Are Post-Bacc's Easy?

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Don't take this the wrong way but I see a lot of people on here and in real life who had really low GPAs in undergrad (2.5 - 3.4) and have really good ones in post - bacc. It makes me wonder, are post - bacc programs easier than undergrad?

 

[Helen Wheels]

I don't think it is "easy." I think people tend to do better because they are older and more mature and more focused. If you are taking post-bac classes the goal is to get into med school and you know you had darn well better buckle down and do well in them.

 

[samuraiR]

some people slack off in college and then know what they want before doing a post-bacc... that explains a huge gpa jump

 

[theWUbear]

Post bacc programs are undergrad courses. You are essentially asking if undergrad courses are easier than undergrad courses. Nay, you are asking if an all-science course schedule (post-bacc) is easier than a mixed schedule of pre-med classes and area requirements (undergrad). Of course, the solution to your observed conundrum is (as stated above) increased maturity and focus in post-bacc student population.

 

[Kaustikos]

Post bacc programs are undergrad courses. You are essentially asking if undergrad courses are easier than undergrad courses. Nay, you are asking if an all-science course schedule (post-bacc) is easier than a mixed schedule of pre-med classes and area requirements (undergrad). Of course, the solution to your observed conundrum is (as stated above) increased maturity and focus in post-bacc student population.

Wait, is there a difference between post-bacc and SMPs? If so, then nevermind my statement I was going to type up. SMPs are more discriminatory, imo. After doing one, I could clearly see the distinguished from the "ho hum you can't do it" people. I think SMPs are more of a wake-up call and reality check.

 

[Kaustikos]

Don't take this the wrong way but I see a lot of people on here and in real life who had really low GPAs in undergrad (2.5 - 3.4) and have really good ones in post - bacc. It makes me wonder, are post - bacc programs easier than undergrad?

Just a heads up, like everything else about people who post here on SDN, this site tends to have people "ahead of the curve" so to speak. That and who the hell would come on here and post about not doing well in a post-bacc/smp? It's rare because they probably realize medicine/heatlh isn't for them and so they stop posting here. I know I would.

 

[oglio]

I think this is a complicated question because there are many reasons someone may have a low GPA in undergrad. My guess is that people who had low undergrad GPAs, then went on to earn high post-bac GPAs, figured out what was preventing them from achieving the high GPA in undergrad and then fixed the problem before beginning the post-bac. Maybe some people had medical issues that they addressed. Maybe some people were immature and didn't focus as much on their classes as they should have, and they have learned to prioritize studying. Maybe some people picked an undergrad institution that was a poor fit for them, and their post-bac institute is a better place for them to learn.

Personally, I'll say that my post-bac courses feel difficult because there is so much to learn, but I think most of the students in my classes are able to earn good GPAs if they put in the study time. It helps that we have awesome professors!

Hope that helps a bit 🙂

 

[willen101383]

My while not a traditional post bacc...my grad program was lightyears more difficult than my undergrad courses. I did so much better in grad school because I knew med school was what I wanted to do, was more mature/driven...and had a "this is my last chance" mentality.

 

[loveoforganic]

Wait, is there a difference between post-bacc and SMPs? If so, then nevermind my statement I was going to type up. SMPs are more discriminatory, imo. After doing one, I could clearly see the distinguished from the "ho hum you can't do it" people. I think SMPs are more of a wake-up call and reality check.

Postbac is just further undergrad work following completion of a bs/ba degree -serves to boost undergrad gpa. Smp is a postgraduate masters program where you take a few of the same courses as an ms I to show you can handle the med school courseload.

 

[Kaustikos]

Postbac is just further undergrad work following completion of a bs/ba degree -serves to boost undergrad gpa. Smp is a postgraduate masters program where you take a few of the same courses as an ms I to show you can handle the med school courseload.

What I figured. Disregard my post then.

 

[cetac]

I attended a fairly prestigious formal post-bacc program (General Chemistry in summer; Physics, Bio and Orgo in fall/spring) and this was actually a contention that a few of my fellow classmates brought up during the program. I don't know the actual numbers, but I wouldn't be surprised if 95% of the class graduated with a post-bacc GPA over 3.8.

This being said, it doesn't necessarily mean the classes were too easy. Why? The average MCAT from this program is between 34-35. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[sedaniel]

I think this is a complicated question because there are many reasons someone may have a low GPA in undergrad. My guess is that people who had low undergrad GPAs, then went on to earn high post-bac GPAs, figured out what was preventing them from achieving the high GPA in undergrad and then fixed the problem before beginning the post-bac. Maybe some people had medical issues that they addressed. Maybe some people were immature and didn't focus as much on their classes as they should have, and they have learned to prioritize studying. Maybe some people picked an undergrad institution that was a poor fit for them, and their post-bac institute is a better place for them to learn.

Personally, I'll say that my post-bac courses feel difficult because there is so much to learn, but I think most of the students in my classes are able to earn good GPAs if they put in the study time. It helps that we have awesome professors!

Hope that helps a bit 🙂

This is the case with me, only I'm doing a masters program not a post-bacc. I had a lot of issues in undergrad, not to mention I didn't decide until halfway through junior year I wanted to go into medicine. Since then, I've totally got my **** together lol.

 

[apumic]

If anything, PBs are harder, since we are typically working full-time PLUS maintaining a full courseload (i.e., 12-14 units/semester) to show "we can manage it." OTOH, on the whole, we are probably more focused and perhaps a bit more mature than the typical premed (as mentioned before), which may result in higher GPAs. My PB GPA is actually about the same as my UG one, though (3.9-4.0 most semesters), so I'm probably not the one to speak for differences in academic performance.