How Long for Upward Trend

[Icantplayspades]

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I'm being considered for Meharry's MHS but I'm also preparing for the possibility of not getting in. I planned to take about 30 credits of science at my local university to raise my SGPA to about 3.25. Here is my question: how long of an upward trend is needed to offset a lowish GPA; additionally, I plan to retake my MCAT (500).

My current stats: 3.3c; 3.0s; 500 MCAT; good ECs (as confirmed by Adcom member). I was told to try to do a Medical Masters but I'm not sure I can get into a Medical Masters.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

There are two SMPs you could potentially apply too: Boston MAMS Program (I got in with similar stats however chose to attend a different Masters) and I believe Drexel has several programs you could potentially consider.

I think 60 credits of upward trend is enough (based on what I've seen around SDN). @Goro would probably give you the best advice.

 

[Icantplayspades]

There are two SMPs you could potentially apply too: Boston MAMS Program (I got in with similar stats however chose to attend a different Masters) and I believe Drexel has several programs you could potentially consider.

I think 60 credits of upward trend is enough (based on what I've seen around SDN). @Goro would probably give you the best advice.

What if you don't have 60 credits you can take? I could probably do 30-40 but I'm not sure.

 

[Goro]

What if you don't have 60 credits you can take? I could probably do 30-40 but I'm not sure.

I think 30-40 credits will do it

 

[timephone]

You could use the GPA calculator located here to input theoretical future grades, then view how it changes your cGPA and sGPA: I've improved the AMCAS/AACOMAS GPA Calculator Spreadsheet

For reference, I've completed 50+ credits of a post-bacc with a 4.0 (so far) and my cGPA has gone from 3.5 to 3.7. sGPA should improve more quickly, b/c there's fewer old credits dragging it down.

 

[Icantplayspades]

My main concern is financing this education: does the federal government provide financial aid for a post-bacc? How do people finance post-baccs ( I cannot get private loans)?

I'm willing to work but I don't know if working and going to school would work (i.e. could I make enough money to pay tuition every semester).

 

[timephone]

My main concern is financing this education: does the federal government provide financial aid for a post-bacc? How do people finance post-baccs ( I cannot get private loans)?

I'm willing to work but I don't know if working and going to school would work (i.e. could I make enough money to pay tuition every semester).

That's a really good question, and it's one that I can't really answer. In my case I was able to take out further Stafford loans, as I had not yet hit my lifetime limit from my previous undergrad. I have also been attending a public university as an in-state resident and living with my mother, so I was able to save money in this way. For the first year I worked full-time and took classes part-time, saving a bit of cash. Then I had to leave my full-time job b/c my classes were all during the day.

The best resource for this is probably the financial aid advisor or program advisor at the SMP you're looking at.

 

[Icantplayspades]

That's a really good question, and it's one that I can't really answer. In my case I was able to take out further Stafford loans, as I had not yet hit my lifetime limit from my previous undergrad. I have also been attending a public university as an in-state resident and living with my mother, so I was able to save money in this way. For the first year I worked full-time and took classes part-time, saving a bit of cash. Then I had to leave my full-time job b/c my classes were all during the day.

The best resource for this is probably the financial aid advisor or program advisor at the SMP you're looking at.

I haven't exhausted my undergrad financial aid but I have graduated, so I'm not entirely sure.
I guess I'll call financial aid on Tuesday.

 

[timephone]

I'd also recommend filling out FAFSA for this year. You don't need to be a student to fill it out, and the financial aid office might require you to complete the application and submit it before they have any idea what kind of aid you'll qualify for.

 

[DameJulie]

My main concern is financing this education: does the federal government provide financial aid for a post-bacc? How do people finance post-baccs ( I cannot get private loans)?

I am doing an informal post-bacc now, and I am not qualified for any financial aid. My friend who's doing a formal post-bacc at another university receives financial aid though.