Post Baccalaureate Program

Through hands-on clinical education in the heart of a rapidly evolving city, the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides a distinct experiential advantage that sets you apart from your peers at other colleges, especially when applying for residency programs. Whether in our partner hospitals or in surrounding communities, you can put your knowledge to work treating patients in Detroit one of the most dynamic urban environments in the world.

The Post Baccalaureate Program was established by Charles F. Whitten, M.D., in 1969 as the first program of its kind in the country. It is a non-degree-granting program for qualified, low-income students seeking admission to medical school. The program encourages diversity in health care professions by increasing the number of physicians from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

For more information, please contact Dr. Jason Brooks at jrbrooks@med.wayne.edu or 313-577-3431.

For more information about applying to medical school please contact Deborah Holland at dholland@med.wayne.edu.

To assist your application process the application is avaliable as PDF to review before hand here.

Application Link: Application Closed

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Post Baccalaureate Program, you must:

Have applied to the Wayne State University School of Medicine Post Baccalaureate Program.
Be a first-generation college graduate
Be a Michigan resident
Have received an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution by June of the year for which admission is requested
Have taken the MCAT within the past 3 years at time of application
Have a minimum MCAT score of 491
Have completed Required:
2 Semesters of General Biology
2 Semesters of General/Inorganic Chemistry
2 Semesters of Physics
Semester of Writing
Semesters of Organic Chemistry or 1 Semester of Organic Chemistry and 1 Semester of Biochemistry
A minimum of 1 semester of laboratory coursework (in chemistry, physics, and/or biology)
Recommended: Biochemistry Statistics Medical ethics Mathematics Social science
Upper-level biology

Application process

Submit three (3) letters of recommendations, ALL MCAT scores, and the application by 5 p.m. on April 16, 2023. If you are taking the MCAT in March, upload your test reservation receipt as a pdf. Applications will be accepted with a receipt of a March test date. Students will be notified by May 5th if they are selected for an interview after a secondary application review during the month of April. Selected students will be interviewed in May and June.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply directly to the Post Baccalaureate Program?

While we encourage students to focus on being competitive applicants for medical school first, you can apply directly to the Post Baccalaureate Program.

What are the pre-requisites for the program?

All Post Baccalaureate Program applicants should have completed:

2 Semesters of General Biology
2 Semesters of General/Inorganic Chemistry
2 Semesters of Physics
Semester of Writing
Semesters of Organic Chemistry or 1 Semester of Organic Chemistry and 1 Semester of Biochemistry
A minimum of 1 semester of laboratory coursework (in chemistry, physics, and/or biology)
Recommended: Biochemistry Statistics Medical ethics Mathematics Social science
Upper-level biology

How many letters of recommendation are required?

We request letters of recommendation with your application. An application must include three letters of recommendation with at least two from faculty members. One letter must have been written within the past 12 months.

How many students are accepted into the program each year?

A maximum of 16 students are accepted each year.

Will everyone who applies be offered an interview?

Unfortunately, everyone who applies will not be offered an interview. A holistic review of applicants is conducted to determine which applicants will be invited to interview.

Is admission to medical school guaranteed upon completion of the program?

No, there is no guaranteed admission. All accepted students are assessed to determine if they have met the program requirements and if they will be recommended to the policy committee for admission to medical school. According to policy, all medical school admissions will be finalized by the Wayne State University School of Medicine Admissions Committee.

How are students assessed in the program?

Students are assessed in the following areas:

Learning assessment(s)
Academic assessment (based on course work)
Non-cognitive assessment
Professionalism assessment

What courses do students take in the program?

Students take a variety of courses, including:

Biochemistry
Embryology
Gross Anatomy
Histology
Physiology

Is this a degree granting program?
No, the Post Baccalaureate Program is not a degree granting program.

Is this a certificate granting program?
Yes, the Premedical Post Baccalaureate Program is a certificate program through the Wayne State University Office of Executive and Professional Development. Students who successfully complete the program with the required instructional hours will receive a certficiate at the end of the program year.

Is there a tuition charge for this program?
All program fees for accepted participants are funded by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. There are no additional course fees for participants. As a reminder, the Post Baccalaureate Program is limited to low-income residents in Michigan who meet program criteria and are selected for the program through a holistic application review and interview process.

How long is the program?
The program begins at the end of August and runs through June of the following year.

Do program participants qualify for financial aid?
No, program participants do not qualify for financial aid because all program fees are paid for by the School of Medicine's Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In addition, program participants receive a living stipend during their year in the program. There are no additional program expenses and therefore, participants are not eligible for financial aid.