If you do it right, a DIY post-bacc for medical school during your gap year can definitely boost your chances of getting accepted. It allows you to tailor the classes you take to your needs, goals, and schedule, giving you more flexibility and control over your academic journey.
However, with this freedom comes the responsibility of applying for, financing, and structuring it. Before you start second-guessing yourself, I’ll walk you through the exact steps and strategies to help you make the most of your DIY post-bacc experience and increase your chances of getting accepted into medical school.
With the right mindset, resources, and support, such a type of post-bacc can be one of the things that gets you a big step closer to your acceptance letters.
This post is all about DIY post-bacc for medical school.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Navigating DIY Post-Bacc for Medical School
What is a DIY Post-Bacc?
A DIY post-bacc, short for a do-it-yourself post-baccalaureate program, is essentially a path you design to independently fulfill the necessary prerequisites for medical school. You get to create your own customized academic roadmap to fill in holes your application may lack, such as a low GPA or missing courses.
You have the freedom to handpick which courses will best strengthen your academic profile and demonstrate your readiness for the rigors of medical school. Plus, you can and should tack on some upper-level science courses to really make your application shine.
How a DIY Post Bacc Works
Basically, you pick the classes you need, fitting them into your schedule as they become available. You can sign up for them at a local college or university. If a community college offers what you need, you might even be able to snag some courses there.
A DIY post-bacc can be a wallet-friendly way to finish up those premed requirements and improve your GPA trend before you apply to medical school. But remember, since it’s all on you, you’ve also got to handle prepping for the MCAT and finding opportunities for clinical experience on your own.
What is the difference between a Post-Bacc program and a DIY Post-Bacc?
Formal post-bacc programs are usually structured and have a defined schedule of courses, along with support services like advising and networking opportunities. On the other hand, DIY post-bacc programs provide you with the flexibility to design your own curriculum and timeline based on your specific needs and goals.
Structure vs. Flexibility
A traditional post-bacc program can be helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start. It provides a clear roadmap for career changers, students who graduated with a non-science degree, and academic record enhancers who need to improve their cumulative and science GPAs.
When you choose the DIY route though, you have the freedom to handpick your courses based on your strengths and weaknesses. You can choose classes that are most relevant to your goals and can work at a pace that suits your schedule.
Support vs. On Your Own
In a post-bacc program, you’ll have access to experienced advisors who can guide you through the process and provide support along the way. Many programs also provide support services such as MCAT prep and coaching. Additionally, post-bacc programs often have relationships, or linkages, with medical schools, which can boost your chances of getting accepted.
By going the DIY post-bacc route, you’ll be in charge of mapping out your curriculum. You will be responsible in keeping yourself accountable for staying on target to reach your medical school goals. This approach requires a high level of self-discipline and organization. It’s a bit like being your own academic coach. Often, the sense of achievement and independence that comes with it can be rewarding.
Full Tuition vs. Paying for Individual Courses
Enrolling in individual courses rather than funding an entire post-bacc program means paying only for what you need. This could save you a significant amount compared to committing to a full program. If you’re able to find the necessary courses at a community college, the affordability factor gets even better.
Time Commitment vs. Life Balance
Unlike traditional on-campus programs that cater mainly to full-time students, the DIY option allows for better control over managing your time. For students who have other commitments like work or family responsibilities, being able to schedule your classes around your job or childcare duties can be a game-changer.
If you like to know more about traditional post-bacc and even Master programs, make sure to know all the pros and cons in my blog post Post Bacc vs. Master’s Program: Which is Better to Boost Your Medical School Profile?.
On a personal note, I had 5 Cs in undergrad and still got accepted to medical school! So my advice if you are worried about lower grades? Make sure to create an upward trend but also improve any other aspect in your control!
In my Free Premed Workshop I share with you the key strategies I used to go from 100% rejected (in my first application cycle) to 10 acceptances at my second attempt, after taking full control of my pre-med journey.
This includes applying early, using a strategic framework for your essays, clearly identifying residency bias, casting a wide net and more! Sign up to learn all about it.
Bonus Tip for Applying
When applying to a DIY post-bacc program, you can choose to apply as a non-degree-seeking student. Or as a second-degree-seeking student.
As a non-degree-seeking student, you’re planning to take individual courses to strengthen your academic record before applying to medical school. However, one thing to keep in mind is that you won’t get priority registration. You’ll have to wait nearly to the last minute to sign up for the classes you need.
Especially if you’re eyeing popular courses like Bio, Chem, Ochem, or Physics at a busy school, it could get a bit tricky. On the bright side, going for higher-level courses can be a smart move in this situation. These classes tend to have more spots available, which could make your life a tad easier.
Fortunately, applying as a second-degree-seeking student now allows you to take advantage of priority registration!
This distinction indicates that you’re pursuing a second undergraduate degree specifically for medical school preparation. While you could technically be “undecided,” I wouldn’t recommend it because you might miss out on several undergraduate benefits. Instead, pick a science major different from the one you already have.
Also, don’t worry if you have no intention of finishing the full requirements for the second degree. You can “drop out” once you’ve completed the required classes for your med school prerequisites. Luckily, medical schools have no way of knowing that you didn’t finish.
How to Finance Your DIY Post-Bacc
Unfortunately, rebuilding that GPA doesn’t come cheap or easy. Financing your DIY post-bacc for medical school can definitely be a hurdle. But with some smart planning and resourcefulness, you can make it work.
- Schedule a visit with a financial aid advisor at the school where you’ll be doing your DIY post-bacc. They can help you sort out the money matters, lay out your options specific to that school, and maybe point you toward scholarships you could nab.
- You won’t be eligible for Federal Pell Grants since you’ve already earned your bachelor’s degree. But don’t let that discourage you! Make sure you still fill out the FAFSA because you could snag some Federal Stafford loans.
- Pro tip: You won’t qualify for loans if you’re a non-degree-seeking student or if you’re “undecided” as a second-degree-seeker. Solve this issue by applying as a second-degree-seeker and picking a different science major this time around.
- Look into the Federal work-study programs, which provide students with part-time jobs based on financial need.
- Private loans could be an option, but because of the high-interest rates, make sure they’re your last resort.
- Consider your budget and decide whether a university, state college, or community college is the best fit for you. Community college is the cheapest way to rack up those extra classes, but there are some downsides.
- Think about picking up some extra work like food delivery or tutoring gigs to make ends meet.
For some great pre-med side hustle gigs, check out this blog post with lots of tips on how to quickly and easily earn some extra money on the side, before starting medical school.
Strategies for Structuring Your DIY Post-Bacc
As you put together your class schedule, you’ll want to aim for a fuller course load of around 12+ credit hours. But listen, quality over quantity is a must here. To continue your high grades (or raise them), you have to excel in these classes. So don’t overload yourself to the point of drowning in coursework.
Also, when you’re in the planning phase of your DIY post-bacc curriculum, think about why you’re doing this in the first place. Are you trying to knock out some prerequisites? Select courses that directly align with your needs.
Or are you trying to bump up that BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) GPA? If so, focus on upper-level science classes that fall under the BCPM umbrella and will prove to admission committees that you can handle the academic rigor.
If you need help figuring out which courses actually count towards your BCPM GPA, the AAMC has a course clarification guide that will guide you in the right direction.
Choosing a University vs. Community College
As you choose where to do your DIY post-bacc for medical school, you’ve got a few options: university, state college, or community college. Each one has its own pros and cons, so let’s break it down.
Going to a university for your post-bacc can give you access to a ton of resources, great advising, and a wide range of upper-level science classes to choose from. Personally, I went this route because I knew I’d have more options in terms of courses.
State and community colleges are more budget-friendly, but they might have fewer course options and student resources. Also, medical schools might raise an eyebrow if they see you did your prerequisites at a community college. This is because there’s a perception that the classes there are easier than at a university.
Still, plenty of students have taken community college classes and gotten accepted into medical school. Make sure you can back it up by showing that you have a valid reason for choosing that route, whether it’s financial constraints or personal circumstances.
Just be cautious about transferring from a tougher school to a community college and acing all your classes – that could raise some suspicions. Admission committees will not be impressed if you improve your grade in a class simply because you took it at a less challenging school.
Creating Your Own DIY Post-Bacc
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design your own customized DIY post-bacc program once you’ve worked out your financing and decided on attending a university or community college.
- Thoroughly research the prerequisite requirements of the medical schools you plan to apply to. Make a list of all the required courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, and math, along with the specific number of credits needed for each subject.
- Select the specific courses you need to take. Look for courses that will fulfill the requirements of the medical schools you are interested in. Also, consider factors such as course availability, scheduling, and location. It’s also a good idea to reach out to academic advisors or pre-health advisors for guidance on course selection.
- Register for classes. Make sure to check the registration deadlines and procedures of the institutions where you plan to take the courses. Be proactive in securing your spot in the classes you need, as popular courses can fill up quickly.
Creating your DIY post-bacc requires careful planning and organization. Keep a record handy of your course schedule, deadlines, and progress toward fulfilling the prerequisite requirements. Consider creating a study schedule and setting specific goals to keep yourself on track.
Are you looking for budget-friendly options to be as successful as you can on your path to medical school? My program Road to Acceptance is the perfect fusion of DIY and professional guidance. Here, I lead you through each step of the application process, with video lessons, downloadable worksheets, ready-made spreadsheets to stay super organized and lots of extra resources.
RTA also includes an extensive essay library (from successful applicants) and a private Facebook group where you can always ask questions! This is the best play to get connected with other pre-meds, since this journey doesn’t have to feel so lonely. We can’t wait to welcome you to our RTA community!
Final Tips for Making Your DIY Post-Bacc for Medical School a Success
If you’re leaning towards the DIY route, here are five tips to help you succeed.
- Research, Research, Research – Take the time to research and understand the specific requirements of the medical schools you’re interested in. Make sure the courses you choose will fulfill those prerequisites.
- Stay Organized – Create a detailed plan outlining the courses you need to take, when you’ll take them, and how they fit into your overall timeline.
- Seek Guidance – While you won’t have formal advisors like in a structured program, don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, practicing physicians, or other professionals in the field for advice and mentorship.
- Build a Strong Application – Beyond coursework, consider other ways to strengthen your application, such as research, volunteering, or shadowing experiences.
- Stay Motivated – The road to medical school can be long and challenging, so stay focused on your goals and remind yourself why you’re pursuing this path in the first place.
Without the structure of a formal program, it’s all on you to stay on top of your studies, set goals, and find time for extracurricular activities, volunteering, and shadowing to beef up that med school application. However, with the right mindset and a plan that’s perfect for you, you can successfully navigate and create a DIY post-bacc for medical school!
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