3.1 undergrad 4.0 post-bacc (45 credits) - Should I do more?

[ScientiaPotenti]

Hi everyone,

I could use some advice! I had a debilitating chronic condition in undergrad that required multiple surgeries etc. but has finally been resolved. I stuck school out and had ~2.7 GPA until my condition got better at which point I decided I wanted to go to medical school, and senior year I took several bio classes and got ~3.8 (finished with a 3.1 cumulative undergrad GPA) I was a humanities major in undergrad so my science GPA will be strong.

I'm just now finishing up a post-bacc program and plan to take the MCAT in April. It will include 45 credit-hours and all the pre-req's (currently taking orgo). So far, I have a 4.0 (35 credit-hours) and have been doing neuromedical research, shadowing, and volunteer activities etc. I have one co-authorship of a Neuro paper in review and one more that I hope to get published by the time of the application. The research work is on pain, which is what motivated me to want to do medicine in the first place. My grades should show a clear positive trend that correlates with when I recovered from my medical problems, but that will only matter if someone actually looks.

My question is this:
How favorably will a high post-bacc GPA (positive trend) be looked at relative to the cumulative GPA?

Thanks for the help!

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[common man]

my 2 cents: you have a good explanation for the cgpa. the 3.9+ bcpm gpa will shine. you have shown your ability to handle the sciences. the post bacc gpa will show a strong upward trend as of recent. do well on the mcat and apply away. considering the above, i do NOT think you need an smp.

 

[MEDCandy]

Most of the medical schools I've talked to say they only need to see 3.5 + gpa in 20 credit hours of graduate level or post bacc science courses .. so you should be good ... Good Luck!!!

 

[deleted248403]

Most of the medical schools I've talked to say they only need to see 3.5 + gpa in 20 credit hours of graduate level or post bacc science courses .. so you should be good ... Good Luck!!!

Depending on the starting GPA... 20 hrs of 4.0 isnt going to cover up 4.0 years of 1.8 cGPA. I think this is a poor over generalization of things.

If you want MD, you need an SMP; if you want DO, probably apply now; if you want Carib/FMG - apply now

 

[MEDCandy]

Depending on the starting GPA... 20 hrs of 4.0 isnt going to cover up 4.0 years of 1.8 cGPA. I think this is a poor over generalization of things.

If you want MD, you need an SMP; if you want DO, probably apply now; if you want Carib/FMG - apply now

I was advising based on the OP's gpa with is which is pretty close to mine. I didn't mean that as a generalization for any gpa

 

[deleted248403]

Even for the OP (and your GPA) - 20 credits is not enough

 

[MEDCandy]

Even for the OP (and your GPA) - 20 credits is not enough

I guess tell that to Wayne State's adcom that hand wrote me a plan that said that was enough. More credits wouldn't hurt the OP in anyway I was just sharing what WSU told me as well as Univ of Toledo and Wright State. But by all means go for more if you can, I'll be getting at least 35 credits myself 🙂

 

[deleted248403]

2 medical schools don't really given an indication to the other 100+ will view your apps.

I'd like to error on the side of saving thousands of $$ and years of life, and the downside of being a re-applicant; but hey do as you please

 

[MEDCandy]

2 medical schools don't really given an indication to the other 100+ will view your apps.

I'd like to error on the side of saving thousands of $$ and years of life, and the downside of being a re-applicant; but hey do as you please

I wasn't disagreeing with you lol ... You're right more is better. I was only stating that some places will accept 20 credits post- bacc so with the OP having 35-45 credits I think its safe to apply with a 4.0 gpa(I feel most people will agree with that). You are really arguementative. I was never saying JUST get 20 credit and apply. I was only saying it as a reference point as it is possible. I myself am not evening doing that lol. It was only a reference point.

 

[ScientiaPotenti]

Even for the OP (and your GPA) - 20 credits is not enough

Just to be clear, you think I need to do an SMP? Also, it's not 20 credits. The post-bacc program will have given me 45, and I took another 7 at a community college (not any of the core pre-med classes).

Would you be willing to share your own experience, or clarify why is it is you say a full post-bacc program is not sufficient?

I will have taken two full years of classes (including summers) and have done research/clinical/volunteer activities while maintaining a 4.0

Thanks everyone - I really value your perspectives!

 

[DrMidlife]

MCAT plan? Without that score it's premature to call the odds.

Depending on where you want to apply I wouldn't take a 3.1 cumulative into the med school app process. It's too competitive. You've done the undergrad redemption on a GPA comeback; now it's time to get a better-than-average MCAT (32+) and use it to get into a good SMP.

Or you can apply and see how it goes.

Best of luck to you.

 

[DrMidlife]

Public service announcement: your experience with staff at Wayne State does not qualify you to talk about anything other than your experience with staff at Wayne State. When you get into Wayne State for med school you can talk about how helpful the Wayne State BMS program was.

 

[deleted248403]

Depending on where you want to apply I wouldn't take a 3.1 cumulative into the med school app process. It's too competitive. You've done the undergrad redemption on a GPA comeback; now it's time to get a better-than-average MCAT (32+) and use it to get into a good SMP

Agreed; OP you have partially repaired your bad situation, now you need to clean it up. Rocking the MCAT + SMP will prove that beyond a shadow of doubt.
Oh and CC classes count as much as $9 bills in the GPA repair process; no-one is impressed by u rocking CC classes

Public service announcement: your experience with staff at Wayne State does not qualify you to talk about anything other than your experience with staff at Wayne State. When you get into Wayne State for med school you can talk about how helpful the Wayne State BMS program was.

+1 and until their word comes true regarding a specific scenario, and until you get the acceptance letter - id still be a little cautious with broad sweeping statements regarding even that program

 

[MEDCandy]

So I can't share any information I have until I'm in medical school. Got it 🙂 they really should tell you that when you sign up.

I think this is the second time I've been attacked by you 2 while I'm agreeing with you lol. I don't get it.

 

[deleted248403]

Most of the medical schools I've talked to say they only need to see 3.5 + gpa in 20 credit hours of graduate level or post bacc science courses .. so you should be good ... Good Luck!!!

So I can't share any information I have until I'm in medical school. Got it 🙂 they really should tell you that when you sign up.

I think this is the second time I've been attacked by you 2 while I'm agreeing with you lol. I don't get it.

You are only agreeing with us after we've pointed out the flaws and errors in your original post.
The content and nature of your first post in this thread on this subject is very different where are ending up.

 

[MEDCandy]

You are only agreeing with us after we've pointed out the flaws and errors in your original post.
The content and nature of your first post in this thread on this subject is very different where are ending up.

Right I said most schools I've talked to (not most schools in general), they say 20 is okay (meant as a reference point since the OP has 45 ie more than 20). Had the OP only had 20 credits I would say they need more. 45 credits seems okay to me. Just an opinion. The fact that you are rude to me bc of that is unnecessary. In my other thread I stated my gpa and MCAT are low and I wouldn't be admitted then you ripped me about the fact they were low. You jump on what I say unnecessarily. Again that's my opinion.

 

[DrMidlife]

Just an opinion. The fact that you are rude to me bc of that is unnecessary. In my other thread I stated my gpa and MCAT are low and I wouldn't be admitted then you ripped me about the fact they were low. You jump on what I say unnecessarily. Again that's my opinion.

Now you're calling it your opinion, but earlier you were stating it as fact, and newcomers can't tell the difference. So this is where I "jump" and "attack" you for having a thin skin and thinking this is all about you. It's not. It's about keeping bad advice from taking over this forum as it has taken over pre-allo.

Offer encouragement to folks, all you like, but when you start talking about specifics that don't add up in reality for non-URMs, you can assume robflanker & I will not let it ride. Them's the breaks.

Best of luck to you.

 

[deleted248403]

Now you're calling it your opinion, but earlier you were stating it as fact, and newcomers can't tell the difference. So this is where I "jump" and "attack" you for having a thin skin and thinking this is all about you. It's not. It's about keeping bad advice from taking over this forum as it has taken over pre-allo.

Offer encouragement to folks, all you like, but when you start talking about specifics that don't add up in reality for non-URMs, you can assume robflanker & I will not let it ride. Them's the breaks.

Best of luck to you.

That

 

[MEDCandy]

Okay, I still feel your rudeness is unnecessary but I can say I'm wrong

 

[Bru]

I am confused.

Did the OP graduate with 3.1 and then added ~45 4.0 credit hours? Or does the 3.1 include the credit hours from the PB?

If it doesn't, we're talking about a substantially higher undergrad cum (say around 3.3-3.4 with a much high sGPA.) which changes the scenario a decent amount IMO.

 

[ScientiaPotenti]

Bru - I graduated with the 3.1, then added 45 credits of formal post-bacc, at what I'm told is a reputable school (UofR). I was also a humanities major so yes, the sGPA will reflect only my post-bacc.

I recognize that it's too early to make forecasts regarding application strength, especially before having taken the MCAT. By that token, though, wouldn't it also be premature to recommend doing an SMP? As you all know, formal post-bacc programs aren't cheap, and unless there are SMP programs that offer scholarships or tuition assistance, I doubt I could swing it financially. It seems a bit strange that a two year post-bacc program at a reputable school, with a 4.0 no-less, isn't be enough to salvage a 3.1 GPA.

The MCAT plan is to take the January Kaplan prep course and then sit for the exam in April. I've been advised that should give me enough time to get the applications out by early June (assuming the score is respectable). Does that seem reasonable to everyone?

Again, thank you all for your input; your perspectives are invaluable!

 

[deleted248403]

What is your actual sGPA and cGPA right now (calculate it, no ballpark)?

And what do you have left that you are already enrolled in/need to do? (pre-reqs)?

 

[ScientiaPotenti]

robflanker - I've just requested that all my transcripts be sent to me (undergrad and CC) so that I can calculate the GPA's as you say. Do you know of a good way to do this other than manually. Is there a good spreadsheet that people typically use?

As far as the core pre-reqs, I'm taking Orgo I right now and II this spring. I'm considering taking Biochem as well, in the spring, but that would give me considerably less time to study for the MCAT.

I'm also working, finishing up a second neuromedical publication (one in submission as co-first author), shadowing two doc's, doing habitat for humanity and something called Science Buddies, a volunteer after-school program for 5th graders, where we expose the kids to "the wonders of science" (it's awesome!). I also did a 75hr internship at a medical detox facility, where I did more hands on work with patients (took vitals and assisted with addiction counseling)

I have a decent amount of extra-curriculars from undergrad as well, including being a member of the varsity debate team and competing at US national championships. Notice I didn't say "...winning at US national championships."

Hope that helps - Thanks!

 

[deleted248403]

There are a couple of spreadsheets floating around on the web; google it.

I think AMCAS has one, and there is def one making the rounds on SDN

 

[DrMidlife]

I recognize that it's too early to make forecasts regarding application strength, especially before having taken the MCAT. By that token, though, wouldn't it also be premature to recommend doing an SMP? As you all know, formal post-bacc programs aren't cheap, and unless there are SMP programs that offer scholarships or tuition assistance, I doubt I could swing it financially. It seems a bit strange that a two year post-bacc program at a reputable school, with a 4.0 no-less, isn't be enough to salvage a 3.1 GPA.

In a GPA comeback you're relying on the eyeballs of strangers to notice your redemption. With ~5000 apps per school, ~500 interviews for ~150 seats on average, you can't make any assumptions about whether your virtues will make an impression. You're up against a ridiculously overqualified applicant pool, and GPA damage is more permanent than a tattoo (except in Texas).

Thus I think it would be wise to be emotionally prepared to not get accepted. 55% of applicants each year don't get accepted - most have no GPA damage. If you get in on the first try, fabulous. If you don't, have your ducks lined up to get into a great SMP that will get the job done. If you want to do one successful app year instead of two (and thus cut in half the emotional trauma), then do an SMP before you apply.

Financially, doing an SMP is the equivalent of doing med school in 5 years. If it gets you into med school, imho it's worth it.

Best of luck to you.