Advice on DIY vs. Structured Post-Bac

[Hazelnut3491]

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I am struggling with the decision to do either a DIY post-bac or a structured program. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

A little background...

I graduated with a BS in Psychology in 2013 with a 3.23 GPA and 2.56 sGPA. I struggled in the few science courses I took during my freshman and sophomore years, as I was juggling academics, Division 1 athletics, and trying to find out who I was in a sea of 50,000 people. I have a W in Gen Chem and another D in Gen Chem on my transcript during my sophomore year. Going into college, I chose pre-med not necessarily knowing what I wanted to do for a career and really struggled academically because so much of my energy was focused elsewhere. I chose to leave athletics after my sophomore year, because of how much it was negatively affecting the other aspects of my life. I switched into Psychology and had an upward trend in grades throughout my junior and senior years.

I graduated with an MPH in 2016 with a 3.64 GPA (and no additional science courses). I struggled to get a job in public health after finishing my degree and have been working in tech (in sales and now as an executive assistant) ever since.

Over the past few years, I have taken a deep look at my path, how I want to contribute to society, and what I want in a career. I has always come back to medicine! And while self doubt creeps in here and there, I have to at least try at this dream. I am very excited to start my path towards medical school, but my GPA needs help. Here are the options I have thought through so far:

1. Begin taking courses at the local community college next summer while working full time (2 classes per semester). In order for me to bring up my sGPA enough to be competitive, I would be working and taking classes for ~4 years before being able to apply to medical school. This is the most cost effective option and wouldn't require me to move cities/states to take a formal program. However, it will take much longer to get there. I am currently 28, so I'm not too worried about how old I'll be when I matriculate but... the sooner the better.

2. Go back to the university where I received my undergraduate degree for a formal post-bac program. I would be able to take about double the amount of science classes in a total of 2 years, but it would cost a lot more financially (out of state/not being able to work full time). I know that this would make more more competitive and I would have a full support system within the program (I like structure), but it is also a greater risk - I would have to move states and be away from my fiance (soon to be husband) for 2 years with the additional risk of this path not working out for some reason.

Any advice on what else to consider? Or has anyone been through a similar decision making process?

Thank you!

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Hi there - I too am a career changer from a field unrelated to medicine. I did a DIY postbacc, which I suspect may be a good option for you.

I have a couple questions for you before I can advise:

1. Roughly how many credit hours of science do you have currently?
2. Is Gen Chem the only med school prerequisite you've taken so far? If not, what others have you completed?

 

[Hazelnut3491]

1. 27 Credit Hours in BCPM classes
2. *Correction: I actually got an A- in Gen Chem but it was Chem 2 that I have a W and then a D in. I also have Bio 1 (B-), Bio 2 (C-), Stats 1 (B-) and Stats 2 (A).

I know that they don't suggest re-taking anything you've already taken and passed, but these classes were taken about 9-10 years ago. I'd really like to re-take everything, so I feel prepared to succeed in both the MCAT and subsequent higher level classes.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

1. 27 Credit Hours in BCPM classes
2. *Correction: I actually got an A- in Gen Chem but it was Chem 2 that I have a W and then a D in. I also have Bio 1 (B-), Bio 2 (C-), Stats 1 (B-) and Stats 2 (A).

I know that they don't suggest re-taking anything you've already taken and passed, but these classes were taken about 9-10 years ago. I'd really like to re-take everything, so I feel prepared to succeed in both the MCAT and subsequent higher level classes.

You're in a fairly decent position right now in that you don't have a ton of science credits under your belt, so you can increase that sGPA relatively quickly with a string of As or A-s in a post bac.

You will definitely want to retake Gen Chem II and Bio II no matter what, since you received less than a C in them. It's not typically suggested to retake anything in which you've received a B- or above. Your post bac school may require you to retake some of these courses as well: I earned a 3.9 for the first semester of Gen Chem back in my original undergrad (5+ years ago), and my DIY post-bac school made me take it again rather than allowing me to enter directly into Gen Chem II (the original credits were "too old")

Your DIY postbac school may have a similar policy. If they don't, don't bother retaking stats - but do retake biology and chemistry due to the lowish original grades regardless. Also, you're right in that refreshing yourself on this material will boost your MCAT prep.

I think a DIY postbac will be the cheapest option for what you want to do. My only concern is that you said you want to take your prerequisites at a community college. This can be risky. Some medical schools are OK with CC credits, others only accept them on a case-by-case basis (e.g., 100 level CC credits are OK, upper division science CC credits are not), and some schools directly say that CC credits are not preferred.

Do you have any ability to do your DIY post bac at a 4 year bachelor's degree-granting institution?

 

[Hazelnut3491]

I have been looking at the MSAR for a couple of the schools I am interested in and most accept CC credits, aside from the University of Florida. Some of those schools just require Biochem and 1-2 others to be at a 4 yr institution (at least according to the MSAR). I haven't looked at more than 5 schools though, so I could be underestimating the need for taking all classes at a 4 yr institution. The 4 yr institution in my area doesn't offer many night classes, which is why I would need to take at least some of my classes at the local CC. I would love to take them at the local state school but I have to work full time. I think if I stay with my current employer, however, I may be able to work something out in terms of taking either early morning classes or later afternoon classes and shifting around my work schedule. That is all speculation though.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I have been looking at the MSAR for a couple of the schools I am interested in and most accept CC credits, aside from the University of Florida. Some of those schools just require Biochem and 1-2 others to be at a 4 yr institution (at least according to the MSAR). The 4 yr institution in my area doesn't offer many night classes, which is why I would need to take classes at a CC unfortunately. I would love to take them at the local state school but I have to work full time, so it just isn't an option.

Ahh, the joys of being a working adult with a full time job. Oh well, then - CC it is.

I'm glad you're looking at the MSAR now, that way you can know right up front which med schools are very CC unfriendly. The good news is that most aren't overtly hostile to CC, and from what I understand, nontrads are often given a lot more leeway in taking CC credits because, duh, we have to work and support ourselves/families. CC offers you way more flexibility in that respect, and adcoms know that.

If you can take and ace upper division science courses at a 4 year sometime down the road, that may still be best. It may help avoid any questions about the rigor of your CC credits, so keep your eyes open in upcoming years for any upper division night classes at your local 4-year that are on offer. If it doesn't work out, though, it's probably still fine.

I was able to take my post bac credits at a 4 year university, but other than that, our trajectories sound very similar. I'm very happy I went the DIY post bac route rather than a formal post bac, and it sounds like you're leaning towards DIY post bac too. So here's my advice:

1. Do the DIY post bac in as many years as it takes - you'll be given leeway with the courseload, since you're a nontrad with a full time job, but you will still be expected to ace (3.7+) every single course.

2. I didn't see whether you've done any physician shadowing. If you have not yet shadowed a physician, you should start doing so RIGHT AWAY - probably even before you commit any money to post bac classes. You want to be confident you're OK with the day-to-day grind of medicine before sinking a ton of money into the post bac process ($25K and counting for me!).

3. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint (but it sounds like you're already comfortable with a potentially long timeline). If it takes you 3 years - great. If you have to stretch that out to 5 years, oh well. My process took a few years longer than expected, but that's OK. I'll matriculate in my mid 30s rather than my early 30s, and it doesn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would.

4. Enjoy your wedding and your newlywed years in the process!

Hopefully this addressed some of your concerns - let me know if there's anything else I can answer or do to help. Good luck!

 

[Hazelnut3491]

Ahh, the joys of being a working adult with a full time job. Oh well, then - CC it is.

I'm glad you're looking at the MSAR now, that way you can know right up front which med schools are very CC unfriendly. The good news is that most aren't overtly hostile to CC, and from what I understand, nontrads are often given a lot more leeway in taking CC credits because, duh, we have to work and support ourselves/families. CC offers you way more flexibility in that respect, and adcoms know that.

If you can take and ace upper division science courses at a 4 year sometime down the road, that may still be best. It may help avoid any questions about the rigor of your CC credits, so keep your eyes open in upcoming years for any upper division night classes at your local 4-year that are on offer. If it doesn't work out, though, it's probably still fine.

I was able to take my post bac credits at a 4 year university, but other than that, our trajectories sound very similar. I'm very happy I went the DIY post bac route rather than a formal post bac, and it sounds like you're leaning towards DIY post bac too. So here's my advice:

1. Do the DIY post bac in as many years as it takes - you'll be given leeway with the courseload, since you're a nontrad with a full time job, but you will still be expected to ace (3.7+) every single course.

2. I didn't see whether you've done any physician shadowing. If you have not yet shadowed a physician, you should start doing so RIGHT AWAY - probably even before you commit any money to post bac classes. You want to be confident you're OK with the day-to-day grind of medicine before sinking a ton of money into the post bac process ($25K and counting for me!).

3. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint (but it sounds like you're already comfortable with a potentially long timeline). If it takes you 3 years - great. If you have to stretch that out to 5 years, oh well. My process took a few years longer than expected, but that's OK. I'll matriculate in my mid 30s rather than my early 30s, and it doesn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would.

4. Enjoy your wedding and your newlywed years in the process!

Hopefully this addressed some of your concerns - let me know if there's anything else I can answer or do to help. Good luck!

First of all, THANK YOU! I sincerely appreciate the advice. I have shadowed a primary care doc and a surgeon and loved both of them. I've also just plain interviewed a few physicians, as well. I definitely want to shadow more physicians to log more hours and to explore more specialties. I moved to a new state about 6 months ago, so I'm still trying to build a network. I begin volunteering in the ER (hopefully this month!), which I know will get me good exposure to physicians to hopefully shadow as well. I've also started to log non-clinical volunteering hours and plan to reach out to researchers at the state school to see if I can volunteer on any research projects.

My plan is to start my post bac classes next summer once I am an in-state resident, so I am going to keep an eye out for night classes at the 4 yr school. Crossing my fingers I'll be able to make that work!!

Thanks again for your help!

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Unless you have time and money, DIY will be better - this way you can see what you can afford time/money wise. I will not advice CC unless you have no other option whatsoever including online. There are a lot of classes now available online that you have to go to campus once a month/week etc. I know they accept CC credits but probably not as a post-baccalaureate. As @StayWandering said - it is a marathon and not sprint - so pace yourself. Personally, I feel you may be challenged more at a 4-yr class in preparation for MCAT than at CC - I may be wrong but that's just my perception (yes I have served on admissions process/committee). Even if you take 1 class a semester and get all As - no one cares but if you take bunch of courses and get a few Bs - those Bs still count. Stack up your GPA as high as you can.

Another advice is that make sure your partner is aware of your goals as these can be time consuming and can strain your relationship at times - yes everyone believes that nothing can come between 2 loving adults but trust me things have a way of happening 🙂 - Take your partner with you on the journey and make them part of the process so they feel involved as well. 🙂 just my $0.02

Good luck!