I got great grades in my masters program in microbiology and immunology, but I think that my undergraduate grades are keeping me from getting accepted to medical school. Would it be ridiculous to retake my pre-med classes at this point? It seems absurd to go back and take introductory biology after I have a masters degree in microbiology. If my performance in graduate classes doesnt prove anything to medical schools, will a post bacc?
Is it ridiculous to do a Post-bacc after a Masters degree?
- Thread starter DCDAWG
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DCDAWG said:
I wouldn't retake any classes. From every source that I've talked to it seems like that is bad option. Everyone has advised me to take upper level classes and do well, which is sounds like you have done. Unless you are taking the classes to review for the MCAT, I wouldn't retake them solely to bring up your undergrad GPA. If you want to do that take other undergraduate courses.
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It would be of no benefit to retake undergrad biology or chem if you've already done will in Micro, Biochem, et. If you're MCAT score is good (33+) you should apply. At this point, the only thing that might help is an SMP, but since you already have a graduate degree, the gain might be of dubious value.
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DCDAWG said:
What was your performance in your pre medical undergraduate courses? If any of them are below a B you will want to re-take them. Otherwise, take upper level undergraduate courses to raise your GPA since your master's degree grades will not factor into your undergraduate GPA.
I have a masters in biomedical science (immuno, molec. cell bio, virology, pathophys, etc.) and did very well, but now I am in a post bacc taking my undergraduate pre reqs. In is in a sense going backwards, but it has to be done. If anything it ensures better grades 🙂
Good luck
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oofff...funny this should be brought up
(not hahah funny, ironic funny)
i have a undergrad degree in chem, so lots of advanced chem classes, and then a master's in international health. i was just an average chem major though, b's mostly with a few bad bad grades in physics and math. somehow my undergrad gpa was a 3.1. i retook 1st semester general chem, 1st semester physics, and an advanced bio class. i got a's in all of them, then took the mcat and got a 32s. i hope it doesn't look stupid on my amcas, but i needed to get my feet wet again. now i am applying for one year post bacc programs. but i'm arguing with my husband now if i need to keep on re-taking those pre-req classes in undergrad this summer. (i'm thinking i should take 2nd semester physics, b/c i got a c in it in undergrad) and he's all like nooo, you're fine, just get into a program and kick butt. i don't know i do feel paranoid b/c i'm comepeting w/ people that did get all a's in their pre-reqs.. so long story short, i am feeling conflicted and confused like you
(not hahah funny, ironic funny)
i have a undergrad degree in chem, so lots of advanced chem classes, and then a master's in international health. i was just an average chem major though, b's mostly with a few bad bad grades in physics and math. somehow my undergrad gpa was a 3.1. i retook 1st semester general chem, 1st semester physics, and an advanced bio class. i got a's in all of them, then took the mcat and got a 32s. i hope it doesn't look stupid on my amcas, but i needed to get my feet wet again. now i am applying for one year post bacc programs. but i'm arguing with my husband now if i need to keep on re-taking those pre-req classes in undergrad this summer. (i'm thinking i should take 2nd semester physics, b/c i got a c in it in undergrad) and he's all like nooo, you're fine, just get into a program and kick butt. i don't know i do feel paranoid b/c i'm comepeting w/ people that did get all a's in their pre-reqs.. so long story short, i am feeling conflicted and confused like you
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bump, this didn't work right the first time
relentless11
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I once asked Stanford about the possibility of doing post-bacc after my PhD program. The lady said "I've never heard of anyone doing that before". Well she didn't comfirm or deny that its a bad thing. It just equates back to post-bacc/undergrad GPA's again so it won't hurt you.
However if you had extensive graded units in a grad program, I think despite grad GPA's being seperate, they may eventually overshadow undergrad GPA on a case-by-case basis. Especially if your grad degree covers a lot of the science courses that encompass the pre-reqs and/or med school courses, and I'm sure a high MCAT will help too.
A more recent GPA in something challenging like grad school, and recent high MCAT score vs. a less than spectacular undergrad GPA from years ago is probably a better indicator of how well you are presently.
However if you had extensive graded units in a grad program, I think despite grad GPA's being seperate, they may eventually overshadow undergrad GPA on a case-by-case basis. Especially if your grad degree covers a lot of the science courses that encompass the pre-reqs and/or med school courses, and I'm sure a high MCAT will help too.
A more recent GPA in something challenging like grad school, and recent high MCAT score vs. a less than spectacular undergrad GPA from years ago is probably a better indicator of how well you are presently.
