How to Find the Best Premed Postbac Programs
So you've decided that you want to be a doctor...
But what if you're not a traditional premed student?
Suppose you've gotten your degree in another field or even worked for some time in another profession.
It is a common misconception that it is extremely difficult to become a doctor later in life. While becoming a doctor is never an easy road to travel (for anyone!), premed postbac programs have made switching to the profession a lot easier.
Premed postbac programs are designed to get you to be the best medical school applicant you can be in the shortest amount of time possible.
Many of these programs last from 10-12 months and up to 2 years. Because you are learning so much information in a short period of time, many of these programs are very challenging.
However, because the only goal of these premed postbac programs is to get you ready for medical school, they make it very easy to get help with school work, give you volunteer opportunities, and are able to give you plenty of time to talk about your personal application with a premed advisor.
There are constantly many new programs popping up all over the United States. However, some of the programs have been around for much longer and are much more established. These well-known programs can give you a leg up on your competition because medical schools know how good some of these programs are at creating good applicants.
One of the best things about these premed postbac programs is that they can put you in an atmosphere with other driven, hardworking individuals in which you all have the same goal. While there is undoubtedly some friendly competition, these programs are usually incredibly supportive.
Here's some information on the two most established and well known premed postbac programs.
But what if you're not a traditional premed student?
Suppose you've gotten your degree in another field or even worked for some time in another profession.
It is a common misconception that it is extremely difficult to become a doctor later in life. While becoming a doctor is never an easy road to travel (for anyone!), premed postbac programs have made switching to the profession a lot easier.
Premed postbac programs are designed to get you to be the best medical school applicant you can be in the shortest amount of time possible.
Many of these programs last from 10-12 months and up to 2 years. Because you are learning so much information in a short period of time, many of these programs are very challenging.
However, because the only goal of these premed postbac programs is to get you ready for medical school, they make it very easy to get help with school work, give you volunteer opportunities, and are able to give you plenty of time to talk about your personal application with a premed advisor.
There are constantly many new programs popping up all over the United States. However, some of the programs have been around for much longer and are much more established. These well-known programs can give you a leg up on your competition because medical schools know how good some of these programs are at creating good applicants.
One of the best things about these premed postbac programs is that they can put you in an atmosphere with other driven, hardworking individuals in which you all have the same goal. While there is undoubtedly some friendly competition, these programs are usually incredibly supportive.
Here's some information on the two most established and well known premed postbac programs.
Contents at a Glance
What's On This Lens?
Bryn Mawr
One of the most well established and successful premed postac program is at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.
They have a medical school acceptance rate of 98% for their graduates which is great news for anyone interested in this program!
They also have linkage programs to 10 different medical schools. This means that you can apply for one of these med schools while you are still finishing up your year at Bryn Mawr and go directly to medical school the following year. If you feel like you would like to go to medical school as soon as possible ,this might be a great program for you.
The down side? You can only link to one school and if you are accepted there, you MUST go. This means that you have to be die hard about that one particular school.
The Bryn Mawr postbac program is known for the incredibly advising that it provides. Because the class size is only 75 students, each students gets one on one time with the advisors which can help them figure out the best choice of classes and medical schools for them.
The campus is surrounded by several other small private school is Philadelphia and is located next to many restaurants, shops, bars, and parks.
It also has available public transportation (trains) to get you into the heart of Philadelphia.
They have a medical school acceptance rate of 98% for their graduates which is great news for anyone interested in this program!
They also have linkage programs to 10 different medical schools. This means that you can apply for one of these med schools while you are still finishing up your year at Bryn Mawr and go directly to medical school the following year. If you feel like you would like to go to medical school as soon as possible ,this might be a great program for you.
The down side? You can only link to one school and if you are accepted there, you MUST go. This means that you have to be die hard about that one particular school.
The Bryn Mawr postbac program is known for the incredibly advising that it provides. Because the class size is only 75 students, each students gets one on one time with the advisors which can help them figure out the best choice of classes and medical schools for them.
The campus is surrounded by several other small private school is Philadelphia and is located next to many restaurants, shops, bars, and parks.
It also has available public transportation (trains) to get you into the heart of Philadelphia.
Making The Change
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Goucher
Goucher is another premed postbac program that is very well respected by medical schools in the United States.
For seven years straight now, Goucher has had a 100% acceptance rate for medical schools for their students. They have also had several of their students receive merit based scholarships to medical school.
Again, Goucher has linkages to several medical schools so that some students may go directly from Goucher to medical school without a "glide year." While many people opt to take the glide year and apply to multiple schools, linking can be a great idea for people who are committed to one school.
The Goucher premed postbac program is also very challenging academically because it is only one year, but much like Bryn Mawr, they provide many tutoring opportunities that can help you to do well in the program.
This program is particularly known for their ability to provide their students with top of the line scientific equipment to help in the learning process .
Goucher's advisors also provide students with individual help on their resumes and how to become a better medical school applicant. They are able to supply students with ample job shadowing and volunteer opportunities to help build resumes.
Goucher has a great location in Baltimore and is surrounded by many things to go see and do.
For seven years straight now, Goucher has had a 100% acceptance rate for medical schools for their students. They have also had several of their students receive merit based scholarships to medical school.
Again, Goucher has linkages to several medical schools so that some students may go directly from Goucher to medical school without a "glide year." While many people opt to take the glide year and apply to multiple schools, linking can be a great idea for people who are committed to one school.
The Goucher premed postbac program is also very challenging academically because it is only one year, but much like Bryn Mawr, they provide many tutoring opportunities that can help you to do well in the program.
This program is particularly known for their ability to provide their students with top of the line scientific equipment to help in the learning process .
Goucher's advisors also provide students with individual help on their resumes and how to become a better medical school applicant. They are able to supply students with ample job shadowing and volunteer opportunities to help build resumes.
Goucher has a great location in Baltimore and is surrounded by many things to go see and do.
Important Books to Read
Looking to make a switch to the medical profession? These book will highlight the questions you really need to ask yourself when making this decision.
The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success
Amazon Price: $11.86 (as of 01/03/2010) 
Life's a Bitch and Then You Change Careers: 9 Steps to Get Out of Your Funk and On to Your Future
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 01/03/2010)
Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 01/03/2010)
Find More Information
If you would like to find out more information about Bryn Mawr vs. Goucher from students who have gone to one of these places, go to :
www.forums.studentdoctor.net
www.forums.studentdoctor.net
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