Legitimate "DIY Post Bacc"?

[Zach123!]

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Hello,

I am a current undergrad student at UCF, and don't have the best credentials for med school (3.2 gpa, taking MCAT next spring with gap year). I had some health issues which caused me to miss many exams and tank some classes. In order to improve my application, would it be ok to go to a separate undergrad school after I obtain my degree at UCF, such as U Texas (dream place to live), and retake some of the science classes that I did poorly in, such as OChem? Or is that not as effective as just doing an SMP?

 

[907914]

Hello,

I am a current undergrad student at UCF, and don't have the best credentials for med school (3.2 gpa, taking MCAT next spring with gap year). I had some health issues which caused me to miss many exams and tank some classes. In order to improve my application, would it be ok to go to a separate undergrad school after I obtain my degree at UCF, such as U Texas (dream place to live), and retake some of the science classes that I did poorly in, such as OChem? Or is that not as effective as just doing an SMP?

SMP will be by far more effective than just retaking the classes you did poorly in. I would recommend doin an SMP, but if not then I would suggest pick any undergrad and take upper division biology classes for two years with a 3.8the whole time.

 

[Catalystik]

I am a current undergrad student at UCF, and don't have the best credentials for med school (3.2 gpa, taking MCAT next spring with gap year). I had some health issues which caused me to miss many exams and tank some classes. In order to improve my application, would it be ok to go to a separate undergrad school after I obtain my degree at UCF, such as U Texas (dream place to live), and retake some of the science classes that I did poorly in, such as OChem? Or is that not as effective as just doing an SMP?

You need a solid foundation in the prerequisite classes before engaging in a heavy load of upper-level Bio via either a DIY postbac or an SMP. I think you'd do well to begin another (science) degree program elsewhere (with no obligation to actually earn a second bachelors degree) so that you have registration priority for the classes you need. All undergrad grades earned from all colleges attended will be factored together by the med school application service to create application GPAs according to the policy of each application service (there are three). Whether you'll also need to engage in an (expensive) SMP to redeem your record can be addressed after you see how strong your academics are when you aren't distracted by health issues.

If you have any Fs on your record: Does your current institution allow you to petition for retroactive withdrawal from failed classes if you provide documentation of health issues? You might look into this as the opportunity is usually time-limited.

 

[Zach123!]

You need a solid foundation in the prerequisite classes before engaging in a heavy load of upper-level Bio via either a DIY postbac or an SMP. I think you'd do well to begin another (science) degree program elsewhere (with no obligation to actually earn a second bachelors degree) so that you have registration priority for the classes you need. All undergrad grades earned from all colleges attended will be factored together by the med school application service to create application GPAs according to the policy of each application service (there are three). Whether you'll also need to engage in an (expensive) SMP to redeem your record can be addressed after you see how strong your academics are when you aren't distracted by health issues.

If you have any Fs on your record: Does your current institution allow you to petition for retroactive withdrawal from failed classes if you provide documentation of health issues? You might look into this as the opportunity is usually time-limited.

I luckily do not have any F's. It's just a lot of C's and B's. I've had to miss numerous exams and that kind of prevents me from getting those A's. But would a university in another state allow me to take say, 30 credits, of science courses that I've already taken at UCF, even though I didn't fail any? I've heard some universities are strict with that, only allowing students to retake courses that they flat-out failed.

 

[Catalystik]

I luckily do not have any F's. It's just a lot of C's and B's. I've had to miss numerous exams and that kind of prevents me from getting those A's. But would a university in another state allow me to take say, 30 credits, of science courses that I've already taken at UCF, even though I didn't fail any? I've heard some universities are strict with that, only allowing students to retake courses that they flat-out failed.

Call them and ask.

Since you didn't get Ds and Fs, you might also consider whether you have the personal capability to restudy the material on your own and proceed directly to an SMP after getting a good MCAT score, vs further raising your sGPA with an informal postbac. Assuming a decent sGPA-the current state of which you didn't disclose) with 1.5 years of a 3.7+ GPA (including your final year of college), you might be ready to apply, especially if you include DO medical schools on your application list.