UPenn Post Bacc Program

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I'm at Penn now in the post-bac.

Took about 2 weeks from applying to get an interview, and then got a decision a week or two after my interview. But that was in the Spring and thats prime application time. Not sure how seriously they are looking at apps now.

Plus there is no program director (surprise surprise) yet so that may delay things
 
Does anyone have the actual link to the special sciences program one? I believe that's the one for the students who took all their pre med reqs already and are looking to take upper level sciences courses to boost gpa for med school?

I tried searching for ssp and special sciences on upenn website but nothing seems to be coming up.
 
put it in google and it comes up immediately.

its part of the school of liberal and professional sciences (LPS)
 
This question is posed to other current students in the program; hopefully other people have wondered the same thing....How exactly are grades determined? haha. Until Penn; I've been accustomed to ACTUAL grading scales but here is appears that kind of thing does cease to exist. The prof tells you the average and thats about it.....anyone know the answer to this? I'm new to the postbac program, just taking my first classes....
 
Most classes at Penn treat average as a B- or so i'm told. I'm a first yr too, so we'll have to wait for a more experienced hat to chime in.
 
To the first year studets: I just got an interview invitation. What should I expect for the interview?! Any advice would be much appreciated!
 
dendrite10 said:
This question is posed to other current students in the program; hopefully other people have wondered the same thing....How exactly are grades determined? haha. Until Penn; I've been accustomed to ACTUAL grading scales but here is appears that kind of thing does cease to exist. The prof tells you the average and thats about it.....anyone know the answer to this? I'm new to the postbac program, just taking my first classes....
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The grades are curved to a b- for most courses. The core sciences usually curve to about 65 or 70 as opposed to the 80 that others had told me prior to starting the program. Of course it depends on the class as well as how the students perform.
 
Can anyone who started this fall shed some light on the experience so far? How is the quality of instruction? The workload? UPenn in general?

Thanks guys and best of luck during the final stretch of the semester!
 
Interview is pretty standard - nothing too exciting. Why do you want to come here etc etc etc

Program so far is ok. Advising is nonexistant. Quality of instruction - i have two great classes and two sucky classes. Kinda like undergrad - no real difference. If you are expecting great professors forever, then you are wishing for something thats unrealistic (med school profs can suck too...) but all in its pretty good. Workload is hard to comment cos everyone takes a different number of classes and it depends whether you are pre-health or special sciences.
 
If I want to apply to the SSP next fall are they less likely to accept me if I'm also considering applying to medical schools in the 2010-11 cycle (i.e. during the same cycle)? The reason I ask is that I don't think that I'll be eligible for their committee letter (you must have taken pre-health courses there I believe).
 
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To be eligible for the letter you have to have been in the program for 2 semesters essentially - its like 6 or 8 classes.
 
Ok, time to get into interview prep mode! Can anyone share any tips outside of the standard "Why do you want to go into medicine?" question?

Also, I've look around the forum (but have not found) entries in the sdn interview feedback section for postbac programs. Is there one, or are there plans to add one?
 
No clue to the latter.

The former - its pretty straightforward. Theyll ask you about why Penn, etc etc.

Its very straighforward
 
I just had my interview on Wednesday. It was all of about 10 minutes! He didn't even ask me why I wanted to come to Penn... EVERYTHING he asked was already on my application like about my clinical experience and why I wanted to become a physician. Also, remember to ask a few questions about the program at the end. Good luck!
 
hahaha, by that description alone I know EXACTLY who interviewed you

mbm54 said:
I just had my interview on Wednesday. It was all of about 10 minutes! He didn't even ask me why I wanted to come to Penn... EVERYTHING he asked was already on my application like about my clinical experience and why I wanted to become a physician. Also, remember to ask a few questions about the program at the end. Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
lol his name was Parisi, kinda of awkward, but he seemed nice
 
I don't think I know of anyone at UPenn Post-Bac (either Pre-Health or Special Sciences) who is here to improve their apps for Grad school. Everyone here is pre-med, pre-dent or pre-vet.
The program is designed for pre-X kids who plan on going to one of the 3 previously mentioned grad schools.

While I know the program isn't designed for you, I don't see why it wouldn't work. If you only want to take upper level classes and then apply to various PhD programs than I guess it would work. Not sure if they'd accept you tho due to the difference in goals.

And in terms of competitiveness, you are def comp.
 
robflanker said:
And in terms of competitiveness, you are def comp.
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I'd disagree with that. The website says, "Successful applicants have a B or higher average in their undergraduate work" along with other requirements. That alone puts you at a disadvantage since your GPA is 2.87, below a 3.0 by quite a bit. A year's worth of straight A's might get it up to a 3.0, depending on how many credits you have already it could be more or less.

Your GRE verbal is also rather low and the website states that applicants should, "have demonstrated abilities in standardized test taking, e.g. MCATs, SATs, GREs, etc." If you have good SATs that you can submit along with your GRE maybe you'll be okay.

I'd call the office and talk to someone, see what they think your chances are and if they think the program is good for you considering your goals. Good luck.
 
I know at least 2 ppl whose GPAs were below 3.0 and are now at Penn.

They had an upward trend after a disasterous first year at undergrad.

Not sure if they had some story or some saving MCAT/GRE but they are def here now
 
There are people below 3.0 But i can't imagine there are a lot of them.

I still don't think a post-bac is the right move for you - they are designed for pre-meds, vets, dents. Not pre-PhDs
 
The PennPREP program is not related to the Penn Pre-Health or Specialized Sciences programs, and isn't run by the same people.

I do not know of a single person in the PennPREP program, nor do I expect you'll find much help here unfortunately.

As mentioned before, this subforum and the Penn Post Bac is aimed at Pre-Med without the intermediate step of a PhD. I unfortunately think you are asking the wrong group of people
 
Hello, new to the forum.

I have received an interview invite for UPenn's post-bacc premed program for the summer of 2010. The date is at a hellish time for me to travel, as I currently reside in CA. I know that a phone interview is an option. Does anyone have any experience with this or know whether my chances will be diminished if I take this route?
 
If you look back in the thread a bit several people talk about their experiences with the phone interview. If I recall correctly at least one was accepted.

And now for a question of my own - I looked around the site and couldn't find the start dates of the program. Does anyone know roughly when the summer pre-health core program starts?
 
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matchheadmusic said:
Hello, new to the forum.

I have received an interview invite for UPenn's post-bacc premed program for the summer of 2010. The date is at a hellish time for me to travel, as I currently reside in CA. I know that a phone interview is an option. Does anyone have any experience with this or know whether my chances will be diminished if I take this route?
Click to expand...

I was accepted with the phone interview. I got all dressed up and went to my schools career office to make the phone call there. that way it felt a little bit more like and interview.

I dont recall speaking with any of my classmates about how they did their interviews, but i was from pretty far away, so it really only made sense. I did not feel at a disadvantage.
 
@ Matchheadmusic. It makes absolutely no difference. None. Don't give it a second thought. I did mine in my PJs from my home in CA and I'm got in. There are plenty of other people who also made it through phone interviews.


PetitAllegro said:
If you look back in the thread a bit several people talk about their experiences with the phone interview. If I recall correctly at least one was accepted.

And now for a question of my own - I looked around the site and couldn't find the start dates of the program. Does anyone know roughly when the summer pre-health core program starts?
Click to expand...

May 24th. The program is just like any other Penn program in terms of start date. Google Penn's calendar at any time and you can get that info. Here's a direct link: http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/3yearcal.html
 
1) how long the app takes to review depends on how many other applicants there are. I've no idea how many go for spring admission but seen as classes start in 2 weeks, i wouldn't say it looks good. Even if you get in, you'll get crappy classes as we've already picked for the semester and all the good ones are filled

2) Admissions are tough if you have below 3.0. People are here with less than a 3.0 but not many.
 
how are kids from this program faring in terms of med school admissions? any good stories?
 
So any new comers this semester?
 
(Stixman and SoFreakedOut: thanks for the advice. I opted for the phone interview and just received an acceptance offer😀!!)

Anyone have any unique tips that cannot be found in previous posts or on the penn website?

How are people faring grade-wise? Have many dropped out? Do you feel well prepared for the MCAT's?

I am looking for info on close, safe housing as well. Mainly areas to stay away from.
 
Hey -
I just applied too! Actually, I sent in my app. 3 weeks ago but collegeboard just finally got around to sending them my SATs this past week. 🙁 I'll let you know how it goes!
 
matchheadmusic - stay out of north philadelphia for housing. other than that, its one of those things you'll have to go see for yourself. I live in West philly and love it. Dropped out - i've heard of two kids that dropped out. Grade-wise, i'm happy. And MCAT is n/a for me as i'd done it before coming to penn.

Carbear02 - ive heard of a lot of ppl with interviews, and then ppl have the linkages set up as well. I was just in the admin offices for penn on fri, and they currently claim 95% for pre-health and 85% for special sciences get acceptance to med/dent/vet school.
 
matchheadmusic said:
(Stixman and SoFreakedOut: thanks for the advice. I opted for the phone interview and just received an acceptance offer😀!!)

Anyone have any unique tips that cannot be found in previous posts or on the penn website?

How are people faring grade-wise? Have many dropped out? Do you feel well prepared for the MCAT's?

I am looking for info on close, safe housing as well. Mainly areas to stay away from.
Click to expand...

From a Pre-Health stand point, grading seems to be mixed in classes. In the pre-health program, the drop out rate is slightly higher than 2, but it is not half the class, which is what I was told at the interview. The first semester with certain professors is like the "weeding" out process. Some highly encouraged drops after every exam, but few (in relation to the class size) actually did. This semester seems to be more relaxed. As for the MCAT, I have not taken it yet. While looking at the books, I feel that I will be well prepared because the questions on exams here seem to be more difficult that the MCAT books. Also, one professor gives an MCAT passage every week, which is extra credit and great practice.

As for the housing, I have heard good things about the West Philly Area surrounding the campus and up to 40th Street. I would be weary going too far past 40th in west philly, as it turns into a not so nice area. South Philly can be decent, with a tad bit cheaper price. As Rob stated, North Philly is not the nicest of areas.
 
I wasn't implying it was only 2 Ali....just that it wasnt 50% like you referenced. I'm sure there are more that have dropped out than I'm in touch with but a lot of people drop a class here or there based on their first test and you never know if they drop all of their classes...

Back to housing; i live closer to 50th than I do to 40th and it pretty fine out here upto 50. As long as you stay between Market and Baltimore, its fine.
 
robflanker said:
I wasn't implying it was only 2 Ali....just that it wasnt 50% like you referenced. I'm sure there are more that have dropped out than I'm in touch with but a lot of people drop a class here or there based on their first test and you never know if they drop all of their classes...

Back to housing; i live closer to 50th than I do to 40th and it pretty fine out here upto 50. As long as you stay between Market and Baltimore, its fine.
Click to expand...

Sorry Rob if I offended you in some way by making that statment. I just wanted to put in a prespective from the other end of the program as I know from your previous posts that you are in the SS program. As for the housing, I am just saying what I have heard from friends in the program as well as coworkers that have lived here for a while (I live in South Jersey), so obviously you would know better than I do on this topic.

On a different note, a question that I have for you is about the classes you have taken. Are there any upper levels that you have taken that are worthwhile? I am thinking about taking a few extra classes in the summer and fall that would be helpful for medical school.
 
Oh no offense taken Ali - i knew what you meant. Its all good.

Housing - my situation needs to be taken into perspective too. I was born and raised in a slightly less than great part of a major city, so i'm maybe a bit more used to things. I'm also male, which i appreciate makes a big diff when walking home from class. Tho Upenn security goes all the way out until 45th plus there is always the bus...

Classes - i've taken development bio (with Parisi), histology (awesome, but uber hard to get into) and clinical research in emergency med. I'm currently taking clinical research II, clinical psychopharmacology, and neurodegenerative diseases.
I'd recommend histo if you can get in, and so far psychopharm and neurodegen are great classes - just a ton of work
 
robflanker said:
Oh no offense taken Ali - i knew what you meant. Its all good.

Housing - my situation needs to be taken into perspective too. I was born and raised in a slightly less than great part of a major city, so i'm maybe a bit more used to things. I'm also male, which i appreciate makes a big diff when walking home from class. Tho Upenn security goes all the way out until 45th plus there is always the bus...

Classes - i've taken development bio (with Parisi), histology (awesome, but uber hard to get into) and clinical research in emergency med. I'm currently taking clinical research II, clinical psychopharmacology, and neurodegenerative diseases.
I'd recommend histo if you can get in, and so far psychopharm and neurodegen are great classes - just a ton of work
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info Rob!!
 
I just heard back and was offered an interview. I'm nervous, but excited! Any advice? It says touring the campus... and I will be in high heels because that is just what I wear to interviews... is it a lot of walking?
 
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It can be a fair amount of walking. The tour is pretty stupid IMO - you just wander the streets.
 
How bad is the curving system?
How many people drop out of the program each year?
Any idea on the number accepted to med school?
 
emtdan said:
How bad is the curving system?
I don't have an issue with it. You earn your A here, no doubt about it and you are competing against some smart kids. But thats why Penn's program is pretty well respected cos they know an A here is no easy accomplishment. In one of my classes last semester, 1/3 kids got some form of an A, 1/3 got some form of a B, 1/3 got some form of a C, and a couple got Ds. A couple of ppl withdrew from the class after the first test so its skewed slightly.
How many people drop out of the program each year?
Please read the thread. Ali and I (who are both in the program) discussed this within the last 5-10posts
Any idea on the number accepted to med school?
Again please read the thread. I've discussed the data Penn throws around
Click to expand...

See bolded

Please at least read the most recent page of posts. Almost all your questions were already answered. If you have anything you dont see or want clarifying, please ask but its get pretty old repeating myself after each post when the posts above yours answer your questions.

Good luck
 
The curving system is one of my main worries to the program. I come from a school with no curve. If you study 50 hours for a test and get an A, you get the A. If your entire class does the same, then you all get A's. I guess I may have inadequately expressed my worry in my question.

How does the curving system actually work? If Most people get a 95, will the professor take 15 points off everyones test to make in an 80 average? That's how it is coming off, and in that sense if you get a 100 you actually get an 85. I have no troubles passing classes but I see the post bac program as a group of all A students being put into a class where despite if they all work equally as hard only a few can actually get an A.

Does this make any sense? This query aside, the program seems great. The common mention of negligible advisory (I did read the forum prior to your comment, but I was under the impression the stats were from the SSP program you are in not the basic sciences) does not worry me too much.
 
Once again - SSP and PH are essentially the same just differing int he classes taken. I am a SSP, taking a PH class as i'd done too many of the pre-reqs but not all. There are PH in my "SSP" upper-level classes cos they need/want more credits. Hence Ali asking about my classes. The two "programs" aren't separate and what stats are you talking about that you think are SSP only.... Any stats i've mentioned on success rates, i have mentioned both SSP and PH numbers...

In terms of grading - most people don't get a 95 lol. I've yet to have an average in a PH class of above an 80. So your question is moot. The tests might be harder here than other places. So being an A student elsewhere might not mean you are an A student here.

And yes, advising universally sucks, but doesnt bother me either cos i tend to figure it out on my own anyways
 
So if I came coming to Upenn to boost my gpa or obtain a 3.6, I am pretty much wasting my time? If you have yet to get above an 80 average in your PH classes then your PH gpa has to be around a 3 or lower, or did I do that wrong?
 
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