In need of a post bacc or masters?

[pompompurin]

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Hi,

I recently graduated undergraduate college and decided to pursue medicine. I went to an ivy league university, but graduated only with a cumulative GPA of 3.2, Sci 3.0. However I was able to graduate with honors (research thesis) and have published a paper. I have a formidable amount of volunteer/ research experience and have served on the executive boards of clubs/organizations.

I have taken all of the prereqs for med school but did not do well in chem and orgo (C's). I have taken the mcats (33) and planning on taking them again.

With my past premed profile in mind, should I be applying to post baccs or masters programs (in biology, public health, etc)?

Any advice would be helpful.


Thanks!

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi,

I recently graduated undergraduate college and decided to pursue medicine. I went to an ivy league university, but graduated only with a cumulative GPA of 3.2, Sci 3.0. However I was able to graduate with honors (research thesis) and have published a paper. I have a formidable amount of volunteer/ research experience and have served on the executive boards of clubs/organizations.

I have taken all of the prereqs for med school but did not do well in chem and orgo (C's). I have taken the mcats (33) and planning on taking them again.

With my past premed profile in mind, should I be applying to post baccs or masters programs (in biology, public health, etc)?

Any advice would be helpful.


Thanks!

Either a SMP, or a postbac that allows you to take upper level sciences, might make the most sense for you. An MPH won't add as much weight in terms of medical school admissions, so unless you have a strong interest in working in that field, you shouldn't take that route. I don't think I'd retake the MCAT with an already competitive 33 unless it was hugely unballanced (eg. 13, 13, 7) or unless you were consistantly scoring 37+ on practice tests.

 

[Sundarban1]

Either a SMP, or a postbac that allows you to take upper level sciences, might make the most sense for you. An MPH won't add as much weight in terms of medical school admissions, so unless you have a strong interest in working in that field, you shouldn't take that route. I don't think I'd retake the MCAT with an already competitive 33 unless it was hugely unballanced (eg. 13, 13, 7) or unless you were consistantly scoring 37+ on practice tests.

Agreed. Do the post bacc and get the GPA up. The MCAT is fine.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Agree with the above posters. Although ... I'd might have applied to a few schools this application cycle. If you are applying to DO schools you might have a chance (and you could retake some of the bad grades).

I'd do an SMP for one year and then apply 🙂

 

[Sundarban1]

Agree with the above posters. Although ... I'd might have applied to a few schools this application cycle. If you are applying to DO schools you might have a chance (and you could retake some of the bad grades).

I'd do an SMP for one year and then apply 🙂

I thought SMP grades are not factored into your UG GPA? In that case how would an SMP help the OP more than an post bacc. Even for osteopathic schools you have to take undergrad courses to replace the old ones correct?

Even if your saying that SMP classes would factor into osteopathic GPA (I know they do) that would not do anything for the OP's orgo grade.

If your looking to apply to both DO and MD schools I would do a post-bacc. If your looking to go DO there is no need to do an SMP or PB, you could get in now.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I thought SMP grades are not factored into your UG GPA? In that case how would an SMP help the OP more than an post bacc. Even for osteopathic schools you have to take undergrad courses to replace the old ones correct?

Even if your saying that SMP classes would factor into osteopathic GPA (I know they do) that would not do anything for the OP's orgo grade.

If your looking to apply to both DO and MD schools I would do a post-bacc. If your looking to go DO there is no need to do an SMP or PB, you could get in now.

Some SMP classes are undergrad. Depends on where you go. Additionally an SMP "can" negate undergrad (not that she really needs alot of negation). We're looking for strengthening application. Yes the undergrad is low but an SMP helps strengthen it. The OP can't just go and retake all her classes for a higher GPA.