Can a post-bacc be better than med school?

[summermeg]

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Hey guys,

I have a personal dilemma, and I'm hoping someone might be able to give me insightful advice. This forum has been great for me thus far...

Basically, I got accepted into BU's GMS program a few weeks ago. I was really pumped for the program, as Boston is a great city and the program sounded supportive (I turned down GTown for BU). Today, though, I got a letter from the Medical College of GA telling me that I was waitlisted, and am on their alternate list. I am to return a form saying that I'd be willing to be on their alternate list.

Of course, I will return the form. BUT, if they do decide to accept me, I'm torn about going to MCG. For one, I really don't want to be in Augusta, GA. I've been in the NE for a while now, and I like the mood, the politics, and the people there. Moreover, I don't know what residencies MCG med students get placed in. All of my good friends, and my steady boyfriend, are in the NE. I don't want to go to MCG, be unable to get a good residency up North, and get stuck in the South - away from everyone I care about (minus family). Finally, there's a little egotistical part of me that wonders if I can get into a "better" med school than MCG if I do the BU post-bacc.

Am I just being completely insane, or could the post-bacc actually be the better option for me, even though I'm doing the post-bacc to get into med school? Is MCG probably as good as I'm going to do anyways, and therefore, I should just go now if I get the chance? What are the chances I'll be in NY, Boston, or Chicago (the areas I'd like to be) after my post-bacc?

I would appreciate any feedback people have to give. Thanks!

 

[TiggidyTooth]

Hey guys,

I have a personal dilemma, and I'm hoping someone might be able to give me insightful advice. This forum has been great for me thus far...

Basically, I got accepted into BU's GMS program a few weeks ago. I was really pumped for the program, as Boston is a great city and the program sounded supportive (I turned down GTown for BU). Today, though, I got a letter from the Medical College of GA telling me that I was waitlisted, and am on their alternate list. I am to return a form saying that I'd be willing to be on their alternate list.

Of course, I will return the form. BUT, if they do decide to accept me, I'm torn about going to MCG. For one, I really don't want to be in Augusta, GA. I've been in the NE for a while now, and I like the mood, the politics, and the people there. Moreover, I don't know what residencies MCG med students get placed in. All of my good friends, and my steady boyfriend, are in the NE. I don't want to go to MCG, be unable to get a good residency up North, and get stuck in the South - away from everyone I care about (minus family). Finally, there's a little egotistical part of me that wonders if I can get into a "better" med school than MCG if I do the BU post-bacc.

Am I just being completely insane, or could the post-bacc actually be the better option for me, even though I'm doing the post-bacc to get into med school? Is MCG probably as good as I'm going to do anyways, and therefore, I should just go now if I get the chance? What are the chances I'll be in NY, Boston, or Chicago (the areas I'd like to be) after my post-bacc?

I would appreciate any feedback people have to give. Thanks!

There are no guarauntees in this world. If you go to Boston, who knows, you might end up at podunk U medical school in the middle of Nebraska and an extra $40K in debt. The stress of an SMP is unreal and I doubt that very few who have gone through one, would likely go through it rather than getting into any medical school. If you don't go you might wait another 2 years before you get into medical school. If getting into medical school is your priority than go for sure. You will be working way to hard to notice where you live anyway.

Tooth

 

[CMar830]

I know how you feel, because I've been going through the EXACT same thought process.

I say go to medical school, kick butt, and work hard towards getting a residency where you want to be. That's what I'm hoping to do!

 

[Law2Doc]

Hey guys,

I have a personal dilemma, and I'm hoping someone might be able to give me insightful advice. This forum has been great for me thus far...

Basically, I got accepted into BU's GMS program a few weeks ago. I was really pumped for the program, as Boston is a great city and the program sounded supportive (I turned down GTown for BU). Today, though, I got a letter from the Medical College of GA telling me that I was waitlisted, and am on their alternate list. I am to return a form saying that I'd be willing to be on their alternate list.

Of course, I will return the form. BUT, if they do decide to accept me, I'm torn about going to MCG. For one, I really don't want to be in Augusta, GA. I've been in the NE for a while now, and I like the mood, the politics, and the people there. Moreover, I don't know what residencies MCG med students get placed in. All of my good friends, and my steady boyfriend, are in the NE. I don't want to go to MCG, be unable to get a good residency up North, and get stuck in the South - away from everyone I care about (minus family). Finally, there's a little egotistical part of me that wonders if I can get into a "better" med school than MCG if I do the BU post-bacc.

Am I just being completely insane, or could the post-bacc actually be the better option for me, even though I'm doing the post-bacc to get into med school? Is MCG probably as good as I'm going to do anyways, and therefore, I should just go now if I get the chance? What are the chances I'll be in NY, Boston, or Chicago (the areas I'd like to be) after my post-bacc?

I would appreciate any feedback people have to give. Thanks!

I think you are starting to not be able to see the forest for the trees. Boston is nice, but the whole point of doing that program is to get into med school someplace. If you get into one, then you have already accomplished all that program can provide you. If you don't go, you actually may create some obstacles to getting in someplace again, as that particular school wouldn't accept you, and when dealing with future adcoms, you might have to have a good reason why you turned down another program; this sometimes makes other schools question your dedication to the field. Reapplicants have a tough enough road - it's silly to voluntarily go down this path.

 

[Sam10]

Med School hands down! 🙂
It might be even harder to apply the next time around.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Go to med school. Save yourself the $40,000 + the application fees to reapply next year.

Good luck!

 

[sunriver]

Hey guys,

I have a personal dilemma, and I'm hoping someone might be able to give me insightful advice. This forum has been great for me thus far...

Basically, I got accepted into BU's GMS program a few weeks ago. I was really pumped for the program, as Boston is a great city and the program sounded supportive (I turned down GTown for BU). Today, though, I got a letter from the Medical College of GA telling me that I was waitlisted, and am on their alternate list. I am to return a form saying that I'd be willing to be on their alternate list.

Of course, I will return the form. BUT, if they do decide to accept me, I'm torn about going to MCG. For one, I really don't want to be in Augusta, GA. I've been in the NE for a while now, and I like the mood, the politics, and the people there. Moreover, I don't know what residencies MCG med students get placed in. All of my good friends, and my steady boyfriend, are in the NE. I don't want to go to MCG, be unable to get a good residency up North, and get stuck in the South - away from everyone I care about (minus family). Finally, there's a little egotistical part of me that wonders if I can get into a "better" med school than MCG if I do the BU post-bacc.

Am I just being completely insane, or could the post-bacc actually be the better option for me, even though I'm doing the post-bacc to get into med school? Is MCG probably as good as I'm going to do anyways, and therefore, I should just go now if I get the chance? What are the chances I'll be in NY, Boston, or Chicago (the areas I'd like to be) after my post-bacc?

I would appreciate any feedback people have to give. Thanks!

You are joking, right? No offense, but half the people on this forum would cut off a few toes to be in your spot. I'm on the opposite end of this trip called a medical career. I'm a DO with a DO medical residency, from the time when DO's didn't have much choice. But I did a fellowship at a major university hospital (first DO) they loved me and gave me a faculty appointment. Did that for a while (pulmonary/critical care) transitioned into private practice for 20 years. Took care of many doctors and their families. Saved many lives. Health issues forced early retirement, so I went back for an MBA. Now working as a medical director for a major health plan, after a few years consulting. So, this life is what you make of it. Never pass up a sure thing on the chance that something better will come along. That's like hitting on 19 (Blackjack moment). Ten years after graduation, your success will be determined by who you are- your communication skills, your ability and eagerness to keep current in your field, and your passion for medicine, not where you went to medical school or whether you did your residency at Wonder U or the VA. I've met docs from Stanford I wouldn't send my worst enemy to, and ones from Guadalajara I'd trust with my childs life. Now I'll get off my soapbox and let you younguns take over!

 

[TypeA]

You are joking, right? No offense, but half the people on this forum would cut off a few toes to be in your spot.

Just name which ones you want...they are on the way! 🙂

 

[sidewalkman]

You get into a medical school in the US, and it's your dream, you go. It's that simple.

 

[vwhan]

I say go do the Post-bac and give a spot on the waitlist to someone who really wants to attend MCG and not just settling for it.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. Its only 4 years of your life. You won't be "stuck down" south. I don't know why you would even say that. This isn't the times of the confederacy. Apply to only residencies up north if you want to go back there. If your social support is strong and you feel you can't handle in GA. Give up the spot and do the post-bacc.

If I were you, I would first see if you even GET OFF the alternate list.

 

[jebus]

Next question:
Can "I can't believe it's not butter" be better than real butter? Tell me. I've got to know.

 

[Emorygranger]

I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. Its only 4 years of your life. You won't be "stuck down" south. I don't know why you would even say that. This isn't the times of the confederacy. Apply to only residencies up north if you want to go back there. If your social support is strong and you feel you can't handle in GA. Give up the spot and do the post-bacc.

If I were you, I would first see if you even GET OFF the alternate list.

Hey Guys,

Im actually from GA and I can guarantee that SO many ppl would love to have the opp to go to MCG because its on the top med school list(refer to all the rankings). I also did pharmaceutical sales for 2 years before applying to to do post-bac and many of my drs went to med school there and then did their residency at duke, vandi, emory, UNC, etc and are doing VERY well. They all highly recommend it as well as their employers(aka salary base). Augusta is close to Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, and the beach and a lot of friends of mine break away to do mini-weekend trips so you could definitely have your time away. Besides, maybe i'm missing the point, but isnt the whole idea of post-bac to get into med school in the first place? so really you'd be spending a bunch of extra money for nothing. I'd say def. take your chances but like the previous post- you might want to even make sure you have the opp to get off the alternate list- and if you dont, then take advantage of the post-bac.
Hope this helps.

 

[relentless11]

For one, I really don't want to be in Augusta, GA. I've been in the NE for a while now, and I like the mood, the politics, and the people there.

If you don't want to be there, then why did you apply there in the first place? You have to make that choice. Assuming GA is such a horrible place (i've never been there), you need to choose between being miserable for 4-years of your life while balancing a med school curriculum vs. playing the med school admission roulette game for a second time in hopes that you get into a "better school". Waiting might sound better but I have known people to get totally opposite results when reapplying. One person even got rejected from a school that waitlisted him the first time. Alternatively, I've known people to get into the school they wanted the second time through. Its a big gamble. The other issue is explaining to other schools why you turned down your admissions to reapply again. They may frown upon that, since they may think you lack interest in their school, so why waste a slot for someone who actually wants to go there.

Moreover, I don't know what residencies MCG med students get placed in. All of my good friends, and my steady boyfriend, are in the NE. I don't want to go to MCG, be unable to get a good residency up North, and get stuck in the South - away from everyone I care about (minus family).

There is no guarantee if you go to med school in NE that you'd get a residency in NE either. The deciding factor of getting into the residency program that you want depends on you choosing that school, and it choosing you which will be based on your USMLE scores, performance in med school, and LORs. I've known people who went to med school at Tulane in New Orleans, and did their residency at UC Davis Medical Center, in California. If you're good enough, then you will have a good chance of getting the residency you want...just like med school. However there are never any guarantees.

Finally, there's a little egotistical part of me that wonders if I can get into a "better" med school than MCG if I do the BU post-bacc.

So wait, if you got into those top tier schools like Harvard, or UCSF, then wouldn't that take you away from NE too? Or are you saying a better school in NE? Wasn't too clear on that.

Regardless, the only consolation with MCG is....you will finish with an MD, while doing an SMP or something will not guarantee that. Converseley you may be miserable for 4-years, and that may effect your ability to do well in med school so you might not get the residencies you want. So I guess this looks like its YOUR decision. Although others have made very valid points, the source of this situation is you needing to be decisive at what YOU want in the first place. Not what others think.

For me, location is very important to me, and I would like to stay in CA, however given the reality of CA, I will be applying outside of CA, but to schools where I can see myself living for 4-years. Not because they are "better". But that is my choice, I've known others to have different yet valid reasons.

 

[PurpleHaze]

For the record, Harvard's in Boston... which would count as the NorthEast I'm sure.

 

[relentless11]

For the record, Harvard's in Boston... which would count as the NorthEast I'm sure.

Now I'm assuming NE = Nebraska😉 If OP is using NE as northeast then omit Harvard, and use UCSF in my original statement..haha. For the record, when I said CA, thats not for Central America either 😛

 

[summermeg]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I think I just needed someone to tell me I was being silly. Also, to clarify, I wasn't trying to be arrogant about anything...

Anyways, I'll keep my fingers crossed for MCG. Good luck to all of you out there, too, on whatever you're pursuing!

 

[PurpleHaze]

Now I'm assuming NE = Nebraska😉 If OP is using NE as northeast then omit Harvard, and use UCSF in my original statement..haha. For the record, when I said CA, thats not for Central America either 😛

🙂

 

[melissamcg]

just reading some posts and was wondering if you were accepted to MCG. Good Luck!