Can someone explain to me how post baccs work?

[deleted647690]

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I am currently a junior. At this point, I am thinking that I might have to do additional coursework to boost my science gpa, which currently sits at about a 3.4. I am still waiting to see how I do this semester and maybe next semester. So I can extend my graduation to take more credits and inflate my GPA? The only problem I see with this is that it is very expensive. Can I take courses at another school or even community college? The problem is, these would be all science courses, and I don't think community colleges even offer the upper levels that I'd have to take.
Is it possible for me to earn my BS from my current school and then randomly take additional coursework at a cheaper school and have that add to my undergraduate GPA? Even if I'm not seeking a degree?

 

[WedgeDawg]

Calculate what you want to raise your GPA to, then calculate how many classes/hours/credits/whatever you would need to raise your GPA to that number, then figure out how many semesters that would take, then calculate how much money that would cost. Most people do postbaccs (formal or DIY) at schools other than their own.

 

[deleted647690]

Calculate what you want to raise your GPA to, then calculate how many classes/hours/credits/whatever you would need to raise your GPA to that number, then figure out how many semesters that would take, then calculate how much money that would cost. Most people do postbaccs (formal or DIY) at schools other than their own.

I'm not a math person. Is there some calculator somewhere that you know is accurate to do this? So courses taken at another institution factor into my gpa? Even if they are essentially useless since they don't count towards a degree or certification? Is community college an option? I think that would be the cheapest, but, looking at my local CC's course list, they only offer basic lower level science coursework

 

[WedgeDawg]

I'm not a math person. Is there some calculator somewhere that you know is accurate to do this? So courses taken at another institution factor into my gpa? Even if they are essentially useless since they don't count towards a degree or certification? Is community college an option? I think that would be the cheapest, but, looking at my local CC's course list, they only offer basic lower level science coursework

All your courses factor into your GPA. I don't think community college is a good idea for a postbac because it would be pretty obvious you're just trying to inflate your GPA. It would also look bad to go from 4-year to CC. I don't know of any calculators that do this, but maybe some kind soul will help you create one in Excel.

 

[GrapesofRath]

You can just stay a fifth year at your school or do a DIY as a second degree student( this will vary by school but many will let you do a second deg after you graduate). 3.4 is not that low do well these next two years I don't think you'll need a post bac. I would opt for a local State U over CC for a post bacc if you can't stay at your current school but you have time to raise your gpa. 3.75 these next two years and you'll have close to a 3.6 which is competitive

 

[deleted647690]

According to the GPA calculator I just used, I need, at the lowest about 30 credits of a 3.8 gpa.

I am not sure if I did this correctly, because I only input my science credits, did not factor in non science, and then I just assumed that the rest of the courses I am taking to graduate will be science. I then added this number to my current total science credits and used that number as my total credits worked towards

 

[jl lin]

Calculate what you want to raise your GPA to, then calculate how many classes/hours/credits/whatever you would need to raise your GPA to that number, then figure out how many semesters that would take, then calculate how much money that would cost. Most people do postbaccs (formal or DIY) at schools other than their own.

Just wondering WD, do you think they do primarily for financial reasons?

 

[WedgeDawg]

Just wondering WD, do you think they do primarily for financial reasons?

I honestly have no idea because I've never considered doing a postbac and haven't done any research into it. Grapes, gonnif, or gyngyn would probably be able to give you a better idea.

 

[neekzg]

I would second that a 3.4 is not super low going into your junior year. If you can get a 4.0 over these next four semesters I don't think you'd have a problem getting to a 3.6 which is good enough to apply to most low/mid tier schools.

 

[deleted647690]

I would second that a 3.4 is not super low going into your junior year. If you can get a 4.0 over these next four semesters I don't think you'd have a problem getting to a 3.6 which is good enough to apply to most low/mid tier schools.

That's so easy to say, but very difficult to do in my opinion. In fact, from my experience, I feel that a 4.0 is nearly impossible to achieve, especially with some of the intelligence I have seen in my classes. Even the kids that seem to have alien levels of intelligence cannot always get a 4.0. I don't understand what possesses someone to be able to turn around and just start punching out 4.0s every semester; that seems so superhuman to me.

 

[jl lin]

I honestly have no idea because I've never considered doing a postbac and haven't done any research into it. Grapes, gonnif, or gyngyn would probably be able to give you a better idea.

I messed up and didn't clarify--incomplete question. I wanted to know why people wouldn't do PBs at their own schools? Would it be b/c of expense? Wanted to know if I was missing something on the whys of going outside their own schools.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I messed up and didn't clarify--incomplete question. I wanted to know why people wouldn't do PBs at their own schools? Would it be b/c of expense? Wanted to know if I was missing something on the whys of going outside their own schools.

Still can't give you an answer. If I were to hazard a guess, it could be because of 1) financial reasons 2) they've been out of school for a bit and going back to their previous school would be a hassle 3) their school won't let them take extra classes after getting a degree 4) their school doesn't have a formal postbacc program 5) they didn't like their school or 6) they want to do a linkage program through a different school's postbacc

 

[GrapesofRath]

I messed up and didn't clarify--incomplete question. I wanted to know why people wouldn't do PBs at their own schools? Would it be b/c of expense? Wanted to know if I was missing something on the whys of going outside their own schools.

People definitely do. People also in situations they want to boost their GPA sometimes will just stay a fifth year.

Occasionally you might have a school not let you take more classes once you graduate. However, more times than not a school will let you come back for a second degree. The bigger issue is that many people go to UG private schools with absurd tuitions or OOS to public schools with high tuitions. If you have the option just to go to your local State U for a DIY post-bacc instead of paying for more absurd private school tuition, wouldn't that seem more ideal?

And on top of that there are people who want linkages and formal post-bacc programs and don't just want to stay at their undergrad school. But like I said, people do post-baccs at their own UG, it's just an issue of finances, wanting to move out or wanting a formal program that will cause alot of people to not want to come back to their UG.

 

[jl lin]

Still can't give you an answer. If I were to hazard a guess, it could be because of 1) financial reasons 2) they've been out of school for a bit and going back to their previous school would be a hassle 3) their school won't let them take extra classes after getting a degree 4) their school doesn't have a formal postbacc program 5) they didn't like their school or 6) they want to do a linkage program through a different school's postbacc

People definitely do. People also in situations they want to boost their GPA sometimes will just stay a fifth year.

Occasionally you might have a school not let you take more classes once you graduate. However, more times than not a school will let you come back for a second degree. The bigger issue is that many people go to UG private schools with absurd tuitions or OOS to public schools with high tuitions. If you have the option just to go to your local State U for a DIY post-bacc instead of paying for more absurd private school tuition, wouldn't that seem more ideal?

And on top of that there are people who want linkages and formal post-bacc programs and don't just want to stay at their undergrad school. But like I said, people do post-baccs at their own UG, it's just an issue of finances, wanting to move out or wanting a formal program that will cause alot of people to not want to come back to their UG.

Yes. Thank you both for responding. ^The highlighted above is what I was thinking. I went to a private university, and it wasn't cheap.