Frequently Asked Questions

The Scripps College Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program is for individuals who have decided to change professions in order to pursue a career in medicine. Our students are career changers who have not completed the necessary coursework for medical, dental, or veterinary school. The program prepares students through its curriculum of required prerequisite science courses, assistance in seeking valuable volunteer and internship opportunities, and personalized advising to enroll in medical, dental, or veterinary school. Students who have completed the necessary coursework should instead consider academic record-enhancer post-bac programs, as our program is geared toward individuals who have not completed the coursework to apply to medical school.

The Scripps Post-Bac Program is open to individuals of any gender identity. Each year, the class is composed of a different percentage of students who identify across the gender spectrum.

Most students in the program are pursuing a medical career as a physician. However, we also offer the prerequisite science courses necessary for students interested in veterinary medicine and dentistry, and our graduates have successfully pursued degrees in these fields after graduating from the program. In addition, students who plan to attend medical school are encouraged to consider applying to DO schools in addition to MD schools.

Students may retake coursework that was completed more than five years before entering into the program. Upon matriculating, each student will continue to meet with advisers to determine the most appropriate coursework.

The full-time, 12-month program begins in May and ends the following May. Students take a full course load while volunteering or interning 4-6 hours per week in a medical setting.

Yes, there is a part-time option that can be completed in 24 months based on individual needs. Part-time enrollment in the 24-month plan requires that a student work or volunteer at least 20 hours per week. The faculty director will provide individualized academic advising to help each student create a timeline for the part-time program.

All of the science classes are integrated. This gives Post-Bac students the opportunity to work with undergraduates who share the same career goals and motivation to succeed. This integrative setting fosters a sense of community and creates a non-competitive atmosphere. Because of this, we do not offer evening lecture classes.

The Scripps College Post-Bac Program cohort is kept small and selective in order to provide individual attention to each Post-Bac student. About 17 students matriculate each year.

Students range in age from 21 to 45, with most under the age of 30.

Unfortunately, we do not offer our program to those who want to attend PA school. We only offer acceptances to those wishing to enter medical, dental, or veterinary schools.

• faculty with extensive office hours
• personal and flexible program customization
• evening group tutoring sessions and one-on-one peer tutoring
• math review workshops in the summer
• professional development events and workshops
• personalized advising for medical school applications and essays
• guidance from a Post-Baccalaureate financial aid specialist
• mock interviews
• customized MCAT prep course available at a discounted fee
• detailed and personalized faculty-committee letter of recommendation
• group meetings, workshops and seminars with current physicians, Scripps Post-Bac alumni, and medical school admissions officers
• continued advising and support after completing the program

Scripps College seeks intelligent, mature, and motivated individuals who have made an informed decision to change their lives’ direction. Applicants should also have a strong commitment to the profession of medicine and a commitment to their community and their professional goals.

• a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution in a field other than pre-health
• a recommended undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• SAT, ACT, or GRE scores
• volunteer or work experience in the medical field and/or social services is not required but highly desirable

We accept applications starting mid-August via Post-Bac CAS. Since we are on a rolling admission process, we encourage prospective students to apply early for the best chance of admission. We will continue to review applications until mid-March. Please note that this deadline applies to the receipt of all application materials, including letters of recommendation and test scores.

The number of previous science classes does not disqualify applicants from applying to our program. The main concern is whether you have taken the majority of our 9-course curriculum. We prefer students to enter the program having taken a minimal amount of the courses offered. Sometimes students enter our program having completed one or more of our courses. You may substitute them for other classes, such as Introductory Psychology or Genetics. Ultimately, the admission committee will make the decision in considering the coursework you’ve already completed, and which courses substitutions you would enroll in, if accepted into the program.

Yes, we require at least one standardized test score to be eligible for the program. We only accept SAT, ACT, or GRE scores. Please note that other test scores such as LSAT or TOEFL will NOT be accepted.

We are a career changer, which means that we are geared towards students who have had limited science and healthcare exposure. As such, it is recommended that the applicant does not take the MCAT prior to matriculation. An MCAT score will not be accepted to fulfill the requirement for admission.

Calculus is a prerequisite for physics, which is a required course in the program. While you do not need to complete calculus prior to applying to our program, we strongly prefer that students complete calculus before matriculating. Please note that AP Calculus credit is not accepted, and the course must be completed at a college or university. After students are accepted into the program, we can suggest an appropriate course (including online options) for students to complete prior to matriculation.

Federally guaranteed loans are available to qualified individuals enrolled in the Post-Bac Program. The administrative director and the Scripps College Financial Aid Office provide individual financial aid counseling and assistance for those completing loan applications. Private alternative loans are also available to those who qualify.

Yes, you are more than welcome to apply for the Scripps Post-Bac Program. Please provide both your official transcript and a transcript evaluation directly to Post-Bac CAS for verification and review.

We do not conduct individual meetings prior to or during the application process due to high demand. If a student is invited for an interview, he or she will have the opportunity to ask questions, tour the campus, sit in a class, and meet with current students. In addition, we highly recommend students take advantage of our Open House, which takes place every fall. Please check back at a later date for information about our Open House in Fall 2018.

Please allow us up to two weeks to compile all of your application materials. Once we confirm that we have all materials, we will contact you to let you know that your application is complete and will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review. If more than two weeks have passed since completing your application and sending in all required materials, but you have not yet heard from us, you may contact us to request an update. Once your application is sent to the Admissions Committee for review, please allow up to six weeks for review time. As we receive many applications each year, this process takes time and each member of the Committee conducts holistic reviews of every applicant. If more than the allotted time has passed, you may contact us via email or phone to request an update.

98% of all Scripps College Post-Bac students have been accepted into medical or professional schools.

Yes, our linkage agreements allow currently enrolled Post-Baccalaureate Premedical students to directly enter medical school in the fall following the completion of their Post-Bac curriculum at Scripps College. We have linkage agreements with the following schools:

• Boston University, School of Medicine in Boston, MA
• George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC
• Hofstra North Shore LIF School of Medicine in Hempstead, NY
• University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA
• Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, CA

This depends on the timeline you choose in order to complete the program. Part-time students are required to work or volunteer 20 hours a week. Full-time students generally perform volunteer work on the average of 4-6 hours per week. Each student’s individual journey is discussed and supported by the Program Director and Academic Advisor.

Post-Bac students commute or live in nearby off-campus apartments. Many students choose to live within walking or biking distance of the campus. Staff in the Post-Baccalaureate Program Director’s Office can assist with local housing information. Post-Bac students are not offered on-campus housing.