is it worth it?

[Spring2013PB]

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I'm in a bit of a predicament. I graduated from a top, very undergrad with magna (nearly summa...0.02 points away) cum laude and phi beta kappa honors. I just completed my first semester in a formal post bacc program, and was wondering if I am a viable med school candidate. My extra curriculars are top notch (volunteering/research/shadowing experience since high school), I am confident/do well in interviews, and am not concerned about crafting my personal statement.

The reason I am concerned is because I received 2 B+s in my first semester as a post bacc. If this trend continues (hopefully it won't!), will the disparity between my undergrad GPA and my post-bacc GPA "raise a red flag" and make me a less attractive candidate for top med schools (and schools on the coasts - i.e. UW, CA schools, NY schools, etc. ?).

Am I stressing out over nothing?

Thanks!

 

[Bean Counter]

Am I stressing out over nothing?

Yes

 

[chayo234]

Classic Trolling

 

[Magilacutty]

Idk if this is trolling. I think your concerns are valid, especially for top tier med schools, but I would try not to worry about this now. Just focus on improving next semester. There are many factors in your app, i.e. the MCAT... which could be used to appraise a large disparity between post bacc GPA and undergrad. You haven't even taken the MCAT yet.

Just do everything you can to do better next semester. Eliminate distractions, try new study habits, do less on the side, don't spend too much time on SDN posting would-if's, etc.

For med school purposes, though, I would note that phi betta kappa probably means very little. I know people with 3.4 GPA who got that. If your ECs are good, probably shouldn't even waste an AMCAS spot for phi betta kappa. Also, not sure latin honors mean much. Easier to compare GPA. At my undergrad, 3.75 was summa provided you did an honors thesis, so assuming you had something like a 3.73, and then got a 3.33 post bacc GPA, your overall GPA is not going to be that amazing. Above average still, but not amazing. I would imagine you will get into med school or multiple med schools, but top tier med schools will notice that you couldn't pull A's in science courses. And to be honest, any medical school would notice that, even DO. But it likely wouldn't be a deal breaker if you had a good MCAT, strong undergrad institution, reputable post bacc, great ECs, etc.

 

[z122]

is what worth it? the stressing? no, not now. but you really should assess what you can do to improve. I just sat down with an adviser after getting a 3.5 my first year and figured out I wasn't studying as effectively as I could be. I was assured that many post baccs get B+, A-s their first year and make adjustments. I was also assured that some post baccs end up with B+, A-s and still get into med school.

 

[Spring2013PB]

Thanks. This definitely wasn't trolling. I'm at crossroads where I haven't completed most/all of the classes and still have time to re-evaluate everything. My UG GPA was b/w a 3.8 and 3.9, at a top 20 institution (world wide and domestic). My post-bacc is at a top 20/25? school. We take classes with the undergrads, rather than at night/extension courses (these kids have just taken the science APs and wreck the curve for us postbacs). One of my grades might be adjusted, so it turns out that for this past semester, I probably will end up with a solid A and a B+ (the TA entered an incorrect exam score. Thank goodness I caught it!).

Does anybody have general tips to improve? I study like mad - my social life doesn't exist - I volunteer for a few hours a week (nothing too much - I've already volunteered LOADS), I do all assigned problems (and then some), go to all lectures, make note cards, study guides, etc. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks!

 

[deleted248403]

Thanks. This definitely wasn't trolling. I'm at crossroads where I haven't completed most/all of the classes and still have time to re-evaluate everything. My UG GPA was b/w a 3.8 and 3.9, at a top 20 institution (world wide and domestic). My post-bacc is at a top 20/25? school. We take classes with the undergrads, rather than at night/extension courses (these kids have just taken the science APs and wreck the curve for us postbacs). One of my grades might be adjusted, so it turns out that for this past semester, I probably will end up with a solid A and a B+ (the TA entered an incorrect exam score. Thank goodness I caught it!).

Does anybody have general tips to improve? I study like mad - my social life doesn't exist - I volunteer for a few hours a week (nothing too much - I've already volunteered LOADS), I do all assigned problems (and then some), go to all lectures, make note cards, study guides, etc. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks!

Yes, you are missing the fact you have a 3.8/3.9 GPA.... which is about 1 standard deviation above the average accepted MD student.

This is a low GPA forum where most people have 2.8s, not 3.8s..... you freaking out over getting a B+ is not going down well...

 

[m1021]

My question is.. with a GPA that high, why are you even in a post Bacc? Is it a career changer?