Advice Needed on Post-Bacc Timeline, GPA, and MCAT Prep

[superpike]

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Hi everyone,

I’m seeking advice on the best approach for structuring the remainder of my post-bacc journey and preparing for medical school applications. Here’s a summary of my situation:

Background
• I graduated from HYP undergrad several years ago and worked in communications before pivoting to medicine.
• I started my post-bacc in Summer 2024 after being out of school for about eight years.

Course History and Current GPA

Summer 2024:
• General Chemistry I: Withdrew (W)
• General Chemistry I Lab: A

Fall 2024:
• General Biology I: B
• General Biology I Lab: B
• General Chemistry I (Retake): B+
• Introductory Physics I: A+
• Introductory Physics I Lab: A
• Bio Internship: A

Current GPA: 3.60

Advice from an Advisor

I recently met with an advisor who expressed concerns about my transcript and emphasized the importance of maintaining a 3.8+ GPA for competitiveness. My original plan (after dropping summer Gen Chem) was to take Orgo during summer 2025, Biochemistry during the Fall 2025 semester (along with Statistics and some upper level bio classes), and then study full time for the MCATs Spring 2026 and apply for Fall 2027 entry. They advised against taking Organic Chemistry over the summer, suggesting I wait until the following academic year and take the MCAT in Spring/Summer 2026 (and simply study Biochemistry on my own). They cited my previous summer course experience as a cautionary tale.

My Perspective

I recognize their concerns, but I’ve made significant progress:
• My study habits have drastically improved—I’ve started using effective tools like Anki decks, which didn’t exist during when I was in college a decade ago
• The B+ in General Chemistry I during the fall was a significant step forward, considering I withdrew previously.
• I know my transcript says I withdrew from Summer Gen Chem 1 (which may be a black mark), but I think it's important to realize I was only in the class for two weeks before dropping it! 1 month of a summer class is the equivalent of a semester


Questions for the Community
1. Should I follow the advisor’s advice and take Organic Chemistry during the regular academic year instead of summer? I have asked this question before, and the consensus then was to not take the MCATs until taking Biochemistry which is the opposite of what my advisor is telling me. If I take her advice and take orgo during the school year and SDN's advice and wait until I complete Biochemistry to take the MCATs, that would push back my whole application process by a year for a single class, which I would rather not do considering I just celebrated my 33rd birthday.
2. Given my upward trend and improved study habits, how realistic is a 3.8+ GPA goal at this point? Were her criticisms of my post-bacc transcript valid?
3. Is self-studying Biochemistry for the MCAT a reasonable plan if I take the course after the exam?


I would greatly appreciate any feedback, particularly from non-traditional students or those who have been in a similar situation. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Are you taking postbac courses at a HYP/Ivy+ institution? Now that you know you can't just drop a summer class after 2 weeks, if you are ready to dash through organic in the summer, I would try it. However, many students underestimate their ability to adapt to the pace of challenging abstract information.

I would wait until you complete biochem before taking the MCAT since biochem content is on the MCAT, but it sounds like you want the clock pushing you to apply. Check the MCAT Official Guide for the breakdown. You could try to lean on Khan Academy videos if you need to, and I'm guessing there is more on the internet that can help you.

 

[superpike]

I am not taking my post bacc classes at a HYP level school, just a regular old local state school

 

[AJS59]

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking advice on the best approach for structuring the remainder of my post-bacc journey and preparing for medical school applications. Here’s a summary of my situation:

Background
• I graduated from HYP undergrad several years ago and worked in communications before pivoting to medicine.
• I started my post-bacc in Summer 2024 after being out of school for about eight years.

Course History and Current GPA

Summer 2024:
• General Chemistry I: Withdrew (W)
• General Chemistry I Lab: A

Fall 2024:
• General Biology I: B
• General Biology I Lab: B
• General Chemistry I (Retake): B+
• Introductory Physics I: A+
• Introductory Physics I Lab: A
• Bio Internship: A

Current GPA: 3.60

Advice from an Advisor

I recently met with an advisor who expressed concerns about my transcript and emphasized the importance of maintaining a 3.8+ GPA for competitiveness. My original plan (after dropping summer Gen Chem) was to take Orgo during summer 2025, Biochemistry during the Fall 2025 semester (along with Statistics and some upper level bio classes), and then study full time for the MCATs Spring 2026 and apply for Fall 2027 entry. They advised against taking Organic Chemistry over the summer, suggesting I wait until the following academic year and take the MCAT in Spring/Summer 2026 (and simply study Biochemistry on my own). They cited my previous summer course experience as a cautionary tale.

My Perspective

I recognize their concerns, but I’ve made significant progress:
• My study habits have drastically improved—I’ve started using effective tools like Anki decks, which didn’t exist during when I was in college a decade ago
• The B+ in General Chemistry I during the fall was a significant step forward, considering I withdrew previously.
• I know my transcript says I withdrew from Summer Gen Chem 1 (which may be a black mark), but I think it's important to realize I was only in the class for two weeks before dropping it! 1 month of a summer class is the equivalent of a semester


Questions for the Community
1. Should I follow the advisor’s advice and take Organic Chemistry during the regular academic year instead of summer? I have asked this question before, and the consensus then was to not take the MCATs until taking Biochemistry which is the opposite of what my advisor is telling me. If I take her advice and take orgo during the school year and SDN's advice and wait until I complete Biochemistry to take the MCATs, that would push back my whole application process by a year for a single class, which I would rather not do considering I just celebrated my 33rd birthday.
2. Given my upward trend and improved study habits, how realistic is a 3.8+ GPA goal at this point? Were her criticisms of my post-bacc transcript valid?
3. Is self-studying Biochemistry for the MCAT a reasonable plan if I take the course after the exam?


I would greatly appreciate any feedback, particularly from non-traditional students or those who have been in a similar situation. Thanks in advance for your help!

1. Be careful with summer organic chemistry — I know you mentioned Anki decks for that class but imo Orgo doesn't fit super well as a memorization heavy class — the concepts are significantly more abstract and problems on exams often require significant application. Flash cards are not enough. Not saying you can't do it, just make sure your ducks are in a row. Additionally, independent of your Orgo decision, you'll want to fit Biochem in. Very, very high yield for MCAT
2. Is your GPA your sGPA? your overall GPA, counting undergrad courses? Your post-bacc GPA? Your advisors assertion of needing a 3.8 GPA to get in is a bit overblown (case in point: my overall was lower)
3. See above re: MCAT and Biochem

 

[PreMed2006]

Please check if organic chemistry II and biochemistry can be taken in the same semester. If so, you don’t need an additional year

 

[medDawgbruh]

I took biochem after MCAT and still felt very prepared for and did very well on the MCAT. From my experience, you don’t need to know too much specific biochem material for the exam. You can successfully self-study to become familiar with enough of the content to still do well. (However, I am the type of learner that does prefer self-learning. You’ll need to decide for yourself how well you can self-study.)

The AAMC practice sets and practice exams are a great resource to gauge how well you know the material and if you might actually want to hold off on the MCAT until after taking a biochem class.