Doing great in my post-bacc - how to get into better post-bacc?

[calimeds]

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So if you see my other thread, you'll see that I f'd up undergrad at a good college big time - C's, D's, F's etc. This was 10 years ago and now I've got my crap together.

I just entered a post-bacc program in California which accepts anyone with a G.E.D. because 1 - they let people enter year-round, so I could get started immediately. And 2 - I was afraid I would not get into any good post-bacc programs given my undergrad GPA.

Now I'm rockin' it in my program - highest grade in my class for the first one I took, and the second class just started today.

I would like to get accepted to a really good post-bacc with linkages because I assume doing well in a that will increase my chances of admission to a med school, or at least to a competitive SMP.

So I have a couple strategy questions:

1 - Is continuing to take science classes in the post-bacc I'm at - www.integratedscienceprogram.com - going to help or hurt my chances of getting into another post-bacc? I took all the pre-reqs except physics and one semester of bio 10 years ago, getting crummy grades. So I'm planning on doing them all again in my post-bacc. But if I keep stacking up classes in the program I'm in now, will other post-baccs be LESS likely to admit me? I'm thinking I'm going to finish physics II (these classes are only 4 weeks per semester) and then take A&P, but hold off on g-chem, o-chem and bio - and try to take those at a good post-bacc along with upper division science classes.

2 - If the answer to question 1 is that taking more classes in my current program will hurt me, then what can I do to make myself more competitive for good post-baccs? Take non-science classes in concurrent enrollment at UCLA this spring?

I feel like I'm in a chicken-vs-egg scenario here. I feel like I need to prove not only that I am now a top student, but a top science student, for post-baccs to admit me. But if I take science classes to prove that fact, then they may not want me because I've taken the classes I need.

I'm also afraid that straight A's at my un-known post-bacc program (offered at a chiropractic school - which also worries me in terms of reputation) won't help me get into a good SMP.

I've tried calling two post-baccs for advice - Scripps and Northwestern, and keep getting voicemail and no return phone calls. Maybe they're inundated with people.

I've also tried to hire Judy Colwell but her website says she's not accepting new clients until June, and I didn't get a return call from her either.

I want to drop my class that just started today if it's hurting me rather than helping me being at this school.

Time is not my biggest priority - quality is. If I need to take a year of humanities courses at a local school to prove that I can get A's just to get admitted to a competitive post-bacc then I'll do it.

I just really need to know what to do for the next few months.

 

[jslo85]

um i'll try to take a stab at this. But I would most likely consider what someone (DR. MIDLIFE???) has to say more as they have more experience/age/etc. in making a more educated assumption.

No to the humanities courses at a local school. That does not help at all in any regard, financially for you and in the admissions committee's mind.

I don't know anything about the chiropractic school program, if it's anything like an informal post bacc at any regular local university I would like to assume that would be fine? It's not that only people coming out of Harvard or Stanford are going to be viewed, but at the same time, if someone had to consider two applications, equivalent grades, one from a CC and one from Berkeley, I'm pretty sure there might be some bias placed in the latter application. If you need to retake those prereqs, I don't really see it as being of utmost importance to quit the program and go look elsewhere. You paid money for it right?

I have no idea about second bacc at another institution. I would try to apply to an SMP if anything else and give it your best shot if any if you get in. I think the "IF" is an understatement at this point, no offense, but if you haven't completed physics and some of the other pre-reqs, I doubt they're going to consider your application. Most of the SMPs are geared to send people into their next step, ie. medical school or dental school so the requirements for admission are pretty much all the course requirements for med/dental school, lower gpa but still within a strikeable range and of course the MCAT/DAT, whichever one depending on where your path leads.

If I really had to make a choice basd off the limited information given, I would continue and get your certification or diploma or w/e your program bestows upon students that successfully complete it while trying to boost your CV as much as possible. Try talking to advisors at your school about what you want to do (end goals) and what they think and how they can help you get to the next step. Start doing research on what programs, "better post baccs" or SMPs that you might have a shot for with alot of help on the EC end and a great MCAT and then start working towards that goal. I think you have a long road ahead of you, but with alot of work/effort/luck in opportunities you might get another chance that you hopefully take advantage of. Don't lose hope!

 

[calimeds]

jslo85 - I appreciate the advice very much. Yeah I know I'm not competitive for an SMP at this point. I have the attitude that I am starting over from ground zero and hope to be admitted to an SMP in a year or two.

 

[DrMidlife]

So if you see my other thread, you'll see that I f'd up undergrad at a good college big time - C's, D's, F's etc. This was 10 years ago and now I've got my crap together.

10 is a magic number. Texas offers academic fresh start - you can wipe out that old GPA. http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/medical/texasAcFrshStrt.html

Only good in Texas. In your shoes I'd be all over it.

 

[njbmd]

Your program, as long as it's accredited, isn't going to hurt your chances of anything. It's your performance and the contacts that you make in your post bacc that will help you. You can take your performance there and apply to other post bacc programs. There are plenty listed on the AAMC website including contact information.

DrMidlife also presents a good plan for you too so consider that advice too.

 

[calimeds]

drmidlife - Thank you for this info - I'd never heard of it before.

njbmd - Thanks for the insight - much appreciated.