A group of eager individuals met May 30, the first day of their journey towards new careers in medical and healthcare-related fields. Through CU-Boulder’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program, 19 students will follow a similar course in the coming summer and academic year, but the students and their individual goals are diverse. Ranging in ages from 22 to 41, many of these new scholars plan to seek enrollment in medical programs, physical therapy, physicians assistant programs, and veterinary medicine after the program concludes next year.
The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program is designed for “career changers” who were academically successful as undergraduates and have completed a bachelor’s degree but have not completed the prerequisite courses needed to apply to health sciences professional schools. The rigorous one-year program helps students prepare with coursework, MCAT support, individual advising, and more.
“When I read your essays, almost to the person, each of you felt the need to justify why you are leaving economics or whatever it is you are leaving to pursue the medical field. The reason almost every one of you gave was that you want to help people,” said Dale Mood, interim director and professor emeritus of integrative physiology. “This is a good place to start, because you can help each other. It is much better to learn in a group.”
Post-Bacc student Jacki Roby, moved here from New York City. She is hoping the program will not only prepare her for applying to physical therapy programs, but perhaps the learning environment and support structure of her cohort will help her be more successful than if she had taken courses on her own.
“I like the idea of doing this with other people, so I don’t have to feel like I am doing this alone,” she said.
The first cohort of seven completed the inaugural program in early May 2012. The CU-Boulder Post-Bacc Pre-Med program is growing and is part of a growing movement. More than 15 percent of last year’s new crop of medical students had gone through post-bacc programs, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
“We noticed the Rocky Mountain region was an underserved market for a Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med programing with the bulk of the programs located on east and west coasts,” said Barbara Russell, program manager. “We hope this program will prepare our current students and serve future needs for post-baccalaureate training in our region and beyond.”
View photos of orientation in our Post-Bacc Pre-Med Orientation Facebook Album…
