Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program

The Scripps College Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program is a 12-month program that offers motivated career-changers the opportunity to complete the prerequisite basic science courses needed to matriculate into medical school and pursue successful careers in medicine and other health professions. Enrolled postbac students take the required science courses in small, collaborative classes alongside diverse and committed undergraduate students while learning in a supportive community. Scripps postbac students further benefit from the personal attention and support of dedicated faculty and advisors who provide guidance throughout the application process, helping prepare competitive applicants for medical, veterinary, or dental school.

Our postbac students have earned an impressive 98% acceptance rate into medical school, dental school, and veterinary school. Scripps students have a strong track record of gaining admission to prestigious schools nationwide and continuing on to successfully pursue careers in allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. About one fourth of the post baccalaureate students at Scripps choose to take advantage of our linkage programs. Scripps has linkage agreements with six outstanding medical schools, allowing our students the flexibility to apply to medical school on the timeline that best fits their individual goals.

Located within the Claremont Colleges Academic Affairs department, the Scripps Postbaccalaureate Premedical program is a respected leader among postbaccalaureate programs that has helped students gain admission to medical school and other health professions programs for nearly 30 years.

Open House

Please Join us at our Virtual Open House event Monday, October 28, 2024 at 5pm.

What happens during this event? The first half of the presentation is led by DeEttra Mulay, Postbaccalaureate Program Director. She guides you through our open house presentation, which covers program requirements, resources available to you, and stats. The second half of our presentation offers a Q & A student panel, which is comprised of current and alumni students.

Our Open House registration is now closed.

Pursue a Career in Medicine

Our selective postbaccalaureate premedical program provides a strong educational foundation in basic science prerequisites necessary for competitive admission to health professions programs, including medical school, dental school, and veterinary school.

Scripps Postbac students benefit from small classes and close interaction with professors, personal advising, group tutoring, and more – both throughout the academic year and beyond. Alumni who successfully completed our postbaccalaureate program can attest to the exceptional preparation they received.

Prospective Students

The Scripps College Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program admits highly motivated individuals interested in applying to a health professions program. Qualified students will have received an undergraduate degree prior to starting at Scripps. The curriculum for students in the Scripps postbac program is specifically designed to prepare students in the academic areas required for successful acceptance to medical, veterinary or dental school. We accept students from diverse backgrounds, ranging from recent graduates to individuals who have built careers or attended graduate school prior to making the decision to pursue a career in medicine. See our admissions page for more details.

Our program is geared toward students who have not yet completed the required coursework to apply to medical school. Students who have already completed this coursework should instead consider academic record enhancement postbaccalaureate premedical programs. The curriculum and academic guidance offered by Scripps is meant for students who plan to apply to medical school, veterinary school, or dental school and does not offer a track for applying to physician assistant programs.

As part of our interview process, prospective students have the opportunity to connect with current and alumni postbac premed students to ask any questions about the program and gain additional insight into a student’s perspective.

Curriculum

Over the course of 12 months, students at Scripps College take the science courses required to apply to medical school. Students take courses in general chemistry and introductory biology over the summer. During the fall semester, they continue with vertebrate physiology, organic chemistry, and physics. In the spring semester, students finish with an additional semester of organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry, resulting in comprehensive MCAT preparation in the basic sciences in addition to preparing our students for the rigorous academic programs they will encounter in medical school. For additional details and a sample 12-month schedule, see our curriculum page.

The small size of the Scripps program also allows for more flexible tailoring of the curriculum for students with unique educational backgrounds. Students who have already taken some of the prerequisite science courses may be eligible to take electives in place of the standard curriculum if their prerequisite courses are more than 5 years old. Some students also take advantage of our 24-month, part-time option.

Tutoring programs are accessible to help students navigate the material and enhance their academic record. Students have access to group tutoring led by TA’s in the Keck Science Department, 1-on-1 peer tutoring in specific subjects, and office hours with faculty members.

Outside the Classroom

Our program supports postbaccalaureate premedical students outside of their academic studies. Staff and faculty assist students with every step of application preparation and help students identify volunteer opportunities through one-on-one advising and workshops. Our students also participate in clinical and research opportunities during both the academic year and the glide year.

Scripps postbac students are able to take advantage of extracurricular activities and services available to undergraduates at the Claremont Colleges. Scripps postbacs have also participated in leadership opportunities on campus. The Scripps Career Services Office provides interview preparation for postbac students as they move further through the application cycle.