Advice needed on When to take classes

[SoWasRed]

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Hello Student Doctor. I am currently doing my PostBacc in which I started this past spring. So far I have completed Bio 1 and 2, Chem 1 and 2, physics 1, and statistics at a state school in the Philadelphia area. I have received an A or an A- in all of the classes/labs and my current PostBacc gpa is 3.86. I graduated from this same state school in 2005 with degree in Communication Studies with the only science class haven taken being Astronomy in which I did receive an A. My undergrad GPA was lacking being a miserable 2.67. I have been very successful in my professional career only deciding to go back to school after taking care of my elderly 92 year old father. I am starting a formal premed volunteering program at a major hospital in 2 weeks and plan on having 200+ hours of clinical volunteering done as well as the shadowing of 2 different physicians by the time I apply in the spring. Now for my question. I have been told by numerous people how important it is going to be to get my cgpa over 3.0. I calculated the numbers and it seems to be safe I am going to need to have 54 credit hours during my postbacc to do so. I have a full fall semester with Orgo 1, Physics 2, cell physiology, and epidemiology which at my school is a 400 level biology course. During the spring I am planning on taking orgo 2 and Biochemistry as well as the kaplan review class for the MCAT. I also know how important it is going to be for me to apply early. It seems like I will need an additonal 6 credit hours to safely get my cgpa over 3.0. Would I be better off taking non-science classes (i.e. nutrition, econ 101) during an abbreviated winter session and applying June 1st or taking upper level science classes during the early summer session and applying a month later? I am taking the MCAT in Late April. Any Advice would be greatly appreciated.

-Thanks

 

[NuttyEngDude]

It depends on the school(s). This sounds like something you can call them up and ask. it also depends on your BCMP gpa, if it needs help then take the science classes, if it doesn't then it prob doesnt matter. The over 3.0 thing is a nice number and some of the reasons given is that it is so you dont get auto-tossed by a computer, but my in-state says they dont screen in that matter, so.... it depends, lol.

If it were me, i'd take the science classes because I actually do better in them than in non-science. But I would rather apply earlier than later so I'd rule out that option and go for the abbreviated winter session.

Another option is to apply early then take the summer session, THEN amend your app with the new grades a month later (or do both), more info would be needed here, I have no experience in this.

 

[PTWOB02]

Now for my question. It seems like I will need an additonal 6 credit hours to safely get my cgpa over 3.0. Would I be better off taking non-science classes (i.e. nutrition, econ 101) during an abbreviated winter session and applying June 1st or taking upper level science classes during the early summer session and applying a month later?

If you absolutely need to take 6 more credits to get your GPA over the 3.0, then take classes where you can get easy "A's" as opposed to harder-to-get "B's". I doubt Adcom will pay attention to your course selection as much as you think. Your GPA is what matters here. Assuming non-science classes are easier for you, I would recommend for you to take those "easier" non-science classes during the Winter term, which lightens up your Spring term for MCAT and allows you to apply early for rolling admission.