In terms of GPA, is doing one year of DIY post-bacc worth it or is there another better option?

[Undesirable14]

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I have been lurking here for a bit and I know this gets asked a lot on this forum but I haven't really found one according to my stats.

My gpa is pretty low (upward trend): 3.41 cGPA and 3.27 sGPA. If I did DIY postbacc (local 4 yrs near me) and take one year of 24-26 credits of upper science level science classes, it will bump my cGPA to 3.48-3.50 and sGPA to 3.42 (according to AMCAS/AACOMOS calculation).

Based on MSAR, if I follow that route, it will bring me from 10% to 25-50% range in science gpa category in certain schools lol. It will make me little bit competitive espically for DO schools in terms of GPA. But again I could be wrong. So, I was wondering if this is the right path for improving my gpa or this is just a waste of time. Thank you!

I know that MCAT is a big factor as well and I'm studying for the MCAT right now. Just let me know what do you think about my plan.

 

[Goro]

At this point, it's not about the GPAs, but showing that the you of now is not the you of then. Hence, a single strong year or two of post-bac (and a good MCAT) will work for those MD schools that reward reinvention, and for DO schools.

Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[ekmf27050]

My GPA was very close to yours. I did one year DIY post-bacc, got a high MCAT score, and got solid clinical work experience. As a result, I was accepted at MD and DO schools. To echo Goro's advice, I performed well in all of my post-bacc courses to try to reflect academic progress.

 

[Undesirable14]

At this point, it's not about the GPAs, but showing that the you of now is not the you of then. Hence, a single strong year or two of post-bac (and a good MCAT) will work for those MD schools that reward reinvention, and for DO schools.

Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

Yeah, I have read your thread before about the reinvention and I thought that was very helpful. I notice one of your post in that thread was something to take 30 credits a year. However, the post bacc near me offer at most 3 science classes that are similar to medical school per semster. For instance, I will end up taking up taking 12-14 credits per semster with a part-time job. I don't know if this is unacceptable or frowned upon by adcom if they see I am taking 24-26 credits instead 30 credits.

 

[Undesirable14]

My GPA was very close to yours. I did one year DIY post-bacc, got a high MCAT score, and got solid clinical work experience. As a result, I was accepted at MD and DO schools. To echo Goro's advice, I performed well in all of my post-bacc courses to try to reflect academic progress.

Congratulaton on your acceptance! If you don't mind, how did you do on the MCAT? It will give me a better idea where I am standing at. Also, do you think I should take another gap year and do post-bacc or apply this summer for 2020 while doing post-bacc + clinical experience? Thanks.

 

[LukaDoncicLuk]

My gpa is worse than your current gpa and I have two acceptances this cycle out of 4 interviews. Very happy with the results. It's imperative that you score extremely well on the MCAT and create a school list that will work towards your stats profile.

 

[Goro]

Yeah, I have read your thread before about the reinvention and I thought that was very helpful. I notice one of your post in that thread was something to take 30 credits a year. However, the post bacc near me offer at most 3 science classes that are similar to medical school per semster. For instance, I will end up taking up taking 12-14 credits per semster with a part-time job. I don't know if this is unacceptable or frowned upon by adcom if they see I am taking 24-26 credits instead 30 credits.

That should work

 

[yobo9345]

I was in a very similar situation to you a few years ago and was accepted to MD and DO for this fall. I had a 3.15 sgpa, so I took 25ish credits of upper level science to boost it to, if I remember correctly, just under 3.4, a little higher for the DO sgpa. I work full time, so I took classes over the course of about two years. Sometimes I was taking only one class, but the semester before applying I took a full 12 credit courseload, which I have to think helped my case a great deal. Make sure you only take classes that you are positive you can crush - get that A. That combined with a high or high-average mcat score and some life experience should put you in a good spot.

 

[Undesirable14]

That should work

Great! One last question: I am taking the MCAT on May and assuming if I do well, Is it okay if I can apply this cycle (apply mostly DOs and some MDs) and during the cycle, I will be doing post-bacc and working on ECs. Or should I take another gap year for class of 2021 instead of 2020? Thank you.

 

[Goro]

Great! One last question: I am taking the MCAT on May and assuming if I do well, Is it okay if I can apply this cycle (apply mostly DOs and some MDs) and during the cycle, I will be doing post-bacc and working on ECs. Or should I take another gap year for class of 2021 instead of 2020? Thank you.

Apply when you have the best possible app.

 

[ekmf27050]

Congratulaton on your acceptance! If you don't mind, how did you do on the MCAT? It will give me a better idea where I am standing at. Also, do you think I should take another gap year and do post-bacc or apply this summer for 2020 while doing post-bacc + clinical experience? Thanks.

I scored 520 on the MCAT, which was obviously a huge boost statistically. I took my time preparing to apply, figuring it was better to wait a little longer and only have to apply once. I did a DIY post-bac while working, which worked out for me.

 

[907914]

Apply when you have the best possible app.

Cannonically, what is meant by 'best possible app'?

Like, is there much difference between an app with 3.65 GPA and 2 years of 4.0 science classes vs a 3.73 app and 3 years of 4.0 science classes?

 

[Goro]

Cannonically, what is meant by 'best possible app'?

Like, is there much difference between an app with 3.65 GPA and 2 years of 4.0 science classes vs a 3.73 app and 3 years of 4.0 science classes?

You should not apply during the post-bac, but after when you have your grade sin hand.

 

[907914]

You should not apply during the post-bac, but after when you have your grade sin hand.

What about just during an extended undergrad career?

 

[Goro]

What about just during an extended undergrad career?

Only if you have the grades in hand to show that you can handle med school. No school is going to gamble on you when you're in reinvention, only after.

 

[929696]

My gpa is worse than your current gpa and I have two acceptances this cycle out of 4 interviews. Very happy with the results. It's imperative that you score extremely well on the MCAT and create a school list that will work towards your stats profile.

Hey if you don't mind sharing, what were your stats? DM me if its easier!