DIY or formal Postbacc

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

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Hello everyone. I just graduated in May and I was on the pre med track. My overall GPA is a 3.50 and my science GPA is a 3.15. I got accepted into a Formal Postbacc Program that has a linkage agreement with a local medical school, however an interview is not guaranteed, and it’s quite expensive. Should I do a DIY Postbacc instead? I have to take OCHEM 1&2 with labs, physics 1&2 with labs, and biochemistry.

 

[GreenDuck12]

How important is the linkage to you? How quickly are you looking to matriculate? How many science courses for UG are bringing down your sGPA?

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

To be honest, the school is not my top choice, but I’m happy if I get in anywhere. The linkage would allow me to skip a gap year and start in 2021. Ideally, I would like to start no later than 2022. And honestly, probably most of my science classes are being my sGPA down. I’ve only gotten an A in some labs and general chemistry. The rest are B’s and some are C’s.

How important is the linkage to you? How quickly are you looking to matriculate? How many science courses for UG are bringing down your sGPA?

 

[GreenDuck12]

Got it. If you were on the premed track, taking the 5 classes in the postbac would raise your sGPA to what?

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

Got it. If you were on the premed track, taking the 5 classes in the postbac would raise your sGPA to what?

If I get mostly A’s, my sGPA would be a 3.30

 

[GreenDuck12]

Are you aiming for MD, DO, or both? Is a 3.3 ok for your state programs?

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

Are you aiming for MD, DO, or both? Is a 3.3 ok for your state programs?

I would prefer MD, but DO is perfectly fine for me. And I think a 3.3 should be ok. I’m a URM, but I’m not sure if that changes anything

 

[GreenDuck12]

I would prefer MD, but DO is perfectly fine for me. And I think a 3.3 should be ok. I’m a URM, but I’m not sure if that changes anything

Mcat/GPA data by race/ethnicity: https://www.aamc.org/system/files/2019-10/2019_FACTS_Table_A-18.pdf

If you have an upward trend then it might be enough. For DO you’re in good shape but depending on factors such as state of residency, URM community, MCAT score, and ECs, MD acceptances are hard to predict. In terms of the postbac program, you’ll have to evaluate whether or not it is worth it for 5 classes. Since you’re only doing 5 classes and not a full career change postbac it’s a bit harder to find the value in it. I went the DIY route and it worked out for me. What would the difference in cost be?

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

Mcat/GPA data by race/ethnicity: https://www.aamc.org/system/files/2019-10/2019_FACTS_Table_A-18.pdf

If you have an upward trend then it might be enough. For DO you’re in good shape but depending on factors such as state of residency, URM community, MCAT score, and ECs, MD acceptances are hard to predict. In terms of the postbac program, you’ll have to evaluate whether or not it is worth it for 5 classes. Since you’re only doing 5 classes and not a full career change postbac it’s a bit harder to find the value in it. I went the DIY route and it worked out for me. What would the difference in cost be?

Ok thank you. Yeah you’re right, I think the formal post bacc Isn’t necessary. The program is about $20,000 and I don’t think it’s necessary for five classes.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Ok thank you. Yeah you’re right, I think the formal post bacc Isn’t necessary. The program is about $20,000 and I don’t think it’s necessary for five classes.

That’s a high cost per class. I did my postbac in one of the most expensive cities in the US and each class was roughly 35% of what that program is charging. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find classes for less than $2000. Good luck to you.

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

That’s a high cost per class. I did my postbac in one of the most expensive cities in the US and each class was roughly 35% of what that program is charging. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find classes for less than $2000. Good luck to you.

Thank you!