Best Pre-Med Postbacc Programs for Aspiring Doctors

Postbaccalaureate pre-medical programs — often called pre-med postbacc programs — are nondegree programs that prepare you for medical school. Students with a bachelor's in a field unrelated to medicine or healthcare can enroll in these programs.

Completing a postbacc helps you meet all of the basic prerequisites you'll need to apply for med school and eventually become a doctor. In this guide, we rank the best pre-med postbacc programs and go over their benefits, costs, and coursework.

Reasons to Enroll in a Pre-Med Postbacc Program

• You don't meet the minimum academic requirements for med school and need to take certain classes to qualify for admission.
• You majored in a nonmedical field, like the humanities, but now want to pursue a career in medicine.
• You majored in a related field but didn't perform well in your core classes.
• It's been a while since you earned your bachelor's degree, and you want to refresh your science and math skills before applying to med school.
• You are changing careers and want to establish a career in medicine.

Why Accreditation Matters for Pre-Med Postbacc Programs

When considering pre-med programs, make sure to choose one that's offered at an accredited college or university.

Accreditation means an independent agency has verified that the institution or program fulfills certain academic standards. This credential also signifies that a school hires qualified faculty and that the coursework reflects a certain amount of rigor.

Some pre-med postbaccs earn programmatic accreditation from agencies like the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Even if a particular program doesn't have programmatic accreditation, the overall school should hold institutional accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency.

What Courses Do You Take in a Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical Program?

In a postbaccalaureate pre-medical program, you'll review and learn about the foundations of the medical field. Classes primarily cover math and science topics like chemistry, biology, and statistics.

While postbacc programs can vary in length, most require 32-40 credits and last anywhere from nine months to two years.

Before enrolling in a pre-med postbacc program, make sure the curriculum covers your biggest knowledge gaps. Some schools tailor their pre-med programs to specific medical fields, such as neurology and dentistry.

How Much Do Pre-Med Postbacc Programs Cost?

Although costs vary depending on the school, pre-med postbacc programs often cost tens of thousands of dollars.

For example, Johns Hopkins University charges over $20,000 per semester for its postbaccalaureate pre-medical program. Similarly, pre-med postbacc students at Washington University in St. Louis must pay around $16,000 per semester for tuition.

You can generally save money by attending a public in-state university.

In addition to paying tuition, you'll likely need to budget for textbooks and medical supplies like stethoscopes and scrubs.

What Can You Do After a Pre-Med Postbacc Program?

Most students enroll in medical school after completing a postbaccalaureate pre-medical program. After earning your medical degree and completing residency requirements, you can go on to become a doctor, surgeon, dentist, veterinarian, or other medical professional.

Jobs in healthcare are projected to grow by 13% between 2021 and 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Here are some popular career paths for pre-med students and the salaries you can expect to make.

Source: BLS

Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-Med Postbacc Programs

How long are pre-med postbacc programs?

Most pre-med programs last 1-2 years if attending full time. You may need more time to finish your postbacc if you enroll part time. At the end of your program, you'll typically receive a postbaccalaureate or graduate certificate.

How competitive are pre-med postbacc programs?

Admission to pre-med postbacc programs can be highly competitive. Given the rigors of medical training, most postbacc programs prefer applicants who have what it takes to get into and succeed in med school.

As a result, it's common for postbacc programs to receive far more applications than they have spots to fill.

What percent of postbacc students get into medical school?

If you apply to med school at the same institution you get your postbacc, you may see an acceptance rate of around 55-85%.

While a pre-med postbacc could strengthen your application, it doesn't guarantee admission. Medical schools typically consider many aspects of an application, such as your undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, completed coursework, and other documentation.

Do medical schools look at your postbacc GPA?

Most medical schools look favorably upon high grades earned in pre-med postbacc programs. While a postbacc won't automatically guarantee you med school admission, it could give your application an edge.

A strong postbacc GPA can also benefit you if you earned your bachelor's in an unrelated major or if your undergraduate GPA is somewhat lacking.

Are postbacc programs only for pre-med students?

You don't have to be an aspiring doctor to benefit from a pre-med postbacc.

Even if you don't have your sights set on a clinical or medical degree, a postbacc can give you an edge in related fields like public health, healthcare administration, academic research, health informatics, and community health education.

All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ASO Rankings Team.

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