What are the acceptance rates into post-bac programs?

[ryuelise]

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Hello,

I will be a senior @ UC Berkeley next year, majoring in Cognitive Science. My gpa will be around 3.8. I was wondering what the acceptance rates for post-bac pre-med programs were (towards career changers). Thanks.
Also, how do my chances look regarding the post-bac admission?

 

[ryuelise]

Also,
if anyone has undergrad stats and successfully got into a good post-bac program...please post 😀

 

[KiwiBruin]

I would look at the specific threads for the places you want to apply to and ask there. But a 3.8 is really awesome and from what I have seen, you should have a easy time getting in. Hopefully you can get decent LORs, GREs, and an interview. I think you are pretty much set though. xD Not sure if ECs are needed for the programs you are applying. I kinda doubt it since these post baccs are for career changers. but any nonmedically or even medically related ECs can't hurt. =]

Good Luck~

 

[betterlate]

Hello,

I will be a senior @ UC Berkeley next year, majoring in Cognitive Science. My gpa will be around 3.8. I was wondering what the acceptance rates for post-bac pre-med programs were (towards career changers). Thanks.
Also, how do my chances look regarding the post-bac admission?

My understanding of formal postbacc programs geared toward career changers is that they are looking for evidence of academic excellence (including both a GPA and good scores on some sort of standardized test) & a demonstrable interest in medicine. These two elements help to guarantee your success in the program as well as in medical school, and the success of a program's graduates reflects well on the program.

A 3.8 GPA certainly makes you competitive for formal post-bacc programs, but it is only one element of a good application. Do you have experience in a clinical setting? Either shadowing or volunteering or otherwise doing something that gives you exposure to the realities of medicine will not only strengthen your application, it will also strengthen (one hopes) your desire to go into medicine.

If you have all elements in place - good GPA, standardized test scores, and volunteering/shadowing/whathaveyou, then I'd work hard on writing a polished essay, preparing for interviews, and collecting stellar letters of recommendation. Apply early in the application cycle, as your chances of acceptance are better the earlier you apply. If possible, send out your apps in August or early September.

Good luck!

 

[ryuelise]

Overall, is the post-bac program a better choice? Are acceptance rates into medical school better as well?

I could stay a 5th year a UC Berkeley and complete all prereqs, however we have grade deflation here, and I don't think I would have a steller gpa here.

That's why I was thinking of a formal program, where I could solely concentrate on the science requirements from a smaller class.

 

[moneduloides]

Overall, is the post-bac program a better choice? Are acceptance rates into medical school better as well?

This depends on two things, (1) what your situation is and (2) where you are looking to attend.

(1) If you are in-state at Berkeley then it will probably be cheaper for you to stay a 5th year than to attend a formal post-bacc program. At the same time, if you're interested in any of the linkages available at the post-bacc programs you're looking at then the cost might even out in the end considering the amount of dough it takes to apply in the open pool were you to stay at Berkeley for a 5th year.

(2) Acceptance rates into medical school are better than any undergrad in the U.S. if you're considering the very top programs. I'm assuming since you attend a UC that you'll probably consider Scripps. If this is the case then you are basically guaranteed admission to medical school.

Let me add, these programs are created with career changers in mind, so they inherently have a bias against individuals applying straight out of their undergrad. This being said, with your stats you probably still won't have a problem. Just consider staying for a 5th year at Berkeley to free up a spot for an actual career changer 😉

 

[ryuelise]

Thanks for the help everyone. I know I would save money doing a 5th year at Berkeley, however the classes are huge. There is no personal connection with the professors, especially for the premed prereqs.
That's why I'd preferably do it at a post-bac program. I've heard of many students doing it straight out of college who were successful, and I honestly want a job in the medical field. I majored in Cog Sci simply because it was what interested me when I first started college, but I've always wanted to be in the medical field, and job outlooks for my major all seem to be towards analysts, which I don't exactly want as a career.
Also, does anyone have any information on Mills College. It's only 15 mins away from Berkeley, and it'd be so convenient to go here. How difficult is it to get accepted?

 

[moneduloides]

Thanks for the help everyone. I know I would save money doing a 5th year at Berkeley, however the classes are huge. There is no personal connection with the professors, especially for the premed prereqs.
That's why I'd preferably do it at a post-bac program. I've heard of many students doing it straight out of college who were successful, and I honestly want a job in the medical field. I majored in Cog Sci simply because it was what interested me when I first started college, but I've always wanted to be in the medical field, and job outlooks for my major all seem to be towards analysts, which I don't exactly want as a career.
Also, does anyone have any information on Mills College. It's only 15 mins away from Berkeley, and it'd be so convenient to go here. How difficult is it to get accepted?

Mills is considered to be one of the better post-bac programs. It's just not talked about as much as a few others because it is a two-year program.

 

[NewmansOwn]

Thanks for the help everyone. I know I would save money doing a 5th year at Berkeley, however the classes are huge. There is no personal connection with the professors, especially for the premed prereqs.
That's why I'd preferably do it at a post-bac program. I've heard of many students doing it straight out of college who were successful, and I honestly want a job in the medical field. I majored in Cog Sci simply because it was what interested me when I first started college, but I've always wanted to be in the medical field, and job outlooks for my major all seem to be towards analysts, which I don't exactly want as a career.
Also, does anyone have any information on Mills College. It's only 15 mins away from Berkeley, and it'd be so convenient to go here. How difficult is it to get accepted?

To be frank, you don't need a personal connection with your professors. Large schools have a premed committee that writes the LORs anyway. Premed classes are occasionally interesting but mostly just a series of hoops you have to jump through, so go to the place you can do it cheapest -- unless linkages interest you, in which case you should go to a top program, assuming you can get in.