Is it worth it to get a masters or do a post-bacc if your GPA is fine?

[TX500]

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My GPA is in the 3.65-3.70 range and although this isn't all that great, I'm not neurotic enough to think that this is an abysmal GPA. I would say it's just about average for low and mid tier schools. That being said, do you guys think a masters or a post-bacc program would help my application in any way, or do you think I should do something else (e.g. work full time, or anything along those lines).

Thanks.

Edit: I'm getting lured into the "82% of our students were accepted into medical school during or after completion of our program" statistic...

 

[Doctor Strange]

lol

You're fine, bub.

 

[Jas1360]

No, you don't need a masters or post bacc with that GPA. What you need is a strong MCAT, good LORs, and plenty of relevant clinical experience. Take the time to write a really good personal and well written essays. You can have a great cycle with that GPA provided you do all the other stuff.

 

[TX500]

Thanks for the answers guys. Again, I want to stress that I'm not under the impression that my GPA is low for medical school, or anything like that. I was just wondering if the majority of post-baccs and masters of science students were those with low undergrad stats, but it sounds like there's no point in doing those programs if your GPA is fine. Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[Doctor Strange]

Thanks for the answers guys. Again, I want to stress that I'm not under the impression that my GPA is low for medical school, or anything like that. I was just wondering if the majority of post-baccs and masters of science students were those with low undergrad stats, but it sounds like there's no point in doing those programs if your GPA is fine. Thanks a lot for the help!

Only invest the extra time and money if you absolutely have to.

 

[Law2Doc]

My GPA is in the 3.65-3.70 range and although this isn't all that great, I'm not neurotic enough to think that this is an abysmal GPA. I would say it's just about average for low and mid tier schools. That being said, do you guys think a masters or a post-bacc program would help my application in any way, or do you think I should do something else (e.g. work full time, or anything along those lines).

Thanks.

Edit: I'm getting lured into the "82% of our students were accepted into medical school during or after completion of our program" statistic...

Postbac/SMP are tools for specific jobs, and only should be used if there's a job that requires a tool. you are basically asking -- the picture is already hung up, do I still need to borrow a hammer?

That being said, if your CV is weak in areas other than GPA, there could be very good reasons to spend time doing something to improve your application. If for example you feel you don't have competitive ECs, that might be a valid reason to spend time getting some.

 

[Law2Doc]

... I was just wondering if the majority of post-baccs and masters of science students were those with low undergrad stats...!

No the majority of postbacs are people that haven't taken all the sciences yet. the remainder are people trying to address low stats. The majority of SMPs are for people who need to prove to adcoms that they can handle the med school level coursework. Different tools for different jobs. You are in neither category.

 

[TX500]

Only invest the extra time and money if you absolutely have to.

No the majority of postbacs are people that haven't taken all the sciences yet. the remainder are people trying to address low stats. The majority of SMPs are for people who need to prove to adcoms that they can handle the med school level coursework. Different tools for different jobs. You are in neither category.

Sounds like you guys know what you're talking about. Thanks 🙂