What counts as postbac? Extenuating circumstances

[esketeat]

Hello everyone,

I've recently come across an issue when graduating from UC Berkeley. I'm currently a graduating senior double majoring in microbiology. Over the summer I took a class that was listed as counting towards my major requirement. However, I just found out that the class wasn't supposed to be listed as counting and that I still have an outstanding class requirement. The alternatives I have are to take the class at another UC during their winter quarter or to take the class over summer. I can't extend my graduation any longer so this means whatever option I take will be after I've graduated.

I was wondering--because I'm not getting both my degrees upon graduation--will the classes I take count as postbac? I technically am graduating but I think my degree is being deferred until I can actually take the last remaining class.

Any help would be appreciated.

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[LizzyM]

Why would you even bother? Why not just graduate with one major? Adcoms won't care. The single course might be on a line as "post-bac" but it isn't the same as a "post-bac" when someone has majored in something like Opera Performance and then decides to go to med school and does 8-10 courses to cover the pre-reqs before taking the MCAT. The other post-bac scenario is when someone needs to bulk up the sGPA and takes some advanced level courses after graduation. Again, that tends to be multiple courses.

 

[esketeat]

Why would you even bother? Why not just graduate with one major? Adcoms won't care. The single course might be on a line as "post-bac" but it isn't the same as a "post-bac" when someone has majored in something like Opera Performance and then decides to go to med school and does 8-10 courses to cover the pre-reqs before taking the MCAT. The other post-bac scenario is when someone needs to bulk up the sGPA and takes some advanced level courses after graduation. Again, that tends to be multiple courses.

I'm planning on joining the army in the medical branch and it makes you competitive to have a STEM B.S. My other degree is a humanities B.A.
I might take summer classes after I join and use that opportunity to take some fun science classes I never got to take like astronomy. I don't think it's worth it to come back to take one class either, but if I need it for the army and I can take some fun classes for free I might just take the opportunity.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I was wondering--because I'm not getting both my degrees upon graduation--will the classes I take count as postbac? I technically am graduating but I think my degree is being deferred until I can actually take the last remaining class.

I think you can ask in the AMCAS forum how this will be classified. Usually if you take the classes before you receive your BA/BS, it should be a "senior" class, right? Isn't "postbac" presuming you earned your degree before taking the class?

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I'm planning on joining the army in the medical branch and it makes you competitive to have a STEM B.S. My other degree is a humanities B.A.
I might take summer classes after I join and use that opportunity to take some fun science classes I never got to take like astronomy. I don't think it's worth it to come back to take one class either, but if I need it for the army and I can take some fun classes for free I might just take the opportunity.

Recent Army HPSP recipient. This does not matter at all. They never fill all their slots, if you pass medical and apply you will get a scholarship if you have remotely reasonable stats.

 

[esketeat]

I think you can ask in the AMCAS forum how this will be classified. Usually if you take the classes before you receive your BA/BS, it should be a "senior" class, right? Isn't "postbac" presuming you earned your degree before taking the class?

Yes, I might get my degree in the humanities (December) before getting my microbiology degree though.