Post-Bac Premed Frequently Asked Questions

You can contact the Post-Bac Premed Program by email at pbpm@goucher.edu or by phone at 1-800-414-3437.

The program is for students who are changing careers and have not previously taken the science classes required for admission to medical school. Occasionally, we admit students who have completed one or two of the prerequisites; these students usually take upper-level science courses. Most of our students are pursuing a career change into medicine.

First and foremost, we look for a strong undergraduate record and a proven interest in the health care field, usually demonstrated by some experience in a medical setting or human-service organization.

If you’ve taken only a few of the required science courses, you may still be eligible. However, we generally do not accept applicants who have completed most of the prerequisites. Please contact us to discuss your academic background.

The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications in late August and continues until the class is filled, which usually happens sometime in March. We recommend submitting your application in the fall or early winter.

Post-bacs take classes that are small and designed with their particular needs in mind. They are separate from the undergraduates and are limited to 34 students in the cohort.

All post-bac students live off campus. The majority live in close proximity to campus, within walking or biking distance.

Students typically range in age from their early 20s to late 30s. The average age of our cohort is 25 or 26 years old.

No, but most students spend a few hours per week volunteering in a health care setting.

Financial aid is available primarily in the form of loans, but the PBPM Admissions Committee does have a limited number of partial scholarships available. All applicants are considered for one of these scholarships, and no additional materials are required.

Because the vast majority of U.S. medical schools do not require it, we do not include calculus courses in the curriculum. If the medical school to which you wish to apply requires calculus, you may take it during the glide year.

Our program enrolls 34 students each year.

We provide extensive individual counseling throughout the post-bac program and during the medical school application process. In addition, we offer individual and group tutoring, MCAT preparation sessions, workshops on medical school admissions, and discussions with physicians and medical school admission directors.

Although we do not have specific GPA (or SAT/ACT) cut-offs, we do look for students who have demonstrated strong academic success. 

Absolutely, yes! They expect you to do well during your post-bac year in order to demonstrate that you can handle the rigors of a science curriculum. 

Clinical volunteering is an integral part of our program and is embedded into the curriculum. The summer you matriculate, we’ll assist you in finding volunteering that enhances your clinical experiences, supports your “why medicine” narrative, and helps to make you a compelling applicant to medical school.

Research is a great way to enhance your critical thinking and inquiry skills. Post-bac students who are interested in research will need to cold call labs and pursue PIs on their own. Often times, this means reaching out to researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine or the University of Maryland School of Medicine.