What is a pre-medicine post-baccalaureate? (Hint: it’s not just to prepare you for medical school)
A pre-medicine post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) is a certificate program that gives college graduates the opportunity to complete undergraduate science courses in preparation for application to medical school and other health-related professional schools.
At Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, the pre-medicine post-bacc offers you a chance to build a deep and strong science foundation in rigorous classes taught by Northwestern faculty. Classes in the pre-med post-bacc are offered in the evenings with some labs held during the weekends. As part of the required curriculum, students take laboratory science courses in biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics required for application for further education.
The program can be completed in 15 or 21 months depending on your needs.
“Northwestern's Pre-medicine program way over-prepared me, in a good way. I’m sure that there were questions that the MCAT could have thrown at me that I only would have been able to answer because I took specific classes with professors who taught at a distinguished level.”
Fiona Fimmel, SPS Pre-medicine ‘19
Who is a pre-medicine post-
baccalaureate for?
A pre-medicine post-bacc is designed for those who studied something different in undergrad and are now realizing that their passions lie in medicine. This includes individuals interested in medicine (getting your MD or DO), dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, and more.
“The pre-medicine post-bacc program is built for students who have developed an interest and passion for medicine after or later in their undergraduate education. This can be anyone from a student who wasn’t totally ready to complete pre-medicine courses with a bachelor’s degree to a true career changer: someone who has been working in a different field for several years and has decided that they would like to shift careers,” said Erin Cable, SPS Pre-medicine faculty member.
As an evening and weekend program, Northwestern’s post-bacc program allows you the flexibility to work during the program, volunteer, or take care of your family while also taking courses. This structure simulates the day-to-day experience during medical school and medical residency where doctors-to-be and doctors have to balance work at the hospital and studying for exams.
“Having been out in the world made a huge difference in how I handled medical school. At Northwestern, I learned how to manage my time. I didn’t pull all-nighters. I knew what was relevant.”
John Stracks, MD, SPS Pre-medicine alum
What can I do with a pre-med post-baccalaureate?
The pre-med post-bacc program gives you the opportunity to take all the coursework needed for medical school and other professional schools (like dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, and podiatry), but it can also be a platform for individuals interested in academia and research. Students can take the coursework needed to explore other paths, such as:
- PhD programs in the sciences
- Academic research
- Public health
- Non-clinical opportunities in healthcare like:
- Healthcare administration
- Genetic counseling
- Patient advocacy
- Community health education
- Health analytics or health informatics
I want to be in healthcare now! How can you help me quicken the process?
Students interested in moving quickly through the program can choose to complete it in 15 months, rather than in the 21-month format.
Additionally, a medical school linkage is a great way to put your medical education and career on the fast track. A linkage is a special relationship between a post-baccalaureate pre-medicine program and a medical school. Students who are admitted to a medical school via a linkage can accelerate their enrollment by starting their medical studies in the term following completion of their post-baccalaureate program, bypassing the traditional glide year (the year after completion of pre-medicine requirements that is needed to apply for programs).
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies currently has three linkage agreements. They are with:
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Rush Medical College
- Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Why should I choose Northwestern’s pre-med post-baccalaureate program?
The Northwestern University pre-med curriculum is a challenging one that is designed to prepare you for successful application to and completion of programs at top medical schools nationwide.
The average MCAT score of Northwestern Pre-medicine post-bacc students was 509 in 2022 compared to the U.S. national average of 501 (2022 data from American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS®).
In addition to having a top-notch curriculum, Northwestern’s pre-medicine post-bacc program offers students a number of exciting opportunities.
1: Professional Health Seminars
The program has two quarter-length Professional Health Proseminars, one at the beginning of your journey and one at the end, that support students through the transition to the rigor of a Northwestern science curriculum, as well as preparing for the medical school and professional health programs application process. These courses are exclusive to SPS professional health students and are offered at no additional cost.
2: Tutoring Support
Northwestern University also offers a number of free tutoring services in the sciences, math, and writing.
3: Professional Networking & Student Support Opportunities
The Northwestern University Pre-Health Professional Student Group (NUPP) is a student community dedicated to supporting its members through the pre-med program, as well as the medical school and other professional health programs application process. The group coordinates mentorship, tutoring, and admission visits throughout the year, as well as host conversations and lectures.
“The variation in our student community creates a truly unique experience. Students in the pre-medicine program may learn alongside someone with a successful career as a professional violinist, engineer, or someone who has been working in clinical research for several years.”
Erin Cable, SPS Pre-medicine faculty member
Ugh, I’m still not sure if a pre-medicine post-baccalaureate is for me. Any advice?
You’re never alone in the pre-med post-baccalaureate program at Northwestern University—but you don’t have to take our word for it. Read below for advice from our community members.
“Jump on any opportunity to learn more about medicine and what a career in medicine entails. In talking with my peers, it seems that having a solid understanding of why you want to do this [medicine] will help you get through the program best. Also, involve yourself in activities such as volunteering, shadowing, jobs in/around medicine, etc. It will allow you to see where you can go through this program and is a huge motivation for the long days.” – Brianna Barenberg, SPS Pre-medicine alum
“Choosing Northwestern for my pre-med post-bacc was a no-brainer for me. I knew that the level of instruction at Northwestern would be rigorous. You want professors that hold students to a high standard because that is exactly what you need to be a competitive medical school applicant.” – Sarah Clark, SPS Pre-medicine ‘20
“[The Northwestern University post-bacc] is not a cut-throat environment. Everyone really wants to help each other out and everyone is in the same position, in that this is their second career, this is something that they really want to do.” –Abigail Paras, SPS Pre-medicine ‘20
Interested in other types of medicine? Explore our other professional health programs
Certificate Programs:
Prepatory Coursework Programs: