Applying to a "Post-Bac" Program

I decided to write a second post this week because on May 1st I have an application due for a post-bac program.

I am applying to the Medical Neuroscience certificate program at MSU for the upcoming fall. For those who don't know, I will quickly explain what a post-bac is and why it would be beneficial to someone who is pre-med.

Post-bac programs are done after undergrad and are designed to help a student transition into professional school. They can be used as a career changer (so for people who want to enter a program different from their undergrad degree) or as an enhancer (so for people who may not be strong applicants for a program).

I am the latter; I want to use a post-bac to help enhance my GPA.

Why don't I apply for a masters program you may ask. Well, after speaking with an advisor from a medical school, she suggested that I start with a post-bac, especially because I am a little stronger than I think I am. Why spend the time and money getting a degree that I won't necessarily use if I don't need to? I can do the post-bac, apply to med school, then decide after that if a master's degree will be beneficial.

Now, if you can not find funding for a post-bac, a second degree may be the smarter route.

Also something to consider is how GPAs from different levels of education are considered for the overall application. Your undergrad GPA will be calculated separately from a graduate school GPA. A post-bac GPA would fall in between the two and will be pulled into your undergrad GPA for consideration. I said GPA too many times lol.

Most post-bac programs are going to be certificate granting, and at most schools you can't get financial aid for that type of program. So you're going to have to find a way to pay for that program (I may write a post later on about how I will be funding my program).

If you want a full list of post-bac programs offered in the country click HERE. AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) offers a full list with requirements of programs offered.

I used that website when doing my research and this is where I found the medical neuroscience program. When looking for a program, make sure that it offers a nice amount of science courses because essentially, that is what you are looking to enhance: your science GPA (or science course work).

If you want to read more about the program that I am applying to, continue HERE. There is an application fee ($65) and a personal statement required (make sure to have your personal statement reviewed multiple times). Before I submit my application, my mom will have reviewed my personal statement and I will meet with my advisor (my neuroscience advisor) to look it over as well.

If accepted, I will start the program in the fall and only take 1-2 classes a semester for a year and apply to med school in May-June of 2019.

What are some things you plan to do this summer? If you're graduating, are you taking a gap year or going straight through? Leave a comment below!

As always, if there's something you would like to see here let me know in the comments!