Medical How should I go about DIY post-bacc units?

[TheBoneDoctah]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi!

First off, thanks so much for providing this resource!

A bit of background:
I have a 3.395 cGPA and a 3.25 sGPA, just graduated from a T20 university. I have a 512 MCAT, but I'm studying for a retake in March because I believe that I can do much much better (I freaked out the first time and messed up my C/P portion) on the test. The rest of my app is very strong, I have 800 clinical working hours, 2200 hours of research, 40 hours of shadowing, and 200 hours of nonclinical volunteering, plus six recommendation letters, and a second author publication (low impact).

My question is: I'm currently enrolled in 4 units of a DIY post-bacc for the Fall Quarter, which will get me to a 3.41 cGPA. I know that a lot of people take 30+ units for a DIY post-bacc, but every class is very expensive and I would have to struggle to pay for 30 units.

Would it be enough to take 12-15 units of a post-bacc and do very well? It would likely bring my cGPA up to a 3.43/44 at least. Or would it be too little units to even make a difference?

Thanks so much!

If you are going to do a post bac you should do a full year.

 

[Goro]

Please avoid the "I can do better" mindset with the MCAT, because most people who take retake the MCAT either go down, stay the same, or only go up a point or two. Now, if you're < 10th %iles for CP, then it's OK.

You're fine right now for DO schools, and the cycle is nowhere over.

What is your year-by-year cGPA and sGPA? (not cumulatives..year by year). I feel that 12-15 units of postbac won't be enough data points to demonstrate that you are a competitive candidate for MD. 12-15 credits is only a single semester, after all.

If cost is an issue, can you find a cheaper university? OR, work and save up the money and then take a year for reinvention. Med schools aren't going anywhere.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I actually did a few more calculations last night and my actual GPA is at a 3.42 cGPA / 3.3 sGPA.

Freshman: 3.32 cGPA/3.22 sGPA
Sophomore: 3.076 cGPA/2.871 sGPA
Junior: 3.75 cGPA/3.64 sGPA
Senior: 3.5 cGPA/ 3.45 sGPA

I think I'll be able to afford up to 24 quarter units of classes. I'm taking 4 units right now, and planning on 12 units next quarter, and 8 units Spring quarter (but I'd have to send an update letter about those grades post-primary submission).

Just to clarify, I'm thinking about applying the coming cycle.

IF and I know it's silly to assume that I'll be perfect, but IF I do end up getting a 3.8-4.0 on my 24 post-bacc units, my last 30 units of coursework would be at 3.8-4.0 as I ended my last quarter with a 4.0.

Thanks so much for the help Goro!

This is exactly what you need to do. You need to get As if you decide to do a post bac. Your trend is not the best as you went down senior year but not horrible. I would still recommend the post bac for MD and you are good for DO.

 

[Goro]

Thank you! Would my trend still count as an upward trend? And if I take 24 units of a post-bacc with a close to perfect GPA, would I be able to apply for MD?

You have an undulating trend, not a rising one. It's not good. Ace the postbac.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

If you had aced your senior year your trend would have been better obviously. Basically, the trend needed to be rising since sophomore year.

 

[tantacles]

Hi!

First off, thanks so much for providing this resource!

A bit of background:
I have a 3.395 cGPA and a 3.25 sGPA, just graduated from a T20 university. I have a 512 MCAT, but I'm studying for a retake in March because I believe that I can do much much better (I freaked out the first time and messed up my C/P portion) on the test. The rest of my app is very strong, I have 800 clinical working hours, 2200 hours of research, 40 hours of shadowing, and 200 hours of nonclinical volunteering, plus six recommendation letters, and a second author publication (low impact).

My question is: I'm currently enrolled in 4 units of a DIY post-bacc for the Fall Quarter, which will get me to a 3.41 cGPA. I know that a lot of people take 30+ units for a DIY post-bacc, but every class is very expensive and I would have to struggle to pay for 30 units.

Would it be enough to take 12-15 units of a post-bacc and do very well? It would likely bring my cGPA up to a 3.43/44 at least. Or would it be too little units to even make a difference?

Thanks so much!

I would strongly suggest you don't retake the MCAT. A post-bacc alone would be great as long as you can get your GPA up. I think a full year would be sufficient.