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Postbaccalaureate
Information
FAQs and Glossary
FAQs
1.
What is the difference between a “career changer” and an “enhancement”
Postbac Program?
Generally
the target population of these two programs differs. A “career changer”
program is geared to students who have completed little or no premed science
requirements whereas an “enhancement” program targets students who have done
those sciences but need to redo some or do additional science courses to
strengthen their science GPAs. For more information on the former go to www.naahp.org/resources_Postbac_Article.htm
and
for more information on the latter go to www.naahp.org/resources_Postbac_Article2.htm
2. What are the differences between a structured and an unstructured PB program?
Do some PB programs allow both kinds of students?
A structured program usually has an admission process, reviewing and selecting
its students. A structured program has prescribed curricular scenarios
that a student can undertake with varying degrees of flexibility; it
offers a certificate, and a defined community of students who receive
regular advising. A structured program usually provides assistance with
all the elements of the medical school application process and provides a letter
of recommendation or committee letter along with a service to send letters as
part of the application process.
An
unstructured program will be very flexible, with little or no admissions
process, allowing all those who are interested to enroll. Some schools may
have both types of programs at their institutions simultaneously.
3. Can I expect PB programs to provide MCAT/DAT/GRE review or prep courses?
If so, will there be extra costs for test preparation?
Whether or not test preparation is included as part of a postbac program varies.
Some offer test prep as part of the program, but most do not. Some
offer low-cost test preparation, usually taught by former students, but the
majority do not. In most programs students have to seek out a commercial
test prep course or prepare for the MCAT/DAT on their own.
4. Will I be considered a graduate student or an undergraduate student as a PB
student?
There is not a definitive answer to this question. It depends. Colleges
and universities classify postbaccalaureate students differently. For
example, some postbaccalaureate students are considered seniors with degrees or
second bachelor’s degree candidates. Postbaccalaureate students at other
universities may be considered non-declared graduate students. As a
postbaccalaureate student you should review the admissions classifications at
the university or college of interest to determine where you would best fit.
Also, you should consult with the program of interest to determine how you would
be classified.
Your
status will impact, if not determine, whether you take undergraduate or graduate
courses, as well. Students who are “career changers” are always taking
undergraduate courses since those are the premed requirements. Those who are
enhancing a record may want to consider the pros and cons of undergraduate
versus graduate level work.
5. How long does a typical PB program take to complete?
The
length of PB programs varies. Many can be completed in one to two years,
which may include summer study. In
terms of sequencing of courses, two semesters of General Chemistry are taken
prior to two semesters of Organic Chemistry.
6. How much will a typical PB program cost?
Program tuition costs can vary dramatically from $16,000 to $45,000.
7. What is the typical course load for a PB student?
Two - three courses with laboratories per semester are what might be expected in
a typical career changer PB program. If a PB student needs to improve his
math background, an additional course might be added. To receive
financial aid, there are often regulations about how many semester hours of
classes must be completed per semester. In a grade enhancing PB program, a
PB student might take 3-4 courses per semester in order to demonstrate academic
success.
8. Can I expect a PB program to provide volunteer/service activities for me?
Generally a structured program and some unstructured programs assist students in
locating health- care related volunteer, service and shadowing opportunities.
However, many postbac programs will expect you to have already obtained
some of this experience before admission in order to demonstrate that you are
making an informed choice in pursuing a health profession.
9. Do PB programs help students in the application process?
Typically,
a structured program, whether a career changer or enhancement, will work closely
with each student as s/he embarks on the application process. This likely will
include a letter of recommendation, advice about the timing of the application,
the personal statement, and selection of schools. Unstructured programs may
offer these services but are less likely to do so.
10.
Do PB programs provide letters of recommendation for PB students?
Many PB programs do provide letters of recommendation/evaluation. These
can be in either a Premed Committee Letter format or letters written by
individual faculty who teach the required premedical science courses. In
some PB programs, PB directors may provide a cover letter for the letters of
evaluation.
11. Will the students in my classes be only PB students, or will there be
undergraduate students taking the classes as well?
Whether or not classes are mixed with undergraduates or separate varies from
program to program. Some programs offer classes exclusively for post-bacs,
others do not; yet others are a hybrid in that some classes are for post-bacs
and some classes mix undergrads and postbacs. In some enhancement programs,
classes may be taken with other graduate students or, in some cases, with
medical students.
12. If I have already had some of the prerequisite courses offered in a PB
program, can I still apply?
It depends on the PB program. Some structured, career- changer PB programs
require that PB students take all their premed science courses during the PB
program. Other programs, either for career-changers or grade- enhancers,
may allow students to enter the programs after having taken a number of the
premed prerequisite science courses at other colleges/universities.
13. Can I retake prerequisite courses in a PB program that I’ve already had in
college?
This depends on the type of postbac program in which you enroll. For
career changer postbac programs, the policies can vary. Some allow
students to repeat coursework that was completed at least five years prior to
enrollment. Others do not allow students to repeat coursework if the only
purpose is to improve a poor grade.
14. Do PB programs provide tutoring support specifically for PB students to help
them succeed in their classes?
Postbac programs differ in services provided to students. In some
self-contained programs where everything is done within the confines of the
program, tutoring may be offered. In other programs where students rely on
services outside the program, students may have to use college or university
tutoring services. Postbac students need to have a realistic self
appraisal of their strengths and weaknesses and seek postbac programs that will
address their weaknesses and enhance their strengths. As such, those
students who need tutoring should seek programs that make it a point to provide
tutoring within the program.
15. Are there student clubs specifically for PB students?
Typically, there are not specific clubs for postbac students. At some
programs, postbac students can join the same clubs that other undergraduates can
join. There is a national association called the National Association of
Non-Traditional Premed and Medical Students whose website is www.oldpremeds.org
16. What is typically required in the application process to PB programs?
Typically, programs require applicants to submit a formal application (including
essays), application fees, two letters of evaluation, official transcripts, and
standardized test scores. Some programs with more open admissions policies
may only require an application, an application fee, and official college
transcripts.
17.
What makes a successful postbac applicant and subsequent postbac student?
Postbaccalaureate
students are expected to have certain qualities and characteristics. Whether
it is an application to a postbaccalaureate program or an application to the
profession school, successful students demonstrate both ability and work ethic
to succeed academically and the motivation based on a mature understanding of
the profession. As older students, postbacs are typically more self-aware.
Ideally they have sought out exposure to their chosen profession and also
developed qualities of resilience, respect for others, integrity and dedication.
These students should seek help where needed but also need to be
self-motivated and independent. Once enrolled in a postbac program, a
student will find the help necessary to prepare for professional school. The
student will, however, be expected to work very hard and handle what is expected
as a mature adult.
18.
How Can I Find Out More About Postbac Programs?
We
suggest that you read the articles on the NAAHP website and then investigate
individual programs by starting with the searchable database maintained by the
Association of American Medical Colleges .
GLOSSARY
Postbaccalaureate (PB) program
A program of study at the undergraduate or graduate level, which allows students
who have already earned a baccalaureate degree to either obtain for the first
time their premedical prerequisite coursework or allows them to enhance their
current science coursework in order to make themselves more competitive for the
medical school admissions. These programs are available only to those students
who have earned a bachelor’s degree.
Structured PB program
A structured postbac program is one in which the curriculum is highly defined
and generally inflexible. Students usually enroll in two semesters each of
chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physics.
Unstructured PB program
An unstructured PB program is often more flexible with how students begin and
end their program of study. They often have more liberal or open
admissions policies, and may offer fewer support services. They can
usually serve both career changing and grade enhancing students, and may or may
not grant a certificate at the completion of the program.
Certificate-granting PB program
A certificate-granting postbac program gives students a certificate upon
completion of all the requirements of the program. This is not the same as a
degree.
PB student
A student who has already earned a bachelor’s degree who is currently in a
postbac program or is simply taking courses after they have received their
bachelor’s degree even if s/he is not in a formal program.
Career- changer
A person who has decided to pursue a career in medicine or other clinical health
profession after receiving a bachelor’s degree with undergraduate coursework
that did not include the premedical prerequisites.
Grade- enhancer
A person, possibly a biology or other science major in college, who may have
already taken the premedical prerequisites, but who needs to retake courses for
higher grades. A grade-enhancing PB student may also need to take upper
level science courses to demonstrate the capability to be academically
successful. Grade enhancers may or may not have taken the MCAT. If
MCAT scores are low, a grade enhancing PB student may use a PB program to help
bolster their MCAT or other standardized test scores. Grade or Academic
Enhancing PB programs may offer courses at the undergraduate and graduate
levels. Some programs located at medical schools may offer PB students the
opportunity to take first year medical school courses.
Special master’s program
Special
master’s program are designed for grade enhancement and serve students who
prefer to earn a master’s to taking further undergraduate science courses to
strengthen their candidacy. There are a number of Special Master’s Degree
granting programs available and most, if not all, are affiliated with specific
medical schools. Be sure to read the articles at www.naahp.org/resources_postbac_articles.htm
to learn more about these programs. Many are noted on the AAMC website.
Groups underrepresented in medicine
“Underrepresented in medicine” means those racial and ethnic populations
that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in
the general population.
Educationally or economically disadvantaged students
Educationally disadvantaged students are those students who experienced barriers
to learning by the social, cultural, regional, political, and economic
environments in which they live.
Economically disadvantaged students are those who come from families with an
annual income below a certain level, which is based on low-income thresholds
according to family size published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, adjusted
annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Glide or gap year
The glide or gap year is the year after completion of a postbac program, during
which students apply to medical school. The medical school application
process is more than a year long and cannot be started until courses are
completed and the MCAT is taken. Therefore postbac students must apply during
the year following their program completion. Most students use this year
to do beneficial things within the medical profession that enhance their view of
medicine and their application to medical school.
Post-bachelorette program
Students are often unable to pronounce the word “postbaccalaureate,” so
instead they say “postbachelorette.” There is no such thing as a
postbachelorette program. However, Webster’s Dictionary defines a
bachelorette as a bachelor (or unmarried) woman, so a postbachelorette would be
a woman who is no longer single. Therefore, a postbachelorette program
would be a special program for women who are no longer single or unmarried.
It probably would not be designed to help them gain admission to medical
or other health-related professions schools.
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