Need help with postbacc question.

[worlddoctor23]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Perhaps someone can help me with a decision I am wrestling with. I applied this year for med school. My problem is that if accepted, I am concerned I would be overwhelmed and do poorly since I haven't been in a classroom since 2000 when I graduated with a BS Biomedical Sciences degree. And if I'm not accepted, I would venture to guess that my MCAT score of 22M and the lack of recent coursework would concern an Adcomm of whether I can handle the rigors of med school. Recently, I have been thinking about doing a one year postbacc program instead in order to get back into the swing of things and probably improve my chances of getting into a DO school. Do you think this is a good idea, or should I consider another program or SMP since my gpa is not bad, 3.45cum & 3.7 BCPM. I know I should consider retaking the MCAT (something I would rather avoid), but I think that a DO school might look past that. I am leaning towards LECOM because of its affordable tuition and it offers a guaranteed interview provided you score at least a 22, which I have, and at least a 3.0 in the program. What does everyone think?

 

[UTsksk]

You have a chance at DO schools, but like you said yourself, your MCAT is pretty low(I'd retake it 🙁). I'm not too sure of doing a SMP because if you possibly don't perform well in it, it will be a setback to medical school. To me it does not seem best to go from no class room atmosphere to intense classes. I don't know, I seem to feel that you should take a SMP when you're at the top of your game, but then again, I've never been to a SMP, but do plan to later on after graduation. As for getting back in to the swing of things, take a few upper science if you don't get accepted into med school during this next cycle. Well, that's my 2 cents hehe. Good luck with getting in!

 

[worlddoctor23]

Thanks UTsksk. I appreciate your opinion. What do you think about a one year postbacc program that refreshes the sciences already learned during undergrad?

 

[worlddoctor23]

Would anyone else please chime in?

 

[worlddoctor23]

.

 

[DasHnGasH]

In your situation I would also be a little nervous about jumping into an intense medical school atmosphere after not being in a classroom for that long. They have programs designed to rehash some of the sciences from undergrad which are more for people who were not pre med in undergrad so this could be an option to explore as it might help refresh you and get you back into classroom science mode. An SMP is another option but would probably require that you retake the MCAT which you don't seem keen on. That's my two cents.

 

[worlddoctor23]

In your situation I would also be a little nervous about jumping into an intense medical school atmosphere after not being in a classroom for that long. They have programs designed to rehash some of the sciences from undergrad which are more for people who were not pre med in undergrad so this could be an option to explore as it might help refresh you and get you back into classroom science mode. An SMP is another option but would probably require that you retake the MCAT which you don't seem keen on. That's my two cents.

Thanks for the advice DasHnGasH. I think I will probably look into a postbac program. That way, I can give myself a good chance of succeeding in med school when accepted.