Academics & Advising

Program of Study

A minimum of six courses is required to complete the program. To remain in the program, students are expected to maintain at least a 3.3 GPA. Students admitted to the program generally attend Tufts for 12-24 months and usually take two laboratory courses for credit per semester. The actual time enrolled in the program varies from one student to the next. Each student works with the advisor to customize his/her course of study.

Primary courses taken to fulfill professional school requirements include:

Biology: Cells and Organisms (Bio 13)

Biology: Organisms and Populations (Bio 14)

Chemical Fundamentals (Chem 1)

Chemical Principles (Chem 2)

Organic Chemistry I and II (Chem 51/53 and 52/54)

Introductory Physics I and II (Phys 1 and 2)

In addition to these basic requirements, Tufts offers a wide range of biology courses including anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, as well as math, psychology and statistics. All Tufts undergraduate courses are available to Postbac Premed students.  Once accepted, students must take all of their prerequisite courses at Tufts. After completing the required courses needed for graduate admission, students may choose to enroll in other advanced science and math courses.

An Important Note about Math Preparation

In order to be adequately prepared for the study of the basic sciences, you should possess a solid understanding of college-level algebra and basic trigonometry.  While calculus is a requirement for some medical schools, it is not a prerequisite for any of our premed lab sciences nor is it tested on the MCAT, DAT or other standardized tests.  Algebra and trig are what you will need to perform well in the undergraduate sciences you will take in a postbac premed program.  Before you begin any program, be sure to properly assess your skills in these critical math areas.  Review a math textbook, pick up a GRE prep book and work through the math problems, and/or take a college-level algebra/trig course.  The stronger your math skills are coming into a postbac premed program, the better prepared you will be to excel in your science classes.

Academic Advising

Recognizing that the transition from the humanities and social sciences to the laboratory sciences is often a difficult one, Tufts makes academic advising an integral part of your Postbac experience.

You will work closely with Tufts health professions advisors to develop and successfully complete your academic plan. The program's small size (between 30-40 students) ensures access to Health Professions Advising and the support network.

When you apply to graduate or professional programs of your choice, the Tufts Health Professions Recommendation Committee will prepare a composite letter of recommendation for you.

Postbac students who successfully complete the program with a 3.3 GPA or better are also guaranteed an interview at the Tufts University School of Medicine, should they choose to apply.