an imbecile on exams and weeding a large number of people out.
 
Hello,

I am trying to decide whether or not I should apply and would even have a good chance of getting into upenn's specialized sciences program. I graduated with a cgpa of a 2.9 from a top-20 university (but may go up to a 3.0 b/c took orgo 1 and 2 and physics 2) and did well this summer. My sgpa is around a 2.65, by the way does upenn look at the science gpa or just the cgpa?

I am currently studying for the mcat and hope to take it in January. Overall, I have very strong shadowing and volunteer abroad experiences, seen multiple surgeries and have awards and scholarships for my commitment to medicine.

I am just wondering whether I should just stick to applying to an smp, b/c I'm not sure as to whether upenn would really boast my ugpa, even if i stay one year and get all A's. What do you guys think with my stats and situation, should I just apply to an smp or send in an application to upenn and see what happens?--- also, if you have one or two pre-req courses that you made lower than a C in, would this just hurt my chances or do they just focus more on the overall ugpa at upenn?

Thanks and is anyone else applying for the Spring 2011 entry?
 
Even if you got into Upenn - I dont think its a good match for your situation. Do the grade projection and see how high of a GPA you can get from getting a 3.7 for a year (everyone thinks theyll get a 4.0 coming here, but not everyone can).

The 2.65 sGPA is going to really hurt your chances. They also look at SATs so hopefully you did ok on those.

Bottom-line: do the grade projection but i think you are off to an SMP either way due to the sGPA
 
Hey,

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I have been so busy! Thanks for responding though! I think you may be right, I was just wondering if i should because i submitted everything except for the fee online. I do think the smp may be the best for me as well!


thanks
 
To all of those who have gone to UPenn and participated in the special sciences program. Do you feel they had enough undergraduate science classes to keep a full time schedule without retaking classes you had already taken when getting your bachelors? I just looked at their course catalog for "undergraduate and post-baccalaureate" and they only listed ~ 10 classes. Am I missing the section where they list upper division undergraduate classes?
 
I felt that they had enough options. There were some classes I was generally excited about and others less so, but there was always something to take.

The problem with being SSP is that the more undergrad upper level sci classes you take is that there is a limit to how many exist - there isn't an endless supply, and at some point one has to transition to grad work.

good luck
 
Rob- I noticed that you are Class of 2015 and wanted to say Congratulations!!! That is very exciting! Good luck in the decision-making!!
 
how important is GPA in terms of the selection process for specialized studies prog? I am a senior at a liberal arts college right now.. my GPA is not that great (2.90 for science, 3.3 overall) but it's been improving since this one semester when I had alot of family issues going on. I know I can explain such things on the essay part, but... do you think I have a chance?? sigh*
 
GPA is pretty key for selection but I think you'll get in with those grades. Not sure how much it will help you for med school though as I'm not sure how high you can raise your sGPA

sGPA repair is best done through an SMP, which whilst expensive and risky - with your decent cGPA; you'd have a shot at some of the better ones
 
are you saying that there are other programs besides Upenn's post-bac program that I should be looking into? (I'm assuming SMP=specialized master's program)
 
Yes, do the calculations of 1-years worth of grades (say 3.7) to your cGPA and sGPA.

I doubt you will be able to move your cGPA above 3.35, and your sGPA prob won't be break 3.0

Both of which are way below average for MD schools - if you are ok with DO, then go for it. But I think you should just do the SMP. It's grades are factored into a separate line in the AMCAS calculation, whereas any classes you take @ Penn, will just get put into your overall cGPA and sGPA
 
Hey guys!

I thought I'd start a new thread just for incoming students of Penn SS Summer '11, but I guess everyone can benefit from sharing information and conversing.

Thanks for the heads up, Rob.

Anyone else confirmed enrollment for this upcoming fall's specialized studies program?

-Wah
 
wahwah said:
Hey guys!

I thought I'd start a new thread just for incoming students of Penn SS Summer '11, but I guess everyone can benefit from sharing information and conversing.

Thanks for the heads up, Rob.

Anyone else confirmed enrollment for this upcoming fall's specialized studies program?

-Wah
Click to expand...

Do you know when the deadline is for the summer program?
 
you can find the deadlines on the webpage, but for pre-health ss, it's April 1st.
 
Summer fills up way before the fall program, so i'd imagine it will be filled within the next month
 
Hello everyone,

Hopefully you guys can give me some advice on whether I should apply to the Specialized Science program.
Here is my background,

cGPA : 3.39
AMCAS sGPA : 3.12
*Notes: Got a 2.0 in Orgo2 (even though i 4.0 Orgo1) due to a
really stupid situation. Plan on retaking it at Penn if I get in.
AACOMAS sGPA : 3.28
MCAT : 27 O (plan on retaking eventually)

I took robflanker's advice of calculating gpa with a year of classes.
Assuming I take 24 credits hours (aka 8 credit units) with a 3.7 average and also assuming that all the classes count towards sGPA, I get
cGPA : 3.44
AMCAS sGPA : 3.28
AACOMAS sGPA : 3.39

Now I know these stats probably won't get me into MD but I was planning on applying to DO schools anyways.
I guess my question is "Will this program and the subsequent gpa boost be enough to help me get into med school or would a SMP better serve me?

Thanks for your time guys. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
Firstly, thanks for doing the math ahead of time! It makes figuring stuff out infinitely easier, and helps show you just how much your GPA can (or cannot) change in 1 year.

I think it makes sense for you to apply if you are going to look at DO; if you were going MD, then you'd might want to look at an SMP IMO.

The only thing for you to think about is value for money. A year at Penn is like $22k for tutition and fees, and room/board is on top of that. Its pretty pricey, so you might want to look at taking upper level science classes at your local state school. I'm not trying to talk you out of it by any means, but you should at least look at that possibility before dropping $22k
 
Hi !

I interviewed on 2/9/2011 and the director told me I would hear by today at the latest. As anyone heard anything?

Thanks !
 
axl196, did you end up hearing back?
usually the admission decision is given within two weeks, but i heard mine in 2.5.

a little variation.
 
Is anyone else having trouble logging in to the application? I have tried changing my password, disabling pop-up blockers, etc, but I still can't get in 🙁
 
bananaz said:
Is anyone else having trouble logging in to the application? I have tried changing my password, disabling pop-up blockers, etc, but I still can't get in 🙁
Click to expand...

Hmm, did you try enabling cookies?

If so, have you tried using different browsers? Sometimes it's just a weird browser-dependent issue (try IE, Mozilla, Chrome, etc)
 
aSagacious said:
Hmm, did you try enabling cookies?

If so, have you tried using different browsers? Sometimes it's just a weird browser-dependent issue (try IE, Mozilla, Chrome, etc)
Click to expand...

Yes, cookies are enabled, and I have tried all the browsers I have. In Firefox it tells me my password is incorrect (despite having just changed it so I know it's right) and in Internet Explorer and Chrome I click the "login" button and nothing happens. I guess I'll have to contact them. Thanks for your help though.
 
I'm in the process of applying right now for the SS program - just waiting on LORs, editing and re-editing my essays and finishing up some volunteer work as well. I was wondering if anyone that has gotten into this program has any suggestions as far as the essays. My undergraduate grades were not so great so I definitely have some explaining to do on the transcript question. Anyone know how I can do that without sounding too much like "Please pity me"

Also any other suggestions from your experience working on the essays would be greatly appreciated. The questions are quite involved :/
 
to anyone who has had experience talking/speaking/emailing sally, would you agree she is sort of aloof?

she's been misspelling my name in emails, not relaying information to my advisor when promised, and just seems all around disorganized...

i hope i'm wrong.
i hope (for my sake) she is a great advisor...
 
Sally isnt aloof IMO, but is AWFUL at responding to emails and phone calls. You have to hound her like a million times.

And UPenn's post bac advising sucks - it is atrocious; this has been discussed at length in this thread from multiple people. They are just clueless in that office
 
i'm going to be starting the 12 week summer session near the end of may.

has anyone looked into upperclass student oncampus housing?
 
In my 18mo in and around the program, i can honestly say i know 1 person who lived in graduate housing here; and that was only for 1 yr.

No-one lives in the graduate housing
 
haha i see.

they are rather expensive.
i guess it'd be better just to find an apartment offcampus.

anyone else starting the program this upcoming may?
 
Ive had good luck renting with Campus Apartments.

Very popular in the program is "Domus" (ridic amounts of $$ IMO), and the West (end, i think) - its at 31st and walnut.
 
great! thanks again, rob.

i'll look into those options.

i think i read somewhere here about university city housing,
and how bad they are.

or did i just make that up?
 
Hey everyone,

Plenty of great info on this thread...thanks for all the contributions.

Just got an invite to interview on April 18. Anyone have any idea about the percentage of people who get accepted after the interview?
 
I just got my acceptance "e-mail" for the Pre Health Core Studies Program (Fall 2011)! 5 days after I interviewed for those that are interested. I'm currently torn between Penn, HES, and WashU. Anyone else starting in the fall?
 
I agree with Rob 100%. I attended the UPenn Post bac program and concur that the advising is virtually nonexistant. My correspondance with Sally had mainly been over email....had no luck with the phone whatsoever. I came to this conclusion because my inbox is typically flooded with job notifications and upcoming presentations from her. Every now and then she will let you know of something crucial to your success in the program. Also, the classes (a lot of them) are taught by adjunct professors in the evening, not full-time Penn faculty. Something to be aware of before you sign up. Now let's talk $$...the bill is going to be almost 3000 dollars per class if it has an associated lab. UPenn's fees are outrageous IMO and you only have ONE week to change your mind about the class or they keep your money...all of it. Some classes are only once a week so I think their refund policy is ridiculous and needs adjusted ASAP. I took some classes at Penn State to cut down on costs because the only financial aid you are eligible for as a post-bac are undergraduate level federal loans. That was the best decision because what I realized is that the material covered in my Penn State classes was the SAME as what was taught at UPENN but with a much lighter price tag. I didn't want to go broke on prereq courses before even beginning my medical education. Maybe some of you will consider this path as well. Others who are accepted to multiple schools-please do not discount the importance of price of completing the program vs. outcomes.
 
Thanks for the input! From what I've been reading on SDN and elsewhere I am definitely leaning towards HES. I don't qualify for the linkage at Penn anyway, the only perk of that program imo.
 
noy2005 said:
Thanks for the input! From what I've been reading on SDN and elsewhere I am definitely leaning towards HES. I don't qualify for the linkage at Penn anyway, the only perk of that program imo.
Click to expand...


Don't do Penn Postbacc.

Sweet and simple, the truth.
 
Yeah I got in ! wait are you starting in the summer?? If so, I'll see you there in May !!
 
I am ! Where are you thinking of living?
 
srivastk said:
Don't do Penn Postbacc.

Sweet and simple, the truth.
Click to expand...

Not true at all

Are there are better programs for Pre-Health people? Yes (BM, Scripps, Goucher, JH, HES)

But for people who don't get into the first four, and dont want to live in Boston then UPenn is a very good option. A lot better than any of the NYC schools for example.

Its also, a good option for people in the kind of 3.3-3.5 range who dont want to do any SMP and think that a year of solid science grades with some good volunteer/work experience will push them over the edge.

Its not a good fit for sub 3.1-3.2 people.

So, lets not paint UPenn with such a broad brush and find the right person for the program
 
has anyone taken neta zach for BIBB 109 or lexow for BIBB 480?

any comments regarding teaching style and difficulty?
 
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