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Earn Science Credits for Medical School, Physician Assistant Programs and More

Our Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical program near Albany, New York, will allow you to earn the science credits needed to apply to medical school or a similarly competitive graduate program.

SEE CATALOG FOR POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

Why Choose Russell Sage’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies Advanced Certificate Program

Small class sizes, especially in laboratory sciences, allow you to build relationships with faculty members who will support you every step of the way. Your course of study will be individualized — and a program advisor will work with you to ensure your coursework supports your career goals.

This Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med program is designed for:

  • Students with a bachelor’s degree in an area other than the sciences
  • Students who need to enhance their preparation and coursework or to repeat courses taken more than five years ago

You will also have a pre-med advisor, who offers more specific guidance on:

  • Preparing for the MCAT or GRE (required by physician assistant programs)
  • Identifying research, work and volunteer opportunities that provide clinical and patient-contact hours
  • Drafting application materials that will help you stand out.

Easily Apply

Application Requirements

  • B.S. or B.A. from an accredited college or university
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher (or undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00)
  • Statement of goals: We want to hear your voice. Russell Sage College values authenticity, critical thinking, and personal expression. We ask that all application essays be written solely by the applicant with only ethical use of AI technology, such as tools that support but do not generate content.
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Interview with director
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Your Future Opportunities

Recent Sage College graduates have been accepted at Albany Medical College, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of Illinois-College of Veterinary Medicine, the State University of New York’s Upstate Medical University, and the schools of medicine at Stony Brook University, Quinnipiac University, the University at Buffalo, New York Institute of Technology and the University of New England.

Spotlights

Alumni say the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical program at Sage helped set them up for success.

Alumni

“At Sage I was able to design my semesters, and take the classes that would set me apart.”

– Gloria Singleton
Alumni
Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies Advanced Certificate 2018
Gloria Singleton

After Gloria Singleton earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering in Boston, she decided to enroll in Russell Sage College’s Post …

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Alumni

When Katy Parsley was applying to Albany Med, there were 1,400 applicants for 42 seats. She got one of those seats. “That speaks volumes to the preparation [Russell Sage College] gives you,” she says.

– Katy Parsley
Alumni
Katy Parsley

Sometimes the course of someone’s life can change with a single conversation. Take the case of Katy Parsley.  Katy was …

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Alumni

“I’m so glad I enrolled in the Sage program. It’s respected and I feel good about having it under my name.”

– Jordan Roberts 
Alumni
Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies Advanced Certificate
Jordan Roberts 

Like many students, when Jordan Roberts was attending college she didn’t have a clear picture of what she wanted to …

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Frequently Asked Questions – Post Bachelor Pre-Med Studies

The average timeline for completing pre-med requirements through the Russell Sage College post-baccalaureate program is two years from start to finish. Because the program can be tailored to each individual student’s needs, the actual timeline can vary depending on how many courses a student needs to complete before applying to the medical, physician’s assistant, or veterinary program of choice.

A prospective medical student may need or want to enroll in a post-baccalaureate program for many reasons. For example, medical school admissions are extremely competitive. The overall acceptance rate is around 44%, meaning close to half of students who apply to medical school get accepted into at least one program, but some individual programs can have acceptance rates as low as 5%. [1]

As a result, potential applicants want to ensure their applications are as strong as possible. Completing a post-baccalaureate program can boost an applicant’s GPA, help develop faculty relationships that result in strong recommendation letters, and provide a strong foundation for MCAT preparation.

[1]  https://mededits.com/mededits-resources/medical-school-admissions/statistics/acceptance-rates

Yes, the Sage Pre-Medical Studies Post-Baccalaureate Certificate can improve competitiveness for both MD and DO medical school tracks. According to the American Medical Association, the requirements for applying to an allopathic medical school, which grants the medical doctor or MD degree, and an osteopathic medical school, which grants doctor of osteopathic medicine or DO, are “virtually the same.” [2]

Both types of schools compare GPAs and MCAT scores and require prerequisites in sciences like biology, physics, and organic chemistry. Although training for both types of doctors varies slightly — DO students learn osteopathic manipulative treatment in addition to their allopathic training, for example — a post-baccalaureate certificate will be beneficial for students whether they decide to embark on the MD or the DO route.

Choosing between an MD or DO program is a personal choice that depends on what students want to learn as well as the schools where they are accepted. It is noteworthy that more DO graduates go into family medicine than other specialties, likely due to the effectiveness of DO training as a more holistic approach to medicine, treatment, and preventative care.

[2] https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-medical-school/do-vs-md-how-much-does-medical-school-degree-type-matter

Russell Sage’s post-baccalaureate program does not have formal partnerships or linkage agreements with regional medical schools. However, Sage graduates have been accepted into highly competitive medical, physician’s assistant, and veterinary programs, including:

  • Albany Medical College
  • Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine
  • The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
  • State University of New York Upstate Medical University

A linkage program is a way for pre-medicine students to enroll directly into medical schools upon completion of post-baccalaureate programs. Not all students who enroll in post-baccalaureate programs with linkage programs will be admitted to the linkage, as it is somewhat like conditional admission to the medical program.

Sage’s post-baccalaureate program is designed to be customized for student needs and is not solely targeted to medical students. Aspiring physician’s assistants and veterinarians can also benefit from the program, differentiating it from some programs that do have linkage agreements.

GPA and MCAT score improvements among graduates of the Sage post-baccalaureate certificate are highly dependent on the student, including the transcripts and performance experience they have when applying for and entering the program. It is also important to note that while students can build a strong foundation for MCAT preparation in the program, the post-baccalaureate certificate is not a targeted MCAT preparation program.

Because medical programs are so competitive, both a high GPA and high MCAT score are generally necessary to gain admission. Applicants to Sage’s post-baccalaureate program must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 to be eligible. In addition to giving students the opportunity to improve their GPAs, a post-baccalaureate program allows students who have been out of school for more than five years to demonstrate their academic readiness and re-take science courses that may no longer be eligible for consideration on medical school applications.

Sage’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies Advanced Certificate is a rigorous program that most students complete on a full-time basis. To complete the program within two years, students take approximately 16 credits per semester. Some students may be able to balance work while enrolled if they have solid support systems.

Some post-baccalaureate programs are designated Specifically for students changing careers or for those looking to improve their academic records before applying to medical programs. Sage’s program can be tailored to either scenario. Applicants who are switching careers are able to take courses to meet medical school prerequisites such as biology and organic chemistry with labs, even if they do not have science-based undergraduate degrees.

Have questions about this post-baccalaureate pre-medical program?

Mary Rea
Mary S. Rea
Professor of Biology

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