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Hi,
I have a rather low undergrad GPA that pretty much limits me to a Caribbean MD, DO, or otherwise non-US MD school, at this point. I got a BA in Computer Science and a BA in Economics from Emory University in '04.
My "Stats": overall GPA = 2.98. My Comp Sci was a 2.88 and my Econ major was like a 3.35. I demonstrated upward trending in grades in Junior and Senior year, at least. I also have 300+ volunteer hours (and counting) of major clinical and hands-on patient experience in a regional ER (Level II Trauma center), and have shadowing lined up as well as a surgical externship/observership for later this year. (I have not taken the MCAT yet.)
I have not taken any of the core sciences except for Math and Biology (which was a long ago and I only got a B in it, so I want to repeat it). Therefore, I am on track for applying to a post-bacc program, but I am still hesitant to apply anywhere because my GPA doesn't even meet the 3.0 minimums of most post-baccs. 🙁
Before I even apply to a formal post bacc, I am thinking of taking Biol 1 and Chem 1 independently A LA CARTE this Fall (and possibly continuing with Biol 2 and Chem 2 in the Spring) at my local state university branch. (Incidentally, I am also wondering if I should take English over the summer, because I only did one semester of English in undergrad and I think med school adcoms require 2 semesters, but I'm not sure. 😕 ) Anyway, the reason for taking these classes before the applying to a post bacc is so I can at least a) put my GPA over 3.0, and b) knock out some of the post bacc reqs so I don't have to spend forever in post bacc school.
Do I have any chance of getting into a Post-Bacc NOW with my current standing, or should I proceed with the plan of beginning my prerequisite classes (and continuing with extracurriculars) on my own independently prior to applying to a formal program?
Conversely, I also heard that some basic post-bacc programs prefer you to not have taken any of the core sciences before applying. So if I begin to take core classes (i.e. Biol and Chem) prior to applying to a basic post-bacc program, would the post-bacc admissions frown upon that?
I'm sort of caught between a rock and a hard place, because on the one hand I want to raise my GPA to be accepted to post bacc, but on the other hand I don't want to disqualify myself from a post-bacc program by taking too many of their science classes beforehand. I know I'm not in a great position, so please don't reply that I have no chance... I'm more driven than ever to make this happen now, so there must be a way yet. Please let me know what you think my best course of action should be, because I'm very confused as to what to do! 😕
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
((P.S. Note to mods: I posted a similar question in the PreMedical Allopathic [MD] > "What Are My Chances" forum. I sent a note to a mod to move or delete it, as I am not trying to duplicate-post!))
I have a rather low undergrad GPA that pretty much limits me to a Caribbean MD, DO, or otherwise non-US MD school, at this point. I got a BA in Computer Science and a BA in Economics from Emory University in '04.
My "Stats": overall GPA = 2.98. My Comp Sci was a 2.88 and my Econ major was like a 3.35. I demonstrated upward trending in grades in Junior and Senior year, at least. I also have 300+ volunteer hours (and counting) of major clinical and hands-on patient experience in a regional ER (Level II Trauma center), and have shadowing lined up as well as a surgical externship/observership for later this year. (I have not taken the MCAT yet.)
I have not taken any of the core sciences except for Math and Biology (which was a long ago and I only got a B in it, so I want to repeat it). Therefore, I am on track for applying to a post-bacc program, but I am still hesitant to apply anywhere because my GPA doesn't even meet the 3.0 minimums of most post-baccs. 🙁
Before I even apply to a formal post bacc, I am thinking of taking Biol 1 and Chem 1 independently A LA CARTE this Fall (and possibly continuing with Biol 2 and Chem 2 in the Spring) at my local state university branch. (Incidentally, I am also wondering if I should take English over the summer, because I only did one semester of English in undergrad and I think med school adcoms require 2 semesters, but I'm not sure. 😕 ) Anyway, the reason for taking these classes before the applying to a post bacc is so I can at least a) put my GPA over 3.0, and b) knock out some of the post bacc reqs so I don't have to spend forever in post bacc school.
Do I have any chance of getting into a Post-Bacc NOW with my current standing, or should I proceed with the plan of beginning my prerequisite classes (and continuing with extracurriculars) on my own independently prior to applying to a formal program?
Conversely, I also heard that some basic post-bacc programs prefer you to not have taken any of the core sciences before applying. So if I begin to take core classes (i.e. Biol and Chem) prior to applying to a basic post-bacc program, would the post-bacc admissions frown upon that?
I'm sort of caught between a rock and a hard place, because on the one hand I want to raise my GPA to be accepted to post bacc, but on the other hand I don't want to disqualify myself from a post-bacc program by taking too many of their science classes beforehand. I know I'm not in a great position, so please don't reply that I have no chance... I'm more driven than ever to make this happen now, so there must be a way yet. Please let me know what you think my best course of action should be, because I'm very confused as to what to do! 😕
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
((P.S. Note to mods: I posted a similar question in the PreMedical Allopathic [MD] > "What Are My Chances" forum. I sent a note to a mod to move or delete it, as I am not trying to duplicate-post!))
