Gap year options

[mandrakes94]

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Hey, if anyone knows anything about this it would a lot of help:

I am graduating with a 3.39 cGPA, going to take the MCAT in a few months. My advisors at my schools have told me to go for a post-bacc record-enhancing program like a masters in science or something. It sounds interesting, especially if I get a masters degree out of it. But I recently found out that that wouldn't help me at all. Something about the graduate GPA not being looked at until after you get an interview, which I probably won't do with my score.

Someone suggested I just take more undergrad courses at another school next year, even though I'm graduating this spring. The logic of that makes sense, but I'm hesitant mainly because I'd be spending money without actually getting a degree or anything from that. Does anyone know which is better/would look better on the application? Should I wait till I get my MCAT score to decide?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Toutie]

Hey, if anyone knows anything about this it would a lot of help:

I am graduating with a 3.39 cGPA, going to take the MCAT in a few months. My advisors at my schools have told me to go for a post-bacc record-enhancing program like a masters in science or something. It sounds interesting, especially if I get a masters degree out of it. But I recently found out that that wouldn't help me at all. Something about the graduate GPA not being looked at until after you get an interview, which I probably won't do with my score.

Someone suggested I just take more undergrad courses at another school next year, even though I'm graduating this spring. The logic of that makes sense, but I'm hesitant mainly because I'd be spending money without actually getting a degree or anything from that. Does anyone know which is better/would look better on the application? Should I wait till I get my MCAT score to decide?

Thanks in advance guys!

What is your science GPA?

 

[Petrichor1]

take more undergraduate classes (esp repeat those you got sub par gpa that you think you'd get an A in). You will have to apply next year though to have these gpa changes visible to adcoms. Masters is lame and tame unless you just can't stay away from full time school. I only suggest it if that program has reputation of admitting sub or ~3.0 gpa applicants to medical school while also bringing that gpa up to an acceptable number in the case where they include some undergrad course repeats as well. The classes you select should be prioritized first with sciences at top and humanities at bottom. So for example, if your sgpa is really low, I would suggest the following steps and just increase your sgpa load at an easier uni for fall. Make it a goal to get rid of that MCAT stuff beforehand because it'll bit you back if you don't. I myself am finding a really hard time trying to make do with it and also juggle that with impending employment for next year and volunteering.

Here is what I would strongly suggest from my experience that I now regret that I wish I had done:
Register for MCAT classes this fall/summer (seriously, I couldn't keep up with just disciplining myself so this is essential if you could garner up the cash)
Meanwhile, volunteer and take 1-2 classes on side that may aid in gpa each semester (including summer...but if you think you want to push that into fall when you're done with MCAT, that's fine)
Then near spring, apply to as many jobs as possible and just be relentless. You should get one by March (aim for that)
By time of application, you should have some money to spend on app process and interview

Apply mainly DO and then apply to few MD low to mid tier

 

[mandrakes94]

What is your science GPA?

My sGPA is 3.1, whatever I take for undergraduate classes, it will definitely be science - that is the point. I am an Econ major so the only science classes I took were my pre-reqs.

My question is if you apply with a low undergrad GPA but a high graduate GPA, is it true that they don't look at the graduate school transcripts until after you get the interview?

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

My question is if you apply with a low undergrad GPA but a high graduate GPA, is it true that they don't look at the graduate school transcripts until after you get the interview?

I can't say for sure but personally, I've never heard this. But what I do know is that AMCAS reports undergraduate and graduate GPAs separately. Some adcoms here on SDN have said that more weight is given to undergraduate GPA and that a high graduate GPA won't always make up for poorer performance in undergrad.

If I were you, I would probably take more undergrad classes to boost your GPA. Unless you really have solid reasons for pursuing a Master's but I wouldn't do it just to apply to medical school because it really isn't necessary and may not help much.

 

[mandrakes94]

I can't say for sure but personally, I've never heard this. But what I do know is that AMCAS reports undergraduate and graduate GPAs separately. Some adcoms here on SDN have said that more weight is given to undergraduate GPA and that a high graduate GPA won't always make up for poorer performance in undergrad.

If I were you, I would probably take more undergrad classes to boost your GPA. Unless you really have solid reasons for pursuing a Master's but I wouldn't do it just to apply to medical school because it really isn't necessary and may not help much.

Thanks for the advice! I'm definitely starting to lean towards just doing undergrad classes.