Post-Baccalaureate Programs

Post-baccalaureate programs are a great way towards getting into medical school. You'll be able to:

• Improve academic credentials
• Take required pre med courses
• Determine if medical school is for you.

As you can see, post-baccalaureate programs serve a number of needs and they can be put into four broad categories:

• Academic Record-Enhancers
• Career-Changers
• Groups Underrepresented in Medicine
• Master Programs

Before getting started you should be aware that many programs will be classified as Formal/Structured or Informal/Unstructured. This allows you to determine if there is a set curriculum in place and determine how long the program lasts. On the other hand, informal programs allow you to pick and choose only the classes you need without having to stick to a particular curriculum.

There are pros and cons with each type of environment. With the structured post baccalaureate you will find a community environment where you take classes with the same set of students, whereas unstructured you will be taking classes with the general student population.

Please note programs listed under career-changer or academic record-enhancer may entail both categories, but only listed in one for convenience, so please review both sections.

Academic Record-Enhancer

Share YOUR Story and Views!

This post baccalaureate is for individuals who have completed most or all of their premedical requirements, but need another chance to show they can compete at a level required of medical students.

If you earned a C- in your premed courses, then it is crucial that you retake the course in question. Otherwise, do not repeat courses because medical school admissions officers expect you to get an A the second time around. Therefore, you want to take upper division science courses at the undergraduate level so they can be calculated into your undergraduate grade point average.

The academic record-enhancer program may be formal or informal, but you will find a support system in place at most institutions. You will have access to premed advisors, sometimes a committee letter of evaluation may be offered, and the post bac program can assist in the medical school application process.

A lot of programs have affiliations/linkages with medical schools. This is a benefit for you because you are more likely to earn an invitation to interview at a medical school, but it does not guarantee admission, you must still have a stellar GPA and MCAT score.

The goal of any post-bac program is to excel in your coursework, this is especially true for the academic record-enhancer, I like to say, "protect your GPA at all costs." If the numbers are not looking good don't stay in the program just to stay because it could prevent you from getting into medical school.

You're here because you did not perform well in your classes and if it happens again your chances of getting into medical school are very slim.
You'll have a lot of options at Duquesne.
Improve your medical school chances at UC Davis.
UConn and conditional medical school acceptance.

Career-Changer

Share YOUR Career-Changer Post-bac with us!

This post-baccalaureate program is for people who have decided to enter medicine after working in another career or who have already graduated from college. You will find career-changers to be highly motivated because they are generally more mature than the average applicant, have more life experience and are making substantial changes in their lifestyle to pursue medicine.

Career-changer post-baccalaureate programs are usually very formal because you have not completed the four courses needed for medical school:

• General Chemistry
• Biology
• Organic Chemistry
• Physics

Since everyone will be taking the same courses at the same time you will find a genuine post-bac community among the students. The program directors are keenly aware of your needs and will set aside time in the curriculum to prepare for the MCAT, supply letters of recommendation and advise you on the application process.

If you were lucky enough to attend a post-baccalaureate that has a linkage program, you might be able to avoid the "glide" year (time from applying to enrollment) completely.
Bryn Mawr: the best for a career-changer.
Goucher College: 100% medical school placement over the last 8 years.
UPenn makes going to medical school easier.
Johns Hopkins equals great medical preparation.
If you need to work while taking classes, try the University of Maryland.
Want a program based on your schedule, try Charles Drew University.

Groups Underrepresented in Medicine

Share YOUR URM story and comments are welcome!

This post-baccalaureate is for underrepresented minorities and is intended to increase diversity in the field of medicine. I will be very straight forward and mention that these post bac programs vary from institution to institution.

Some post bacs focus on completing the basic sciences, others give graduate credit, while some are a combination of both and then some. The underrepresented in medicine post-baccalaureate is consistent in helping minorities get into medical school and this may include:

• improving study skills
• MCAT preparation
• mentoring
• advising on the application process

If you are a racial/ethnic minority, educationally disadvantaged and/or economically disadvantaged then this may be the best way for you to go. These programs are very supportive to your needs by having a lot of counselors on hand, all types of academic resources, and health care volunteering opportunities.

Unfortunately, it is hard to get accepted into these types of programs because more students are applying and the screening process is very thorough. But once you're accepted and if you follow the advice of your mentors while also working hard you may end up in a very prestigious medical school.

Believe me on this, I have friends who completed a URM post-baccalaureate and then were faced with the problem of choosing which Ivy League medical school to attend because of receiving multiple medical school acceptances.
Best in the country for URMs: MEDPREP
Great program with entry into Georgetown: GEMS
Early medical school acceptance: DPMS.
If you applied unsuccessfully before: UCLA RAP.
You'll earn a master's degree here.
Michigan State's ABLE Program is for those almost ready for medical school.
Conditional acceptance to Ohio State University with their MEDPATH post bac.

Masters

Share YOUR master program and see comments!

These programs are for students who:

• have done well in school
• want to take medical school courses or
• improve their chances for admission.

In almost every case, if you do not have a bachelor's degree you cannot apply. Some even state you need to have completed the medical school prerequisites.

When you go on to apply to medical school you will be viewed favorably because of your advanced degree. The only cautionary advice is, bad grades can really hurt your chances, so once you're enrolled you need to perform.

Since many of these programs are one year in length and you will be getting an advanced degree it is possible to apply while you are enrolled and then go directly to medical school at the conclusion of your program.
Georgetown's highly regarded SMP.
Boston University has a great Medical Science program.
Tufts is a great choice, lots of medical school classes.
Colorado State University will serve you very well.
Barry University in FL, has always ranked well for URM applicants.
Rosalind Franklin University has a great Biomedical Science program.
Midwestern University has a program to make you a strong candidate for medical school.
If human genetics is of interest, then see what Tulane University offers.
Get a MS in Physiology while taking med school classes at the University of Cincinnati.

Overall Message

There's a post-baccalaureate program out there for every type of person and situation. The hardest part is finding the one which suits your needs. My advice would be to speak with individuals who are familiar with your situation and ask for guidance when choosing a post-baccalauareate program.

And most importantly be sure to check out my ebook, "The Post Bac Guidebook for Getting into Medical School."

Do your research on the programs and be fully committed to excelling in the program of your choice, there's no point in attending a program if you are not prepared to do what it takes to succeed. Medical schools will screen you just as carefully as the applicant who hasn't attended a post bac premedical program.