Is it realistic: Goucher.

[Emilsinclair9]

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Is it realistic for me to get into Goucher College for a post-bacc without having ever taken any standardized testing?

I failed out of high school twice, went to community college, never took the SAT/ACT and now I'm a senior at UC Berkeley.

My GPA at Berkeley will be between a 3.7 and 3.8 when I graduate. My cumulative GPA with CCC will be around a 3.4 due to 3 poor community college grades (F, F, D).

I have not taken any of the premed prereqs, but have taken Stats twice (A and A- respectively), and have aced every non-premed bio and chem class I've taken (Example: Human Bio, General Principles of Bio, etc).


Essentially, with a 3.4 cGPA and like a 3.8sGPA and no standardized tesing scores, do I have any shot at all?

 

[deleted248403]

I would say no

 

[Emilsinclair9]

Any other opinions?

I don't know if it helps at all, but I received a perfect 800 on the science portion of my GED....albeit, it was the GED though.

My weaknesses are:

- No SAT's/ACT's/GRE's
- Low cGPA ~3.4-3.5

Strengths:

- 3.8+ sGPA
- perfect science GED score
- BA UC Berkeley
- Have received an A grade in every science course I've ever taken (at least 4 classes).

 

[deleted248403]

• Perfect GED means nothing; thats not a strength by any means
• BA at UC Berkley is also not a strength - you got a degree.... so does everyone else who goes to a post-bac pretty much; some even have JDs/MBAs/MS
• If its not a core-science class, which is normally followed by having done the pre-reqs; then they mean less. Non-required classes, or classes that don't have core-sci prereqs (ex Biochem needs intro bio, and some places orgo) aren't going to wow anybody

I think you are seriously over-stating your "strengths" and missing a few "weaknesses" including your poor CC performance, and HS story.

 

[nycsoul87]

The reason why it might be difficult for you to get in is because of the relatively lower gpa and the lack of any standardized testing. However, the fact that you did well in the science classes you did take (even though they were for nonmajors) might count for something.

Here's what I would do if i were you:

(1) Study for and take the GRE. This will establish some standardized testing experience. You can prep for the GRE in about a month or so if you buckle down. I might take a little bit more time if you aren't confident in your standardized test-taking ability.

(2) Start volunteering in a medical/clinical setting. This will help you figure out if you want to even go down this path and also will demonstrate desire and commitment.

The fact that you failed out of high school shouldn't matter much, if at all, in my opinion and might even make for an interesting story/journey if you can demonstrate just how much you've matured.

Good luck.

 

[Emilsinclair9]

@ rob: I don't mean to overestimate my strengths and do the opposite with my weaknesses. I genuinely believed those would be strengths, however, it would appear I was wrong. As for my hs -story- though, if anything, that would be a huge strength. Thank you for the response though both here and to my personal message. It means a lot!

@ nycsoul: In regard to number 2: volunteering in a clinical setting, I will certainly be doing that very soon. I agree that it can only help me make a more informed decision about going into medicine and also that it will demonstrate desire.

As for taking the GRE (which everyone seems to be advising me to do), I agree that's probably great advice and would be the best thing to do for formal post-baccs. I just question whether it's worth it to study/use valuable time (as I'm in school right now) for the GRE when I could just go to HCP/HES without it.

Thank you all for your time and responses. I really appreciate it!

 

[betterlate]

@ rob: I don't mean to overestimate my strengths and do the opposite with my weaknesses. I genuinely believed those would be strengths, however, it would appear I was wrong. As for my hs -story- though, if anything, that would be a huge strength. Thank you for the response though both here and to my personal message. It means a lot!

@ nycsoul: In regard to number 2: volunteering in a clinical setting, I will certainly be doing that very soon. I agree that it can only help me make a more informed decision about going into medicine and also that it will demonstrate desire.

As for taking the GRE (which everyone seems to be advising me to do), I agree that's probably great advice and would be the best thing to do for formal post-baccs. I just question whether it's worth it to study/use valuable time (as I'm in school right now) for the GRE when I could just go to HCP/HES without it.

Thank you all for your time and responses. I really appreciate it!

The reason that formal postbacc programs want to see a standardized test score is because they want to choose candidates who are highly likely to get into medical school -- that means people who will have a high GPA in addition to an MCAT score that is 30 are better. Your undergrad grades give the adcom an idea of how you'll do grade-wise in postbacc, and your standardized test scores give the adcom an idea of how you'll perform on the MCAT. They really want to see both items when choosing students, to feel comfortable that you'll make good when applying to med schools.

I think the standardized test score is actually MORE important than average in your case, considering your history of poor academic performance. While I agree with the person who commented above that your failing out of high school may turn into an asset (e.g. a good story that will help you to stand out from the crowd, particularly in light of your subsequent excellent performance in school), it may still be a red flag for the adcom. A strong standardized test score will help to confirm your later academic excellence and will support an explanation that circumstances and/or past attitude hindered you initially, but circumstances/you have changed, etc etc.

I think taking a standardized test would be critical if you want to go to a formal postbacc like Goucher. Whether or not it is 'worth it' to go to a formal postbacc vs. HES is entirely up to you. Either is a viable route to med school.

 

[cms5402]

I agree that a top tier program like Goucher may not be realistic at this time for you. I also agree that taking the GRE and getting the highest score you possible can is a good idea if you want a more formal, structured, high-ranking post-bac. If not, there are lots of ways to get your pre-med requirements done that wouldn't require that. I wouldn't apply to a program like Goucher right now, though. Good luck!