Post-baccalaureate Program
Post Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program
The Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences Postbaccalaureate Pre-Health Program is designed to prepare students pursuing a career in medicine and other health professions by providing an educational experience that aligns with their academic preparation and goals. The program offers two distinct academic pathways that allow students to complete prerequisite coursework, strengthen their academic record, and build a competitive application for health professional school.
Applicants can choose between two program tracks based on their academic background and goals:
- Career Changer – Designed for students with little or no prior science coursework who need to complete the prerequisite courses required for admission to health professional Schools.
- Academic Enhancer – Designed for students who have completed all prerequisite science coursework and want to strengthen their academic record and overall competitiveness for admission to health professional schools.
Information Sessions
Considering applying to the program? Join us to learn more about the Career Changer & Academic Enhancer programs through one of the following info sessions:
- Date #1: September 16th, 2026 (Wednesday) – 12:00-1:00pm PST
- Date #2: October 14th, 2026 (Wednesday) -3:30-4:30pm PST
- Date #3: November 12th, 2026 (Thursday) – 12:00-1:00pm PST
- Date #4: December 3rd, 2026 (Thursday) – 3:30-4:30pm PST
Why choose UC Irvine’s Dunlop Bio Sci Postbacc Pre-Health Program?
- Guaranteed enrollment in recommended science courses.
- Letter of Recommendation for eligible students
- Individualized academic plans (Academic Enhancer) & Integrative Cohort Program (Career Enhancer)
- Personalized Pre-Health Advising
- Access to 230+ research opportunities under the guidance of the distinguished faculty of the School of Biological Sciences and the UCI School of Medicine
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
UC Irvine Biological Sciences School Postbaccalaureate Pre-Health Program Attn: Esteban Ascencio
1011 Biological Sciences III Irvine, CA 92697-1460
Email: premedpb@uci.edu
Phone: 949-824-6654
Prospective Applicant Appointments
Have questions about the program, eligibility requirements, or the application process? Schedule a one-on-one appointment with our Postbacc Program Coordinator to discuss further!
Programs Offered
Academic Enhancer
The Academic Enhancer Program is designed for students who have already completed the foundational science prerequisites required for medical school and other health professions programs, but who wish to further strengthen their academic profile before applying.
Through advanced biological science coursework and individualized advising, students have the opportunity to demonstrate continued academic excellence and enhance their overall competitiveness for health professional school admission.
Program Length: 1 year (individualized academic plan 24-36 units) – Fall Only Entry
Career Changer
The Career Changer Program is designed for students with little to no prior science coursework who are seeking to complete the foundational science prerequisites required for medical school and other health professions programs.
Through a structured curriculum and individualized advising, students build a strong scientific foundation while developing the academic and professional competencies necessary to become competitive applicants for health professional school admission.
Program Length: 2 Year (cohort model) – Summer Only Entry
Resources
Student Loans
Our program is not FAFSA eligible. Majority postbaccalaureate program do not qualify for FAFSA because they are not degree-conferring program. Students cannot use federal loans for this program.
Students looking for options to finance their studies can apply for private alternative student loans. UC has made arrangements with lenders to offer competitive loans to students in continuing education programs. To assist students in reviewing student loan options the UC Preferred Private Lender List provides additional information about each lender. Students should consider all educational funding options prior to securing a private alternative loan.
For more information please visit: http://ce.uci.edu/resources/financial/loans/
Housing
We do not offer residential placement for postbacc students. There are many off-campus housing options (not affiliated with UC Irvine) in close proximity to the campus and neighboring cities. Many undergraduate and graduate UCI students select off-campus housing options with private rental companies that cater to student housing. To learn more about these options visit housing.uci.edu/och and search for off-campus housing options. Students admitted into the program have free access to the off-campus housing listings offered by UCI Housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
The Career Changer and Academic Enhancer programs are designed for students at different stages of their pre-health journey.
The Career Changer Program is intended for students with little to no prior science coursework who are seeking to complete the foundational science prerequisites required for medical school and/or other health professions programs. The program follows a prescribed curriculum in a cohort model that allows students to complete approximately three years of prerequisite coursework in an accelerated two year format.
The Academic Enhancer Program is designed for students who have already completed their prerequisite coursework and wish to strengthen their academic profile before applying to health professional school. With an emphasis on Biological Science coursework and individualized academic planning, students have the opportunity to demonstrate continued academic excellence and enhance their overall competitiveness as applicants.
The admissions committee reviews applications holistically; however, minimum GPA requirements are an important indicator of academic readiness for the rigor of the program.
Applicants are encouraged to address any academic challenges, extenuating circumstances, or evidence of academic improvement within their application materials.
Applicants are encouraged to wait until letter grades for any program prerequisites are issued before submitting their application. The application will not be reviewed until the letter grades are reported. Applicants with prerequisites listed as in-progress on their application have until Feb 12th to report their final letter grades.
If letter grades are not reported, the applicant will be considered ineligible due to incomplete status.
Please contact premedpb@uci.edu for how this applies to students interested in the Academic Enhancer Program.
Yes, please do not wait for all transcript(s) and letters to be received to submit your application. After letters of recommendations have been submitted and transcript(s) have been received, PostBacCAS will begin the verification process.
All supporting documents must be submitted to PostBacCAS, with the exception of the Supplemental Application Processing Fee. The Supplemental Application Processing Fee is to be sent to the UCI Division of Continuing Education (dce-services@uci.edu).
The Postbaccalaureate Pre-Health Program has elected to use the PostBacCAS system. This is our only application submission option. The primary application fee is directly required by PostBacCAS for utilizing their online application service; which allows applicants to apply to multiple programs using a single application platform.
A supplemental application fee is a common service fee paid directly to your prospective institution for administrative processing purposes.
Our admissions committee seeks to admit the most qualified and competitive applicants. We do not have residence-based priority for any applicants.
Interviews are required for competitive applicants and are offered by invitation only. Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule a virtual interview following the application deadline.
Admitted students meet with their program advisor to develop an academic plan and review course enrollment each quarter. Program advisors submit course enrollment requests on behalf of postbaccalaureate students, and students are responsible for paying applicable course fees through UCI Division of Continuing Education and/or UCI Summer Session.
- Career Changer students follow a prescribed cohort curriculum and receive reserved enrollment access to the Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences courses required for the program.
- Academic Enhancer students work with their advisor to create a tailored academic pathway and receive reserved enrollment access to designated Biological Sciences courses.
Due to the academic rigor of the program and scheduling of classes, we encourage students to carefully consider their external commitments while enrolled. The more time students generally invest in their studies, the more likely they are to thrive in the program.
Students that must work are encouraged to take on no more than 10-20 hours per week.
Research is not a required component of the program curriculum; however, research opportunities are available to interested students. Due to the rigor of the science coursework, students are encouraged to first establish a strong academic foundation before taking on additional commitments such as research.
Please reference the BioSci 199 page for additional information on undergraduate research opportunities available the school of biological sciences and school of medicine
Our program is not affiliated with the UCI School of Medicine and does not have a linkage agreement with them or any other medical school. The Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences maintains a positive working relationship with the School of Medicine and their admissions staff, and include our postbacc students in UC Irvine School of Medicine events, when possible.
No. Completion of the program does not guarantee admission to any medical or health professional school program. The curriculum, advising, and support services are designed to help students strengthen their academic preparation and competitiveness as applicants.
The Academic Enhancer Program is a Fall only start and the Career Changer Program is a Summer only start (exceptions apply)
Visit the UCI Registrar Calendars for the first day of instruction information for classes in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.
Visit the Summer Session Calendar link for the first day of instruction information for Summer Session I and Summer Session II.
Our Career Changer program is approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE). Eligible veterans may apply Post 9/11 GI Bill funding towards tuition.
Our Academic Enhancer program is currently in the approval process as of August 12, 2026. This page will be updated as soon as approval is received.
Academic Enhancer FAQs
The Academic Enhancer Program admits students for a Fall quarter start only. Students meet with program staff during the Spring prior to enrollment to review their academic history and develop a tailored academic pathway aligned with their health professional school goals. Because course planning and enrollment occur in advance of the Fall term, students are not permitted to begin the program in a sooner or later quarter.
The next cohort begins in Fall 2027, with applications opening in Fall 2026.
Academic Enhancer applicants are generally expected to have completed all prerequisite coursework required for their intended health professions track with grades of C or higher prior to matriculation. Limited exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the coursework remaining.
Reach out via email premedpb@uci.edu if you have any questions.
Prior to committing to the program, accepted Academic Enhancer students meet with a program coordinator to review their academic history, health professional school goals, and prior coursework. This meeting allows for the development of a tailored academic plan and identification of appropriate Biological Sciences coursework aligned with each student’s needs.
Course planning is completed in advance(Spring) to facilitate enrollment prior to the start of the Fall quarter.
Yes. The Academic Enhancer Program currently includes a Kaplan MCAT Live Online preparation package, providing students with MCAT preparation resources, live instruction, practice materials, and support throughout the exam preparation process.
Additional test preparation resources for other health professions entrance exams may be available through Kaplan. Students also have access to free resources through the UCI Pre-Health Advising Canvas page, which is available to all postbac students.
Career Changer FAQs
The Career Changer Program admits students for a Summer Session start only. Students begin the program as part of a cohort and follow a prescribed curriculum sequence designed to complete the foundational science prerequisites required for health professional school admission. Due to the structured nature of the curriculum, students are generally not permitted to begin the program in a later quarter.
The next cohort begins in Summer 2027, with applications opening in Fall 2026.
Yes. The Career Changer Program is partnered with Kaplan and offers discounted MCAT preparation packages to program participants.
Students who successfully complete the Year 1 curriculum (through the Spring quarter) and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship toward the purchase of a Kaplan MCAT preparation package.
Additional test preparation resources for other health professions entrance exams may be available through Kaplan. Students also have access to free resources through the UCI Pre-Health Advising Canvas page, which is available to all postbac students.