A post-baccalaureate program allows undergraduate or graduate students to take a break for a couple of months before entering medical school in order to strengthen their medical school applications or take additional courses in their field of interest. Unlike a BS/MD or BA/MD combined program, which assures direct admission into medical school, a post-bacc program does not necessarily guarantee acceptance into medical school. With that being said, you may find that taking part in a post-bacc program will give you some much-needed time to prepare for the MCAT, get an internship, or even unwind. So, let’s find out more about what a post-bacc program is, and why it may be an option for your future. 

What are the pros of this program?

There are several benefits of participating in a post-bacc program rather than immediately diving into medical school. Here are the major ones:

• Improve Med School Applications: Taking part in a post-bacc program gives you the time to try an internship, volunteer, or even take new courses to improve your BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics, and math grades), which are a crucial component of medical school applications.
• Get Strong Recommendation Letters: While each undergraduate class can have up to 300 students, most post-bacc classes have no more than thirty students. This means that you can get to know your professors better and increase your chances of getting purposeful and personal med school recommendation letters from them. 
• Links To Med School: Several post-bacc programs are linked with certain medical schools. You may be at an advantage if you choose to attend the medical school affiliated with your post-bacc program, because admissions officers will know that you had previously taken interest in their school. Certain schools, such as Temple University School of Medicine, even provide guaranteed conditional acceptance into medical school as long as you meet GPA and MCAT requirements.* 
• More Flexibility: Many schools give you the option of completing one- or two-year programs, meaning that you can choose both the length and the intensity of the program.
• More Courses: Most post-bacc programs contain additional courses that you may need or want to take before applying for medical school, such as pre-med courses that you were unable to finish before earning your undergraduate degree. 
• Preparation Time For MCAT: Although some people in a post-bacc program have already taken the MCAT, those who have not will have additional time to prepare.
• Counseling Access: As the counselors in a post-bacc program typically only work with students who are about to enter medical school, they can advise you on your next steps and address your concerns about medical school applications.

* Most programs improve your chances of getting into medical school rather than guarantee your acceptance, meaning that you still must work hard to maintain a high GPA and BCPM. 

What are the cons of this program?

Although there are some downsides to taking a post-bacc program, you may find that the pros outweigh the cons. Here are the major pitfalls: 

• Expensive (Sometimes): Some post-bacc programs tend to be pricey, so make sure to explore all your options and determine whether you need financial aid. 
• Competition: Because many students in a post-bacc program want to improve their GPAs, it is common for competition levels to be high. 

Are there different types of post-bacc programs? 

Yes! Post-bacc programs that do not grant degrees are usually geared toward applicants who need to take more pre-med science courses, such as Physics 1 or Chemistry 2. On the other hand, Masters of Science post-bacc programs are perfect for students who have taken the science courses needed for medical school but need a GPA or BCPM boost.** This website has a list of the major post-bacc programs in the country, as well as the approximate tuition costs, length, and requirements for each one.

**Not all post-bacc programs offer master’s degrees. Some may offer a certificate of completion instead.

How do I know if I am eligible for a post-bacc program?

Eligibility requirements vary by school. For example, schools such as Johns Hopkins or Columbia University will not accept students who already took the MCAT exam, applied to medical school within the past two years, or ended their undergraduate studies with a GPA below 3.0. However, other universities may have other requirements. Most post-bacc programs require you to hold a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree.***

***You can usually apply for admission before receiving your undergraduate degree.

How long does the average post-bacc program last?

Most programs last between eight months and two years, and you usually have the option of choosing the program length. If you want to do the accelerated program, you may be able to finish all your courses, internships, and/or volunteer work in only one year. However, if you want more time to relax and engage in other activities, a two-year program may be better suited for you. 

Post-bacc programs are a fantastic way for you to improve your medical school applications while taking internships, volunteering, and learning more about your interests. Although these programs tend to be both costly and competitive, you may find that the flexibility, diversity, and extra time that they offer will help smoothen your transition into medical school.

Ratnakar Poduri

Ratnakar Poduri, CEO and Co-Founder of Brilliant Education Group, is a teacher, author, and engineer with a mission to help students advance their lives through education. By using a comprehensive approach that goes far beyond that of traditional test prep programs, Poduri has personally prepared over 1700 students for their SATs and ACTs. When he’s not geeking out, he likes to spend time with his two beautiful daughters, watch sports, and solve crosswords.