How are online postbac programs such as UC Extension schools viewed?

[archibaldhaddock]

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Hello all! I am presently in the thick of my second application cycle. It's already going better than the first one (no interviews the first time around, one II so far this time). However, given that I only have one II, I feel that I have to start preparing for the possibility of having to apply a third time.

One large deficiency in my application is my GPA. I have a 3.40 cGPA with a downward trend. I personally think that the downward trend should be forgivable with context (basically all of my grades below a B+ were in 300/400-level physics classes such as Quantum Mechanics/Electrodynamics/etc while I was also juggling full-time work and research), but medical schools seem not to agree. 🙂

Anyway, if I do end up having to apply a third time, I think I'll need at least 30 solid post-bac credits of a 4.0 GPA. It's not really feasible for me to quit my clinical job and go to school full-time, so I'm looking into options that will allow me to complete these credits outside of typical work hours. One option I've happened upon is the UC Extension programs, such as UC Berkeley and UCSD Extension. The advantages of these is that they don't require formal matriculation/application, and they are exclusively online and can be completed in the evening.

Would completing 30 credits of a program like this with a 4.0 fix my GPA problem? Or would the credits be looked at as "less than" given that the programs are online.

TL,DR: Are online postbaccs that don't require formal admission an acceptable option for candidates that require "reinvention"?

 

[archibaldhaddock]

Other people can tell you how it looks but why are you doing it online? Is it so you can cram it in on top of your regular life as usual? If so it's a bad idea.

I will be going back on campus to reinvent myself and give it my all. I am saving money so that is all I have to worry about... From people I know in SMP's and Post Baccs the SMP Gang / Post Bacc Gang on campus seems so encouraging. I see them renting out study rooms in the library putting that work in

I would like to do it online because I cannot afford to quit my job, and I only have two local options. One of them is a community college, which simply doesn't offer enough upper-level science courses that I haven't already taken. The other is my alma mater, which does not offer classes outside of working hours.

 

[archibaldhaddock]

Working a job through your second chance/last shot? Thats how a lot of people including me got into the situation of needing grade repair in the first place.....

Having to work more than 20 hours per week in college is considered a great hardship.

I very much appreciate your advice, but I am at the point in my life where I am confident in my abilities, mature, and know that I am fully capable of getting the requisite grades. The question I have is whether completing these credits at an online program such as a UC Extension school would significantly disadvantage me.

 

[srirachamayonnaise]

I very much appreciate your advice, but I am at the point in my life where I am confident in my abilities, mature, and know that I am fully capable of getting the requisite grades. The question I have is whether completing these credits at an online program such as a UC Extension school would significantly disadvantage me.

I don't think so. Most of medical school preclinical is online anyway.

 

[deleted1000960]

Are your prereqs completed? If not, I'd at least complete those in-person, since some schools straight up don't accept online prerequisites (with the exception of forced online due to COVID restrictions).

Other than that, it doesn't sound like you have much of a choice because of your job. The best you can do is ace your classes and crush the MCAT.

You can also look into UCLA Extension, where I did my postbacc. They're probably going to be online until next Fall (2022).

 

[archibaldhaddock]

Are your prereqs completed? If not, I'd at least complete those in-person, since some schools straight up don't accept online prerequisites (with the exception of forced online due to COVID restrictions).

Other than that, it doesn't sound like you have much of a choice because of your job. The best you can do is ace your classes and crush the MCAT.

You can also look into UCLA Extension, where I did my postbacc. They're probably going to be online until next Fall (2022).

Yes, all pre-reqs are completed. Thankfully, I already have a good MCAT score.

If this were to be a significant disadvantage, I would probably spend a year saving and then take leave to complete classes at my local university. But I would prefer not to delay by an entire year if I can achieve the same thing at the UC programs.

 

[deleted1000960]

Yes, all pre-reqs are completed. Thankfully, I already have a good MCAT score.

If this were to be a significant disadvantage, I would probably spend a year saving and then take leave to complete classes at my local university. But I would prefer not to delay by an entire year if I can achieve the same thing at the UC programs.

I highly doubt it's going to be any kind of disadvantage. Online classes can be looked down on because some students use it as an "easy way out" of weeding prereqs and tough classes. You have a legitimate reason for needing online classes (your job), which will be evident on your AMCAS activities section.

If you were a full-time student taking all online classes (exception of COVID), then yeah it'd be a disadvantage. But I really don't think you have anything to worry about.