Hi there, this is my first post on here. I graduated in 2012 with a bachelors in English literature (GPA of 3.5) from a state school in Washington. I completed an associates degree (GPA 0f 2.7, yikes) before transferring. Since graduating I worked in Spain as a teaching assistant for a year and am now fluent in Spanish. I decided teaching wasn't for me and changed to technical writing.
I come from a low income family with substance abuse problems. This is a major reason why my grades suffered. However, I'm now emotionally stable, happy as ever, and determined to study medicine. This was my childhood dream but my family and I never thought I could hack it. Ideally, I'd like to end up in psychiatry.
What are my chances of getting into Columbia's postbac program? My combined GPA is about 3.2, more or less. I also studied abroad twice. Doubt that matters but I'd like to present myself as a multifaceted person who can pull through if admitted, because that's how I currently feel about myself.
Any advice is appreciated!
Hi,
I am a Columbia postbac and here is the breakdown in my experience:
-Most classes are curved to a B-/C+. Very few get As and you will know who they are very early in the process. You will know who is struggling and who is faking it too. It is a small community at a large university.
-GChem and Physics are workable. Did not experience too much competition even though I could have done better. I also worked full time.
-Labs for GChem, Orgo and Bio are 3 credits each and they come with lecture. These are significant time consuming courses.
-After your first two semester, your adviser will evaluate your profile. If you had two consecutive semesters with a GPA below 3.0 or 2 C- on requirement courses, they will let you know you are no longer eligible for committee support. You can appeal decisions if you have real reasons that evidence extenuating circumstances. I believe this has changed. My class was very vocal about the ridiculous rules in place and they might have changed things a bit for good.
-During the Orgo/Bio year, the only biology course that made you eligible for committee letter was Prof. Mowshowitz Bio. This Bio course is very notorious for being the gate-keeper at Columbia for postbacs and undergrad premed. Its a great class and the professor is a great lecturer but many do not make it. Emails are sent right before the withdrawal deadline to notify those who under performed on the first midterm, suggesting to retake the course at another time. For me, I was always in the average, which meant that I was doing fine enough to not withdraw but not good enough to get an A. I also believe a C+/B- in a tough course like this looks much better than a W. This course also will prepare you well for the Biochem and Bio sections of the MCAT. With little studying I scored above average in both sections.
-You are also allowed to register in courses at Barnard College. There is no distinction on your transcript and many postbacs went this route and did really well.
-Advisers seem very helpful to those who are excelling. Because of my limited time ( I have two jobs), the relationship with my adviser was very technical "these are the numbers, you need this and that." So, my experience with advisers is very limited. I am saying this by word of other fellow postbacs.
-Do not be fooled by their numbers. A huge chunk of people drop the program after the first year. I do not know the exact number but many do not end up in med school. Also, students who had taken just a few premed requirements at other comparable schools were being told to repeat them at Columbia in order to get committee support. Make sure you ask questions before committing.
In the end, I ended with a B grade overall. I have been told that a B at Columbia is still considered above average compared to most schools, however, I do not think that med schools see it that way. They might be familiarized with the program and understand that it is, perhaps, the most challenging one out there. Thankfully, I have a science background: uGPA 4.0/AMCAS: cGPA 3.6/sGPA 3.55. I am tailoring my app to speak about how I continued taking classes to finish the program and demonstrate my dedication to med school, focusing on the good things that I learned and experienced in the process. I also have two significant research experiences (6 years total), 6 publications, 4 years of volunteering at a clinic, 1 year of community service, 3 years playing rugby, 2 leadership positions and 6 solid LOR. I am also a non-traditional applicant, underrepresented minority, older and speak Eng and Spa. FINGERS CROSSED.
