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I realize that there are many threads on this issue, but I feel like my situation is a lot less black and white.
Here are my stats:
ugrad: jhu
bcpm: 3.28
overall: 3.35
mcat: waiting for results, but I definitely f'ed that **** up, so a retake is probable
other: good EC's, clinical volunteering, research & pubs, and all that other crap
Two choices:
One-year thesis-based M.S. @ very well-respected university (def. not Podunk U.) or one-year "enhancement" Post-Bacc @ Harvard Extension (Health Careers Program)
Facts:
I am very aware that only post-bacc can increase my ugrad stats, which is clearly very important, if not critical. Schools screen based on ugrad only, some won't even consider grad gpa's - at all, and some will consider grad if ugrad gpa's are borderline. Also, research-based grad programs can be viewed unfavorably b/c everyone knows that research courses are b.s. courses and are easy A's (= inflated grad gpa).
Questions:
1.) Are my ugrad gpa's "bad enough" to completely give up a respectable degree in favor of another year of classes? (Note that I contacted the director of the Harvard program, and he was actually leaning toward the M.S. However, my premed advisors said post-bacc. My P.I., who interviews applicants to JHU Med, said M.S. I don't know who is giving me good advice at this point.)
2.) If I get all 24 credits of A/A-, bcpm moves from 3.28 to 3.47. Overall goes to about a 3.5. Significant??? Those numbers would still be slightly below average. On the other hand, the classes will be difficult and I could easily screw everything up, resulting in a complete disaster. In that case, I would really really regret giving up the M.S., because that would have greatly strengthened my credentials for "Option B," a PhD program.
It is possible that I performed very well on the MCAT, and in that case my current gpa's would be acceptable, and then I would pursue the M.S. I am not considering any "if" scenarios, because I need to make a decision asap.
If any of you have been in this situation, I'd greatly appreciate your wisdom. Thanks!
Here are my stats:
ugrad: jhu
bcpm: 3.28
overall: 3.35
mcat: waiting for results, but I definitely f'ed that **** up, so a retake is probable
other: good EC's, clinical volunteering, research & pubs, and all that other crap
Two choices:
One-year thesis-based M.S. @ very well-respected university (def. not Podunk U.) or one-year "enhancement" Post-Bacc @ Harvard Extension (Health Careers Program)
Facts:
I am very aware that only post-bacc can increase my ugrad stats, which is clearly very important, if not critical. Schools screen based on ugrad only, some won't even consider grad gpa's - at all, and some will consider grad if ugrad gpa's are borderline. Also, research-based grad programs can be viewed unfavorably b/c everyone knows that research courses are b.s. courses and are easy A's (= inflated grad gpa).
Questions:
1.) Are my ugrad gpa's "bad enough" to completely give up a respectable degree in favor of another year of classes? (Note that I contacted the director of the Harvard program, and he was actually leaning toward the M.S. However, my premed advisors said post-bacc. My P.I., who interviews applicants to JHU Med, said M.S. I don't know who is giving me good advice at this point.)
2.) If I get all 24 credits of A/A-, bcpm moves from 3.28 to 3.47. Overall goes to about a 3.5. Significant??? Those numbers would still be slightly below average. On the other hand, the classes will be difficult and I could easily screw everything up, resulting in a complete disaster. In that case, I would really really regret giving up the M.S., because that would have greatly strengthened my credentials for "Option B," a PhD program.
It is possible that I performed very well on the MCAT, and in that case my current gpa's would be acceptable, and then I would pursue the M.S. I am not considering any "if" scenarios, because I need to make a decision asap.
If any of you have been in this situation, I'd greatly appreciate your wisdom. Thanks!
