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Post-baccalaureate work consists of academic
study undertaken after earning a bachelor's degree; it can
be toward a degree (D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.V.M., D.O.,
M.A., M.D., M.P.H., M.S., O.D. Ph.D., another bachelor's degree,
or a number of others), toward certification in some specialty,
or course work that does not result in a certificate or a
degree. Many college graduates find that they need to improve
their academic credentials before making successful application
to medical schools.
Others who wish to change careers to become
physicians, dentists, veterinarians or other health professionals
discover the science requirements of most health professions
schools (general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry
and general physics, as well as mathematics) and the need
to demonstrate recent academic achievement. Each individual
should assess very carefully (preferably with help from a
pre-professional adviser or an admissions officer at a professional
school of choice) her/his past record, need for improvement,
and the type of post-baccalaureate program which will satisfy
that need.
Listed below are four categories of post-baccalaureate
programs:
- Those for minorities or individuals under-represented
among health professionals.
- Those for people who have completed few,
if any, of the science courses required; some of these
programs are very selective.
- Other, non-degree granting programs
that are listed by schools/counselors having support staff
able and willing to provide the proper advice and support.
- Degree-granting programs that differ
in some respects from the standard graduate programs in
university science departments.
For graduating students who need to improve
their credentials (whether or not you applied to medical school
and were rejected), it probably is better to go to a new school
to do post- baccalaureate work. Although it might be more
comfortable, for a number of reasons, to stay at your Alma
Mater, the fact that you need to improve very likely is related
to what makes you comfortable.
For students graduating with a major in biology,
bioengineering, or even chemistry, it is unlikely that taking
a few more courses in the same field will enhance the academic
record. Such students probably should enroll in a standard
M.S. program in science. To do so means that one applies to
graduate school, meeting the basic requirements for entry,
and also for acceptance by the department as a suitable degree
candidate. For such acceptance by (or matriculation in) most
university science departments, it will be necessary to demonstrate
commitment to finish the degree; they do not welcome students
who hope to drop out after acceptance by a medical school;
some of the programs listed below differ in this respect.
It is possible to enroll at many schools
as a non-matriculated graduate student; you pay your money
and take the courses (if space is available). Anyone doing
this should seek guidance. In fact, it is possible to undertake
post-baccalaureate work in a number of different ways. For
example, at Harvard University, Dr. William Fixsen advises
students in the Harvard Extension School (the continuing education
unit of that University); there is also in the graduate school
a Special Student Program which enrolls students who are not
working toward a degree, and undoubtedly some students are
enhancing their credentials in other programs.
Students have accomplished successful post-baccalaureate
work at Syracuse University in at least four different ways:
earning the M.S. in Biology or other science, taking graduate
courses as non-matriculated students, doing part-time coursework
through University College (the continuing education branch)
and, for those who came with little or no science background,
enrolling as full-time students (for financial aid consideration)
to earn a second bachelor's degree in science.
There is a multitude of ways in which an
individual can enhance an academic record. Each person should
assess the options carefully, and seek advice from those who
know the programs at the school where continued work is intended.
Each applicant also should retain connections with advisers/faculty
at the undergraduate institution. Before there was such explosive
growth in the number of applicants to medical schools, admissions
officers at many schools almost insisted upon a letter from
the undergraduate institution. They do not have the time,
now, to follow up on each applicant. It behooves the applicant
to anticipate and provide what admissions committees want/need
to make choices among the very many people applying. If you
are seeking post-baccalaureate work, you should seek also
to establish connections with someone at the school of choice
who is interested in your success.
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