Has my DIY Post-Bac been sufficent or lacking?

[big_Z]

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Hey all I've been taking classes originally to grade replace but that turned into a DIY post bac. Essentially out of science classes to take now so was wondering where I stood. All of these have been at community colleges. Please feel free to be brutally honest. Please note I have two jobs and work full time to support myself so it's been 1 to 2 classes at a time.

Under Graduate: 3.0 cumulative, 2.7 SCI

Post-bac: 29 credits 3.9 cumulative 3.9 SCI

Total combined 3.22 cumulative 3.07 SCI

*This is assuming I finish with A's in both classes this semester, which I am on track to do so.

Now for the classes that comprise the post-bac:

Semester 1
Physics 2 + lab 4 credits (A-)

Semester 2
Public speaking 3 credits (A-) (Needed this to complete a separate associates degree through work)

Semester 3
Chemistry 2 + lab 4 credits (Had a D+ in undergraduate) (A)

Semester 4
A&P 1 + lab 4 credits (A)

Semester 5
A&P 2 + lab 4 credits (A)
Pathophysiology 3 credits (online) (A)

Current semester
Microbiology + lab 4 credits (Anticipating an A)
Intro to nutrition 3 credits (online) (anticipating an A)

Will respond as possible. Thank you for any feedback!

 

[En3rgy]

You are making solid progress. Keep taking upper-level science classes (such as Immunology or Neuroscience) until your sGPA > 3.1-3.2. Study hard for the MCAT and apply early and broadly to as many DO schools as possible. If you score 515-520+ on the MCAT, I would consider applying to MD schools that reward re-invention.

 

[big_Z]

You are making solid progress. Keep taking upper-level science classes (such as Immunology or Neuroscience) until your sGPA > 3.1-3.2. Study hard for the MCAT and apply early and broadly to as many DO schools as possible. If you score 515-520+ on the MCAT, I would consider applying to MD schools that reward re-invention.

Thank you. So you think it's imperative that SGPA is above 3.1 at a minimum preferably higher? Thats doable despite the diminishing returns.

 

[BobbyKoch]

just as an example, I applied with 510 and 3.1 science and received two DO interviews out of many applications. both waitlists, both cited science gpa when I asked for interview feedback.

you may have better luck (or simply better ECs, better essays, etc), but I have found the lower end science gpa to be a bit of a hindrance.

 

[Si44]

just as an example, I applied with 510 and 3.1 science and received two DO interviews out of many applications. both waitlists, both cited science gpa when I asked for interview feedback.

you may have better luck (or simply better ECs, better essays, etc), but I have found the lower end science gpa to be a bit of a hindrance.

Was that after you completed a Post-Bacc?

 

[BobbyKoch]

yes--28 credits at 3.8 at that point. now 56 credits at 3.8. here's hoping!

 

[Si44]

yes--28 credits at 3.8 at that point. now 56 credits at 3.8. here's hoping!

Good luck! I just finished my first year of DIY post-bacc and I did 24 units of semester units and received a 4.0. Boosted my sGPA up to a 3.2, but now after reading your application outcome last cycle, I am a bit worried about my chances. I have a 509 MCAT score, so we are quite similar in these two regards.

Edit: I was planning to apply this cycle, and hoping I didn't need another year of post-bacc.

 

[BobbyKoch]

Well my experience is only one data point for you. Best of luck weighing the decision!

 

[CJhooper123]

Good luck! I just finished my first year of DIY post-bacc and I did 24 units of semester units and received a 4.0. Boosted my sGPA up to a 3.2, but now after reading your application outcome last cycle, I am a bit worried about my chances. I have a 509 MCAT score, so we are quite similar in these two regards.

Edit: I was planning to apply this cycle, and hoping I didn't need another year of post-bacc.

Applying to MD/DO this cycle. cGPA=3.19, sGPA=3.11, pbGBA=3.9 (23 credits), 510 MCAT.
We got this!

 

[Dino Ciccarelli]

I did 2 years of postbacc with a 3.78. My gpa for my BA (non-science) was 3.07. So, my cumulative GPA was around a 3.3 but my science GPA was 3.78 since I took all my science courses during the postbacc. My MCAT was a 505.

I am accepted to a reputable DO school and waitlisted at an MD school, both in my home state.

So, although our situations are different, schools saw that my current performance was more important than the poor work I did in the past. Just wanted to share my experience- don’t lose hope! Keep working hard, apply broadly, and see what happens

 

[Butters Stotch]

Would enrolling in a SMP program and acing it negate a subpar science gpa?

just as an example, I applied with 510 and 3.1 science and received two DO interviews out of many applications. both waitlists, both cited science gpa when I asked for interview feedback.

you may have better luck (or simply better ECs, better essays, etc), but I have found the lower end science gpa to be a bit of a hindrance.

 

[Goro]

Hey all I've been taking classes originally to grade replace but that turned into a DIY post bac. Essentially out of science classes to take now so was wondering where I stood. All of these have been at community colleges. Please feel free to be brutally honest. Please note I have two jobs and work full time to support myself so it's been 1 to 2 classes at a time.

Under Graduate: 3.0 cumulative, 2.7 SCI

Post-bac: 29 credits 3.9 cumulative 3.9 SCI

Total combined 3.22 cumulative 3.07 SCI

*This is assuming I finish with A's in both classes this semester, which I am on track to do so.

Now for the classes that comprise the post-bac:

Semester 1
Physics 2 + lab 4 credits (A-)

Semester 2
Public speaking 3 credits (A-) (Needed this to complete a separate associates degree through work)

Semester 3
Chemistry 2 + lab 4 credits (Had a D+ in undergraduate) (A)

Semester 4
A&P 1 + lab 4 credits (A)

Semester 5
A&P 2 + lab 4 credits (A)
Pathophysiology 3 credits (online) (A)

Current semester
Microbiology + lab 4 credits (Anticipating an A)
Intro to nutrition 3 credits (online) (anticipating an A)

Will respond as possible. Thank you for any feedback!

Your post-bac has been impeccable!!!!

 

[Cath Up]

My anecdote: 7-8 DO interview invites this cycle with a ~15 credit postbacc (75% at CC, 25% at a uni). Applied with a 3.2c/3.1s and 509. Had good ECs.

Your postbacc performance is better than mine was. I think you stand a shot at IIs as long as you write good essays and have good ECs! Best of luck.

 

[big_Z]

Your post-bac has been impeccable!!!!

I'm honored. Thank you.

Thank you all for sharing your stories too I think I'll have to look into studying for the MCAT.

 

[Magus5454]

Praise from @Goro . have you taken ochem or biochem yet? I assume not due to the chem 2 post bacc.

 

[Magus5454]

just as an example, I applied with 510 and 3.1 science and received two DO interviews out of many applications. both waitlists, both cited science gpa when I asked for interview feedback.

you may have better luck (or simply better ECs, better essays, etc), but I have found the lower end science gpa to be a bit of a hindrance.

It's all relative. Hopefully you get off one of those waitlists.

 

[big_Z]

Have you taken ochem or biochem yet? I assume not due to the chem 2 post bacc.

I took and passed Ochem 1 & 2 with a C in both. The Gen chem 2 was because I had a D originally. My poor chem foundation probably contributed to my Ochem performance. Unfortunately I don't think I'll have the opportunity to take a real Biochem course. Knowing this I took a free one on edX just to get an idea of what a biochem class would look like. I am a bit worried about that for the MCAT.

 

[Magus5454]

I took and passed Ochem 1 & 2 with a C in both. The Gen chem 2 was because I had a D originally. My poor chem foundation probably contributed to my Ochem performance. Unfortunately I don't think I'll have the opportunity to take a real Biochem course. Knowing this I took a free one on edX just to get an idea of what a biochem class would look like. I am a bit worried about that for the MCAT.

Yeah that might not help for the MCAT

 

[big_Z]

Yeah that might not help for the MCAT

just a supplement to my study efforts. I'll have to spend a good chunk of time on Biochem.

 

[PrinceShay]

Hey all I've been taking classes originally to grade replace but that turned into a DIY post bac. Essentially out of science classes to take now so was wondering where I stood. All of these have been at community colleges. Please feel free to be brutally honest. Please note I have two jobs and work full time to support myself so it's been 1 to 2 classes at a time.

Under Graduate: 3.0 cumulative, 2.7 SCI

Post-bac: 29 credits 3.9 cumulative 3.9 SCI

Total combined 3.22 cumulative 3.07 SCI

*This is assuming I finish with A's in both classes this semester, which I am on track to do so.

Now for the classes that comprise the post-bac:

Semester 1
Physics 2 + lab 4 credits (A-)

Semester 2
Public speaking 3 credits (A-) (Needed this to complete a separate associates degree through work)

Semester 3
Chemistry 2 + lab 4 credits (Had a D+ in undergraduate) (A)

Semester 4
A&P 1 + lab 4 credits (A)

Semester 5
A&P 2 + lab 4 credits (A)
Pathophysiology 3 credits (online) (A)

Current semester
Microbiology + lab 4 credits (Anticipating an A)
Intro to nutrition 3 credits (online) (anticipating an A)

Will respond as possible. Thank you for any feedback!

Where did you do your post-bacc? Was it at a CC or somewhere else cuz i'm in the same boat as you right now and dunno what to do.

 

[AudiLova619]

just as an example, I applied with 510 and 3.1 science and received two DO interviews out of many applications. both waitlists, both cited science gpa when I asked for interview feedback.

you may have better luck (or simply better ECs, better essays, etc), but I have found the lower end science gpa to be a bit of a hindrance.

if you don't mind me asking, what was your science gpa before the post bac