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Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program

Program Overview

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. Students who successfully complete the entire program (earning a 3.5 GPA or better) will receive a detailed letter of recommendation and a award of completion certificate.  The program letter of recommendation will describe the UC San Diego Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program, their history, their personal/scholastic accomplishments and their overall performance.

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.

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 provided with MCAT prep materials, as well as two additional courses: The Psychological, Sociological, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (4 units) and Medical Physiology and Biochemistry  (8 units) with our Lead Instructor, Stephen Schneid.

In Fall, Winter, and Spring students will continue to take courses with Professor Schneid (Medical Neurology and Cardiology, Medical Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1 and 2). Alongside with other cohort based courses such as: Cellular Foundations of Medicine, Biochemical Foundations of Medicine, and Molecular Medicine.

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.

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What Students Are Saying

As I prepare to start my journey at my dream medical school, UC San Diego School of Medicine, I look back with extreme gratitude for the UCSD Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program. Graduating from my undergraduate institution, I never would have envisioned being on the path I am now. Coming from a first generation, low-income background there were many unexpected hurdles I faced during my college career. I graduated feeling lost and that I would never achieve my dream of becoming a physician due to my struggle as a student. However, the UCSD Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program gave me a second chance. Through the support of the staff, students, alumni, and professors, I learned they believed in my ability to succeed more than I believed in myself at that time. I am forever grateful for their encouragement as it helped me create a foundation of confidence in myself as a student. Through the post baccalaureate program, I was able to refine my studying skills and build a network of support that allowed me to succeed. I wholeheartedly believe that a big part of my success at being admitted into medical school lies in the support and opportunities from the post baccalaureate program. Now, as I prepare to start medical school, I feel confident that I will be a strong student due to the invaluable foundation knowledge I gained and the community of support I created. I will forever be thankful for being given the chance to be a part of the UCSD Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program.

- Clarissa Camarena, 2nd Year Medical Student at UC San Diego School of Medicine

UC San Diego's post baccalaureate program did much more than give me a chance to even consider applying to medical school; it set me up for success during and after medical school. The program did more than strengthen my CV and application, it provided me with the academic foundation for medical school material and taught me how to study effectively. Because of this, I was able to study well during school and maintain my own well being. I ultimately graduated and was awarded the AMWA Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation for Academic Achievement. I also happily matched my first choice in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. This was all a lot of hard work, but undoubtedly the foundations of my achievements today rest on the post baccalaureate program and mentors.

- Laurel Ball, MD, Resident, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati, UC San Diego SOM Alum.

As I enter my second month of medical school, I'd like to take a minute of your time to praise the UCSD Premedical Postbaccaluarete Program, its staff, and its past alumni. Without the support of this amazing program and its leadership I truly don't believe that I could be a successful medical student. During my premedical journey at UCLA, I often felt lost, and unsupported, and made out to think of myself as a number in a system filled with others like myself. In 2020, I made the decision to apply to UCSD. The moment I clicked "Submit" was the start of this amazing journey I am currently on.

At the beginning of the program, I was nervous- feelings of imposter syndrome took over. I felt like my identity as a Latino and my socioeconomic status at the time would hinder me from doing well at UCSD, much as it did at UCLA. To my surprise, however, I was met with overwhelming amounts of support that ultimately helped me traverse the challenging curriculum. My mentors took the time to understand me and my ambitions. The faculty helped me navigate the application process. And, my fellow students created a support group that I will cherish as I move into the next steps toward my Medical Degree. All in all, I believe that UCSD and the school's amazing faculty have helped me realize my potential as a student and future doctor.

- Aaron Joseph Knuteson, 3rd Year Medical Student at Washington University in St. Louis

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