POSTBACCALAUREATE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
updated: 27 March 2008
In brief: Enrichment: the word sounds nice. If you are in a premedical frame of mind, when you hear enrichment you often think damage repair, improvement, becoming more competitive Indeed, that is just what enrichment programs are--opportunities for serious, dedicated, students to counterbalance less than ideal undergraduate transcripts and improve their chances of getting into medical school.
Remember that there are a variety of programs. Cutoffs, application deadlines, and even goals differ from program to program!
In greater detail:
Sometimes, a prehealth student might graduate from college with an academic record that is not strong enough for a competitive chance of admission to a US medical, dental, or veterinary school.
When that happens, a student can choose to get on with their life and follow a different path to success and fulfillment. Some press onwards, resolved to work hard to build the track record of quality grades that medical school admissions committees look for.
Very often, the students who are willing to put in the extra time to pursue their dream look for "post-baccalaureate enrichment programs:" courses of study (often for a master's degree or a certificate) offered at a medical school or the graduate science division of a medical school.The basic idea behind an enrichment program is to give students the opportunity prove themselves by taking demanding science courses. Do these programs guarantee your success? No. Whether or not an enrichment program is beneficial depends on the student's ability to earn strong grades in the program. So, the main questions really are, "Why didn't I do as well as I could have in my science courses when I was an undergraduate?" and "Am I able to perform better in a program that might be even more demanding than undergraduate work?" and, finally, "Am I willing to sacrifice considerable time (and tuition money) for the sake of getting into medical school when I know that the outcome is uncertain?"
The links below should give you a good idea of what enrichment studies are like. Our list does not contain every single school that offers a program of this kind, but we hope that it helps you get started.Here are a few salient points to keep in mind:
- Often, but not in every single case, you need a 3.00 cumulative
GPA or above to be a competitive applicant for enrichment programs.
- It could be a good idea (and is often required)
to retake premedical courses in which you received
grades of C- or below before you begin an enrichment
program.
- Some programs will
require a professional
test score such as
the MCAT or the GRE.
- When
in
doubt,
always
consult
with
the
admissions
office
of
the
program
that
interests
you
and
especially
with
your
prehealth
advisor.
- A number of enrichment programs have a professional component built into them--that is, even if the student did not elect to apply to medical school (or failed to get in), the program in which he or she studied would be preparation for career track work in or entry to one of the fields of biomedical sciences or research. Read the "Important Additional Note on Enrichment Programs" to find out more about this, and link to programs at a few other schools.
AAMC online list of enrichment programs. It's extensive, but not exhaustive! Search for academic record enhancers.
Boston University Master of Arts in Medical Sciences: Main page of Graduate Medical Sciences, list of degrees offered (look for the master's level) (5/21/07)
University of Connecticut School of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Program (non-degree, two tracks, one of which is enrichment)
Drexel University College of Medicine's Interdepartmental Medical Sciences Program
Eastern Virginia Medical School's MS in Biomedical Sciences
Medical Imaging Sciences/Medical Radiation Physics at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (formerly Finch)
Master of Science in Applied Physiology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (formerly Finch)
Various Basic Medical Science Programs at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (formerly Finch)
Graduate Experimental Medical Studies (GEMS) Program at Georgetown University
Special Masters in Physiology at Georgetown University
Harvard's Extension School (Primarily for students who have done little or no premedical work, the program can in some cases accommodate students seeking to strengthen their credentials. You should contact them to discuss whether or not the program is right for you.)
Cellular and Integrative Physiology at Indiana University
Mount Sinai School of Medicine's PREP-Med, a one and a half year master's program designed to build up a student's academic strength and research skills
New York Medical College master's level programs, especially Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences
Master of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medical Sciences at Nova Southeastern University
certificate program in Anatomy at Tulane University Medical Center (need to have been on wait list or alternate list for medical school; one year intensive program). Click here to go straight to the program info without frames
Master in Biomedical Science at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Southern Illinois University's MEDPREP program (a program for educationally and economically disadvantaged students)
Virginia Comonwealth University Pre-medical Basic Health Sciences Certificate
Virginia Commonwealth University's post-baccalaureate premedical master's level programs (a range of programs; remember to look for one that will build your track record in the sciences.)
Wake Forest University School of Medicine Postbacc Program