Confused about what route to take.

[01090901]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi SDN!

I have never posted on here, but I have read many posts about various questions from perspective students or questions that I have had. I am really confused and would like some input from you all. I am currently a Senior and I will be graduating this Spring. My science gpa right now is a 2.8 ( very bad gpa I know and this doesn't include my grades this semester which so far are A's). My plan was instead of graduating this spring staying an extra quarter here at my college and take upper division courses to boost my gpa to a 3.0 so I have at least some chance at DO schools ( if I do well on my MCAT over course) because realistically I have no chance at MD.

However, I recently went to my Pre-Health advisor to talk to him about this and he really confused me. He told me that I should do a Post-Bacc, which I have considered, because staying an extra quarter or even an extra year and taking upper division classes would not help me. The part that I am confused about is, essentially post-bacc programs do a similar approach some vary from 1-2 years where you either repeat your low div. classes or take more upper div classes. Now the problem I am running into is most post-baccs require you to at least have a science gpa of 3.1 some even require at least an MCAT score. I don't want to take the MCAT just because a post-bacc program requires it and only want to do so when I am absolutely ready. This information is also true for SMPs that I have looked at. I tried to explain to my advisor that I won't be able to get into a post-bacc because of this but he was very persistent and now I am very confused. I've also read from previous threads that your UG gpa is more important than a SMP GPA.

Now I do not know what to do at all. I'm not sure if I should stay an extra year at my college and take upper division classes and make sure I get A's or if should do a post-bacc that will accept me, but I've already missed a lot of deadlines. I would really appreciate some advice and direction. What do you guys think I should do? I am also a first generation college student and though my parents have spent a lot of time and money making sure I have the best education possible they cannot help me with this.

I also am a scribe in the ER department and have over 100+ hours in shadowing with a surgeon, but this is something every pre-med student has or other forms of clinical experience.

 

[MDdream777]

Your best bet is to improve your gpa. You probably should spend another year at your college and take upper level classes. Right now because of the deadlines, you might want to consider taking a year off. Just take classes at your college and study hard for the MCAT, you will be fine, don't be discouraged 🙂

 

[01090901]

Your best bet is to improve your gpa. You probably should spend another year at your college and take upper level classes. Right now because of the deadlines, you might want to consider taking a year off. Just take classes at your college and study hard for the MCAT, you will be fine, don't be discouraged 🙂

Thank you MDdream777. Sometimes it's hard not get discouraged because everyone around me says I should think about do something else. Do you think it's better to take upper division classes or repeat classes to boost my GPA? I am also going to apply to DO's and I've heard that they do grade replacements, but I'm not sure how true that is.

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

Thank you MDdream777. Sometimes it's hard not get discouraged because everyone around me says I should think about do something else. Do you think it's better to take upper division classes or repeat classes to boost my GPA? I am also going to apply to DO's and I've heard that they do grade replacements, but I'm not sure how true that is.

Here's my simple advice:

1. Repeat any pre-req classes where you scored a C+ or lower to prove you can do it.
2. Take upper level classes anywhere and do well, then in the interview have a good explanation of why you did well in those upper levels and not while in UG
3. Do well on your MCAT


You'll get at least 1 acceptance to DO if you boost GPA & do well on the MCAT. You'll just take a longer path to get there, but that doesn't mean you won't get there.

And yes, there are ways to get grade replacements, but I can't comment on what's the better path i.e. retake classes or do grade replacement. One path might offer more resistance

 

[Goro]

Post-bac/SMP are a dime a dozen. Do you homework and find one that fits you. Be prepared to relocate if needed. You can do a DIY post-bac as well.

OR, retake all F/D/C science coursework, and lets AACOMAS grade replacement policy work its magic. Does wonders for the GPA. then apply to DO schools.

Hi SDN!

I have never posted on here, but I have read many posts about various questions from perspective students or questions that I have had. I am really confused and would like some input from you all. I am currently a Senior and I will be graduating this Spring. My science gpa right now is a 2.8 ( very bad gpa I know and this doesn't include my grades this semester which so far are A's). My plan was instead of graduating this spring staying an extra quarter here at my college and take upper division courses to boost my gpa to a 3.0 so I have at least some chance at DO schools ( if I do well on my MCAT over course) because realistically I have no chance at MD.

However, I recently went to my Pre-Health advisor to talk to him about this and he really confused me. He told me that I should do a Post-Bacc, which I have considered, because staying an extra quarter or even an extra year and taking upper division classes would not help me. The part that I am confused about is, essentially post-bacc programs do a similar approach some vary from 1-2 years where you either repeat your low div. classes or take more upper div classes. Now the problem I am running into is most post-baccs require you to at least have a science gpa of 3.1 some even require at least an MCAT score. I don't want to take the MCAT just because a post-bacc program requires it and only want to do so when I am absolutely ready. This information is also true for SMPs that I have looked at. I tried to explain to my advisor that I won't be able to get into a post-bacc because of this but he was very persistent and now I am very confused. I've also read from previous threads that your UG gpa is more important than a SMP GPA.

Now I do not know what to do at all. I'm not sure if I should stay an extra year at my college and take upper division classes and make sure I get A's or if should do a post-bacc that will accept me, but I've already missed a lot of deadlines. I would really appreciate some advice and direction. What do you guys think I should do? I am also a first generation college student and though my parents have spent a lot of time and money making sure I have the best education possible they cannot help me with this.

I also am a scribe in the ER department and have over 100+ hours in shadowing with a surgeon, but this is something every pre-med student has or other forms of clinical experience.

 

[01090901]

Post-bac/SMP are a dime a dozen. Do you homework and find one that fits you. Be prepared to relocate if needed. You can do a DIY post-bac as well.

OR, retake all F/D/C science coursework, and lets AACOMAS grade replacement policy work its magic. Does wonders for the GPA. then apply to DO schools.

Hi Goro! Thanks for the advice! Fortunately I don't have any D/Fs. I was wondering if you could elaborate more on DIY post-bacc, I've never heard of that before.

 

[01090901]

Here's my simple advice:

1. Repeat any pre-req classes where you scored a C+ or lower to prove you can do it.
2. Take upper level classes anywhere and do well, then in the interview have a good explanation of why you did well in those upper levels and not while in UG
3. Do well on your MCAT


You'll get at least 1 acceptance to DO if you boost GPA & do well on the MCAT. You'll just take a longer path to get there, but that doesn't mean you won't get there.

And yes, there are ways to get grade replacements, but I can't comment on what's the better path i.e. retake classes or do grade replacement. One path might offer more resistance

Hi BrawnsNBrain,

Do you think if I stay an extra year and take upper division classes that would work? I'm not sure if I am allowed to repeat classes if I only have Cs in lower division, which is true in my case. Or do you think it is absolutely necessary for me to do both? Thank you.

 

[Goro]

Just register at any nearby university and take some upper level Bio courses [Micro/Pharm/Anatomy/Histology/Pathology/Biochem etc], and DO WELL in them.m In essence, you're taking the courses but not enrolled in an extant program.

Hi Goro! Thanks for the advice! Fortunately I don't have any D/Fs. I was wondering if you could elaborate more on DIY post-bacc, I've never heard of that before.

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

Hi BrawnsNBrain,

Do you think if I stay an extra year and take upper division classes that would work? I'm not sure if I am allowed to repeat classes if I only have Cs in lower division, which is true in my case. Or do you think it is absolutely necessary for me to do both? Thank you.

As @Goro said yup take those upper level classes and Ace them 👍