difficulty to get into a recognized post-bacc

[longshot]

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After looking at many of the post-bacc programs on the aamc website, it seems like many require a minimum GPA of 3.3 to get in. Do you guys know if this is an absolute requirement or would they take into consideration other factors like research and a relatively high MCAT score to mitigate poor grades? My grades are pretty atrocious, if I do say so myself, and I'm not sure that just retaking courses in the hopes of getting into a post-bacc program to get into a medical school is the wisest course of action. Any opinions or suggestions concerning this?

 

[LSJST5]

Hello
apply to the programs
Don't be afraid of the gpa.
I talked to alot of the progrmas and they told me to apply.
Don't worry

 

[blankguy]

I think the thing you should watchout, are programs that restrict the number of postbaccs to maintain their high acceptance rate to med schools.

 

[Snugstar]

I've been wondering the same thing - what are the odds of getting into these programs? If any of the post bacs I'm looking at post their acceptance rates I have not seen them.

I have a high undergrad GPA but I don't have any volunteer experience - I'm interviewing at some hospitals this week and next, but will still have to go through orientation before I can start. So what do post bac admissions think about a short volunteer history?

I'm applying regardless (to JHU, Goucher, maybe others but want to stay near Baltimore), but would feel better if I knew my odds either way. Anyone have any information, opinions, thoughts, anecdotal evidence to share?

 

[VeganSoprano]

American publishes an 85% acceptance of qualified applicants (<3.3 GPA and 30 MCAT) into med school and 100% acceptance of qualified applicants into other programs (dentistry, veterinary, etc).

The school automatically accepts postbac applicants with <3.2 undergrad GPA. Not sure about others.

 

[Snugstar]

American publishes an 85% acceptance of qualified applicants (<3.3 GPA and 30 MCAT) into med school and 100% acceptance of qualified applicants into other programs (dentistry, veterinary, etc).

The school automatically accepts postbac applicants with <3.2 undergrad GPA. Not sure about others.

It didn't seem clear for American if the 85% was specifically for the post-bac program or for all pre-meds in general. I guess either way 85% is pretty good. But I wondered if maybe the 15% was all of the post-bac students. 😕

So that's great that they'll give anyone with a 3.2 an opportunity to do the program. The student bios on the JHU and Goucher web pages make it look like you must have saved the world, or at least an orphan from a burning building, to be eligible.

 

[VeganSoprano]

It was all premeds, undergrad and postbaccs. And remember that they still claim 100% for other health science schools. Hopefully I won't be the one to muck up that statistic!

I agree that other program websites sounded awfully scary! I was pretty intimidated. That's part of the reason I only applied to American. I read the websites of other schools and said "yeesh!".

So I have no self-confidence. Oh well. 🙄

 

[seethrew]

I've been wondering the same thing - what are the odds of getting into these programs? If any of the post bacs I'm looking at post their acceptance rates I have not seen them.

I have a high undergrad GPA but I don't have any volunteer experience - I'm interviewing at some hospitals this week and next, but will still have to go through orientation before I can start. So what do post bac admissions think about a short volunteer history?

I'm applying regardless (to JHU, Goucher, maybe others but want to stay near Baltimore), but would feel better if I knew my odds either way. Anyone have any information, opinions, thoughts, anecdotal evidence to share?

They will love the volunteering. I went to Goucher, they encourage you to volunteer more during the program - everyone did. Some locals started out at a place and continued during the program. You could be setting yourself up for a great long term volunteering stint... excellent.

Remember you are applying to premed not med. Don't be so hard on yourself. Apply early and be yourself!

 

[Uhui]

I have the same question as well. Here are my stats:

3.4 Cumulative GPA [I'm in my last year of college. I just started fall term on the quarter system. I'm aware that I need to improve my GPA.]

I have an upward trend of grades.

I have one A- in a math course (Differential Calculus).
I have two C's - one in evolutionary biology and the other in first-quarter general chem.
I have one other C in a psychology course.
Otherwise, since, my freshman year, my lowest grade has been a B- (and that was in 20th century Chinese history; go figure).

I have zero volunteering experience (or at least not since high school...) and I'm definitely interested in CA schools particularly.

Does anyone know anything about SFSU, USC, and others with this regard? However, if it means relocating, I WILL make the commitment.

What can I do in the meantime -- before the deadlines to the post-bacc programs? I'm much more interested in a formal program rather than enrolling at a school for a second degree... Does anyone know anything about CSULA as well?

Should I take a good number of science courses next winter quarter so that I can submit those grades to the PBACC programs?

Thank you!

 

[flip26]

One way to think about it: post bacc programs that tout 90% applicant success rate to med school need to ensure that by only admitting people with fairly high GPAs in the first place, so if you don't sport a 3.7 or so, the top drawer schools like Bryn Mawr and Goucher are not going to be very interested in you...