Confused about which route to take..

[k408]

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So I have been researching programs and such quite a bit recently but I am still kind of confused as to what to do..

Background: going into my senior year as a biochemistry major in undergrad with a 2.8 science GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA otherwise... I pretty much received C's through chem, organic chemistry, and biology. However, my upper division classes have been better (B-/B) but obviously not the best. I have done really well in core classes though, (A-/B+ average) I am taking many upper division biology and chemistry classes this year and I hope they can raise my GPA...

But I realize that probably won't put me in good standing for medical school. I plan to take the MCAT early 2013 just to have a score but I definitely want to do a post-bacc or SMP program so that I can be a more competitive applicant

my question is, which one would be more beneficial? would it be wise to start applying this fall? i am from and go to school in california and staying here would be very preferable.. i am currently doing research, have ~9 months volunteer experience in a hospital, and i work two jobs (which kind of is why i have bad grades, but it is no excuse).

I would want my "gap year" to be the post-bacc program. If anyone has any suggestions or tips or any advice in general, that would be great! This forum has provided me with so much information.

Thanks in advance

 

[Soco9087]

So I have been researching programs and such quite a bit recently but I am still kind of confused as to what to do..

Background: going into my senior year as a biochemistry major in undergrad with a 2.8 science GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA otherwise... I pretty much received C's through chem, organic chemistry, and biology. However, my upper division classes have been better (B-/B) but obviously not the best. I have done really well in core classes though, (A-/B+ average) I am taking many upper division biology and chemistry classes this year and I hope they can raise my GPA...

But I realize that probably won't put me in good standing for medical school. I plan to take the MCAT early 2013 just to have a score but I definitely want to do a post-bacc or SMP program so that I can be a more competitive applicant

my question is, which one would be more beneficial? would it be wise to start applying this fall? i am from and go to school in california and staying here would be very preferable.. i am currently doing research, have ~9 months volunteer experience in a hospital, and i work two jobs (which kind of is why i have bad grades, but it is no excuse).

I would want my "gap year" to be the post-bacc program. If anyone has any suggestions or tips or any advice in general, that would be great! This forum has provided me with so much information.

Thanks in advance

If you're determined to take the MCAT your goal should be nothing short of blow that test out of the water. I don't know how much a post-bacc would help you, but since it seems like you've taken most of the classes already, all you would be doing is retaking all the class you just took. I also don't think it will help you improve your gpa that much since you have so many science credit hours. Your best bet would be a SMP, the smp people here can give you more advice about that. I think most smp require a MCAT score, so you should put every effort you can into preparing for it.

 

[k408]

Soco9087: Thank you for your reply!

I spoke with my universities pre-med advisor and he suggested similar.

My other question is, with a SMP, with say a 3.0 GPA, would that severely deter me from being accepted? I am going to try my best to get a 30+ on the MCAT and do well in my upper division classes, but I am a bit worried that I might not be accepted because of my grades since a master's program would involve advanced work...

Any SMP people with advice?

Thanks!

 

[Innokus]

Soco9087: Thank you for your reply!

I spoke with my universities pre-med advisor and he suggested similar.

My other question is, with a SMP, with say a 3.0 GPA, would that severely deter me from being accepted? I am going to try my best to get a 30+ on the MCAT and do well in my upper division classes, but I am a bit worried that I might not be accepted because of my grades since a master's program would involve advanced work...

Any SMP people with advice?

Thanks!

You'll get into an SMP somewhere even if it was under a 3.0. Having it at a 3.0 helps because it will prevent you from getting screened out when you apply to med school after an SMP. I would do my best to ace those classes rather than worry about the MCAT. You do not want to damage your grades any further and will want to prove to yourself and
the SMP that you are ready for medical school coursework.

As for the MCAT you need to score as high as possible unless you want to take it again after the SMP. You'll need to figure out if taking classes and getting ready for the mcat will harm you in either or both areas.

My opinion is to rock this fall semester, take a light coursework in spring and take the mcat late march or april