Hi all! I got in for Summer 2010!! I am so excited to meet you all and get to know everyone! PM me if you are a summer start as well!!!!
UPenn Post Bacc Program
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deleted248403
Congrats and welcome
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About how long does it take for Penn to distribute PennKey setup codes?
Summer session looms and I really need to register ASAP.
P.S. Is the advisor 'meeting' worth anything or is it generally just another loop to jump through? I am fairly confident they will advise heavily against my decision to complete the program in one year (which I should probably consider--however, I am too determined). Should I listen and then act on my plan anyway? Is that the typical routine?
Also, does anyone have any experience with linkage nominations? How likely is it to be nominated to a competitive linkage?
Summer session looms and I really need to register ASAP.
P.S. Is the advisor 'meeting' worth anything or is it generally just another loop to jump through? I am fairly confident they will advise heavily against my decision to complete the program in one year (which I should probably consider--however, I am too determined). Should I listen and then act on my plan anyway? Is that the typical routine?
Also, does anyone have any experience with linkage nominations? How likely is it to be nominated to a competitive linkage?
Has anyone on this site completed the program in one year? I, like mtulli, plan to do so. When I was in my interview, the interviewer actually suggested that I complete in one year if accepted for the summer. This seems like the exact opposite reaction almost everyone else received.
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deleted248403
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Yeah, this is the problem. Won't we all have very similar EC's, similar LoR's, and provided we all meet linkage requirements, similar grades? I see little room in the one year to distinguish oneself from the pack. I guess cracking a 4.0, MCAT of 35+ is about all that will do it.
Is this really a disadvantage as evidenced in experience of yours or a perceived circumstance based on opinion? I have no problem with either I was just curious because I hadn't quite thought of that. I considered it more of an advantage because you succeed at double the pace of everyone else and if you don't link, the entire next year can be spent working on advanced classes and more research in a potentially paid position. I guess I've never read on these forums a one-year post-bacc complaining that they should have taken a full two years for competition's sake.
Thanks for your responses rob.
But if you don't link in two years, then you are actually on a 3 year track...
Hey, did anyone that is doing the core sciences track consider Harvard Extension? I'm looking at it and wondering if it isn't a better deal, now that I'm not going to work full time at Penn. Any reasons why you chose Penn over HES? I've got a 3.0 completely science devoid undergrad GPA, if that helps.
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A very close friend is currently at HES and I have taken part in the program via their experience and via time spent with them in class and on campus. I have nothing negative to say about the program other than it isn't for me. There are plenty of driven people in the program, the faculty is fairly good, the classes themselves bear in mind future doctors, and to top it off it is very affordable.
However, going to HES is a somewhat isolating experience, Harvard certainly doesn't make you feel like you belong. If you aren't in the diploma program the libraries are accessible through only loops and tangles, and the area is very expensive. The money you save on tuition you may find yourself making up for in rent. Harvard is very beautiful, if you spend time on campus and look up at your surroundings, you can't help but take a second to drink in what is around you. It is a motivating study in history to walk through the Yard.
I think that the establishment of UPenn swung me in the direction of Philadelphia over Cambridge. There are links and there is a strong noted history of success. HCP places people all over with great success, I would just much rather a documented pedigree than an assumed and more sparse one. I could be wrong in judgment but I am willing to take the risk on Penn with its myriad connections for research, employment, and surrounding medical schools.
I see. That does make sense. Well. I guess I will just have to see how everything plays out! But I am excited to start soon even with all the questions I have!
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deleted248403
Its all my opinion, but I think its a sort-of educated one. So I look at like this - imagine a complete non-science, no med school orientated person who is changing careers to medicine. You (not literally..) have no sciences, no medical related volunteer experience, no shadowing, no research, no anything that would go on a med school resume. You start a 1-yr program, do well, do well on the MCAT but not stunningly well but you fail to link (for whatever reason). You get this rejection in like March and now you have 3-months until the regular application pool opens up to improve your resume. Sure you did stuff during your 1-yr but nothing truly extensive and now you are at massive disadvantage to the non-1yr because they have 2ish years of volunteering, shadowing, research, etc etc etc. See my point? If you fail to link, its a tougher go
Yup...
Exactly - in assumption you have the grades and the MCAT required, IMO you are at a disadvantage within the EC department because someone else had a lot more time to do things than you did. If you link, its a moot point, but if you don't....
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Yeah, I understand that but can't anyone take a couple classes and work part-time? Isn't it more (NOT tooting my own horn) exceptional to do part-time work while taking the three lab courses? Doesn't this provide an advantage for the one year candidate? I mean this assumes great success in both GPA and MCAT results but nonetheless... if the two year has more time spent in research and work, the one-year has illustrated better time management and workload coping abilities.
Could be wrong!
Yeah, I understand that but can't anyone take a couple classes and work part-time? Isn't it more (NOT tooting my own horn) exceptional to do part-time work while taking the three lab courses? Doesn't this provide an advantage for the one year candidate? I mean this assumes great success in both GPA and MCAT results but nonetheless... if the two year has more time spent in research and work, the one-year has illustrated better time management and workload coping abilities.
Could be wrong!
Not necessarily because some or most two year people are working full time, taking two sciences with labs as well as volunteering at one or more places. In the grand scheme of things time management could be learned in both routes. FYI, there are only a few in my classes that started from scratch and are doing the one year program. I can't say I know anybody that works and takes those classes. It's not impossible, I just don't know anyone who is doing that. In the end, no one can say for sure what the "right way" is to do this. You need to be comfortable with your decision.
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deleted248403
Agreed with Ali - I don't think you could get good grades in your classes and work part time. Not knocking you but I base that on the following;
I have a friend who is doing Gen Chem, Bio and Phys all in concurrently, and taking one other unrelated class. He is working his ass off but pulled a 3.3 last semester as he struggled to balance his study habits. It often happens that all three classes have the exams in the same week so an exam week would look like (roughly) - Exam in Chem on Tues, Exam on Wed in Phys, Exam on Fri in Biology and not to mention the busy work associated with each of their respective labs. I don't know if he is the model student but I also know he isn't the slacker student. So lets call him run of the mill but I know he is doing worse this semester.
As Ali said, its not impossible but its really risky but rushing through in 1-yr and getting a 3.3 doesn't really help you at all. There are some links with that cutoff but if you miss that, then you are really SOL.
I have a friend who is doing Gen Chem, Bio and Phys all in concurrently, and taking one other unrelated class. He is working his ass off but pulled a 3.3 last semester as he struggled to balance his study habits. It often happens that all three classes have the exams in the same week so an exam week would look like (roughly) - Exam in Chem on Tues, Exam on Wed in Phys, Exam on Fri in Biology and not to mention the busy work associated with each of their respective labs. I don't know if he is the model student but I also know he isn't the slacker student. So lets call him run of the mill but I know he is doing worse this semester.
As Ali said, its not impossible but its really risky but rushing through in 1-yr and getting a 3.3 doesn't really help you at all. There are some links with that cutoff but if you miss that, then you are really SOL.
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Your first comment I understand, however I am confused by your second point. How few is a few people? And they don't volunteer, research, or anything in your experience? That is a different story than what I would have expected to hear and if it IS true, I may need to give more thought to which track ends up being more "efficient."
Re: the "right way" comment. I agree and am glad the program flexes for a diverse student body with different methodological needs. The different opinions make it easier to make a fully informed decision.
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No knockage considered. This story is exactly what I most fear. Capping out on effort and coming short in spite of that fact.
See my post above in addressing Ali's points for my feelings on the subject of making the decision to pick a timetable. I didn't know it was "uncommon" for someone to pick the single year program. I figured so many other programs offer this model and so many people have success with it + volunteer work that it was something I could cope with. The better alternative could involve 2 full years of work.
I just don't know if I like the do it in one year on loan funds kind of attitude or the go slow and pay your way through the process kind of attitude. The former fits my personality but the latter may better fit my academic and career goals.
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deleted248403
So few is - in the people that started when I did, I know 1. And in people who are a summer ahead, I know a couple. So maybe 4 out of all the prehealth kids I know, and I'm pretty confident that they aren't all linking.
In terms of what they do, I'm sure they do something but its just not extensive - taking my friend again, he doesn't do a lot and will be screwed when he tries to apply this coming cycle as he realized he can't link. He will be competing with me and (not trying to toot my own horn) I have better GPAs both at Penn and before, and done more ECs than he has. No MCAT to compare yet for him. I know its a crap shoot in applying but he is a bit behind in the competitive department, and i consider myself behind the typical candidate too.
Only way I would do 1-yr was if I knew I could rock it and then link. Everyone thinks they can rock it - I suspect few very truly do. Its just a risky option because I feel like backup plan sucks massively (being forced to take a glide year and applying with minimal ECs)
In terms of what they do, I'm sure they do something but its just not extensive - taking my friend again, he doesn't do a lot and will be screwed when he tries to apply this coming cycle as he realized he can't link. He will be competing with me and (not trying to toot my own horn) I have better GPAs both at Penn and before, and done more ECs than he has. No MCAT to compare yet for him. I know its a crap shoot in applying but he is a bit behind in the competitive department, and i consider myself behind the typical candidate too.
Only way I would do 1-yr was if I knew I could rock it and then link. Everyone thinks they can rock it - I suspect few very truly do. Its just a risky option because I feel like backup plan sucks massively (being forced to take a glide year and applying with minimal ECs)
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4. Humph, I had no idea-- Sounds like terrible odds. If the attempt rate/success rate is so low would you then consider the success of people in the 'top' programs a result of their overall superiority in ability? Or perhaps variance in program direction and quality?
These questions I am asking pertain little to reality but thankfully for me and so many other applicants there is a forum for dialogue that supplements the lack of help in advising sessions. That being said, thanks for the opinions and experience. Scrutiny is a decision maker's best friend!
I have too much to think about now. And I was so sure. *Knowing* one is able to succeed in something new and different is a bet I'm not sure I am willing to make--could turn into a punishment for hubris.
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deleted248403
Variance in program direction and quality. BM/Goucher/Scripps are lightyears ahead of Penn in terms of linkage.
It is possible I just don't move in the same circles as the 1-yr linkage people. Ali might have a better idea.
To me the bet isnt worth it as the backup plan is terrible. I always like to have options and fallbacks, and I just don't like the backup plan you are left with being a 1-yr completion at Penn. That being said, I am SSP and have done my prereqs and i'm not in the prehealth shoes.
It is possible I just don't move in the same circles as the 1-yr linkage people. Ali might have a better idea.
To me the bet isnt worth it as the backup plan is terrible. I always like to have options and fallbacks, and I just don't like the backup plan you are left with being a 1-yr completion at Penn. That being said, I am SSP and have done my prereqs and i'm not in the prehealth shoes.
Rob or anyone--
I was thinking of maybe doing Chem over the summer, Orgo and either Physics or Bio over the year, and then whichever of those I didn't take the next summer. Do you know anyone else doing something like this? You guys obviously know the workload better...so any advice on doing something like that? Your posts about ECs make a lot of sense. Anyway, anyone with thoughts on this please reply or PM me. I am so glad this forum exists! I feel like the answers are no BS and a lot more straightforward! So thank you all!!!
I was thinking of maybe doing Chem over the summer, Orgo and either Physics or Bio over the year, and then whichever of those I didn't take the next summer. Do you know anyone else doing something like this? You guys obviously know the workload better...so any advice on doing something like that? Your posts about ECs make a lot of sense. Anyway, anyone with thoughts on this please reply or PM me. I am so glad this forum exists! I feel like the answers are no BS and a lot more straightforward! So thank you all!!!
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deleted248403
If you are able to take it over the summer - it sounds ok. Summer is full/closed/difficult to get into at this point but it sounds ok.
I'm not sure why you are doing it that was as you are essentially a 1.5yr plan in which you can't take the MCAT till August next summer, and then you'd be late in the app cycle, and still taking a glide year. If you want to do 1-yr then, do orgo, phys and bio concurrently. Then take the MCAT in the spring and either link or apply regularly and you'd still be doing a glide yr
I'm not sure why you are doing it that was as you are essentially a 1.5yr plan in which you can't take the MCAT till August next summer, and then you'd be late in the app cycle, and still taking a glide year. If you want to do 1-yr then, do orgo, phys and bio concurrently. Then take the MCAT in the spring and either link or apply regularly and you'd still be doing a glide yr
I have dr. witmer for bio next year. i have had some seen some pretty horrendous reviews. any input?
She is nothing to be afraid of! Dr. Witmer is one of the few profs that actually wants to help you. You def have to work for your grade, but she is willing to help. The best things to do are to be prepared for class, see her so she gets to know you, and go to workshop! She notices people who go the extra mile. She is actually one of the better prereq profs, from what I have heard about other ones and experienced in chem! Hope this helps!!
I actually really enjoy having Dr. Witmer as a professor. Sometimes she's hard to understand, but she genuinely does care about helping her students learn the material. Testing-wise, she stresses concepts/problem solving a lot more than rote memorization. The only thing about her tests though, is that sometimes it's hard to interpret what she wants us to do with a problem.. This becomes less of an issue as you get used to her way of phrasing things but still, it trips you up from time to time. Apart from these things, she's really not that bad of a professor (at least not in my opinion).
Also, as you'll probably hear from many others: study everything, even if she says you don't need to know it (cough protists cough!).
Yes, I'm in the core program. So far I've been really enjoying my experience here at Penn. It's not perfect, like others have said, some of the advising here does leave much to be desired (the 'how to write a personal statement' workshop comes to mind here); but, if I had to go through this whole process again, I would still pick Penn 🙂. Not everyone is as thrilled about their decision to come here though, so I might very well be an outlier heh.
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I'm really glad to hear that you've had a worthwhile experience at Penn. Are you doing the one or two year? I am curious as to the time schedule and whether or not you know people doing both. Numerous people, as you have read if you've been caught up on the thread, have little experience with people in the one year.
I was originally planning to do the program in one year but the advisors talked me out of it (currently doing it in two years). I'm actually kind of glad they did to be honest. Like someone else said earlier, doing three lab courses at the same time is extremely time consuming. It leaves very little time to do other things (e.g. volunteering, research, a part-time job, etc.). And I don't really think that it's worth risking your grades just to finish a year earlier. A lot of the people that I know who started taking 3 lab courses ended up having to drop Physics because they just didn't have enough time to do everything. Having said that, there are definitely people in the program who manage to have full time jobs while taking on a full courseload.. So it's doable, but it's definitely not for everyone
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deleted248403
Answered in Red
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I'll indulge you.
Yes, most of the classes associated with the post-bacc program are at night. There are exceptions. Yes you can day classes but it costs a very pretty penny.
Night classes enable one to volunteer and study all day uninterrupted. Very advantageous for most people. Instruction varies like it does at all universities. Some faculty are horrible, some are memorable.
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deleted248403
Mtulli - you are far too indulging.
I don't mind answering questions not easily answered by some reading of the thread or something that hasn't come up - but I don't have much patience for lazy posters who won't read the thread.
That being said, to anyone reading this thread - do not PM me and ask me how hard it is to get an A; I'm sick of answering this question, read the thread and if you STILL have questions then ask me. We have been over this issue at length.
*rant over*
I don't mind answering questions not easily answered by some reading of the thread or something that hasn't come up - but I don't have much patience for lazy posters who won't read the thread.
That being said, to anyone reading this thread - do not PM me and ask me how hard it is to get an A; I'm sick of answering this question, read the thread and if you STILL have questions then ask me. We have been over this issue at length.
*rant over*
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deleted248403
I forgot to respond to this - you went to this too? lol it was hilarious. That way my first and last LPS workshop
Chem 001 or Chem 101-- thoughts??
why thank you.
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zil, have you heard anything from financial aid for the summer? I know it hasn't been very long but... dragging feet like crazy I feel like.
It may also be entirely up to me to secure summer funding, in which case, I am dragging my feet.
It may also be entirely up to me to secure summer funding, in which case, I am dragging my feet.
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From looking at the forums the past couple of days, it seems that UPenn has gone through some changes within their advising committee the past couple of years.
How is it now currently? Are the advisors actually qualified and helpful?
How is it now currently? Are the advisors actually qualified and helpful?
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deleted248403
FAIL
Read the thread and you'll see current opinions on the advising committee.
Maybe one of the other thread regulars will be more patient than I am, but I am running of patience for people who do not read the thread at all. At least make an attempt...
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As per robflanker's comments above, I'll summarize things for you because he has been doing it for the last year.
There have been major changes in the committees involved with Penn's post-bacc program. That being said, the days of Grace Hershman were *probably* a lot more beneficial than the current situation in the pre-health office.
The advisors are there to help you, sure but think of them in the following light: Rolling high seas and the Coast Guard must rescue crew members of a sinking ship in a dinghy. No chopper, no ship. They mean well but are under equipped for the job.
You talk to the advisors, they answer, and you smile and nod your head. All the while you stick to the plan you have laid out for yourself in spite of anything you are directed to do (essentially).
I'm sure some good things come from their advice but a lot of what they are capable of helping you with is basic. To succeed at Penn, you should already have thought about and taken care of most things in the post-baccalaureate and medical school application processes that are unknowns.
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deleted248403
I dont mind helping people who try - there are few of you incoming guys or contemplating coming to Penn that seem like really good people who have tried to learn about the program and ask educated questions. I really enjoy helping people like this out.
But people that don't even remotely try - i have no time for that. The last few random posters haven't bothered to read anything - i know its a long thread but the last two pages or so would answer the majority of questions people have.
Its also end of semester so my patience is a little worn thin lol
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Hey man, I totally understand. I don't mind answering things for the first time though, no matter how "unsearched" the questions may be.
So, until this time next year when I have answered things for the 6000th time I'll take hits for the team. You keep telling the new ones to search, I'll keep enabling their unwillingness to do so.
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Mtulli - Thanks! I liked the metaphor you used. Haha.
Rob - 🙁 Sorry Rob. Read most of the thread later today, I can see how your patience can be wearing thin. Haha.
For my educated questions 😀
How are the courses treating you so far, as you are coming close to your 1 year in SS? I ask this because I plan on applying for the Specialized Science as well at UPenn in the next couple of weeks. Any classes that you definitely do and do not recommend?
In addition, I have a ~3.2 cGPA, but with a ~3.0 sGPA and will most likely stay like that in time for graduation beginning of this upcoming May. If I stick around for one year (fall, spring, summer = 30 credits), would that be enough to raise my gpa significantly (.1 -.2 more)? I plan on taking my DATs this summer (july-august) and have been testing pretty well on the practice exams lately 22+. Would that be sufficient enough for my low gpa or should I just stay for two years and raise my gpa some more?
I'm really excited for this program. I just cannot wait to finish my application (waiting on my LORs) and hopefully get accepted already.
Any replies would help, even if they are "kick in the butt" comments. Haha. At least I know they're reading my posts.
Good luck to everyone on their finals! Unless you're on the quarter system. 😛
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deleted248403
So maybe my issue should be with you for enabling them....lolSo, until this time next year when I have answered things for the 6000th time I'll take hits for the team. You keep telling the new ones to search, I'll keep enabling their unwillingness to do so.
Answers in red
Hey guys,
So I am trying to buy books...but the book you need is not showing up for the class on Penn InTouch. This is for the summer session. When will that happen? I wanted to make sure I had enough time to purchase a used book on like Amazon or somewhere? Kind of a silly question, but my anxiety is already building! haha.
So I am trying to buy books...but the book you need is not showing up for the class on Penn InTouch. This is for the summer session. When will that happen? I wanted to make sure I had enough time to purchase a used book on like Amazon or somewhere? Kind of a silly question, but my anxiety is already building! haha.
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http://upenn.bncollege.com/webapp/w...ePage?storeId=10056&catalogId=10001&langId=-1
You can enter your courses and email and have them notify you when your book list is posted. As of now, summer CHEM is unposted.
Ok, great! Thank you! Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.
