Could Definitely Use Some Advice regarding postbacc programs!

[rhulett]

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Good Evening all you SDN'ers out there! I am definitely new to this site but enjoying all the information I am reading on here.

To give a little background on myself:
I, along with most people here, have always wanted to become a doctor. That was my passion when I first entered Community College. There I was in a few prehealth organizations. After completing the necessary requirements I transferred from community college to UC Berkeley where I graduated recently (Spring '10) with a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology. My GPA came in at a sad 2.98. After my first year at Cal i realized that my GPA would not be competitive enough to get into Medical School so I decided a graduate program in Evolutionary Biology is where I would like to go. But since graduation, all I can think about is Medical School. I am taking a few night courses now to keep my biology up to date and I am study for the MCAT (I dont know when I will be taking it, but I have the time). I am applying to a few internships through UC Davis and will start volunteering at a local hospital here. This brings me to my questions:

I am interested in an Academic Enhancement Postbacc program but have no idea what type of program (formal/informal) or what school to attend. I am interested in going to UC Davis for their program but I keep reading amazing things about San Francisco State's program. I was wondering what type of advice you knowledgeable folks can give me?

Thanks!

 

[KiwiBruin]

If you are a URM (i'm not sure what the exact requirements are at UC post baccs... You might also be eligible if you are socio-economically disadvantaged), I would consider the UC post baccs. I think those ppl who go to those tend to have high chance of getting in to their institution's med program. Who doesn't want to stay in California? (#5 on the list)
There are also a lot of postbacc programs across the country geared towards URMs that have really nice linkages to their med schools. (#5 on the list)

If not URM, I would consider going to a SMP. (On the bottom, but #1 list)
I'm guessing you took a lot of science classes already being a bio major. Try to bring your GPA up to a 3.0 (which I will assume will happen anyways once your finish up your classes and ace them 🙂) Then go do well at the SMP. You will have a hard time bringing your grades near the averages of med schools by taking undergrad classes IMO.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=640302 Look in this thread for the the stuff I put in parenthesis.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Bear in mind that you are now done with your baccalaureate studies--meaning that you have a ton of credits behind you. Thus, it will take some effort (even with A's) to bring that GPA up in any significant manner.

I understand that you're discouraged about delaying your entrance into medical school. But, know this: medical school applications are a long and EXPENSIVE process. It would be a shame to jump right into it with an application that is far from ideal and waste your time and money, only to find that you require another cycle.

Take a deep breath. Slow down. Do what's best for your chances of acceptance. It will be far worth it in the end.