Curious..

[priyanka]

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So what is it that changes, so suddenly, and as soon as people enter a post bac program, they start doing well on their tests, their GPA almost always is higher than 3.8, etc.

Is it the study method, that they hadn't figured out as an undergrad? Or are post bac classes, specially designed, as in, are they easier than undergrad classes?

It just sounds to me like a magic wand, when I hear instances of people having an undergrad GPA of 2.4, get 3.8 - 4.0's in their post bac.. 👍

 

[N1DERL&]

I can't speak for other people but this time around I cared about my grades a lot more. I took the classes more seriously and made it a point to get help when I needed it. I slacked off less and I also didn't fall for all the distractions that can suck a college student in. I also knew that this was my last chance.

Our classes were with the rest of the undergrads so they weren't easier.

Just my 2 cents. 🙂

 

[silverdime]

So what is it that changes, so suddenly, and as soon as people enter a post bac program, they start doing well on their tests, their GPA almost always is higher than 3.8, etc.

Is it the study method, that they hadn't figured out as an undergrad? Or are post bac classes, specially designed, as in, are they easier than undergrad classes?

It just sounds to me like a magic wand, when I hear instances of people having an undergrad GPA of 2.4, get 3.8 - 4.0's in their post bac.. 👍

I chose to post-bacc because it took three years for me to put everything together. I knew how I was supposed to do it, but was unable to do it until I had three years of mediocre or bad grades stacked up behind me. There was no way to raise my GPA to acceptable levels.

Starting a post-bacc, my grad GPA was a blank slate, without previously accumulated grades to drag it down. So in my case, it was definitely study techniques kicking in. There was also the mental boost of knowing I had that fresh start, which is more valuable than you might think.

Some post-bacc programs, however, definitely design their courses to be easier. The problem is that it's not any good: if the med schools know the courses are weak, they're not going to take the sky-high GPAs seriously.

Another important point to keep in mind is that graduate programs are designed on a different GPA scale than undergraduate classes. Most programs require you to keep a 3.0 GPA or you'll be kicked out. A C is much closer to an F. That'll naturally skew the grades a little higher.

Any of these trends could skew the GPAs, but I'd argue that it's (usually) not the post-bacc programs themselves making it easier for the students. After all, their continued success depends on adcoms taking the grades they award seriously. That's why reputation can be so important in picking a post-bacc program.

 

[metalkaren]

The obvious answer would be that people care more. They are returning to school for the soul purpose of becoming a doctor (or health professional). Once you know what you want to do with your life, it's a lot easier to succeed. Plus, many of them are a little older and more mature by then.

College students are often ambivalent about what they want to do with thier lives, and which classes, if any, they will actually need in life. They are also too tempted by the "freedom" of being an adult for the first time (i.e. partying, drinking, sex lives, etc.) and find it harder to devote their time fully to their studies.

I chose to post-bacc because it took three years for me to put everything together. I knew how I was supposed to do it, but was unable to do it until I had three years of mediocre or bad grades stacked up behind me. There was no way to raise my GPA to acceptable levels.

Starting a post-bacc, my grad GPA was a blank slate, without previously accumulated grades to drag it down. So in my case, it was definitely study techniques kicking in. There was also the mental boost of knowing I had that fresh start, which is more valuable than you might think.

Some post-bacc programs, however, definitely design their courses to be easier. The problem is that it's not any good: if the med schools know the courses are weak, they're not going to take the sky-high GPAs seriously.

Another important point to keep in mind is that graduate programs are designed on a different GPA scale than undergraduate classes. Most programs require you to keep a 3.0 GPA or you'll be kicked out. A C is much closer to an F. That'll naturally skew the grades a little higher.

Any of these trends could skew the GPAs, but I'd argue that it's (usually) not the post-bacc programs themselves making it easier for the students. After all, their continued success depends on adcoms taking the grades they award seriously. That's why reputation can be so important in picking a post-bacc program.

 

[ockhamsRzr]

I personally think it's magic--like voodoo magic, but others are free to disagree.

Ock 😕

 

[LooKing4Ward]

I hope some of that voodoo magic is cast on me. I'm just starting to look into this process. I think part of the recipe is evaluating why you failed before and what you have to do different now whether that be studying, time manangement, seeking help, etc. I also think age plays a part. I'm 29 now. Only now do I realize that I'm getting older and I wonder what can I accomplish with the next 10 years of my life.

In the same sense, how much does luck have to do with it? You can prevent failure again by researching what you need to do for yourself, but if you get the wrong school, classes, teacher, etc. that can do you in, and for most post-bac who've failed undergrad, this is their last chance to prove themselves. But then again, someone might say, research, research, research everything, the school you'll be going to, the teacher, the stats, the classes, etc. So you don't get tripped up. I just bring that up because that has me worried, about failing again. I remember in undergrad, some classes were near impossible, only the 1 or 2 gifted people (truly that's what it seemed like they were), got 98% on tests or 4.0s.