DIY academic enhancer

[lostnconfused]

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If we are planning on doing a DIY academic enhancer to increase a 3.3-3.5 science GPA, what's the "ideal" number of units we should aim for before applying?

PS: I was thinking of doing it through an UC Extension program

Thank you

 

[ZedsDed]

If we are planning on doing a DIY academic enhancer to increase a 3.3-3.5 science GPA, what's the "ideal" number of units we should aim for before applying?

PS: I was thinking of doing it through an UC Extension program

Thank you

Is it truly an "extension program?" If so, which one?

 

[artist27]

I though this was going to be about some synthetic drug you were trying to make for brain enhancement

 

[lostnconfused]

it really dependson what your original coursework consists of, trebds, etc. A formal postbac has somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-40 credits.

Thats a lot! Are you talking 2 year programs?

Is it truly an "extension program?" If so, which one?

Yes, one of the UC extension programs

What do you want your GPA to be when you apply? How many credits have you already taken? Assuming you ace the classes, to reach your goal GPA:

Credits needed = (Past credits)(Goal GPA - Current GPA)/(4.0 - Goal GPA)

But they don't combine your postbach and undergrad GPA on your application I thought?

 

[ZedsDed]

Yes, one of the UC extension programs

I'm not a fan. California has a plethora of state schools... but if you're going to insist on one of the UCs, I would try for UCI's access program so you can take "real" university courses.

 

[Crito]

http://gpacalculator.net/how-to-raise-gpa/

 

[lostnconfused]

I'm not a fan. California has a plethora of state schools... but if you're going to insist on one of the UCs, I would try for UCI's access program so you can take "real" university courses.

Why do you say you're not a fan? What if it was from a top UC, like UCLA, UCB, etc?

 

[lostnconfused]

http://gpacalculator.net/how-to-raise-gpa/

My apologies, I do not mean how many units I need to raise my GPA, but how many units in a DIY postbach would be enough. Thank you though for the URL.

 

[ZedsDed]

Why do you say you're not a fan? What if it was from a top UC, like UCLA, UCB, etc?

UCBX and UCLAX have nothing to do with UCB and UCLA, except the name. They are for-profit programs with different standards, different professors (often TAs and the like,) and different qualities of education that do not grant degrees. I think you should try and maintain a healthy skepticism.

Also, see below:

Extension courses are a last resort. They are understandable (for required courses) for those in the military and even then, not for labs.

Its pretty simple really. Extension schools are pay for credit/degree. Harvard even says it in those terms on their website: https://www.extension.harvard.edu/tuition-enrollment

That doesn't make it any less viable by itself, but it is a true negative against it. I consider it no different than community college credits, online classes, withdraws etc. Life gets in the way of things and sometimes one or more of those things is helpful or necessary to get requirements taken care of. A few here or there, no big deal, could not care less. Someone that has multiple of those things all over the place, cause for concern. Online + Extension school is kind of a combination of sorts and I'd say it is a step down, especially for something like a lab course that really benefits from physically being there. By the same token, do you NEED to know intro bio lab to be a good physician? No. Is it good to have at a reputable place so we know what you've seen and done? Yes.

I think that if this was the only issue with someone's academics, nobody would really notice or care. But, when combined with other 'shortcuts', things tend to snowball, if that makes sense...

 

[lostnconfused]

UCBX and UCLAX have nothing to do with UCLB and UCLA, except the name. They are for-profit programs with different standards, different professors (often TAs and the like,) and different qualities of education that do not grant degrees. I think you should try and maintain a healthy skepticism.

Also, see below:

Interesting... Do you mind sharing your source for the information? I'd be very interested in hearing from someone on admissions about what they think of the extension programs...

 

[ZedsDed]

Do you mind sharing your source for the information?

It is readily available on their websites.

'd be very interested in hearing from someone on admissions about what they think of the extension programs...

The two people I quoted sit on admissions committees.

 

[ZedsDed]

When it comes to the UCs, be sure to understand the difference between enrolling in extension courses and open enrollment for non-degree seeking students.

Bottom line: try and take "real" classes, if possible.

 

[lostnconfused]

It is readily available on their websites.


The two people I quoted sit on admissions committees.

Interesting. Thank you for sharing!

Edit: are we taking pre-requisites though? I could understand if it's pre-requisites, then it would be bad to take it at a CC or through extension, but maybe it's viewed differently as academic enhancers..?

 

[libertyyne]

I would look into grade replacement for DO programs as well. I would take as many classes as I could at a real school to bump up the gpa and show a positive trend.