Looking for the right post-bacc program... Please help!

[SaltySailor]

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Hello all,

I'll keep this short. I'm currently an officer in the Navy. I have 2 years left on my contract. I plan on getting out when my time comes and hopefully entering a post-bacc program that is paid in full by the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The problem is my GPA. I have a 2.8 GPA, (yes I know, this keeps me up at night). I majored in English. Every post-bacc program I look at requires at least a 3.0, or in some cases, a 3.2 GPA minimum to apply. This is very frustrating. I feel very trapped and I'm not sure where to go because my GPA is so low.

I'd like to know if anyone is aware of any schools that are willing to consider someone with military experience, a 2.8 GPA, AND awards a certificate/degree so I can use the GI Bill/Yellow Ribbon Program. Again, I've done a pretty through search and can't find anything.

Thanks.

 

[DrMidlife]

Thank you for your service.

People who have a 3.5+ and need to get the prereqs done can look at structured formal postbacs like Bryn Mawr et al.

People who have a 3.2 or so, including some strong science grades, can look at semi-structured programs like Penn Special Sciences or Harvard Extension.

People who have a sub-3.0 and no science background need to be looking at options that allow for 2-3 years of full time undergrad study. Maybe a 2nd bachelors. Maybe a 5 year plan where you work at a school that offers the classes you need, and/or take 1-2 classes after work.

You may find that your GI benefits are an obstacle because of their constraints. You'll have to decide whether you want to be a doctor bad enough to pay for things on your own, and/or get less than the full value of your GI benefits. We've seen your story in this forum before. You may find that you don't want med school badly enough to do what it takes. There are lots of other careers.

There are no idle advisers or staff members at schools out there looking for students like you, because you are risky. Your academic record doesn't inspire confidence, regardless of the impressive contribution you made in the military and/or the maturity/diversity you bring. Academics are the price of admission, so that's what's emphasized for premeds, traditional or not. (Pause to point out that I have no idea who you are; I'm describing the attitude of schools and staff toward students who have not already shown traditional premeddy success.)

So you have to be the adult in charge of whether you'll go to med school or not. You have free unfettered access to a massive gold mine of information on SDN, and I recommend three research activities in which you should invest about 100 hours, not kidding:
1. This forum, particularly the low GPA thread that has over 600,000 views.
2. The nontrad forum, particularly the low GPA success threads. Lots of military veterans in that forum.
3. The reapplicant forum. Educate yourself on the common mistakes. Avoid them.

Also: live in Texas when you're discharged. No question, Texas is the best state for establishing residency. Tons of schools, cheap tuition, military friendly.

Edit: one more thing. It's fairly common for folks to come out of the military and magically be better students, suddenly able to focus and have the discipline to shine academically. But don't assume you'll just magically become an A student by wanting to be one. Be willing to discover that you just hate school, and if so, take yourself seriously enough to not pursue med school if you hate school. Honestly, every grade you get that isn't an A is a step away from med school. Plan accordingly.

Best of luck to you.

 

[gohokies2005]

Hey SS,
I found myself in a similar situation a few years ago. I was an 8 year naval officer, political science major, next to no science courses to my name (other than basic physics). My starting gpa was a little better at 3.2, but I had work to do.
You already got a pretty good, lengthy answer from someone who is more familiar with this kind of stuff, but here are my thoughts too (what worked for me):
1) Take all the prerequisites you can in the next two years until you get out. Much easier on a shore rotation of course, get an A in everything is a must.
2) Take a few upper level science courses if you can. Be able to show more than just an upward trend, show you totally reinvented your study habits and are now a 4.0 student. Doing well on the MCAT is an obvious as well.
3) Learn to appreciate DO schools if you don't already. I had my reservations at first admittedly, but the more I researched them the more I liked them. This is the path I have gone, very happy with where I am at now.
4) Keep exploring the best post bacc options available. I don't have a long list for you, but I went through VCOM and was very satisfied with that program. They have a guaranteed acceptance with a 3.6 and 24 MCAT. There are others with similar offers I am sure, just all don't advertise guaranteed admissions I have found. VCOM not having a float year between programs really helped seal the deal with my applying there. They also seem to value people with other life experiences outside of school, I think my military service was definitely a plus.
I think getting your GPA over a 3.0 and a 26+ MCAT will start putting you at the competitive range for the "less competitive" school's PB programs.
Sorry if this was more advice than you were really looking for, but good luck to you. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.