Not doing well on postbac.......

[MedicalPrep]

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Hello,

I recently completed my first year of post-bac and I am very discouraged with my grade and overall situation. I was wondering if I can get some advice from you guys.. (I really don't know what to do... plz help....)

So here is my situation,

I have 3.4 overall gpa with non-science major, but took all the pre-req (sGPA 3.22). Then I decided to do postbac to boost my science gpa.

At the same time I decided to do research at local medical school as a research assistant. (So far, it looks like a great plan, right?) But my post-doc's demand is really really high (I mean he treats me like a slave), and he wants me to be there basically everyday 10 hours minmum. I figured it would be worth it to be commited because I may end up being a co-author. So I worked very very hard and of course I learned A LOT but the problem is that I feel like I did not focus on my academic.

I took 6 science classes.. but did not do well again (3.0ish...man... I know...). My science gpa got even lower (now 3.1)...I think now it's time to really really focus on my gpa and just take a lot of classes without wokring or doing research. I really want to quit the lab.. but at the same time if i quit the lab, my 1 year commitment of lab work will be gone in terms of being an co-author. I have relatively good MCAT score of 34.

So here is my thought, I can either do another year of post-bac without research.. or keep doing research but take only few classes (1 or 2 each semester...) So i guess my questions is.. do you think continuing research (hopfully w/ authorship) is worth it? I mean I already have 2 years of research experience, but I'm not sure how authorship can help me.

Please please help me...

 

[QofQuimica]

A major part of successfully navigating the admissions process is prioritizing your time and energy to maximize your chances of success. In your case, you have your priorities completely backwards from what they need to be. Being an author on a manuscript would be nice, but having a strong postbac GPA is *essential*. You already have more than enough research experience to apply to an MD/PhD program, never mind a straight MD program! However, your postbac grades are well below average to the point that they may seriously handicap your efforts to get into medical school.

I strongly suggest that you cut back on the research to whatever point is necessary for you to get As in the rest of your postbac classes. Getting those As should be your top priority for the upcoming year. As for authorship, you could work in that lab for a decade and never get your name on a paper for political reasons or even due to plain bad luck; there just aren't any guarantees that X amount of work over Y period of time will get your name on a paper. Again, though, even if you do publish something, it won't outweigh the importance of having a strong GPA.

Hope this helps, and best of luck. 🙂

 

[Torr]

A major part of successfully navigating the admissions process is prioritizing your time and energy to maximize your chances of success. In your case, you have your priorities completely backwards from what they need to be. Being an author on a manuscript would be nice, but having a strong postbac GPA is *essential*. You already have more than enough research experience to apply to an MD/PhD program, never mind a straight MD program! However, your postbac grades are well below average to the point that they may seriously handicap your efforts to get into medical school.

I strongly suggest that you cut back on the research to whatever point is necessary for you to get As in the rest of your postbac classes. Getting those As should be your top priority for the upcoming year. As for authorship, you could work in that lab for a decade and never get your name on a paper for political reasons or even due to plain bad luck; there just aren't any guarantees that X amount of work over Y period of time will get your name on a paper. Again, though, even if you do publish something, it won't outweigh the importance of having a strong GPA.

Hope this helps, and best of luck. 🙂

Nothing additional since Q answered this perfectly! 🙂

Take heed of the underlined warning. Most of us assume we'll be getting authorship and most of us assume we'll get the work done and a publication out in time to impress Adcoms. Doesn't always happen, in which case you're left with no publication and subpar post-bacc grades because you spread yourself too thin.

Have a sit down with the post-doc and see what he says about your wanting to decrease lab hours first.

You have more control over your GPA than you do over gaining authorship of that paper. Choose wisely.

Also, how many semester units does 6 classes boil down to? Not sure if you're just taking too many units.

 

[TriagePreMed]

At this point, more Post-bacc work is worthless. Either wrap it up and apply to DO schools primarily or look into an SMP. Like the above people have said, your priorities are messed. At this time going to an SMP is perhaps your best/only option in the deck of cards.

 

[mafunk]

A major part of successfully navigating the admissions process is prioritizing your time and energy to maximize your chances of success. In your case, you have your priorities completely backwards from what they need to be. Being an author on a manuscript would be nice, but having a strong postbac GPA is *essential*.

I completely agree with this statement, particularly since your prof is expecting a ridiculous 10 hours a day. Drop the research and focus on your studies!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Here's the thing... you're being promised something your post-doc can renege on later... if you don't have a written contract saying you're a co-author, it means nothing, and even if you have have a contract, it could easily be broken. It's NOT worth messing up your grades. For the last two years my school has been more important than my job, and I told them so... if you can quit and salvage the PB do it... you need the A's nothing short of it...