Need Help Finding Programs

[nsathe]

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I'm a 4th year Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology Major at the University of Michigan. My GPA is about a 3.55 (about the same for science GPA). My MCAT score is fairly low (25: V7, P9, B9). I plan on retaking it this coming April, also the month I graduate. I have about a year of good research experience at the U of M hospital. I am currently volunteering at a hospital in the pediatrics department. I'm looking for a program that will help enhance my appliaction. Anyone know of a good post-bac program that will help. I have all my pre-med classes done.

 

[Phil Anthropist]

If you score well on April's test, you probably don't need one. If you're applying for matriculation in 2006, a postbac program might not help you all that much anyway. A lot of schools may not even consider the Fall grades. An exception to the rule is Georgetown's SMP because of the way it sets up its courses.

There are many one-year masters and certificate programs if you're interested (or if you feel you absolutely must do graduate work of some sort to show devotion or get a headstart on some of the basic sciences coursework), but most of these programs are very expensive. Coming from a school like Michigan with your GPAs, it doesn't seem like you need to prove you can handle coursework. It sounds like the MCAT is really your only hurdle. If you're considering doing a one-year postbac program before you send out your applications, there are many. There's even one-year cell/molecular postbac programs. But if you're looking to do a program this year, during the app cycle, I think G-town is the way to go.

 

[nsathe]

So what are some things I can look into for my year off? I was thinking finding a research gig and doing research for a year. Possibly at the Univ. of Cincinnati Medical School.

 

[Phil Anthropist]

Sounds like a plan...

I know the NIH also has a one-year research program for recent graduates:

http://www.training.nih.gov/student/Pre-IRTA/previewpostbac.asp?AppType=Postbac

There's another med school that has a one-year research program for recent grads too...I'll post it if I can remember it

P.S. With your stats you can apply to some postbac programs now if you want the security of having a definite Plan B, but I think you'll still have plenty of options in mid-June if you don't get the MCAT you want.