Formal postbac options

[ODoyle]

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Hey everyone,

Low gpa thread wasn't getting much love and I'd rather see if I can get an individualized question answered anyway. Input from everyone is welcome!

Situation
I need help selecting between my home state "post-bac" (not a formal one), and others around the country (Drexel, VCU, etc.).

Stats:
Purdue Chemistry/Biology major
- 2.90 cGPA
- 3.00 sGPA
- 3.15 cGPA (DO)
- 3.35 sGPA (DO)
- Extensive research experience in two labs at IU School of Med with prominent faculty
- One semester of credited research during undergrad
- Shadowed cardiothoracic surgeon, peds cardiology for a few weeks
- Strong LOR from a distinguish professor and department chair at IUSM, strong LOR from a current adjunct IUSM professor (I was top of his immuno class)
- EMT with 4 years ambulance/ER experience throughout undergrad
- President of on campus pre-med organization (over 200 members)
- Over 1000 hours of volunteer med work at hospitals/campus events
- Graduated with honors from high school
- Last 45 credit hours of last semester + 1 yr informal post-bac 3.8 c/bcpmGPA - all of the last 45 credits were upper level science credits with 1 semester 4.0
- Other little stuff that I can't remember at the moment

So my GPA is atrocious, but not because I didn't work. My brother passed away of a drug OD sophomore year, weighed heavily on a few semesters and I couldn't really salvage a usable GPA by then. Nonetheless, my last year and a half has been stellar with a 3.8. I'm set to take the MCAT March 26th and have been averaging a 30 on e-mcat practice exams.

Anyway, IUSM does indeed have a post-bac program but it is a graduate level program and has become extremely popular within the last few years. There is no linkage to IUSM. Complete the program and you could be in the same position you were before. However, IUSM does strongly favor its in-state students, so that does give me a little glimmer of hope.

Pros and Cons
Indiana / Purdue (IUPUI) - The Pre-Professional Non-ThesisMaster of Science Degree
Pros:
- In State
- Cost (~10k) + I have family I could live with in Indy
- I could continue lab work at IUSM over the summer and transition into class
- Different tracks to pursue, Immunology/Virology stands out to me
- 1 yr.
- Somewhat associated with IUSM
- Would be close to gf

Cons:
- No definite linkage to IUSM

Drexel IMS: Interdepartmental Medical Science (IMS) Program
Pros:
- B's + 27 MCAT guarantees interview, 60-85% accepted somewhere
- Could apply earlier after MCAT
- Med School curriculum, shows you can do the work
- Formal post-bac

Cons:
- Cost (~30k) + living
- Far from family, gf, friends

VCU: Pre-Medical Basic Health Certificate Program
Pros:
- At the medical center (not sure about linkage)
- Tuition is better than Drexel (15k) + living
- Formal post-bac

Cons:
- Far from family
- Not sure how strong linkage is


I'm open for suggestions to other places, also. Of course, before I start choosing I should probably get in somewhere first

. I've always wanted to go to IUSM, but the light at the end of the tunnel seems dim. Like I said, IU's post-bac does not have direct linkage, whereas Drexel and VCU seem like better options. At least at Drexel I would have a fair shot at an interview. I won't have my MCAT scores back until mid-late April, so I plan on applying right after they're in. Any suggestions, guys? Do I have any shot at a US MD or should I start looking at US Carrib (yikes)?

I'll also be applying DO, although its been difficult for me to find a DO to shadow in my area. I would prefer to do MD (especially IU) for instate tuition/residency reasons, although I know how slim of a chance that is at this point.

Thanks in advance. I'll post more as needed.

 

[aSagacious]

To answer your question about VCU linkage: 3.5 gpa + 30 MCAT = VCUSOM interview.

For your situation, I'd rank them something like:
IU > VCU > Drexel

Since it will take at least a couple years to repair that GPA, I'd really focus on the MCAT right now (since you will be able to make up some ground in a hurry). Even if you must spend a couple grand on a personal tutor... what's $5000 for a few months versus 30-50k for a post-bac/SMP? (I recommend doing your post-bac concurrently with your MCAT studies).

 

[ODoyle]

To answer your question about VCU linkage: 3.5 gpa + 30 MCAT = VCUSOM interview.

For your situation, I'd rank them something like:
IU > VCU > Drexel

Since it will take at least a couple years to repair that GPA, I'd really focus on the MCAT right now (since you will be able to make up some ground in a hurry). Even if you must spend a couple grand on a personal tutor... what's $5000 for a few months versus 30-50k for a post-bac/SMP? (I recommend doing your post-bac concurrently with your MCAT studies).

Thanks for your reply.

You're right, there is almost no way to get my uGPA better than it is. I'm already at 150+ credits, taking more ugrad classes seems futile at this point. Like I said, I'm set to take the MCAT on March 26th and have been averaging 30s on the practice exams. I have been studying for three months. My last year of an informal post-bacc has been excellent, but will not be enough to overshadow the poor performance of earlier semesters.

IU's program requires the GRE with a minimum score of 1000. VCU and Drexel require the MCAT, so I will not be able to apply to either program until late April when my scores come back. I'm honestly more worried if I even have a shot at a US MD school at this point.

 

[aSagacious]

Oh, my apologies, I must have misinterpreted your question. With regards to an MD acceptance this cycle, I would think it exceedingly difficult for you to get in with that GPA. Take a peek at this chart (though I know it neglects SMPs and the like) https://www.aamc.org/download/157450/data/table24-mcatgpagridall2008-10.pdf.pdf . Regardless of how well your MCAT goes (let's say you get a 39), you'd have worse than a 45% chance to get into a school. Instead, I suggest trying to sneak in via a post-back linkage, where your stats are more competitive. Otherwise, you might want to consider going the DO route.

 

[ODoyle]

Oh, my apologies, I must have misinterpreted your question. With regards to an MD acceptance this cycle, I would think it exceedingly difficult for you to get in with that GPA. Take a peek at this chart (though I know it neglects SMPs and the like) https://www.aamc.org/download/157450/data/table24-mcatgpagridall2008-10.pdf.pdf . Regardless of how well your MCAT goes (let's say you get a 39), you'd have worse than a 45% chance to get into a school. Instead, I suggest trying to sneak in via a post-back linkage, where your stats are more competitive. Otherwise, you might want to consider going the DO route.

Right, I plan on doing the former.

According to braluk & the SMP guide sticky, the best time to apply for matriculation for the following fall would be the summer before entering into an SMP. Once accepted into an SMP you list your school and your early exam scores on AMCAS. Therefore I'll be both submitting my AMCAS application in June, and planning on matriculating into an SMP in the fall, with hopes for interviews in the late fall/early spring.

More information here in his post: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=4464129&postcount=1

IUPUI's program offers no direct linkage like do VCU or Drexel. I could very well do the program and still be in the same place today, without an interview. With VCU and Drexel, I would at least have a shot at an interview if I perform well. That's the root of the conundrum, take the shot with the in-state non-linkage school and spend less money, or spend more money at a school with linkage.

Thanks for your help

 

[ODoyle]

Anyone else with any insight? Rob, DrMidlife?

 

[deleted248403]

Yikes, I don't really like any of the schools you have listed here. I'm very anti-drexel and that would be the last of these 3 but as I said - i'm not a big fan of any of them in your shoes.

You need more legit SMPs in my book - you need an MCAT/GRE to really get a better idea, and you are leaving it decently late in the season to wait for the score.

You have a strong upward trend which will count for something but only 1 semester of research (not a requirement, but your lack of it doesn't help things).

Personally, I would look at UMDNJ, BU, Tufts - bascially, almost any other SMP before Drexel. And I wouldn't plan on applying MD this year - you won't get in. But, if you did well in your SMP and applied the following year with a good MCAT; then you'd have a solid year of graduate grades, an MCAT, maybe get involved in some research (either clinical or bench-based) and go from there.

Or you could just do DO. (I'd rather be a DO than a Carib MD but thats just me; if you want logic then PM cos this isnt the place for it)

 

[ODoyle]

Yikes, I don't really like any of the schools you have listed here. I'm very anti-drexel and that would be the last of these 3 but as I said - i'm not a big fan of any of them in your shoes.

You need more legit SMPs in my book - you need an MCAT/GRE to really get a better idea, and you are leaving it decently late in the season to wait for the score.

Personally, I would look at UMDNJ, BU, Tufts - bascially, almost any other SMP before Drexel. And I wouldn't plan on applying MD this year - you won't get in. But, if you did well in your SMP and applied the following year with a good MCAT; then you'd have a solid year of graduate grades, an MCAT, maybe get involved in some research (either clinical or bench-based) and go from there.

Or you could just do DO. (I'd rather be a DO than a Carib MD but thats just me; if you want logic then PM cos this isnt the place for it)

Thanks for your input

The problem with BU and Tufts is that they application cycle for those schools ends before I would have a chance to apply this year. I really didn't know that Drexel was such a drag 😕. UMDNJ is an option, as the app closes June 1st. Is there linkage offered at this program?

You have a strong upward trend which will count for something but only 1 semester of research (not a requirement, but your lack of it doesn't help things).

Sorry I didn't specifically highlight above, my research experience spans 3 summers + the one semester of credited research. 3 summers at IUSM in two labs and 1 semester here at school during the school year.

Also, been having trouble finding DOs in the area to shadow. I'm not sure how much that's going to limit my DO application, but I can imagine it won't be good.