Informal Post-Bacc?

[DrRoyal Pains]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys, I am just curious, what is an informal post-bac? Is that just taking as many upper level science classes as you can without officially taking part in a universities accredited post-bac program? And if so, how does this look when applying?

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey guys, I am just curious, what is an informal post-bac? Is that just taking as many upper level science classes as you can without officially taking part in a universities accredited post-bac program? And if so, how does this look when applying?

yes to underlined.

Basically, taking undergrad courses (irrespective of what level ~ 100 / 200 / 300 / or 400 level courses) AFTER you've obtained your undergrad degree (like B.S in computer science ~ my example)

When you apply through AADSAS, the post-bacc credits will count with your initial undergrad credits... this is why is a favorable option, because it helps bump your undergrad GPA....

As far formal vs informal goes.... there is no real difference, just the formal is a structured program, you have to follow thier schedule (meaning its very hard to maintain your fulltime job ~ if you have one).... with informal you get to structure your own classes.

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

Alright, I thought so. Thanks bro.

 

[wired202808]

dentalworks, so then my question is this. If i've taken undergrad, informal-post bacc and grad classes together. how are my grades categorized? one gpa for undergrad + informal and then another gpa for the grad classes? my grad GPA is horrible because I went to an MBA program for one year and a JD program for one semester and cumulatively those 2 GPAs would be really subpar. would I need to be able to provide a good reason as to why that occurred? This happened before my informal-postbacc and hence the informal GPA is a lot stronger than the others.

Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[dentalWorks]

dentalworks, so then my question is this. If i've taken undergrad, informal-post bacc and grad classes together. how are my grades categorized? one gpa for undergrad + informal and then another gpa for the grad classes? my grad GPA is horrible because I went to an MBA program for one year and a JD program for one semester and cumulatively those 2 GPAs would be really subpar. would I need to be able to provide a good reason as to why that occurred? This happened before my informal-postbacc and hence the informal GPA is a lot stronger than the others.

Please let me know. Thanks.

Here is how AADSAS will calculate your grades:

The undergrad colum will be composed of your initial undergrad years + your informal post-bacc (they get lumped together)

The middle column (masters) will have your masters..

The last column (cumulative)... I guess will have both your undergrad + masters? (someone verify this, I never did masters)

 

[wired202808]

Hey thanks for the columns, I found the official AADSAS website where it states cumulative is indeed a combo of the undergrad+grad. supposedly theres another column for Professional school (which involves medical, law, etc.)

So now my question is this, will low grades in the Masters and Professional categories severely impact acceptance? I have yet to take the DAT so I don't have a full set of criteria however when I apply I expect my cumulative (undergrad + grad) GPA to be 3.4, Science GPA to be 3.472, undergrad + postbacc to be 3.5, and the masters and professional are 2.7 (this is 2 semesters worth while working 40+ hours and not really needing this degree so i stopped it) and a 2.1 (this is one semester after that I left law school.)

Thanks DentalWorks!

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey thanks for the columns, I found the official AADSAS website where it states cumulative is indeed a combo of the undergrad+grad. supposedly theres another column for Professional school (which involves medical, law, etc.)

So now my question is this, will low grades in the Masters and Professional categories severely impact acceptance? I have yet to take the DAT so I don't have a full set of criteria however when I apply I expect my cumulative (undergrad + grad) GPA to be 3.4, Science GPA to be 3.472, undergrad + postbacc to be 3.5, and the masters and professional are 2.7 (this is 2 semesters worth while working 40+ hours and not really needing this degree so i stopped it) and a 2.1 (this is one semester after that I left law school.)

Thanks DentalWorks!

Honestly, I don't know. But your overall numbers seem nice (3.4 and 3.4) and apparently, your undergrad performance along with post-bacc seem great, my guess is you won't have trouble.

But just to play it safe, aim at a good number of schools when you apply, I recommend 15-20

 

[wired202808]

Thanks. So I would need a 20+ to be competitive? or would a 19 do? I know I can't control it just curious on your thoughts.

 

[dentalWorks]

Thanks. So I would need a 20+ to be competitive? or would a 19 do? I know I can't control it just curious on your thoughts.

19 is good number but I am one of those SDN-ers who firmly believes that GPA is a more important criteria than DAT.

Try not to think about your DAT score too much, the DAT is a stressful (mentally) test as is, you don't wanna put more pressure on yourself by thinking "OMG I NEED TO HAVE A 20+ OR IM FINISHED"...

 

[wired202808]

I understand what you mean. But unfortunately I can't raise my GPA anymore than what it will be by the time I apply. Do you believe I would be competitive with a 3.4 and 19? or is it mainly contingent on how early I apply?

 

[dentalWorks]

I understand what you mean. But unfortunately I can't raise my GPA anymore than what it will be by the time I apply. Do you believe I would be competitive with a 3.4 and 19? or is it mainly contingent on how early I apply?

3.4 and 19 has gotten a good percentage of people in. Plus, I believe ur chances are significantly higher if you apply early

 

[wired202808]

dentalworks one more question, for your 8 week guide, so you suggest running through the Destroyer problems, timed or untimed? Just was curious. Thanks.

 

[dentalWorks]

dentalworks one more question, for your 8 week guide, so you suggest running through the Destroyer problems, timed or untimed? Just was curious. Thanks.

always un-timed....

 

[HopefulDDStobe]

Dentalworks, I am doing informal postbacc as a nondegree at my college, they only let me take maximum of 10 credits per semester, how many credits of upper science courses is recommended? I saw 30 credits somewhere, but if I do 10 credits per semester do you think it will matter much to dental school? I am also working to I am just taking any bio classes that fits my schedule :-/

 

[dentalWorks]

Dentalworks, I am doing informal postbacc as a nondegree at my college, they only let me take maximum of 10 credits per semester, how many credits of upper science courses is recommended? I saw 30 credits somewhere, but if I do 10 credits per semester do you think it will matter much to dental school? I am also working to I am just taking any bio classes that fits my schedule :-/

Most of my informal post-bacc was done on part-time basis (was working too) taking between 5-13 credits a term.
IMO, 10 credits + a fulltime job are a good load.

With your schools 10-or-less criteria, I don't think you can take more than 2 classes a term (since most sciences are between 3-4 credits). Its not a problem, but it will take you longer time to finish