Academic Advising

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Pre-Health Post-Bac Students      

At the UO, Post-Bac students are those who have completed a previous baccalaureate degree, and would like to take additional classes at the UO.  Enrolling as a Post-Bac student is an avenue to: 

  • Complete prerequisite courses for a specific program of interest
  • Begin a second undergraduate bachelor’s degree
  • Repeat prerequisite courses to show significant improvement

This individualized unstructured course of study is based on your previous coursework and experience.  Students are not awarded a certificate or masters degree. 


This flexible option is common for students preparing for health professional programs.


Please explore this website to get more information about enrolling as a Pre-Health Post-Bac student.

Page Contents


 

Curriculum


You may be wondering, “Where do I start?”  This will depend on the courses you have taken, and your professional objective.

  • First you need to know how your courses will transfer to the University of Oregon. Use the transfer credit equivalencies website to determine how your science coursework will transfer.
  • Make an appointment with a Pre-Health Advisor to help navigate the UO system, and determine what coursework is next for you.

Remember:  Because of the unique pattern of fall/winter/spring science sequencing, it is highly recommended to apply to the UO in April for fall admission or March for summer admission. If you have completed any science courses, we recommend contacting a Pre-Health Academic Advisor to talk about your previous academic history. 

With the support of a Pre-Health Advisor, you can start to put together a curriculum plan that will allow you to complete the prerequisite courses you need to apply to a health professional program.

 

Pre-Health Advising


You will work closely with a Pre-Health Advisor in the Office of Academic Advising to create an individualized academic plan and to assist you as you prepare to apply to your desired health professional school.

There are regular workshops throughout the year including an “Applying to Medical School” series. In this series you will be provided with:

  • An overview of the application process
  • Opportunity to ask questions of Admissions and Student Services personnel from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (OHSU)

Advising assistance is also provided as you plan your coursework, select schools, and prepare for interviews. See our pre-health pamphlets for information and resources, and www.explorehealthcareers.org.

Check out these websites for more information about the University of Oregon science departments:

Biology: http://biology.uoregon.edu
Chemistry: http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~chem/
General Science: http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~gensci/
Human Physiology: http://www.uoregon.edu/%7Ehphy/
Physics: http://physics.uoregon.edu/

 

Contact Information


Call (541) 346-3211 to schedule an appointment with a Pre-Health Advisor.  You can find us at 364 Oregon Hall.

There are three primary Pre-Health Advisors in the Office of Academic Advising.  
Jenni Van Wyk, jvanwyk@uoregon.edu
Shasta McLester, mclester@uoregon.edu
Megan Coble, mcoble@uoregon.edu

Admission, Financial, and Residency Information


Post-Bac Admission Requirements

To apply as an undergraduate Post baccalaureate student at UO, please refer to UO’s Admission website.

Recommended:  Submit application in March for summer admission or April for fall admission.  If you have completed any science courses, we recommend contacting a Pre-Health Academic Advisor to talk about your previous academic history. 

International and Out-Of-State Students

The University of Oregon is pleased to accept international and out-of-state students.  Information on Post-Baccalaureate admission can be found on the Admissions website.

Tuition

Tuition is based on resident or non-resident status. As a non-graduate Post-Bac, students pay undergraduate tuition rates. Please keep in mind there are fees in addition to tuition charges, so please read the Registrar's website carefully.

Summer session tuition rates

Establishing Residency in Oregon

Students interested in establishing residency in Oregon must be aware that there are strict rules governing how residency is determined.   More information can be found on the Admissions website.  Remember that the state of residency will be an important factor when applying to medical school or other professional schools. Make sure to seriously consider all factors before making decisions that will affect residency status.

Financial Aid

Post-Bac students who are degree-seeking and declare an academic major may apply for federal financial aid. Pre-med at the UO is considered a professional objective, not an academic major.

 

MCAT Preparation


There are two MCAT review courses taught in Eugene:

  1. Kaplan
  2.  UO Teaching and Learning Center (TLC): The TLC review course is taught during winter and summer terms by UO professors. It is now available at the UO campuses in Eugene, Portland, and Bend. This review course is offered for less than half the cost of the Kaplan course.

 

Health Related Opportunities


Pre-Medical Student Club


Asklepiads, the Premedical Society, is a student-run organization that offers students a variety of opportunities to get involved.  As an Asklepiad, you can expect to be involved in the following:

  • Coordination of the medical preceptorship program each year matching premedical students with physicians in the Eugene-Springfield area
  • Opportunity to shadow a physician for one or two academic terms
  • Bring in a variety of guest speakers addressing health-related issues
  • Coordination of community service opportunities

Eugene/Springfield Volunteer Opportunities


Eugene-Springfield is home to two major hospitals (Sacred Heart and McKenzie-Willamette) and an array of social service agencies, which provide a variety of volunteer opportunities for students.

For example, the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic (VIM) is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to meeting the primary health needs of the uninsured. Many UO students have found their volunteer work at VIM to be extremely rewarding and in the process have learned a great deal about the health care system in the United States.

For more resources, go to Health-Related Opportunities.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


Admission Questions

  1. What are the requirements for admission?
    Please see our Admission section above and go to http://admissions.uoregon.edu/otherapplicants/postbacc for an application.

  2. Does UO accept out-of-state students and international students?
    Yes.  For information about applying to the UO: http://admissions.uoregon.edu/otherapplicants/postbacc

  3. What are the prerequisite courses I need to have to be admitted as a Post-Bac student?
    The Post-Bac option is very unstructured, geared to meet the individual needs of the student.  If a student has taken pre-med courses and wishes to enhance their academic resume, or if a student has never taken any science courses and wishes to begin taking the first science sequence, both students have that opportunity. 

Post-Bac Questions

  1. When should I start?
    Because of the unique pattern of fall/winter/spring science sequencing, it is highly recommended to apply to the UO in April for fall admission or March for summer admission. If you have completed any science courses, please contact a Pre-Health Advisor at (541)346-3211 to talk about your previous academic history.

  2. How long does it take to complete my pre-health prerequisites?
    The length varies based on your preparation and needs. If you have not previously completed any of the science classes, completing your coursework may take between 15 months and two years. Please keep in mind that the medical school application process will also last approximately one year. Application timelines for other professional programs will vary.

     

  3. What is a typical courseload?
    Students typically complete 12-18 credits per term. You may also take classes on a part-time basis.


  4. I have already completed some of the coursework. Can I complete the remaining requirements at the UO?
    Yes.  Please contact a Pre-Health Advisor in the Office of Academic Advising at (541)346-3211 to discuss your academic options.


  5. I completed the premedical requirements as an undergraduate. Can I take additional science classes at the UO to improve my chances for admission to medical school?
    Yes. Although the Post-Bac courses will not replace your previous science coursework, strong performance as a Post-Bac student should improve your chances for medical school admission. Schools choose their medical students on a variety of factors, including grades, MCAT scores, volunteer service, job shadow experience, and personal statement. 


  6. How many students are enrolled as a Pre-Health Post-Bac student?
    There are typically between 10 and 20 Post-Bac Pre-Health students enrolled each term.

     

  7. Who will be in my classes?
    You will enroll in undergraduate classes with undergraduates as well as Post-Bac students.

     

  8. Do you have consortial agreements with health professional schools?
    We do not have consortial agreements with any health professional schools.

Financial Questions

  1. What kind of financial assistance is provided for Post-Bac students?
    Please see the Financial Aid section above for information.

  2. How much does the cost?
    The program cost will vary depending on your residency status, number of credits for which you register, and the length of time in the program. Current tuition figures for the academic year are available at http://registrar.uoregon.edu/costs/tuition_fee_structure/undergraduate. For Summer Session fees, please see http://uosummer.uoregon.edu.

Contact Information


Who can I contact with additional questions?
If you have additional questions about the Pre-Health Advisor:
Jenni Van Wyk at jvanwyk@uoregon.edu
Shasta McLester at mclester@uoregon.edu
Megan Coble at mcoble@uoregon.edu
-Or- schedule an in-person or phone appointment by calling (541) 346-3211
**We cannot schedule appointments by email**