When should I apply to post-baccs?

[bananaz]

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I am in my last year of undergrad and taking organic chemistry & physics. I've already completed general chemistry and biology and a few other science classes. I am planning on going into a postbac program to take some upper division science classes and hopefully boost my GPA (currently a 3.34) before I apply to medical school.

However I am not sure if it's better to wait until this term is over (which would be December) or to go ahead and apply now without any o-chem or physics grades. Thoughts?

 

[badb100d]

I'm not sure if doing postbac will be the best thing for you since you already have so much of the required coursework done. Many postbacs are geared towards career changers and are looking for people who really haven't taken any science courses. If you do decide to do the postbac, you should look for one focused on GPA enhancement. Also, your GPA is probably good enough to get into a postbac at this point, but many programs do require that you already hold a bachelor's degree, so that would probably mean you'd have to wait longer regardless. You should inquire at the programs you're interested in to find out what they suggest.

I think it would be easier for you to just continue at your undergrad institution and do a 5th year to take those upper divisions, then you won't have to worry about applying anywhere. Particularly if you are eager to finish your coursework and don't want any breaks.

 

[bananaz]

I'm not sure if doing postbac will be the best thing for you since you already have so much of the required coursework done. Many postbacs are geared towards career changers and are looking for people who really haven't taken any science courses. If you do decide to do the postbac, you should look for one focused on GPA enhancement. Also, your GPA is probably good enough to get into a postbac at this point, but many programs do require that you already hold a bachelor's degree, so that would probably mean you'd have to wait longer regardless. You should inquire at the programs you're interested in to find out what they suggest.

I think it would be easier for you to just continue at your undergrad institution and do a 5th year to take those upper divisions, then you won't have to worry about applying anywhere. Particularly if you are eager to finish your coursework and don't want any breaks.

I will have my bachelor's by the time I enter the postbac (I am applying for fall 2011 and will graduate next spring) and I am only looking at programs that have a track for people who have completed the pre-reqs and need to boost their GPA. I have already tacked on all of these science classes to the end of my psychology degree so I would strongly prefer to graduate and then do a discrete postbac rather than dragging out my coursework here further. If nothing else I need a change of scenery, and I would like having some guidance and structure as well.

I am just wondering if it would improve my application to wait until I have fall grades from o-chem and physics, or if applying early is a better choice.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Not a wise choice to go into a post-bacc once you've completed your prerequisites. You'd be better off just signing up for classes informally. It will be cheaper too.

 

[deleted248403]

I went into a post-bac (Academic Enhancer kind) after I finished my pre-reqs, and I now have a place at a medical school...

Its not the cheapest route, but I am dispelling the 'its not a wise-choice' theory. Its a wise-choice if you think the change of scenery will result in a new found academic passion as well as taking advantage of some opportunities not available at your current location (i.e. shadowing/volunteering/research opportunities).

 

[bananaz]

Not a wise choice to go into a post-bacc once you've completed your prerequisites. You'd be better off just signing up for classes informally. It will be cheaper too.

I am curious why you feel this why? Programs like Temple ACMS, UConn Program B and Harvard Health Careers among many others offer all kinds of benefits to students who have already completed the pre-requisites. I realize it would be cheaper to just take classes a la carte but I would not have the same kind of structure or support, nor would I be able to get perks like sponsorship or automatic interviews. So what reason is there not to apply to these programs, other than cost?

 

[bananaz]

I went into a post-bac (Academic Enhancer kind) after I finished my pre-reqs, and I now have a place at a medical school...

Its not the cheapest route, but I am dispelling the 'its not a wise-choice' theory. Its a wise-choice if you think the change of scenery will result in a new found academic passion as well as taking advantage of some opportunities not available at your current location (i.e. shadowing/volunteering/research opportunities).

Thanks for your input, that's reassuring. Can I ask what program you went to? And congrats on your acceptance!

 

[deleted248403]

I went to the UPenn Special Sciences Program.

and thank you

*edit - forget UConn if you are OOS*

 

[NewmansOwn]

I went to the UPenn Special Sciences Program.

and thank you

*edit - forget UConn if you are OOS*

Congrats on your acceptance, rob. Welcome to the club.

 

[deleted248403]

Congrats on your acceptance, rob. Welcome to the club.

Thanks Newmans - definitely got one place, so thats taken the pressure off a bit. Now just waiting to see how the rest of the game plays out!

 

[jl lin]

Thanks Newmans - definitely got one place, so thats taken the pressure off a bit. Now just waiting to see how the rest of the game plays out!

Congrats to you for the UMDNJ!

 

[deleted248403]

Congrats to you for the UMDNJ!

thanks

 

[TriagePreMed]

I am curious why you feel this why? Programs like Temple ACMS, UConn Program B and Harvard Health Careers among many others offer all kinds of benefits to students who have already completed the pre-requisites. I realize it would be cheaper to just take classes a la carte but I would not have the same kind of structure or support, nor would I be able to get perks like sponsorship or automatic interviews. So what reason is there not to apply to these programs, other than cost?

If you feel you need special structure and support, by all means do whatever you need to get where you need to be. I'm not very familiar with those programs you cited. I'm mostly familiar with the ones in California that offer very poor perks, so even when it comes to "structure" I may be misunderstanding what it means under those programs.

So no, I don't have any objections beyond cost.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I went into a post-bac (Academic Enhancer kind) after I finished my pre-reqs, and I now have a place at a medical school...

Its not the cheapest route, but I am dispelling the 'its not a wise-choice' theory. Its a wise-choice if you think the change of scenery will result in a new found academic passion as well as taking advantage of some opportunities not available at your current location (i.e. shadowing/volunteering/research opportunities).

Who is to say you wouldn't have gotten into medical school without the formal post-bacc?

A change of scenery can happen without having to pay thousands of dollars on post-bacc.

I must now add one thing: I was incorrect in asserting it wasn't the wise choice. It may be the wise choice under certain conditions. However, I still believe (and conveyed this poorly last time) that you can do "academic enhancement" without paying for a formal program and you still have a good chance in comparison to students that did do it formally.

 

[deleted248403]

I am saying I wouldn't have gotten into medical school without the formal post-bac, because I know wouldn't have

I am less thrilled with the informal postbacs for academic enhancement because I feel your opportunities are more limited, and the ability to take the higher level classes are limited without being enrolled in a formal program. I agree with you that you can do academic enhancement without being in a formal program, also under certain conditions.

I just think you were overly negative on it last time which I think you stated you phrased poorly.

I think there is some extra value to the formal aspect depending where you go