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Has anybody heard anything about UCONN post-bacc, I know they have a program for both Academic enhancers and career changers, but what about linkage, acceptance rates etc? Thanks all!
What have you heard About UCONN??
- Thread starter thisisapickle
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Here's what I found on the web:
http://medicine.uchc.edu/prospective/postbac/index.html
I'm interested in UConn, too, so I hope someone on here knows something about it.
http://medicine.uchc.edu/prospective/postbac/index.html
I'm interested in UConn, too, so I hope someone on here knows something about it.
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Howdy folks,
I'm kind of the resident UConn post-bac program person around here--I completed it last year. It's a stellar program and I'd put it right up there--if not above, since it's a fraction of the cost--other "top" programs like Bryn Mawr and Goucher. My class had a 100% acceptance rate into med school (well, one girl I lost touch with and don't know what happened to her...so, at worst it was 90+%).
I've written a lot about the program on this forum--the first thing I'd do is use the "search this forum" feature to search past posts for "UConn". You'll be able to find answers to a lot of questions that way. Alternatively, you can search my own past posts. Once you've done that, if you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.
But, just to give you the highlights of what you'll find, here's some stuff that's good to know if you've only read about it on the UCHC web page:
1. The program is extremely competitive. Last cycle 300-350 applied for about 10 spots. While starting in the spring is possible, your best chance is to apply to begin in the fall, since the most spots are open then.
2. Non-CT residents are at a disadvantage in applying to the program.
3. If you've already done all the premed classes but aren't a URM, you can still apply. The website makes it seem like only URM's can do non-prerequisite coursework--there isn't really a program A and B in practice. However, know that this is not a "GPA-enhancer" program--they want people who will easily be strong candidates for any medical school and have a good record of academic and extracurricular success.
4. Acceptance into UConn med isn't 100% guaranteed. But, once you're in the post-bac program, you have to drop the ball pretty bad to not eventually have the option of attending UConn med school...ie, poor grades, an MCAT below 27, etc.
5. It is in every way an academic boot camp. They want to see how high you can jump and load you up with classes more than any other post-bac program I know. Last spring I was in 5 science classes (including concurrent orgo and biochemistry) that included 4 labs per week--it was nuts. But the upside to getting an academic beating is that it prepares you well for what you'll eventually be up against in med school.
6. You're not tied to UConn med if you do the program. They encourage you to apply to other places if that's what you want to do--and you don't have to give up your VIP status at UConn med to do so.
7. The advisors are spectacular and have lots of premed advising experience. One of my advisors was a faculty member at the med school and won an award from the medical students last year for outstanding teaching.
8. Most people who have never done any prereqs spend two years in the program.
9. You can also do the program if you're interested in dental school--it's a great way to reserve a spot in one of the country's top dental schools!
10. If you have the option, you should definitely go--I can't recommend it highly enough.
I'd love to see another UConn post-bac person write something about it on here, but because the program is so small, I'm not sure if you'll get a second opinion. Plus, they're all probably studying right now.
Hope that helps! 🙂
I'm kind of the resident UConn post-bac program person around here--I completed it last year. It's a stellar program and I'd put it right up there--if not above, since it's a fraction of the cost--other "top" programs like Bryn Mawr and Goucher. My class had a 100% acceptance rate into med school (well, one girl I lost touch with and don't know what happened to her...so, at worst it was 90+%).
I've written a lot about the program on this forum--the first thing I'd do is use the "search this forum" feature to search past posts for "UConn". You'll be able to find answers to a lot of questions that way. Alternatively, you can search my own past posts. Once you've done that, if you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.
But, just to give you the highlights of what you'll find, here's some stuff that's good to know if you've only read about it on the UCHC web page:
1. The program is extremely competitive. Last cycle 300-350 applied for about 10 spots. While starting in the spring is possible, your best chance is to apply to begin in the fall, since the most spots are open then.
2. Non-CT residents are at a disadvantage in applying to the program.
3. If you've already done all the premed classes but aren't a URM, you can still apply. The website makes it seem like only URM's can do non-prerequisite coursework--there isn't really a program A and B in practice. However, know that this is not a "GPA-enhancer" program--they want people who will easily be strong candidates for any medical school and have a good record of academic and extracurricular success.
4. Acceptance into UConn med isn't 100% guaranteed. But, once you're in the post-bac program, you have to drop the ball pretty bad to not eventually have the option of attending UConn med school...ie, poor grades, an MCAT below 27, etc.
5. It is in every way an academic boot camp. They want to see how high you can jump and load you up with classes more than any other post-bac program I know. Last spring I was in 5 science classes (including concurrent orgo and biochemistry) that included 4 labs per week--it was nuts. But the upside to getting an academic beating is that it prepares you well for what you'll eventually be up against in med school.
6. You're not tied to UConn med if you do the program. They encourage you to apply to other places if that's what you want to do--and you don't have to give up your VIP status at UConn med to do so.
7. The advisors are spectacular and have lots of premed advising experience. One of my advisors was a faculty member at the med school and won an award from the medical students last year for outstanding teaching.
8. Most people who have never done any prereqs spend two years in the program.
9. You can also do the program if you're interested in dental school--it's a great way to reserve a spot in one of the country's top dental schools!
10. If you have the option, you should definitely go--I can't recommend it highly enough.
I'd love to see another UConn post-bac person write something about it on here, but because the program is so small, I'm not sure if you'll get a second opinion. Plus, they're all probably studying right now.
Hope that helps! 🙂
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Very helpful post, thanks 🙂 But, I just wanted to ask about one thing: are you entirely sure that the app. # is >300? For 10 SPOTS!!!??? Bleahhh, those are worse figures than med school acceptance rates. That's like 3%. Anyways, I'm from CA, too, so that makes it even worse. I've asked tons of postbac progs how big their applicant pools are, and I've heard anywhere from 50-60 to 100 max... for like 20-30 spots, too. But, I didn't know that many people were gunning for UConn, an unlisted school on the AAMC big-kahuna postbac search engine. 😉
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Unfortunately, I'm sure about the acceptance rate. The lady that processes applications told me in person that they had over 300 applicants last May, with 10 of the 12 of us "graduating" to make open spots in the program. That's roughly around the same number of applicants they had when I applied, so I think it's fairly constant. The linkage to UConn med and an in-state tuition price tag probably helps to keep application numbers high.
But hey, if I can get in--I'm not exactly a Nobel Prize contender--it's worth a shot to put in an application regardless of the odds. 🙂
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This program is very diff to get into. I live in New York, and when I called I was still encouraged to apply but they made it clear that if you are not from CT your chances get slimmer. I think they take something like 3 people out of state in a class that is about 15 people (track A and B). Plus its kinda far into CT......keeping hope alive though....
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Lawnboy, I PM'ed you.
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Hey Lawnboy,
I'd be interested to know what your total cost was for the postbacc program?
I am wrapping up (2 classes left) my science courses at Central simply because it is so much cheaper, but even still I may need some of that "GPA boosting" program UCONN offers. The attachment to the med school doesn't hurt, either. The money is a problem though, especially since I know from previous research that post-bacc counts as "non degree seeking" and therefore eligible only for private (read: high interest) loans.
How did you pay for it all?
I'd be interested to know what your total cost was for the postbacc program?
I am wrapping up (2 classes left) my science courses at Central simply because it is so much cheaper, but even still I may need some of that "GPA boosting" program UCONN offers. The attachment to the med school doesn't hurt, either. The money is a problem though, especially since I know from previous research that post-bacc counts as "non degree seeking" and therefore eligible only for private (read: high interest) loans.
How did you pay for it all?
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Hi fiznat,
Tuition is about $7,000/year. Between that, housing, and food, I think I spent around $10,000 for the whole year. It's a steal considering the cost of tuition and fees at other linked post-bac programs.
I believe there is a way to use federal loans for the program, but you'll need to contact the office for specifics.
I am also a former Uconn post bac. I have to agree with the prior post. Its a great program but hard to get in. I think there were only 10 my year and even then not all of us made it. And thats 10 out of a couple hundred.
Its cheap compared to alot of other post bac and medical schools even if you are out of state. If you are a minority its even better because there is a subset of the uconn program that gives you a stipend and its enough to cover the tuition cost of the post bac classes.
Also if you do well they save a seat for you in that years med class. The only minus is the location. Storrs is very isolated in the boonies and the med school is in a pretty boring town.
Its cheap compared to alot of other post bac and medical schools even if you are out of state. If you are a minority its even better because there is a subset of the uconn program that gives you a stipend and its enough to cover the tuition cost of the post bac classes.
Also if you do well they save a seat for you in that years med class. The only minus is the location. Storrs is very isolated in the boonies and the med school is in a pretty boring town.
I second the academic boot camp line. In fact that is exactly how i describe it to people. The whole idea is to see how much you can do and how well can you do it.
Its hard ( borderline torture maybe) but it gives you excellent structure. You get an advisor at the med school and at the college who you meet with at least twice a year or before each semester.
I can not stress how wonderful the faculty is there. They set the post bac and med school apart from many other programs in my opinion.
Its hard ( borderline torture maybe) but it gives you excellent structure. You get an advisor at the med school and at the college who you meet with at least twice a year or before each semester.
I can not stress how wonderful the faculty is there. They set the post bac and med school apart from many other programs in my opinion.
