1st timer, please read and help

[SilvrGrey330]

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I'm new to this thread, so can someone please explain the following. Here is my history

I'm a senior in a 4yr university now. And i just took the april mcat. i feel i did better than august, but i still DONT know if i did good enough to get into a MD school in USA. So im now considering Post-bac programs. but i dont know much about them.

First off, im not a minority. and im guessing my april mcat score will be abot 25 but below 30. i have no taken the GRE. i dont even know what that is.
My gpa around freshmen year was a 2.5, sophmore year it went up to 3.4, and my gpa for my last 2 years is a 3.98. During my last two year is when i really got into school and wanting to be a doc. I started taking all the hard classes (Immuno, physio, biochem, molecular bio, anatomy, etc)

I looked at this website: http://hpap.syr.edu/LISTPB.HTM

the Harvard Post bac looked interesting to me. Do you think i could get into it?

And, with these post bac programs, if you do well...and say you take med school level courses and succeed...and when you enter their medical school or some other medical school, can those courses you took as a Post- back count towards your medical degree? or would you have to repeat the same classes.

For example, lets say i did the New Jersey Post Bac, and i finish it in 1 year and end up taking 10 classes that the Med students took. now if i get into their med program, do i have those same classes count and do i ave 2nd year standing? or do i start as an M:1 and repeat the same courses? This is whats confusing to me about the post- bac programs.

Also, do i need to already have completed my bachelors before you can even apply to one, or can you intend to apply for one now...but only want to start next year. and you intend to finish up your bachelors within that period of time. so that when you start, you will already be done with your bachelors.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can address my concerns.

 

[Sundarban1]

i have no taken the GRE. i dont even know what that is.

The GRE is a standardized test, much like the SAT, which most graduate and some post-bacc programs require for application. Again, you would have to check each program specifically. I'm not sure about SMP's, but I think most require at least the MCAT.

the Harvard Post bac looked interesting to me. Do you think i could get into it?

You need not apply to take classes at the harvard extension school. However after reading about the program and balancing the +/-'s of the offerings to those who do apply and are accecpted (sponsorship,etc) I'm sure you will have no problem getting accecpted. FYI they do not require the MCAT or GRE for accecptance.

Also, do i need to already have completed my bachelors before you can even apply to one, or can you intend to apply for one now...but only want to start next year. and you intend to finish up your bachelors within that period of time. so that when you start, you will already be done with your bachelors.

Correct, most allow you to apply in your senior year providing you will have graduated by Fall when classes start.

My advice is to check out the FAQ section here and do a little research on specific programs of interest withe the search option on this forum. That way if you have a question it will be specific and more likely to be answered.
Good luck.

 

[jkherson]

what is your science gpa vs ur overall gpa?

 

[SilvrGrey330]

Science GPA: 3.5
Overall GPA: 3.6

I know these are somewhat competetive...but was wondering if something like a harvard ext prog or other top name post-bac will bost my credentials. my mcat is not impressive. 22-26

whats the difference between HEP and their Health Career Program (HCP)

 

[Sundarban1]

whats the difference between HEP and their Health Career Program (HCP)

The extension school (HES) is just that, a branch that allows you to take undergrade level courses. You may be take classes on your own, or apply for accecptance, your choice. I will not go into all of the intricate details and benefits to applying, you could find those by searching this forum or going to the extesion school website.

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/hcp/default.jsp


If you apply for acceptance,within the extension school there is a certificate granting program which is more/less the same as taking the classes on your own although you are eligible to get a diplioma when you're done. Although that only applies for those who have never taken pre-reqs, which is not you.

 

[sidewalkman]

It seems like you need a program that will help specifically boost your MCAT score. You already have a fine GPA with a strong positive trend, and already took all of the "hard classes" and did very well in them, so I do not think taking more upper-level classes at Harvard Extension would be a good fit for you. (And the Health Careers program is not for you since you already took all the prereqs.)

Therefore, a Special Masters program would probably be best for your situation. You should be OK with just the MCAT for these programs. As for getting credit, I don't know any school that will just give you M2 status straight out of an SMP. Even if you don't get any credit toward M1, though, consider that M1 will be that much easier, having taken many of the same classes.

 

[SilvrGrey330]

SMP, didnt consider it, could someone guide me on where to go and which one to best suite me?

thanks to everyone who is posting.

 

[tacrum43]

SMP, didnt consider it, could someone guide me on where to go and which one to best suite me?

thanks to everyone who is posting.

I don't think that the SMP would be the best thing for you, because your GPA is already very good and schools will love the upward trend. It might help you to learn more material for the MCAT, but really it's meant more for people with a low GPA and an okay to good MCAT (like me). I think you should take a Kaplan review course or something like that instead, and really prepare for the MCAT, because that seems to be the thing holding you back.

 

[sunnyjohn]

I don't think that the SMP would be the best thing for you, because your GPA is already very good and schools will love the upward trend. It might help you to learn more material for the MCAT, but really it's meant more for people with a low GPA and an okay to good MCAT (like me). I think you should take a Kaplan review course or something like that instead, and really prepare for the MCAT, because that seems to be the thing holding you back.

I agree with tacrum. The Kaplan or some other MCAT review course would be a better use of your dollars and time. You already have a competitive GPA.

May I interject? It sounds like you are like me and just want to be 100% sure you have all your ducks in a row.

I can certainly understand that.

I would walk through hot coals for your GPA since it would me I wouldn't have to spend so much precious time on a post-bacc.

Agape.

 

[jackbnimble]

I'm a senior in a 4yr university now. And i just took the april mcat. i feel i did better than august, but i still DONT know if i did good enough to get into a MD school in USA. First off, im not a minority.

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