Is a $7-8K Post Bac worth it?

[Drummerx139]

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So here's what I have so far:

Sci GPA: 3.2-3.3 (depending on how I finish out the year)
Cum GPA: 3.3+ (same)
MCAT: 29P (12P/8V/9B)

I have a pretty strong upward trend in my last years but I'm at the point where I'm not sure if I should just apply in June with these stats (MD and DO) and start working in a medical setting (MA or research) or if I should do a post bac. I'm a neurosci major so if I did the post bac it would be for around 24 semester units of upper div sci courses. Assuming I do well in that my Sci GPA could go up to around 3.4+ and Overall GPA of 3.4-3.5.

What do you guys think? Is it worth it to spend $7-8K on a post bacc to up my GPA a few tenths? Will this extra year (assuming I do well) prove to adcoms that I can handle the advanced sciences but just struggled in my early years? Would it give me a significantly better shot at MD schools? Or is that out of the question at this point. I have good Extra-Curriculars and everything so I'm not worried about that, just the numbers. Thanks a lot for any input!

 

[DrMidlife]

$7-8k is incredibly cheap. And yes imho it would be worth it.

I don't think you should apply MD with both GPA & MCAT below average.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Arrode]

That is very cheap. The program I was looking at is $4k per semester for 2 years including summer, so that's $20k for a post-bacc.

 

[indebted]

Where is this 7-8K post bacc program? That sounds really really nice since every school I'm looking at is at least 20K.

 

[NJD519]

Definitely do post-baccalaureate. You will spend at least $2,500 in application fees that may turn out to be a waste of money if you don't get in. During this time, you can volunteer and work on other parts of your ECs. Possibly retake MCAT?

HES is extremely affordable, especially given its quality (at least I think so). 👍

 

[HerbalPlz]

I don't think HES would be good for the OP though...I thought HES was designed for non-trad applicants?

Don't they just go over medical school prereq courses? So they'd just count as repeat courses for the OP?

 

[NJD519]

They offer a lot of upper-level science courses such as Microbiology, Biochem, Genetics, etc... So he could definitely get his science GPA up that way. Plus I was just say HES because people said they haven't heard of a post-bacc that affordable.

 

[Drummerx139]

It would be a non-formal post-bacc through UC Berkeley Extension. I talked to the administration and they said that since I have all the pre-med pre-reqs I can just pick and choose upper div elective courses to take. 3 unit courses are ~$840 each and I think there's a $100 registration fee for the program, so 24 units = about $7000 + books ~ $8000.

Does it make a big difference if the classes are taken in an informal way where I don't get any special certificate at the end of it?

 

[NJD519]

Does it make a big difference if the classes are taken in an informal way where I don't get any special certificate at the end of it?

Hardly. The point is to do extremely well in the courses and raise that GPA along with showing a baller trend.

 

[Drummerx139]

Awesome, thank you guys so much for the responses!

 

[HerbalPlz]

The point is to do extremely well in the courses and raise that GPA.

This is really important. Do not underestimate how much time you will be putting into these courses. I'd say if you want to own said upper level sci courses, you should be going to all your classes (duh) and then study another 3-4 hours on top every day. Upper div sci are not to be fked with and remember why you're taking these courses...to bring your damn GPA up.

 

[Drummerx139]

What are some of your thoughts about deciding to do a 5th year (after receiveing B.A. at a 4 year university with a bio major) taking upper div bio classes at a community college? Here are the classes I would want to take and why:

- Human Anatomy (took lecture portion at 4 year but couldn't get into lab class. This would let me do the lab part)

- Molecular Biology (Got a C+ at 4yr and might be useful for prepping for MCAT retake)

- Microbiology (upper div, and prep for MCAT retake)

- Immunology (upper div, and prep for MCAT retake)

- Human Physio (upper div, and prep for MCAT retake)

If I took these courses at CC I could save some money, prepare for MCAT bio, and raise my GPA. Three main questions:

1. Is the C+ and lower bio MCAT score a good enough reason to retake Molecular bio?
2. Even if I got an A in Anatomy at 4yr, is it a good enough reason to retake the lab + lec course (you can't just take the lab) at CC to get the lab experience?
3. Would this be a smarter move for my situation (given my situation in the original post) especially if I have a better chance at getting A's at the CC?

 

[deleted248403]

Never take classes at a CC if you are trying to impress an Adcom

 

[HerbalPlz]

Anatomy is a required course for medical schools? Really?

 

[DrMidlife]

Anatomy is a required course for medical schools? Really?

No. Anatomy was brought up as additional upper div science.

 

[HerbalPlz]

No. Anatomy was brought up as additional upper div science.

Thanks so much...phew.

I guess this 1 school is just an anomaly, I hope?

http://medicine.osu.edu/students/admissions/requirements/pages/prerequisites.aspx

 

[DrMidlife]

Thanks so much...phew.

I guess this 1 school is just an anomaly, I hope?

http://medicine.osu.edu/students/admissions/requirements/pages/prerequisites.aspx

Yes, an anomaly, and OSU is looking for a low-level course (it's a typical prereq for nursing school). Generally it's a good idea to pay attention to announcements like this for schools in which you're interested, and you will see lots of recommendations, but from what I've seen (by obsessing over the MSAR since 2006) any reqs you're missing you can get done late in your app year at a CC if you have to. Even calculus. Or you can petition to use a substitute, if you've also taken some upper div science. Which imho you should.

Every class I took above the prereqs paid off bigtime, either on the MCAT or in my SMP or both. Bacterial genetics and molecular virology completely changed the way I think about cells. Imho, taking more than you have to is good prep.

Best of luck to you.

 

[HerbalPlz]

Yes, an anomaly, and OSU is looking for a low-level course (it's a typical prereq for nursing school). Generally it's a good idea to pay attention to announcements like this for schools in which you're interested, and you will see lots of recommendations, but from what I've seen (by obsessing over the MSAR since 2006) any reqs you're missing you can get done late in your app year at a CC if you have to. Even calculus. Or you can petition to use a substitute, if you've also taken some upper div science. Which imho you should.

Every class I took above the prereqs paid off bigtime, either on the MCAT or in my SMP or both. Bacterial genetics and molecular virology completely changed the way I think about cells. Imho, taking more than you have to is good prep.

Best of luck to you.

Amazing advice as always, thanks 🙂

 

[johnnyscans]

Yes, an anomaly, and OSU is looking for a low-level course (it's a typical prereq for nursing school). Generally it's a good idea to pay attention to announcements like this for schools in which you're interested, and you will see lots of recommendations, but from what I've seen (by obsessing over the MSAR since 2006) any reqs you're missing you can get done late in your app year at a CC if you have to. Even calculus. Or you can petition to use a substitute, if you've also taken some upper div science. Which imho you should.

Every class I took above the prereqs paid off bigtime, either on the MCAT or in my SMP or both. Bacterial genetics and molecular virology completely changed the way I think about cells. Imho, taking more than you have to is good prep.

Best of luck to you.

I met with my advisor yesterday and he said of all the upper level science electives, biochemistry is only one that really shouldn't be considered optional. According to him, studies have been done and there is direct positive correlation for taking biochemistry at the undergraduate level and first year success in medical school.