The postbac program is competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of 24%. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis so be sure to apply early. A good time to finish filling out your application is December/January of your senior year of college, just prior to starting your gap year, as it is when most Principal Investigators (commonly abbreviated as “PIs”, i.e. the head of the lab) start looking for postbacs. Earlier than that is also fine, just expect that many PIs will defer reviewing your application/interviewing you until later. Prior experience, such as research work at your undergraduate institution or research internships, is always a plus and a reference/letter of recommendation from a prior research lab will help you to secure a spot. Expect that by the time April/May rolls around many if not most of the postbac positions will have been filled and it will be much harder to secure a position.

 

After you apply be sure to quickly reach out to individual PIs through email. This will greatly increase your chances of being interviewed and accepted. You can find their emails online on their lab page or PI directory on the NIH website. The more emails you send the better chance you have of getting a postbac position. Don’t be shy to send emails to A LOT of PIs. If PIs don’t respond to your email be sure to follow up with additional emails expressing your continued interest in their lab and research. You will usually get a response after 1-2 follow up emails.

 

When you write emails to PIs be sure to express your interest in their specific research and outline reasons why you want to join their lab. Make sure your interest comes across as genuine. Highlight any relevant previous experience or skills as well that you think would make you a good fit for the lab. Make sure to also express whether you are looking for a 1 year commitment, 2 year commitment, or are flexible. A 1 year postbac lets you list the NIH postbac program as your gap year activity on your medical school application, but you will not be able to list any accomplishments from your postbac as you will usually have submitted your application by the end of your senior year and before you actually start the postbac. A 2 year postbac will allow you to put accomplishments from your postbac into your application as you will be submitting your medical school application after completing 1 year of your postbac. Try to be brief with your emails, sticking to a few paragraphs, as PIs often won’t fully read lengthy emails.