Is a post bac after MCAT necessary?

[dibidibidis140]

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I'm doing some planning right now and I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it for me to do a post bac.

Currently my GPA is 3.3 (anxiety and depression last two years made my GPA plummet) with my science GPA around the same however my MCAT (took last year) is a 520+ and my extracurriculars are also above average (extensive research + national fellowships).

I've been out of school for three years doing various fellowships and this is my last year. I'm not sure if I should apply during this final year or tack on a postbac after since my science GPA is low. Tbh I think it's unnecessary at this stage but my grades may be a red flag to schools. I also do not want to apply DO. Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[Forever Geebs]

State of residence? What was your major-science related or another discipline? What is your sGPA?


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[OneTwoThreeFour]

If you want to go to a top 25 school, I'd suggest taking a few classes to make that MCAT look legit. I'm confident you can go somewhere without taking more courses but you'd have to apply more broadly.

 

[Goro]

I'm doing some planning right now and I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it for me to do a post bac.

Currently my GPA is 3.3 (anxiety and depression last two years made my GPA plummet) with my science GPA around the same however my MCAT (took last year) is a 520+ and my extracurriculars are also above average (extensive research + national fellowships).

I've been out of school for three years doing various fellowships and this is my last year. I'm not sure if I should apply during this final year or tack on a postbac after since my science GPA is low. Tbh I think it's unnecessary at this stage but my grades may be a red flag to schools. I also do not want to apply DO. Thoughts? Opinions?

Your grades are a red flag and don't think that the 520 score will lead to an auto accept.

I am correct that you have a downward GPA trend? Either with or without the depression issues, that telegraphs that you wouldn't be able to handle a medical school curriculum.

Now on top of this, there are the mental health issues.

Medical school is a furnace, and I've seen it break even healthy students. The #1 reason my school loses students to withdrawal, dismissal or LOA is to unresolved mental health issues.

Hence, you need to show Adcoms that you can handle med school, and the only way to do that is by aceing a post-bac or SMP.

There are MD schools that reward reinvention, as do all DO schools. And sorry, but beggars can't be choosy...you will need to have DO schools on your list.

Have you shadowed and engaged in patient contact volunteering? Non-clinical volunteering?

 

[dibidibidis140]

Your grades are a red flag and don't think that the 520 score will lead to an auto accept.

I am correct that you have a downward GPA trend? Either with or without the depression issues, that telegraphs that you wouldn't be able to handle a medical school curriculum.

Now on top of this, there are the mental health issues.

Medical school is a furnace, and I've seen it break even healthy students. The #1 reason my school loses students to withdrawal, dismissal or LOA is to unresolved mental health issues.

Hence, you need to show Adcoms that you can handle med school, and the only way to do that is by aceing a post-bac or SMP.

There are MD schools that reward reinvention, as do all DO schools. And sorry, but beggars can't be choosy...you will need to have DO schools on your list.

Have you shadowed and engaged in patient contact volunteering? Non-clinical volunteering?

Yes I understood this which is why I took three years off after graduation. I have numerous shadowing and clinical/patient contact, both abroad (fellowship) and in the states. What I'm worried about this the timeline. Adding a postbac means adding two more years not one since it wouldn't make much since to apply in the middle of the post bac without any complete grades.

 

[dibidibidis140]

State of residence? What was your major-science related or another discipline? What is your sGPA?

Texas, neuro/bio double +3minors (non science). I am black as well I was told by advisors in the past this may or may not influence things.

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[Goro]

Yes I understood this which is why I took three years off after graduation. I have numerous shadowing and clinical/patient contact, both abroad (fellowship) and in the states. What I'm worried about this the timeline. Adding a postbac means adding two more years not one since it wouldn't make much since to apply in the middle of the post bac without any complete grades.

Your time off still doesn't tell me if you can handle the pressure cooker of med school. Only doing well in some intensive coursework can.

Like it or not, you're in a marathon now, not a sprint.

As mentioned above, your GPAs are circling the drain for MD schools. That, combined with the downward trend, makes you a high risk candidate.

Med schools aren't going anywhere. In fact, by the time you apply, more will have opened their doors.

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

 

[dibidibidis140]

Your time off still doesn't tell me if you can handle the pressure cooker of med school. Only doing well in some intensive coursework can.

Like it or not, you're in a marathon now, not a sprint.

As mentioned above, your GPAs are circling the drain for MD schools. That, combined with the downward trend, makes you a high risk candidate.

Med schools aren't going anywhere. In fact, by the time you apply, more will have opened their doors.

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

Thank-you. I was also under the impression that my MCAT scores only last two, three years at the most. So that also means retaking the MCAT...

 

[Goro]

Thank-you. I was also under the impression that my MCAT scores only last two, three years at the most. So that also means retaking the MCAT...

Yup. You could apply this upcoming cycle and see how it shakes out, while still being enrolled in the post-bac. ie, apply and have your Plan B.

 

[Goro]

BTW, chances best with the TX schools.

 

[Lucca]

Apply this next cycle for sure. Don’t just let that mcat score expire. According to AAMCs tables apps like yours have a 60% acceptance rate. If you’re a Texan apply everywhere in state.

 

[3toedsloth]

Apply early when amcas opens. Take post bac classes. Provide updates with your grades. If you don’t get in, apply again.

 

[BtmoreRavens18]

I have very similar stats (uGPA 3.4, but sGPA just under 3.3), 520 MCAT. I applied to a mix of tiers, from the brand new MD's to the tippy top schools and have had quite a good cycle so far! So I do think your MCAT can make up for your GPA somewhat. I would say though, I have the opposite grade trend, 2.5 freshman year (16 credits/semester) to 4.0 senior year (22 credits/semester) and that might make a difference.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I have very similar stats (uGPA 3.4, but sGPA just under 3.3), 520 MCAT. I applied to a mix of tiers, from the brand new MD's to the tippy top schools and have had quite a good cycle so far! So I do think your MCAT can make up for your GPA somewhat. I would say though, I have the opposite grade trend, 2.5 freshman year (16 credits/semester) to 4.0 senior year (22 credits/semester) and that might make a difference.

Opposite grade trend makes ALL the difference!

 

[dibidibidis140]

Thanks for all of the advice. I will apply the next cycle as well as llook into an SMP program.🙂