What are some post bacc with easy admission?

[number5]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone knew of post bacc programs which are academic record enhancers and have easy admission requirements (i.e.: programs which have high acceptance rates)? I have been doing a little research, and some of these programs are flooded with applicants with high mcat scores and gpas. This does not help someone like me who only has an overall gpa of 3.2, a science gpa of 3.3, and a mcat score of a 18. It has been 7 years since I have taken my pre med prereqs, and 3 years since I have taken the mcat, meaning I need to retake all of my prereq and the mcat since the score is expired and not very well anyway. I just find it hard to believe these post bacc programs are difficult to get into when the sole purpose is to help students better their credentials for medical school. Currently, I live in Texas and I am thinking about applying to UTD Certificate in Biomedical Sciences and SFSU post bacc program. I just don't know how hard it is to gain acceptance. Any insight/suggestions about programs would be most appreciated.!

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[aSagacious]

Moving to 'postbaccalaureate programs' forum.

 

[pancakesyrup]

You definitely need to retake the MCAT, but why would you retake your prerequisites?

 

[TriagePreMed]

I don't think you need to retake your prerequisites. It would be wiser to invest 2-3k on good MCAT tutoring than pay for all the classes over again. If you're that desperate to actually take classes, you can audit them.

 

[mafunk]

I don't think you need to retake your prerequisites. It would be wiser to invest 2-3k on good MCAT tutoring than pay for all the classes over again. If you're that desperate to actually take classes, you can audit them.

When deciding whether to retake your pre-reqs call the schools to which you are applying. Some require you to retake them if they are over 5 years old. Others do not require it, but prefer it. And still others don't care.

 

[QofQuimica]

OP, please don't cross post the same thread in multiple forums. I've merged your Nontrad forum thread here with this one.

As for your question, agree with asking the schools where you're planning to apply about whether to do a post bac. Different schools have different requirements. Best of luck to you. 🙂

 

[DancinSarah]

You have a decent shot at Texas schools without going through a pre-bacc program IF you can get your MCAT to a respectable level (28+). You also need a decent MCAT score to get into most decent post-baccs to begin with, so at this point I think your best best is to figure out how to improve your MCAT.

 

[kevintech]

I understand that most posbac programs either ask for a GRE or MCAT (with MCAT having more weight). Will it be wise to just take the MCAT instead of a GRE? Will it make a significant difference?

 

[aSagacious]

I understand that most posbac programs either ask for a GRE or MCAT (with MCAT having more weight). Will it be wise to just take the MCAT instead of a GRE? Will it make a significant difference?

You would give yourself the greatest selection of formal programs if you took the MCAT. The GRE would suffice for a traditional master's program or something like a master's in public health (MPH), though I believe some MPH programs accept the MCAT as well.

 

[milosavljevic]

I just find it hard to believe these post bacc programs are difficult to get into when the sole purpose is to help students better their credentials for medical school.

I applied for the SFSU Academic Enhancer track for this past Cohort B (which started this past August) and was not accepted. I thought it would be a little easier to get into, but judging by the rejection email I was sent, I think their acceptance GPA is a lot higher than their website states. Also, I think due to California budget cuts, their program probably isn't accepting as many students.

Below is the email they sent me. It is frustrating that they want me to re-take classes before I can apply to their post-bac again, when the whole point of a post-bac is to re-take classes. I was a biology major as an undergrad, so when they say they suggest taking some additional science and math courses to show my competence, I'm not sure how many years of "above B's" they want to see.

There aren't that many post-bac programs for academic enhancers, and many programs require you to be either from a disadvantaged background or underrepresented in healthcare, or if you were not a science major as an undergrad. You can go to http://services.aamc.org/postbac/ to search for different programs. Best of luck.

We welcome you to reapply to a future cohort; however, there are a few issues that need to be addressed before we can consider you for admissions to our program.

The admissions committee deliberated for quite a long time on your application. We feel that your academic performance could be vastly improved if you can demonstrate strong performance in science or math courses. We suggest taking some additional science and math courses, and doing well in them (earning grades no lower than “B”), to both improve your GPA and illustrate your preparedness for our program's rigorous course load. We highly suggest taking coursework at a four-year institution such as through SFSU's Open University or UC Berkeley Extension.

We would love to receive an application from you in the future. However, there are many programs for which you may be a viable applicant now, especially the one offered by our partners: CSU East Bay's newly-formed Post-Bac Program (http://www.ce.csueastbay.edu/certificate/PreHealth/index.shtml). Another program to consider is CSU Los Angeles' Post-Bac Program (http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/biol/certprehealth.php).

We generally only suggest you retake a course if you received a C or lower so those courses you received a B in do not need to be repeated. Earning no lower than a "B" is in regards to courses you will be taking, not courses you have already taken.

 

[kevintech]

I applied for the SFSU Academic Enhancer track for this past Cohort B (which started this past August) and was not accepted. I thought it would be a little easier to get into, but judging by the rejection email I was sent, I think their acceptance GPA is a lot higher than their website states. Also, I think due to California budget cuts, their program probably isn't accepting as many students.

What are your grades for science courses? (bio, gchem, ochem, calc, physics, etc)