Session 187

Today, our poster is now questioning the decision of getting into a prestigious postbac.

Your questions are pulled directly from the Nontrad Premed Forum. Register for an account for free and ask away! Also, check out all our other resources at Meded Media.

Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

[01:13] OldPreMeds Question of the Week:

“I’ve been accepted into Columbia’s program, but I have heard professors really don’t advice/help students until the end of the program, and that there isn’t a communal nature among the program.

To expand on the third problem, post-bac students don’t interact with other students outside of class, and that there is a “me” versus “everyone else” mentality among the students.

Overall, I guess the complaints can be summed up as there is a high risk of failure in the program and some isolation if you don’t know anyone else in NY. Does anyone know this program well and can address the complaints?”

[Related episode: Interview with Columbia Postbac Premed Program]

[01:55] Competitive Doesn’t Equate to High Risk of Failure

Why does a competitive program mean there’s a high risk of failure in the program? I wouldn’t personally combine those two. You can have a no-fun, miserable, cutthroat program and still pass. It doesn’t mean it has a high rate of failure.

This is probably very typical of high stature, prestigious institutions. It’s the nature of the students that they unfortunately attract. Students want to be the best and do the best. And a lot of times, this is done at the sacrifice of those around them.

You don’t have to go there. There’s no reason to do a formal postbac. If you’re already concerned about this right now and you’ve heard these things, then don’t go there. If you know it now, nothing’s going to change in the coming days or weeks or months.

[Related episode: What I Wish Every Premed Student Would Know]

[03:35] Be Self-Reliant

You, as the student, are the one that takes the test. You’re the one who has to take the MCAT and write your personal statement. You need to find shadowing and clinical experience.

And to say, the professors aren’t helping you, you might find the same issue everywhere. You don’t need the professors to help you. They’re there to teach you the material as best you can. Then you go and learn it again on your own.

There are no professors at Columbia’s postbac who have the secrets to whatever they’re teaching. And if you can’t see yourself loving the environment, then don’t go there. There are plenty of other options.

Ultimately, it sounds like you’re better off doing a do-it-yourself postbac or find somewhere else to go.

Links:

Meded Media

Nontrad Premed Forum