The UC San Diego Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program
The UC San Diego Post Bacc Premed Program is designed for first-time and re-applicants to medical schools who have already completed their medical prerequisite coursework, but who wish to enhance their academic record within a personalized and supportive, cohort-based learning community.
Throughout the intensive, year-long program, participants work toward establishing a strong GPA in upper division Biological Sciences courses, reaffirming knowledge gained in undergraduate science courses, preparing for and taking the MCAT, and developing strong medical school applications, personal statements and interview skills, all while under the astute guidance of a UC San Diego faculty advisor.
Our Personalized Approach
The combination of a small, supportive learning community, one-on-one advising and the resources of UC San Diego School of Medicine and UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies make up a year of focused education where students are provided a personalized approach to their medical school objectives.
Advisors know the background, experience and specific aspirations of each student. All students who are admitted to the Post Bacc program have been interviewed prior to acceptance to ensure their reasons for joining the program and chances for success are congruent with the program goals.
A cohort of approximately 30 students ensures individual student progress is tracked and monitored carefully and continually throughout the year.
Students are required to maintain a 3.5 GPA throughout the year to remain in the program.
Workshops and seminars are offered to all students in an effort to provide a substantive understanding of the critical topics facing medicine and to help prepare them for medical school. Students will continue to build on their writing skills, particularly as applied to personal statements, participate in a mock MMI, discuss current issues in healthcare and receive individualized assistance with medical school selections and applications.
Tutoring is provided on a case-by-case basis to reinforce the knowledge gained through the Biological Sciences courses.
Students who successfully complete the entire program (earning a 3.5 GPA or better) will receive a detailed letter of recommendation describing the UC San Diego Post Bacc Premed Program, their history, their personal/scholastic accomplishments and their overall performance.
Program Format
The UC San Diego Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program follows University of California quarter system:
- An orientation is held in late June
- Summer quarter begins in late June or early July
- Fall quarter begins in late September
- Winter term starts at the beginning of January
- Spring quarter begins at the end of March
- The program concludes in mid-June
Curriculum
Students take 12 units each quarter for the year for a program total of 48 units. The summer quarter is focused primarily on preparation for the MCAT. Students will be enrolled in an MCAT prep course, as well as two additional courses: The Psychological, Sociological, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (4 units) and Introduction to Biomedical Sciences (8 units).
During the fall, winter and spring quarters, students are enrolled in Applications to Biology I, II and III respectively. They work with their advisors to select two additional upper division Biological Sciences courses which are taken with regular UC San Diego undergraduate students. The following is a list of courses recommended by the program advisors:
- Biology of Cancer
- Biostatistics
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
- Human Physiology I
- Human Physiology II
- Immunology
- Metabolic Biochemistry
- Molecular Basis of Human Disease
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
- Virology
In the event that a student has already successfully completed one or more of these courses, alternate options may be available.
Tutoring (case-by-case basis), advising, workshops and additional MCAT preparation are also integrated into each quarter.
Introduction to Biomedical Sciences and Applications to Biology & Medicine I, II, III are taught by Steve Schneid, MHPE.
The following is one of many videos Professor Schneid has published as an additional resource for students.