I have
decided to write a post about post bacc programs for underrepresented
minorities who need academic enhancement. The truth of the matter is many of us
(URM pre meds) are late bloomers. We were not preparing to go to medical school
at the age of eight, many of us did not have the opportunity to volunteer or
travel or the role models/guidance that many of our more competitive peers may
have had.
But it is never too
late to grow, to change, to learn and achieve your dreams. Getting a post bacc
certificate or a master degree can only add and strengthen your
application, thus solidify your knowledge (after all you are devoting your life
to a career that takes a great deal of insight and circumspection)
“A
student with a cumulative undergraduate GPA in the upper 2s or low 3s (with an
equal or slightly lower science GPA) and an average or below-average MCAT score
could benefit from a strong science based program”.
Post bacc programs for
underrepresented minorities (two categories).
1. Rejected from medical school admission then referred/invited to the postbac program; you
may not apply directly to the program. They choose you.
Most of these programs include conditional acceptance into
medical school but some do not (note: for links
that are not provided use a search engine to inquiry)
·
Associated Medical
Schools of NY: students who have a 21 or higher on the MCAT, and are not
accepted at any medical school. (Preference is given to New York State
residents). Students do not apply to the program but are recommended by one of
the participating schools (http://www.amsny.org/initiatives/diversity-medicine/post-baccalaureate-program):
·
The Drexel Pathway
to Medical School (DPMS) program : https://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/AcademicPrograms/ProfessionalStudiesintheHealthSciences/PremedicalPrograms/DrexelPathwaytoMedicalSchool.aspx
·
UC San Diego and UC
Irvine : also offer a special type of postbaccalaureate, a conditional
acceptance program. Students who complete the program successfully are admitted
to medical school.
·
Pre-Medical
Admissions Pathway (P-MAP) University of Arizona: The Pre-Medical Admissions
Pathway (P-MAP) Program is coordinated through the UA College of
Medicine-Tucson Offices of Admissions and Diversity and Inclusion. P-MAP is a
12-month, full-time, intensive medical school preparation program designed for
students who have experienced greater than average challenges in preparing to
become competitive medical school applicants. The program includes a Master of
Science degree in Cellular & Molecular Medicine, customized academic plans
and seminars. Those who successfully complete the program requirements will
receive conditional admission to the UA College of Medicine-Tucson
campus.
·
The Ohio State University
College of Medicine Medical Careers Pathway Post Baccalaureate Program
(MEDPATH): is a one year program aimed at developing and enriching the academic
knowledge base and skills of students prior to their entrance into medical
school. (http://medicine.osu.edu/students/diversity/Programs/medpath/Documents/MEDPATH%20Success_2013.pdf)
·
Diversity Recruitment
and Enrichment for Admission into Medicine (DREAM) University of South Alabama
·
Bryn Mawr
Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program: Bryn Mawr offers large selection of
consortial medical schools, and you may apply to one of these schools during
the postbac program. If qualified, you will be accepted on a conditional basis
and will begin medical school immediately after completing one-year
program.
·
Boston University School
of Medicine’s early acceptance medical program “has helped boost minority
enrollment”, said Jonathan Woodson, an associate dean at the school. The
program provides a more gradual transition into the curriculum through
provisional acceptance into medical school at the completion of two years of
undergraduate study.
·
The Early
Identification Program (EIP) is a cooperative venture between The Warren Alpert
Medical School of Brown University and the following colleges and universities:
University of Rhode Island, Providence College, Rhode Island College, and
Tougaloo College (http://brown.edu/academics/medical/academics/medical/admissions/eip)
·
*Med Scholar -
Saint Louis University School of Medicine: http://www.slu.edu/x25733.xml
2. Programs at medical schools or universities students
can apply directly. Students do not have to have already applied to
health professions school, but they will have taken their core science courses.
(two categories):
1. Non-Degree Post-Bac Program
2. Special Master’s Programs
1. Health Careers Pathways Program--Post Baccalaurate Program - University of Kansas School of Medicine : http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/office-of-cultural-enhancement-and-diversity/student-programs-/post-baccalaureate-program-instructions.html
2. Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies Program- Lewis University: http://www.lewisu.edu/academics/post-bac-pre-med/
3. Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program - Caldwell College: http://www.caldwell.edu/academics/health-professions/pre-med-post-bac
4. MEDPREP- SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: http://www.siumed.edu/medprep
5. BMS, Post Bacc Pre Medical Studies- Dominican University: http://www.dom.edu/pbmedical
6. Premedical Studies - Purchase College SUNY: https://www.purchase.edu/Departments/AcademicPrograms/LAS/Sciences/Premed/
7. Postbaccalaureate in Pre-Medicine certificate program - Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science: http://www.cdrewu.edu/
8. Avila University Postbaccalaureate Program - Avila University : http://www.avila.edu/
9. Postbaccalaureate Prehealth Certificate Program - Northeastern State University: http://academics.nsuok.edu/prehealth
10. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Health Professions - Stephens College : http://www.stephens.edu/
11. UCLA Reapplication Program - UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA: http://www.medstudent.ucla.edu/offices/aeo/rap.cfm
12. Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program - Washington University in St. Louis : http://ucollege.wustl.edu/postbacpremed#
13. NEOMED-CSU PostBacc/M.D. Partnership for Urban Health - Cleveland State University : http://www.csuohio.edu/md
14. Pre-Health Certificate - University of Massachusetts Dartmouth : http://www.umassd.edu/premed
15. Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program - Elms College: http://www.elms.edu/
16. Pre-Health Professions Certificate Program - San Francisco State University : http://online.sfsu.edu/~brothman/formalindex.html
17. MEDPATH Post Baccalareate Program - The Ohio State University : http://medicine.osu.edu/students/diversity/Programs/medpath/Pages/index.aspx
18. The Program In Premedical Studies - The City College of New York : http://www2.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/science/pps/
19. Pre-Medical Program - West Chester University : http://www.wcupa.edu/
20. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals - California State University - Los Angeles : http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/biol/certprehealth.php
21. PreMedical Graduate Certificate Program (CERT) - Virginia Commonwealth University : http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/audience/prospective.html
Special Master’s Programs:
1. Masters in Medical Science with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Medical Science (IMS) - University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine : http://health.usf.edu/medicine/osde/msms.htm
2. Master of Science degree with majors relevant to medical education (There are 3 majors: Biomedical Professions, Anatomical Science, Life Science Research ) - Lincoln Memorial University : http://www.lmunet.edu/academics/pmsp/
3. Master of Arts in Medical Sciences - Loyola University Chicago : http://luc.edu/biology/mainmedicalsciences/ , http://www.luc.edu/biology/ma.shtml
4. Master of Science in Toxicology - Colorado State University : http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/academics/erhs/cem/
5. Biomedical Sciences Program - Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine : http://www.marian.edu/medicalschool
6. Master of Science in Biology, Non-Thesis - Chatham University : http://www.chatham.edu/msbio/
7. Master of Biomedical Sciences - UMDNJ-GSBS-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/education/gsbs/msbio.html
8. Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) program - Drexel University College of Medicine: http://www.drexelmed.edu/IMS
9. Medical Science Masters Program - Hampton University : http://science.hamptonu.edu/prehealth/
10. Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences - University of South Carolina, School of Medicine: http://www.med.sc.edu/Post.Baccalaureate.Certificates.asp
11. Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program - Wake Forest University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: http://graduate.wfu.edu/admissions/BMSC.html
12. UCSF Interprofessional Health Post Baccalaureate Program - University of California, San Francisco : http://meded.ucsf.edu/outreach
13. Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program - Florida State University College of Medicine: http://www.med.fsu.edu/
14. Masters in Biomedical Sciences - UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at NJ Medical School : http://njms.umdnj.edu/gsbs/index.cfm
15. Master's of Biomedical Science - The Commonwealth Medical College: http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/
Miscellaneous websites worth checking out: http://images.cell.com/images/EdImages/celljobs/editorial/diversity.pdf
http://www.columbia.edu/node/8321.html --- pays special attention to this website, Seven Myths about Affirmative Action in Universities. Many of us (URM) feel bad about programs aimed at helping us enhance our academics. I have personally read numerous posts and blogs that try to make me (students with similar academic backgrounds) feel bad about seeking assistance. This website explains the myths and educates those who are ill informed. Affirmative action is not reverse discrimination and you (my fellow URM) should not feel bad about your past mistakes as well as seeking out assistance and opportunities that help you grow educationally as well as professionally.
