Hampton Roads Informal Postbac

[djcbtv]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey all,

I recently graduated with a B.S. in a Public Health discipline. I did not take many premed courses (just Bio I ,Chem I, a 1 semester Org Chem at a local comm. college). My UGrad GPA is low (2.37 after 161 credits, BCPM is ~40 credits and is a 2.46), so I realize significantly increasing it may be out of the question, even with a second Bachelors. My thought now is to take all of the sciences I need and apply to an SMP/Masters (EVMS would be my preference). I do have extensive volunteering (8 years EMT), I work in public health now, have experience as a pharmacy tech and vet tech, and am working on finding some research opportunities.

My only problem is finding science courses I need a la carte here in Hampton Roads (VA Beach specifically) seems quite difficult. I've taken a look at NSU, ODU, and Hampton but they don't seem to offer much for non-matriculated students. I just need the prep for the EVMS postbac. It would be wonderful if I could do it at night/on the weekend as I work for the state government at the moment.

Any thoughts, both to my general situation (other suggested avenues?) and perhaps where to find courses? Should I be going a different route?

 

[DrMidlife]

I'd like to see you think bigger than EVMS. SMP apps are like a mini version of med school apps: you should apply early and broadly and not put all your eggs in one basket.

And an SMP does exactly nothing for you if your GPA is below auto-cutoffs. I would absolutely not start an SMP with a sub-3.0 undergrad GPA. EVMS says they accept students with a 2.75, but I challenge you to find such an individual. (Also, EVMS is not a postbac. Postbac is additional undergrad work after a bachelors degree. EVMS' med masters program is grad study.)

With a 2.37 over 161 units, you need 105 more units at a 4.0 to get your GPA over 3.0. Longer if you don't get a 4.0. In your shoes, I'd be thinking about when I can quit my job, take out student loans, and go back to school full time. You don't have any more chances to do poorly in school, while working or doing other stuff. So being in school full time, without distractions, is the next right thing to do, imho.

If you're not interested in this level of commitment, then I think you need to think about DO. There's a DO school in VA that has its own SMP-like thing, which could speed things up for you.

Best of luck to you.

 

[djcbtv]

Thanks for the reply.

With a 2.37 over 161 units, you need 105 more units at a 4.0 to get your GPA over 3.0. Longer if you don't get a 4.0. In your shoes, I'd be thinking about when I can quit my job, take out student loans, and go back to school full time. You don't have any more chances to do poorly in school, while working or doing other stuff. So being in school full time, without distractions, is the next right thing to do, imho.

So really the undergrad GPA has to be boosted? I'm not trying to find shortcuts, just want to be sure another 105 more undergrad units is certainly the way to go before jumping in. Best to pick a science major B.S. program (Biochem or similar) and do really well?

I'd rather stay at work as long as I can as that is my funding source, and being a state government employee I have access to tuition reimbursement which can allow me to keep this endeavor somewhat economical, which is a nice option. I understand your point though, 105 credits is a long way to go. Any other options?

I will look at the Virginia DO school as well. Thanks for the advice.

 

[DrMidlife]

Any other options?

Personally, I say no, because 3.0 is the bare minimum, and you'll need an SMP to boot. Keep in mind that the first order of business is to learn how to get straight A's and keep doing it term after term after term.

In your shoes I think I'd apply to all the local schools (NSU, ODU etc) to get yourself admitted as a regular degree-seeking student, any way they'll allow you to do this with only taking one or two classes per term. You don't necessarily have to complete a 2nd bachelors, but it won't hurt you. If they really don't have any evening programs that's kind of a shocker, but most of the military folks around here have their own separate programs, so I guess that's a factor.

Any major is fine, and as long as you take tons of science (immuno, micro, biochem, genetics, etc) pretty much any coursework is fine. Take stuff you like.

 

[MacVA]

Thought I would chime in as a postbacc student at ODU.

ODU offers Bio, Chem and Physics during afternoon/evening sessions. Classes start as early as 4:20pm or as late as 7:10pm. The main problem you will run into this semester is that all of the classes are full.

If you have any questions about the school, PM me.

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

My friend, I say forget SMPs. I think with a GPA like that, you need to think Caribbean school, sp[ecifically Ross. You will not get into Ross with a GPA like that, but they will give you a shot at a SMP like program called MERP. It is a 4 month , not 1 yr, programs than guarantees you a seat (100%) in their upcoming class as long as you can pass MERP with a overall 68% and have no individual class average less than 55%. I think you need to score >20 on mcat and they will MERP you. This is a better option than doing a US SMP that gives you a 25% chance of getting in. If your GPA were >3.0 and you scored like 26 or so on MCAT, I would say go aheard with US SMP. I just fear that it will not do enough to get you into a US med school. JMO! Don't get it twisted, The classes are very hard from what I here, hence the overall 68%. I think they still only abmit like 75% of the MERP class but those odds are better than 25% or lower in your case. I know Ross is a caribbean school but you get to practice in all 50 states and get to do medicine, which is what your goal should be. Just make sure you have a credit score >657!

 

[DrMidlife]

...a US SMP that gives you a 25% chance of getting in...

The more reputable SMPs offer more like 85%, including EVMS.

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

The more reputable SMPs offer more like 85%, including EVMS.

Again, 100% > 85% JMO!

 

[DrMidlife]

Again, 100% > 85% JMO!

imho (.85)(US MD) >> (1.0)(Carib)

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

imho (.85)(US MD) >> (1.0)(Carib)

My friend, I agree that US schools (MD/DO) are >>>> better than any Caribbean school. Howeverm you are giving the OP advice that is foolish.

Advice #1: take some more undergrad classes to learn to get A's every semester.

* This is crazy. this will only waste time and money

Advice #2: take like another 140 credits or so to boost gpa > 3.0.

* This is crazy. Even with a 3.0 GPA, this OP has <25 shot at any US school. This will only waste more time and money.

Advice #3: SMP/Post bacc

* Good idea for someone with a 3.0-3.4 GPA and high mcat, not someone with 2.3 or so GPA. He will not see that great a boost in his GPA. This OP has 1 option, caribbean. The choices: big 3 or other riskier carib med school. No need in wasting time and money when you know you won't get in. At least get in somwhere and work your way up. If the OP can't handle the science classes, MERP will eliminate him. if he can, he gets in in 4 months vs 4-5 yrs from now and a lot cheaper. JMO! I generally do not recommend caribbean schoolsm but I do in this case.