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Low Undergrad GPA (2's), started post-bacc
- Thread starter baccpost
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First, read this book:
Med School Rx: Getting In, Getting Through, and Getting On with Doctoring Original Edition
by Walter Hartwig
ISBN-13: 978-1607140627
ISBN-10: 1607140624
(1) Should I re-take intro physics, since my undergrad grades in it were less than ideal?
Any pre-req that you got less than a C in.
(2) Other than the core OChem, Chem, Physics, Bio, Biochem classes, what should I take? Would it be useful for me to take microbiology, A&P, Molecular/Genetics?
I firmly believe that Biochem, Molecular or Cell Biol and/or Molecular or standard Genetics should be pre-reqs. Hence, take these.
(3) Would upper-level psych and sociology courses be useful?
Whatever will be useful for the MCAT
(4) I had calc and pre-calc as early as high school, as well as upper-level math classes which I didn't do great in (but passed) in college. Should I bother re-taking a calc class or take something different -- maybe stats? What about online math courses?
Nothing online!
I'll leave to others as to advise on math courses.
(5) Where is it best to get the requisite research and shadowing experience? University or corporate setting? Hospital or private physician's office?
Anyplace that lets you see what a doctor's day is like.
(6) When is it best to take the MCATs?
When you're 100% ready.
Recommendations for review courses/strategies?
Check out the mCAT forum for suggestions.
(7) Are there any US schools that are more flexible about undergrad GPA given excellent performance in a post-bacc program?
Yes; there are a fair numbr of MD (and all DO) schools that reward reinvention. Your state schools are your best bet.
(8) I'm not averse to applying to medical schools abroad, and I'm a dual citizen of an EU country. Application procedures for 4-year programs abroad seem to weigh MCAT scores (and in some cases, their own exams) more heavily than undergrad GPAs. Any recommendations other than the usual: Caribbean, Ireland, Czech, Poland, and Australia? Some of the programs require a recent undergrad degree -- is there any way around this with recent post-bacc work, or should I consider turning this into a second bachelor's degree?
If you seriously want to practice medicine in the US, then go to a US medical school. If you wish to go to the Caribbean, I can use your money better than they can. But it's much faster to simply set you cash on fire.
Don't forget that you'll need the requisite volunteering, both clinical and non-clinical.
Med School Rx: Getting In, Getting Through, and Getting On with Doctoring Original Edition
by Walter Hartwig
ISBN-13: 978-1607140627
ISBN-10: 1607140624
(1) Should I re-take intro physics, since my undergrad grades in it were less than ideal?
Any pre-req that you got less than a C in.
(2) Other than the core OChem, Chem, Physics, Bio, Biochem classes, what should I take? Would it be useful for me to take microbiology, A&P, Molecular/Genetics?
I firmly believe that Biochem, Molecular or Cell Biol and/or Molecular or standard Genetics should be pre-reqs. Hence, take these.
(3) Would upper-level psych and sociology courses be useful?
Whatever will be useful for the MCAT
(4) I had calc and pre-calc as early as high school, as well as upper-level math classes which I didn't do great in (but passed) in college. Should I bother re-taking a calc class or take something different -- maybe stats? What about online math courses?
Nothing online!
I'll leave to others as to advise on math courses.
(5) Where is it best to get the requisite research and shadowing experience? University or corporate setting? Hospital or private physician's office?
Anyplace that lets you see what a doctor's day is like.
(6) When is it best to take the MCATs?
When you're 100% ready.
Recommendations for review courses/strategies?
Check out the mCAT forum for suggestions.
(7) Are there any US schools that are more flexible about undergrad GPA given excellent performance in a post-bacc program?
Yes; there are a fair numbr of MD (and all DO) schools that reward reinvention. Your state schools are your best bet.
(8) I'm not averse to applying to medical schools abroad, and I'm a dual citizen of an EU country. Application procedures for 4-year programs abroad seem to weigh MCAT scores (and in some cases, their own exams) more heavily than undergrad GPAs. Any recommendations other than the usual: Caribbean, Ireland, Czech, Poland, and Australia? Some of the programs require a recent undergrad degree -- is there any way around this with recent post-bacc work, or should I consider turning this into a second bachelor's degree?
If you seriously want to practice medicine in the US, then go to a US medical school. If you wish to go to the Caribbean, I can use your money better than they can. But it's much faster to simply set you cash on fire.
Don't forget that you'll need the requisite volunteering, both clinical and non-clinical.
