r/postbaccpremed

S/o is applying rn. competitive applicant from top undergrad with near-perfect gpa. I have two questions

1. Are linkage agreements on the decline? I'm seeing that schools like scripps and Bryn have previously had linkage agreements with GW med, for example, but now only GW postbacc has link with GW med. It also seems here that there used to be more linkage agreements at top programs like Bryn & Goucher than there seem to be listed on the website.

2. To what extent is the success of the GW, Bryn, Goucher programs a function of a) their admissions department only taking good candidates or b) actual resources at the program? Like if you would do well at Bryn, would you probably also do well doing an unstructured program at something like the Berkeley extension program?

Thanks for the help

What are some really good postbacc programs that offer most value? I was looking into columbia and fordham but I heard it's not the best.

I promise this is not a troll post. I’m 33 years old and married with a new baby. I currently work in the biotech space and all in compensation, I make about $235,000 plus decent equity and together with my wife and I we are at about $375,000 HHI. I’ve always wanted to go to medical school and become a physician and working in corporate the past few years with instability and always working to make shareholders richer, that feeling has never been stronger. Would it be insane to leave a relatively decent path to drop everything, do a post bac program, do all the requirements and try to pursue a career in medicine?

Hi everyone! I’m planning to apply MD only in the 2027 cycle and would appreciate some advice on what stats/experiences I should realistically aim for over the next year.

Background:
Nontrad
First gen student and immigrant from Eastern Europe (now U.S. citizen)
First bachelor’s: BS in Computer Science & Cybersecurity (cGPA 3.18)
Currently completing a second bachelor’s in Biology (BS)
Childhood stage IV cancer survivor & ngl pretty unique family experience with cancer as well

Current academics:
- First degree cGPA 3.18
- Overall projected AMCAS cGPA: ~3.36 (projected ~3.41 after remaining coursework)
- Overall sGPA: ~3.66 (projected ~3.73)
- Second bachelors GPA: ~3.82 currently

Recent coursework:

Summer 2025
Gen Chemistry I – A
Gen Chemistry I Lab – A
Gen Chemistry II – C+ ***
Gen Chemistry II Lab – A

Fall 2025
A&P I Lecture only – A
Biology I – B
Biology I Lab – B+
Biology II – A
Biology II Lab – A
Organic Chemistry I – A
Organic Chemistry I Lab – A

Winter 2026
Statistics – A

Spring 2026
Cell Biology – A
Evolution – A
Organic Chemistry II – A
Organic Chemistry II Lab – A
Intro to Psychology – A

Summer 2026
Biochemistry – A

Planned before applying
Microbiology
Vertebrate Physiology
Cancer Cell Biology
Senior Seminar

Current ECs:
Research (cell biology/cancer-related): 74.5 hours so far (4 months), expected to continue through application and likely reach 200-300+ hours (~9-10 more months)

Leadership:
- Social Media Chair, cybersecurity (2021-2022) ~350 - hours
- President, cybersecurity club (2022-2025) ~1100 hours
- Founded and independently organized a university hackathon after securing grant funding ~200 hours
- Co-organized with a faculty advisor a campus book collection initiative with grant funding ~ 100 hrs

Current weaknesses:

No clinical experience yet
No shadowing yet
No MCAT scores yet (haven’t taken)

I’m planning to apply in June2027.

My questions are:

- What MCAT score should I realistically aim for to offset my earlier GPA and have a chance at MD school? (Would love to hear ranges rather than just “as high as possible.”)
- How many patient care/clinical hours would you recommend before applying?
- How many non-clinical volunteering/community service hours would make me a well-rounded MD applicant?
- Does my research/leadership profile seem sufficient if I continue building on it, or would you prioritize additional activities?
- would it be fine not to retake Gen Chemistry II class (C+) if I have improved performance in other upper division classes?

I’d really appreciate honest feedback
Thank in advance!

2.87 sgpa, 3.036 cGPA with 183 credits (top 25 undergrad if it makes a difference - but I transferred there and had a 3.6 at my previous institution so 3.22 ugpa total), 508 MCAT, with some ~3500 hours of clinical experience, ~200 hours of volunteering on a crisis hotline, leadership roles organizing a national competition at my university, and some additional community volunteering. am I cooked? Is it over? Finished my 2nd gap year now, now in my 3rd, and am continuing to work as an MA, how fucked am I for US MD schools?

Hi everyone,

I'm a non-traditional pre-med student looking to complete my remaining prerequisites as quickly and affordably as possible. I'm specifically interested in hearing from people who actually completed online science prerequisites (including labs) and were later accepted to a U.S. medical school (MD or DO).

If that's you, I'd really appreciate if you could share:
\- Where you took your online prerequisite courses (with labs)
\- Which medical school(s) accepted those credits
\- Whether you ran into any issues during the admissions process

I'm looking for real experiences from people who've successfully gone through this path.

Before anyone points it out: I am already well aware that many medical schools prefer or require in-person prerequisite courses and labs. I understand that. However, as a non-traditional student, I'm trying to complete my prerequisites in the most affordable and efficient way possible. If there are programs that have worked for others, I'd like to learn from those experiences rather than debate whether online coursework is ideal.

I also know that MSAR contains admissions information. I'm not asking because I haven't looked there.I'm asking because I'd like to hear firsthand experiences from people who have actually completed online prerequisites and successfully matriculated into a U.S. medical school.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their experience.

Just got accepted to this program. Has anyone finished this program and got into med/dental school. Would love some feedback from yall. Thanks.

Sorry if this is an odd question. I'm 24F taking 8 credit hours of DIY post bacc this fall and spring each. (4 hrs upper lvl class, retaking 4 hrs physics + lab that I got A in but took online). i know this few hrs would barely affect gpa & already took many premed credits. Also aiming for high mcat rn.

I am wondering if it is possible to do that, work 3-4 days a week, and do therapy 1x a week? I have long history of GAD, social anxiety, low esteem, wasted lots of opportunities, caused pain to others trying to be perfect first. example I was insisted by parents/advisors to apply this year despite multiple Cs, gpa (3.1sgpa, 3.5 gpa), ECs (1k clinical job hrs, 75 hrs nonclinical, 60 shadowing, 0 research, 400 restaurant worker), URM, if i apply smartly w good writing. but do not feel mentally ready to apply if that makes any sense, or maybe that is me being a perfectionist. i don't have everything/didn't even try hard enough to (PS/LORs). I could have still applied early and took the chance. I will still work on what I need & maybe could still try and apply late for 1 DO

family is low income and I live with/rely on them financially still sadly. not sure if I'll have time for therapy; feels like I'd have more time doing it if I just applied w/out post bacc. unsure about finances/transportation too. I'd have to spend $~3-400 a month on Ubers to the commuter bus, which might come from my costs toward the post bacc though I will be working for that and to save for a car too

I graduated May 2026 (2 months ago) with a 3.4 cGPA and 3.2 scGPA. During my final year of college I became more interested in pursuing medicine but I know my gpa is gonna hold me back. What steps should I or can take to have a chance at getting into a med school? I'm yet to take my MCAT yet, I currently been working at a hospital for about 2 years, have 1 semester of research, and have about 25 hours of shadowing doctors. Should I be looking at a postbacc or SMP programs and would they be fine if I completed either program online?

Did anyone here do a post-bacc in your 30s?

I have a baby now and hope to have more children in the future, but becoming a physician has been a dream of mine for a long time. I didn’t pursue it earlier for all the wrong reasons, and I’m seriously thinking about revisiting that path.

I’d love to hear from anyone who did a post-bacc later in life, especially if you were balancing parenthood or family planning.

Which program did you choose and why?

How did you balance coursework with young children?

Looking back, would you do it again?

Any advice or words of encouragement would mean a lot. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I am a current rising senior getting a degree in economics. I am at a T20 and currently have a 4.0 GPA.

I have had the urge for a while but have finally decided to commit to medicine. Next year, I plan to knock out 5 different pre med requirements and I have done quite a few already. After that, I will technically only have about 3 left to do (each being pre requisites of each other) though I would like to take more.

I also am aware that this process shouldn’t be rushed, but I would still rather get to med school sooner than later. I know that traditional post bacc programs have linkages which bypass the glide year, but I’m not sure whether I would be able to do those since I already am going to have multiple pre requisites. So, my other options are to stay at my undergrad if possible or do a diy post bacc. However, I also want to be able to do research during the year and am not sure whether the diy post bacc allows for that.

Does anyone have any insight on what the best program for me would be?

My undergrad GPA is 3.0 in Business Administration, should I take premed classes and apply to medical school?

Is it worth it?

Hi, I've submitted my Columbia Postbac apps by June 15th (the deadline).

Has anyone heard of the results yet?

Would be great if you can share!

Hey all what's your first impression on these numbers? I know they're not great but with hard work, volunteering, compelling personal statement, etc, can you tell me what's beyond the scope of reality and what's possible program-wise?

I’m going into my senior year of undergrad and think I want a career change, but I wanted to get an idea of how likely I’d be to get into a good post bacc program before applying.

3.84 GPA, mechE major. 34 ACT. I have internship and research experience but it’s in engineering (medtech but I’m not sure if that helps). I did do a medical research project in high school and was able to present it at a conference, but it was so long ago that I’m not sure if it’s worth mentioning.

Edit: I already have a good idea of the pros and cons of doing a post bacc program vs a diy post bacc, I’m trying to get an idea of my likelihood of getting into a good post bacc program given my background and lack of clinical experience

im a current senior at a top liberal arts college with a degree in cs and art. i'm switching from HCI/tech, and i'm thinking of taking a gap year before starting my postbacc. my expected graduating gpa is about a 3.73, and i have roughly 360+ volunteer hours at the VA and 500+ hours in non-clinical research experience (HCI). i have taken 0 prereq classes, and i'm thinking of applying to postbacc programs for career changers (like bryn mawr or goucher). i think my gpa is relatively on the lower side and i have 0 clinical experience (i'm thinking of building that + hopefully getting some clinical research experience during my gap year). have people with similar stats gotten into postbacc programs/should i try for a DIY postbacc program? i would appreciate any insight/info!!!

Hey everyone, I have a 3.4 cGPA and 3.0 sGPA at a UC. I am studying for the MCAT for September and am testing at high teens in FL. I have lots of research, clinical hours, and leadership hours as well as a pretty cohesive story. I believe that other than my GPA I have a really solid application so now I am exploring what I should do to improve that GPA part of my application as to be competitive to better schools because why not, I have the time. I am also a SoCal resident so going to a school in my area would require me to be the best applicant I can possibly be. As the title suggests, what is the best option? So far in my research I am seeing that my stats are not bad enough for a Post Bac and are kind of fringe for an SMP, but I also don't see anything that says an M.S. is actually beneficial. What do you all think?

Hi! I just wanted to share my current plans for my path to medical school to see if anyone maybe had any advice/think this sounds normal.

I am currently 25 and I just graduated with my M.A. from Dartmouth, but my educational background is pretty much fully in the humanities. I am struggling to finance my prerequisites, a formal postbacc seems very out of budget, especially anytime soon. So my plan is to work from now until next fall to save up.

I am considering taking a class, which would run from January - May, to get my Medical Assistant certificate. This would be a bit of an investment, but if I work a different job from now until then (applying literally everywhere right now), I will be able to afford the program + gain extra savings to continue saving for my prerequisites. Hopefully I'd be able to get a Medical Assistant job after that so I can start working in a healthcare setting as quickly as possible.

Then, I am planning on starting my prerequisites in August 2027 at a 4-year university near me. They have two programs I am looking into, one is "open enrollment" where you can take classes without being a student, but it's extremely expensive with no aid offered. They also have a "second baccalaureate" program, where I could work toward something like a Bio degree and get my prerequisites that way (and this one does offer some aid). I am thinking this would likely take about two years. Then the medical school application process is year-long itself (I believe) (and I'd likely continue my medical assistant job through this year), so I would be looking to start medical school August 2030, and I would be 29.

I just want advice on if this seems sound, financially and time-wise. I am also okay with anyone suggesting something different, for example, if you think enrolling in a formal postbacc for 2027 is the better option even if I have to take out a loan. I am a little insecure about the idea of starting at 29, and having to wait so long, but as most of you know, it is a very difficult career change to fund. Any comments would be appreciated!

been thinking of doing a DIY postbacc at GA state uni this fall and spring of 15-16 credits (4-5 upper lvl science classes including a physics lab) in person per semester, to improve my GPA for med school. is this feasible to do while working PT or FT? I have worked full time before in college and it was doable but did not do it at GSU.

Hi everyone, I’ve started taking one summer class to get back into the rhythm of school since it’s been years since I graduated. I also have a lot going on with my full-time job. Honestly, I feel like studying is draining my soul, and I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed and stressed. Did you all go through this? I feel like I was actually happier just studying for the MCAT each day. Or maybe I’m just overreacting?