Completing an extra semester of DIY Post-Bacc after applying to Medical School?

[Bergamasque]

I am applying to a secondary undergrad institution to complete a DIY Post-Bacc very soon, and wanted to know if it would make sense to take an extra semester of classes after you apply to Medical School if GPA was your weakness. If you understand the question, ignore what I write below as I give context to the question

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I did poorly the first three years (>3.0 for the first 3 years) but with a significant upward trend scaling ~.4 points per semester. I will graduate from my institution (2 sem/year) in Fall 2020, and plan on applying to Medical School in Spring 2021 with hopefully, 3 fall/spring academic semesters and 2 summer semesters amounting to ~80 credits of reinvention. Once I apply, should I take one more semester (Fall 2021) after applications sent and update my transcript in December when final grades are released? This is way in the future, but it affects my financial decisions now in choosing whether or not to delay graduation and to walk in commencement.

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[paradoxic_toxic]

What is your exact cGPA and sGPA?

 

[Bergamasque]

What is your exact cGPA and sGPA?

cGPA 2.8, sGPA 2.6. After reinvention for 80 cr. it could get to cGPA 3.2. sGPA 3.2 (URM applicant)

One more question, I want to have a backup plan, and am considering taking "Bridge" courses to a Masters in Chemical Engineering (worth 6 cr). These courses are called, "Foundations of Chem E I & II". Will it reflect negatively on me if I chose to take these courses alongside Biology/Chemistry classes?

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

Applying to MD with 3.2 GPAs will get your application screened out.

You're far more likely to get into DO schools with 3.2 GPA, and even that is still low.

If you're gunning for MD, then an SMP is your best bet because of the amount of credits it would take to get to ~3.5.

One more question, I want to have a backup plan, and am considering taking "Bridge" courses to a Masters in Chemical Engineering (worth 6 cr). These courses are called, "Foundations of Chem E I & II". Will it reflect negatively on me if I chose to take these courses alongside Biology/Chemistry classes?

No it will not reflect negatively unless you perform poorly.

 

[CosmeticLeFort3]

Applying to MD with 3.2 GPAs will get your application screened out.

You're far more likely to get into DO schools with 3.2 GPA, and even that is still low.

If you're gunning for MD, then an SMP is your best bet because of the amount of credits it would take to get to ~3.5.



No it will not reflect negatively unless you perform poorly.

Does screen mean automatically (digitally) or does an actual person look at it and use their judgement?

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

Does screen mean automatically (digitally) or does an actual person look at it and use their judgement?

Probably both

 

[Doctoscope]

A 3.2 GPA without any post-bacc work will most likely get screened out.

A 3.2 WITH 80 PB credits of 3.7+ is a whole different story. It's all about context.

 

[Goro]

I am applying to a secondary undergrad institution to complete a DIY Post-Bacc very soon, and wanted to know if it would make sense to take an extra semester of classes after you apply to Medical School if GPA was your weakness. If you understand the question, ignore what I write below as I give context to the question

--------------
I did poorly the first three years (>3.0 for the first 3 years) but with a significant upward trend scaling ~.4 points per semester. I will graduate from my institution (2 sem/year) in Fall 2020, and plan on applying to Medical School in Spring 2021 with hopefully, 3 fall/spring academic semesters and 2 summer semesters amounting to ~80 credits of reinvention. Once I apply, should I take one more semester (Fall 2021) after applications sent and update my transcript in December when final grades are released? This is way in the future, but it affects my financial decisions now in choosing whether or not to delay graduation and to walk in commencement.

Read this:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention