Post bacc programs for underrepresented minorities

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

Non-Degree Post-Bac Program:

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.