Extra Class... GPA Boost?

[zird00]

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I am going to begin my post-bacc this summer with Gen Chem I & II. I hope to be thru all the classes I need and ready to take the MCAT by May '09. However, my GPA is a little low (although not horrible). I have tons of ECs and will have graduated this May (2008) with a Masters degree and a 4.0 GPA as of right now.

If I take an extra class or two during my post-bacc (like ethics, or a health course) with the main purpose of raising my GPA, will the ADCOMs see thru this?

 

[ruraldr]

You should really spend your time doing things that you both enjoy and will round out your current healthcare knowledge.

having just completed my post-bacc requirements/MCAT the application process, I would suggest keeping your focus on doing well in the courses/MCAT study that are required for getting into med school.

If you would enjoy these additional classes and they would raise your GPA then by all means take them, however if they will distract from your requirements studying or will just feel like additional study burden then it probably isn't worth it!

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Nope. It's perfectly acceptable to take courses in addition to the pre-reqs. Ethics, medical terminology, etc. are reasonable courses to take in preparing for medical school.

 

[hollywoodfl]

If I take an extra class or two during my post-bacc (like ethics, or a health course) with the main purpose of raising my GPA, will the ADCOMs see thru this?

Glad you posted this - I was just thinking about the same thing.

 

[gman33]

It depends on what part of your GPA needs boosting.
Upper level science courses are best if you can do well in them.
They will help your science gpa, overall gpa and may even help you in med school. Don't waste time taking unrelated classes unless your GPA is seriously low.
Also, grad GPA means next to nothing, so don't count on that offsetting a low UG gpa.

 

[hollywoodfl]

Also, grad GPA means next to nothing, so don't count on that offsetting a low UG gpa.

It's my understanding that Grad school is basically an EC. It is better than pizza delivery boy, but not by much.

 

[plauto]

Your undergrad was at least 120 credits, post bac is at least 32 credits. that makes it at least 152 credits. 3 or 6 credits with As as a final grade will raise your GPA almost nothing.

 

[hollywoodfl]

Your undergrad was at least 120 credits, post bac is at least 32 credits. that makes it at least 152 credits. 3 or 6 credits with As as a final grade will raise your GPA almost nothing.

You can always mess around with one of these http://www.back2college.com/raisegpa.htm

 

[zird00]

The question is not about my having been to grad school or how much an extra class will affect my GPA. These things I know. My question is how will it be looked at by ADCOMs. And hollywood... complete a grad program and then talk with me about the merits of grad school in relation to pizza delivery🙂

 

[hollywoodfl]

The question is not about my having been to grad school or how much an extra class will affect my GPA. These things I know. My question is how will it be looked at by ADCOMs. And hollywood... complete a grad program and then talk with me about the merits of grad school in relation to pizza delivery🙂

I graduate in April from one; I am just telling you what an adcom guy I met with last fall told me. Not trying to put you down, it's part of my journey as well.