DIY Post-Bacc or SMP or Master's Program

[NoahIndonesia]

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I'm currently a senior in College. I'm going to have a gap year between college & medical school (hopefully).

I'm currently sitting on a 3.65 cGPA, 3.42 sGPA, and a 33 MCAT.

Catch..I took the MCAT 3x, read my WAMC if you want the details...which I'm sure you do lol.

I am applying this June. Ideally, I'd like to be accepted to one of the nearly 35 schools I'm applying to next cycle (I'm applying 33 MD, 2 DO). Ideally, I'd like to be in an MD school, but beggars can't be choosers.

But I do want to prepare for a second cycle. I'll be a full time teacher after I graduate.

Masters Program: The professor I worked for in Undergrad offered me a TA-ship. This would include a full tuition scholarship, and around 10K per year as a stipend (which doesn't mean much, as I'll be making enough money teaching, the extra 10K doesn't hold much bearing on my decision). The Master's would be Molecular Biology.

DIY Post-Bacc: I could do a DIY postbacc at my University which would make my uGPA and sGPA go up significantly incase I'd be up for a second cycle.

SMP: Lastly, I COULD do the SMP Program at Georgetown. It's a good program, affordable for me, and I'm confident I could do well at it.

What do you think?

 

[NoahIndonesia]

could this possibly be moved to non trad forum?

 

[kevinsword91]

I like the DIY Post bac as they tend to be cheaper, more flexible and really impact GPA via grade replacement if you need to apply to more DO schools next cycle. Plus, it doesn't sound like you could complete the master's program if you were successful this upcoming cycle.

However, it does depend on just how many C grades or worse you have. If you have a lot of B or B+ grades weighing you down then grade replacement will not be nearly as beneficial.

 

[NoahIndonesia]

I like the DIY Post bac as they tend to be cheaper, more flexible and really impact GPA via grade replacement if you need to apply to more DO schools next cycle. Plus, it doesn't sound like you could complete the master's program if you were successful this upcoming cycle.

However, it does depend on just how many C grades or worse you have. If you have a lot of B or B+ grades weighing you down then grade replacement will not be nearly as beneficial.

Yeah, most of my grades are B+'s unfortunately. I got 2 C+'s during Undergrad I'm really set on MD though.

 

[kevinsword91]

Were your other plans to full-time teach and do either a masters program or smp? It just seems like a lot to juggle on top of applying.

 

[FutureOncologist]

Masters route: I'm pretty sure different schools measure uGPA vs. gGPA differently. I like this option because you're getting paid for almost a second chance.

DIY postbacc: If you go this route, then I'd add more DO schools to your list. Don't know why you only have two on there, but you probably have your reasons.

SMP route: I wouldn't go there yet. You're highly competitive for the best SMP programs, but this option is a last resort, which, if you don't get at least a 3.7, you might as well choose a different health care profession.

 

[NoahIndonesia]

Were your other plans to full-time teach and do either a masters program or smp? It just seems like a lot to juggle on top of applying.

Yeah! I am currently trying to decide what to do next year. I'm stuck between trying to take it easy on myself, while also having enough money to buy groceries haha

 

[Catalystik]

DIY Post-Bacc: I could do a DIY postbacc at my University which would make my uGPA and sGPA go up significantly incase I'd be up for a second cycle.

How significantly?

Masters Program: The Master's would be Molecular Biology.

Isn't this a 2-year Masters? That would mean you'd have 2 gap years.