FAQs

Admissions - Eligibility

I am an international student. Can I apply for your program?

We do not accept international students to our program. International students are not able to obtain an F1 visa due to the nature of our program (a non-degree program). Because the time commitments of the postbacc program make full-time employment difficult, qualifying for a visa through employment is typically not possible either. 

I am currently a college senior. When is the earliest time that I can apply for admission to your program?

We require a final official transcript that shows both your last semester's grades as well as an undergraduate degree confirmation/conferral date. Therefore, if you are currently a senior, you may only apply for the term that has an application deadline which falls AFTER your final transcript is available. (ie: if you graduate in August you are not eligible for Fall admission but you may apply for the Spring term). We will review applications of current seniors if they provide both an official transcript and an official letter from a university official (either the registrar or an advisor) stating that you are expected to graduate in {specify month and year} with a degree in {specify degree}. Please have the university official submit this signed letter on institutional letterhead, as an attachment, to postbacc@nyu.edu from their official university email address. Once we receive all parts of the application, including those two things, we will make a decision. If we plan to accept you, it will be a conditional acceptance until we receive your final official transcript showing your last semester's grades and degree conferral.

I completed all or most of the prehealth curriculum at my undergraduate institution, but I would like to improve my grades for admission to medical school. Is your program a good fit for me?

As our program is for career changers who have not previously taken the prehealth curriculum, you would not be an eligible candidate. To find an appropriate program, you should focus your search on "academic record enhancer" programs to assist you in boosting your academic GPA and strengthening your application to medical school. Visit the AAMC's online postbacc program database.

I took some science courses at my undergraduate (or other) institution, but I did not complete the entire prehealth curriculum. Am I still eligible to apply?

We require students to have at least 5 core sciences courses (as defined by our curriculum) left to take at NYU for eligibility. If you meet this, then you are eligible for our program. 

I’ve already started another postbaccalaureate program somewhere else. Can I transfer to NYU’s postbacc program?

No, unfortunately we cannot consider applicants who have already started coursework at another postbaccalaureate prehealth program.

Can i be enrolled in the postbacc program and another graduate/professional program simultaneously?

No, unfortunately we cannot consider applicants who are already enrolled in another graduate program. You will either have to finish your current program or withdraw in order to be accepted into our program.

My undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0, but I would really like to apply for your program. If I take additional coursework and get good grades is it possible to become eligible?

The GPA minimum is put in place less for reasons internal to our program and more for the benefit of students. It can be extremely difficult to gain entrance to medical school with a poor undergraduate record, and the expense of postbacc programs is so high that it is best to be as realistic as possible. Taking additional courses does not really help here, because once you have graduated, your undergraduate GPA is what it is.

You can, however, undertake other studies (like graduate degrees or an academic record enhancer postbacc program) and achieve better grades there. These potential other GPAs would be considered side-by-side with your undergraduate GPA by health professional schools. There have certainly been individuals who have overcome low undergraduate GPAs and gained entry to health professional schools, but you should be aware that this is not the norm.

If you still wish to apply to our program, there are times when we will accept someone who does not have the minimum GPA, but we make those decisions based on carefully weighing the prospective student's overall presentation (meaning their application) with the rigor of our program.

Admissions - Application Process

Can I defer enrollment for a semester, or for a year?

No. Our program does not generally grant deferrals. You have to be prepared to begin the program during the semester for which you applied.

How long will it take until I find out if I've been accepted?

We will review the application and email our decision to you within six to eight weeks, once we have received your complete application including all of your supporting materials and application fee.

My finances are limited – do you offer application fee waivers?

We will consider application fee waivers on a case-by-case basis. Please email postbacc@nyu.edu with your request.

Admissions - Other

I am ineligible for your program, but I would still like to complete my premed coursework as a non-degree seeking student at NYU. Is this possible? If so, how can I do this?

Yes, it is possible to take up to two semesters of coursework as a non-degree/special student, provided you have at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA. However, we caution you on two major points: 1) pre-health courses (like chemistry, biology, etc) are generally very large lectures and non-degree students may have a hard time finding space in them, and 2) we will not write committee letters for non-degree/visiting students.

Please visit the admissions website for information on taking courses as a visiting student.

Curriculum

Do you offer a part-time curriculum option?

All of our postbacc students are technically part-time students, typically taking about 10 credits per semester. This is a slightly misleading term, however, as students have told us that they spend up to 50 hours a week in class and studying for classes. This differs radically for each student depending on their aptitude and background. It is also very important that students spend time gaining clinical experience while completing their pre-med coursework, which adds additional time commitments to the schedule.

Does NYU offer any evening classes for postbacc students?

No. All of our prehealth courses are taken with undergraduates on a traditional undergraduate schedule.

I would like to complete prerequisites to enter a nursing program. Is your program a good fit?

No. If you are interested in pursuing a nursing program, please visit the NYU College of Nursing's website to learn more about completing prerequisite coursework.

Is it possible to complete the program in one year?

It may be possible to complete our program in 15-18 months.This plan is strongly advised against because it requires you to take courses while applying to your prehealth professional program.This plan would involve you taking either biology, physics, or organic chemistry during the second summer--all of which are part of the MCAT exam. Additionally, biochemistry is a required course in our program, and will determine if you can complete the program in 15 or 18 months (depending on when you complete organic chemistry).

Is it possible to work, either full- or part- time, while completing your program?

We do have students that work part-time, flexible positions. Many of our students who have successfully worked and completed our program indicate that it was difficult to do. Other students have struggled to work even part-time while completing the courses. 

Tuition and Financial Aid

As a postbaccalaureate student am I eligible for financial aid?

If accepted into our program—a non-degree, certificate program—you may be eligible for a limited amount of financial aid in the form of low-interest loans.

  • Federal loans may be available for up to two years of the program. To apply for federal loans you will need to file the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • New York State residents may also be eligible for a limited amount of aid through New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
  • You may also be eligible for private loans.
  • For more information about funding options contact NYU's Financial Aid Office.

I am an NYU employee. Is the postbacc program eligible for tuition remission?

Unfortunately, the Postbacc Program does not qualify for tuition remission as it is a non-degree program.

Community

How big is NYU's Postbaccalaureate Prehealth Studies Program?

Our program is small by design. Currently, we have a total of approximately 100 students. We enroll about forty new students each year.

What is the age range of students in your program?

We do not place restrictions on the age of our applicants. Over the past few years, our accepted students have ranged from just out of college to 10+ years from their degrees. We have also accepted a variety of students with graduate degrees (MA, MPH, MBA, and PhD among them). As long as you meet the admissions criteria, you are welcome to apply.

Admission to Health Professional Schools

Can your program help me get into dental school?

Yes. Dental schools consider students who earn a minimum GPA of 3.5 in our postbaccalaureate program and a Dental Admission Test (DAT) score of 20 competitive applicants for admission.

Does your program offer courses to help me prepare for health professional schools, other than medical and dental schools?

Yes. Students who are interested in veterinary medicine, physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, and physician assistant programs can prepare for these schools at NYU. These schools actually require more prerequisite coursework so it is important to plan carefully. In most cases you will be able to complete the prerequisites within two to three years.

If I complete NYU's program, what are my chances of getting into medical school?

If you earn a minimum GPA of 3.6 in our postbaccalaureate prehealth program and score above the 88th percentile for allopathic medical programs (MD) your chances of being accepting into a U.S. Medical School is fairly high. These schools have accepted approximately 90 percent of our students with those metrics.

Will you provide me with a Committee Letter of Evaluation for my application to medical school?

Only postbacc students who have completed the NYU Postbacc Program and who have applied and been approved for graduation from the program will be allowed to receive a Committee Letter of Evaluation. Even if a committee interview was previously conducted, unless the NYU Postbacc certificate was officially awarded a Committee Letter of Evaluation from NYU will not be written and/or submitted as part of your application to health professional programs. 

 

Other

Can I get health insurance through NYU?

As a postbaccalaureate student you will be eligible for health insurance. Select coverage by going to the NYU Student Health Center.

I have additional questions. Is it possible to meet with an advisor?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer individual advising appointments to prospective students until after you have been offered admission to our program. However, there are a few ways to get your questions answered: