Post Bac Programs - Why does someone need one and how to select a program

[texaspg]

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2016/06/post-bacc-program-guide/

Post-baccalaureate or “post-bacc” programs, for short, are a topic that is often discussed among pre-med students. While post-bacc programs can benefits students with many types of backgrounds, they are not for everyone–and knowing this ahead of time is important, as the cost for these programs is anywhere between $20,000-$40,000. This article covers just what post-baccs are, as well as important information on who should consider such a program and what students should ask about before actually signing on the dotted line.

[gibby]

It is important to note, however, that post-baccalaureate programs are not right for everyone.

Very true. For example, my daughter didn’t want to incur the cost of an expensive post-bacc program, so she created her own by enrolling as a second degree student at our local state college (instate tuition) and took her premed courses there. (She has a humanities degree from another college and unfortunately did not take a single pre-med course during her undergrad years, but was still able to use their pre-med advising program even with taking her pre-med courses elsewhere). The total cost to complete all her pre-med requirements post graduation as a second degree student was about $10K. She scored a 523 on the MCAT and is currently applying to med school, so there are alternatives to costly post-bacc programs for the motivated student.

[rutgersmamma]

It is my understanding that some Post-Bacc programs offer a guaranteed med school spot at affiliated (‘linked’) medical schools when certain MCAT scores are achieved. I believe Penn, for example, will guarantee its Post-Bacc students a spot in their med school class or at Jefferson (also in Philadelphia), provided the student gets a minimum score on the MCAT. This is obviously a wonderful perk, given the competitive nature of the med school process and might be worth the hefty tab in some cases.

[WayOutWestMom]

Not guaranteed admission, but special consideration in admission based on meeting certain performance benchmarks during the post-bacc…essentially it’s a chance to eliminate the glide year between completing the post-bacc and starting med school

Here’s what JHU linkage page says–

These schools have agreed to give special consideration to Hopkins post-bac students for direct enrollment after finishing the requirements of the post-bac program. In order to be eligible for admission, students must complete all premedical requirements by the end of the spring semester, take the MCAT in May (if required), maintain a very strong academic record, be selected to interview/u, and be admitted by the school’s admissions committee.

Students may not apply to more than one school, and if admitted they will be expected to attend and not apply elsewhere. Students who are interested in a linkage program will meet individually with the director for advising to be sure they are making the right decision.

Bryn Mawr’s says something similar.

Here’s what Penn’s says

For students who wish to accelerate their enrollment in professional school, the Pre-Health Programs team has partnered with some of the best medical schools in the country to provide linkage arrangements. Through these linkages, highly qualified students have the opportunity to eliminate the year between Pre-Health coursework completion and entrance into medical or dental school.

These admissions are very selective, and each school determines the eligibility criteria and timeline of the nomination process/u.

I know 2 students who have attended linked post baccs (one at JHU and one at Bryn Mawr). The one at Bryn Mawr said she had to decide if she wanted to be involved with consortia program about halfway through the post-bacc (after just a single semester)–before she knew whether her grades and MCAT would qualify her to attend the school she would be committed to. She was informed that if she failed to maintain her academic performance or failed to meet any of the other admission requirements (like minimum MCAT score, post bacc GPA above 3.X, achieving a class rank in the top X% at post-bacc, or clinical volunteering goals etc), her conditional admission would be revoked. (And this would be something that would have to reported on AMCAS should she apply to med school in the future.) This was also true for the one at JHU.

Given the timing, I assume it would also be true for students at Penn.

[texaspg]

I am not sure who Penn is accepting but I am aware of at least one student going from Bryn Mawr and another going from Hopkins - from post bac programs to Penn.

[WayOutWestMom]

If you have access to MSAR Online and check under Matriculant Demographics, each school lists what percentage of the prior year’s class were accepted after post-bacc programs.