10 Best Post Bacc Programs for Med School in 2023

After finishing your undergraduate degree, looking out for the best post bacc programs for med school should be a top priority.

Everything you’ll learn from such a program will be extremely useful in your future medical journey, especially if you have very little background in the field. At this time, you can also take prerequisite courses and gather experience in both clinical and research settings.

Before we go through it, let’s understand what it is first.

What Is A Pre Med Post Bacc Program?

A pre-med post-baccalaureate program is not a requirement for medical school, but it brings a relatively good advantage before entering a more professional setting. 

Its main purpose is to help students complete all the prerequisites needed for their desired schools of osteopathic medicine, allopathic medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and other programs in the allied health field.

Generally, post-baccalaureate programs provide all of the necessary science coursework before you enter medical school. However, some are specially developed to accommodate students with economically deprived backgrounds.

Why Do You Need A Post Baccalaureate Program?

Not everyone gets it on the first try.

Suppose that you took a non-science bachelor’s program, your grade average and MCAT score are not enough to earn you a spot in your desired med school. Enrolling in a post-bacc program will help you strengthen your weak academic spots and get you on track in your medical career. 

Aside from that, these are some additional reasons why you need a post bacc program:

Improves Low GPA

Most medical schools are competitive, and you will need a good academic record first before you can guarantee your admission. Post bacc programs allow you to improve your overall GPA and make you a good candidate for your dream class.

However, not all schools include graduate courses in the GPA calculation. It is still best to find out how your chosen school calculates their GPA so you can set a goal and see how much you need to improve your average. 

Helps Enhance Your Med School Application 

When working on your applications, you need to make sure you are doing well on your academic and non-academic components. Even if you have an amazing GPA and MCAT score, shadowing, research experience, and volunteer work will also be beneficial.

Post-bacc programs for med school usually offer these kinds of opportunities and guidance on other aspects that need further improvement. Another thing that you might get from this is a possibility of a medical school recommendation letter from your supervisor if you’ve shown great problem-solving, collaborative, and analytical skills.

More Time For Clinical And Research-based Experiences

Choosing a program with a research component can help you explore the medical field and make a great credential for your applications. It also gives you the opportunity to collaborate with your fellow students, leading to future associations in the professional setting.

You can get shadowing experience in post bacc programs and meaningful volunteer experiences that you may not get anywhere else. It increases your exposure to healthcare and gives you more time to consider the specializations you want to pursue. 

Access To Advisors

It is always good to have guidance as you go through your medical journey, and you can extend your access to valuable advice on your post bacc program. The program advisors are experienced and understand every concern and challenge you currently face.

Linkage Programs

Some post-bacc programs are affiliated with a medical school. Enrolling in one and successfully finishing their program can grant you acceptance to the said institution.

You can also take the time to get yourself accustomed to the faculty, environment, culture, and mission before your admission. 

Exclusivity

Most post-bacc programs are related to some medical schools, allowing them to bring lecturers that will benefit their students. Such exposure to these medical professionals will allow you to learn more about the different career paths in medicine.

It will also grant you engagements with people who can become your role models or mentors as you progress. 

Flexible Schedule

The flexible scheduling and structure of post bacc programs allow students who support themselves to get the credentials needed for their applications. Many institutions offer one to two-year plans, and you can choose which ones work best for your schedule.

You can choose to attend their program full-time or part-time. 

MCAT Preparation

Whether you are not satisfied with your MCAT score or just planning to take it for the first time, you can do something about it with post-bacc programs. They have MCAT prep classes that you can take to make you feel confident and ready to take the exam.

Accelerated Coursework

The usual reason why students choose to enroll in post bacc programs is that they lack science course requirements. In the post bacc, the classes are condensed into a schedule that takes lesser time to complete alongside the other valuable experience.

10 Best Post Bacc Programs For Med School

Ready to enroll in your post bacc? Here are the most notable programs available in the country.

Bryn Mawr College Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program

The Bryn Mawr Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program is one of the most respected in the nation. The institution was founded in 1972 and has been very popular and trusted.

They are open to highly motivated individuals who want to pursue a career in the medical field but are yet to take the required pre-medical courses. You may find their curriculum rigorous at first, but it is rewarding. 

Over 12 months, the students are prepared for the requirements needed for med school. They boast that over 98% of their students get accepted to their chosen medical school after finishing Bryn Mawr’s program. 

Founding year: 1972

Location: Pennsylvania

Fees: $30,580

Contact: 610-526-7350

Johns Hopkins Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program

Before applying for medical school, you are expected to complete science courses and meet all the criteria of a particular institution. Johns Hopkins offers a full-time on-site curriculum to train their students in their prerequisites and MCAT.

The classes that you can expect to sit in are the acclaimed undergraduate courses at the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. In it, you get to experience learning from world-renowned experts, engage in groundbreaking research, and expand your knowledge beyond the room’s corners. 

There is a wide range of course offerings at Johns Hopkins, and you can choose a study program that aligns exactly with your experience. They make sure that all students only get the best possible training by completing the required science courses and electives, taking their interests into account, and garnering valuable medical experience.

Their program is customizable based on your needs. Some can finish the program within 9 to 14 months, while some can take over 12 months.

Founding year: 1876

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Fees: $42,759

Contact: 410-516-7748

Columbia University Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program

The Post Bacc program of Columbia University allows students to fulfill all academic prerequisites needed for allopathic medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, veterinary, and other allied health programs.

Post-bacc students take the courses with the same professors as Columbia University undergraduates, so you can ensure that the curriculum is top-notch.

If you decide to enroll in their program, the courses will be provided by the Columbia Faculty of Arts & Sciences. You will be expected to meet the criteria of each class and have the advisors approve of your study program.

You will also receive a minimum of 120 hours of health care experience, which is extremely useful for med school. 

Founded In: 1947

Location: New York City, New York

Fees: $1,896 per point

Contact: 212-854-2772

Goucher College Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program

If you are looking for a fine and trusted institution to do your post bacc, you would want to check out the Goucher’s Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program. In just one year, you can receive a degree and pursue a career in medicine.

They offer eight (8) semester-long courses consisting of:

Summer semester

• General Chemistry

Fall and Spring semester

• Organic chemistry/Biochemistry
• Biology
• Physics

Throughout their program, statistics are incorporated into their laboratories and non-credit math analysis to better prepare you for the MCAT. The 9-month course duration also includes behavioral science training.

The Goucher is open to applicants who are permanent citizens of the U.S., Canadian citizens, and others with DACA status. You should have a bachelor’s degree and a good academic track record from an accredited university or college for their admission requirements. 

Founding year: 1885

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Fees: $30,000 approx

Contact: 800-414-3437

UCSF School of Medicine Post-Baccalaureate Program

The UCSF School of Medicine has a standardized post bacc certificate program that allows students to gain further training before applying to med school. 

If you couldn’t secure a place in any institution, you should consider this program. It is developed for people from marginalized backgrounds and it gives them a chance to make a name for themselves.  

They give excellent medical school application assistance, comprehensive MCAT review, UC Berkeley Extension science courses, workshops on academic skills, and lectures on healthcare problems among underserved communities. 

Founding year: 1864

Location: San Francisco, California

Fees: $20,981

Contact: 415-514-2277

University of Pennsylvania Pre-Health Programs

If you dream of having an Ivy League training to secure your spot among the demanding health professional schools, you should consider enrolling in the University of Pennsylvania’s Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program.

They have world-class facilities and amazing staff to ensure you get excellent hands-on experience. Aside from that, they also provide crucial help for admissions and plan for medical, veterinary, dental, nursing school, and physician assistant applications. 

The program lasts for only a year, and the students can choose to start their program in the winter or summer term.

Founding year: 1740

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fees: $17,478

Contact: 215-898-7326

Washington University In St. Louis Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program

The post-bacc program of Washington University has a curriculum that you can customize based on your needed requirements. 

If you choose to enroll, these are only some of the exclusive benefits that you can enjoy:

• Access to a wide selection of pre-medical courses
• Achieve clinical and non-clinical opportunities
• Training for MCAT
• Learning from a top-ranking Washington University School of Medicine and the College of Arts & Sciences
• One-on-one counseling
• An involved group that will help you in your goals

You don’t have to retake the courses you already completed in your undergraduate studies, but you can do so if you think you need a refresher or a firmer background on the subject. 

Founding year: 1853

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Fees: $9,055

Contact: 314-935-6700

Mills College Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program

The Mills College post bacc program takes two (2) years. The students are expected to finish all pre-medical science courses for four semesters before moving on with their med school applications.

However, you can finish the program in only one (1) year if you have already completed a general biology year, general chemistry year, and a calculus semester. The institution’s curriculum is flexible, and you can customize it to better suit your existing background in the unique sciences and mathematics. 

Founding year: 1852

Location: Oakland, California

Fees: $31,620

Contact: 510-430-3309

Scripps College Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program

The Scripps Post-Bacc Premedical Program is a 13-month program suitable for career changers who want to pursue the medical field. The institution ensures that each student can participate in engaging and interactive classes to challenge their knowledge further.

They prefer the students to study in small groups to receive personal attention and dedicated guidance from the program faculty. Other than that, they have a 98% acceptance rate of their students to medical, veterinary, and dental schools in the country. 

The Scripps, which is in the Claremont Colleges, has the leading post-bacc program. 

Founding year: 1926

Location: Claremont, California

Fees: $46,477

Contact: (909) 621-8000

New York University Post-Baccalaureate Pre Health Studies Program

As a post-bacc student at NYU, you will be incorporated into the undergraduate community and experience what it is to be a part of the institution.

Not only that, but the leading arts and science faculty members will be the ones teaching you. They are known for their student-centered instruction and accessibility, which is extremely beneficial if there’s something in the lessons that you find hard to understand. 

You will also get full access to the pre-professional advisory team of the university, where you can receive tutoring assistance at the University Learning Center or ULC. 

They believe that students in their post-baccalaureate program should have well-balanced training. Aside from the goal of obtaining at least a 3.6 GPA in your pre-health coursework, you are also encouraged to seek opportunities beyond the classroom that will expand your awareness and experience in the healthcare industry. 

Founding year: 1832

Location: New York City, New York

Fees: $70,000 approx

Contact: (212) 998-8160

Whether you think there is more to improve in your knowledge before med school or want to make sure to get a spot in your dream institution, a post-baccalaureate program is there to help you.

When choosing which one to enroll in, be sure that they will help you reach your goals and that their curriculum aligns with your experience and interest.

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Until the next one my friend…